Reclaim the Alleys

Neighbours from two streets working together to turn our run-down alley into a shared space for everyone to use

 

Location: Dorset Avenue and Lloyd Street South, Moss Side/Fallowfield border.
Duration: May – September 2011

After a few pub conversations and some training and cajoling from the AfSL crew, the project started in earnest at the end of May, on Neighbours Day 2011. The idea was to use cleaning up the alleys as a way to bring the street together and have some summer parties, and as soon as we got stuck in to improving the alley it took on a life of its own.

People really took to the idea of coming out on a Sunday afternoon to build something together, so that one-off day turned into a bi-weekly get-together. We built planters and furniture from construction waste, chipped in for herbs and flowers and strung up solar powered lighting. In two months the group had grown to more than 20 people, and our scruffy alley was transformed into a proper shared garden.

We held our first street party in July and invited down local poets, musicians, friends, neighbours, family and anyone with a spare guitar. About 60 of us from 8 to 80 years old spent the day (and night) eating, chatting, singing dancing and drinking, and our ‘community project’ really became just ‘community’. In September 2011 I had to leave the street, but the tradition of getting together in the space we built to chat or share a cup of tea or a can is still going strong.

Awards and Press
• North West in Bloom Award
• Featured on BBC Radio

Partner organisations & funders:
• £200 Neighbour’s Day funding from City Council for plants, tools and a skip.
• No other costs incurred as all construction materials, plants etc. were donated or salvaged.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Volunteering Opportunities:
N/A – But feel free to contact Joe Hulme if you want to do it on your street!

Contact: Name: Joe Hulme
Email: [email protected]