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All Together for
the NHS: The Farm adds their support to TUC Manchester rally
LIVERPOOL band, The Farm,
will be supporting the TUC's march and rally in Manchester on Sunday,
29 September 2013, against NHS cuts and privatisation.
The event, compeered by Manchester musician and journalist, John
Robb, takes place on the first day of the Conservative Party
Conference, and has been organised to give supporters of the NHS and
those who say no to the government's austerity plan, the chance to
deliver that message loud and clear to politicians.
The protest will highlight the impact of huge job losses and
spending across the health service, as well as the rapid sell-off of
the most lucrative parts of the NHS to private healthcare companies,
many of whom are also Conservative Party donors.
Lead singer of The Farm Peter Hooton said:- "There are some
things in life worth fighting for and we believe the NHS is one of
them. One of our members, Steve Grimes, is still alive today thanks
to the wonderful care he received after being diagnosed with bowel
cancer. Nye Bevan said the NHS would last as long as there are
folk left with the faith to fight for it. The Farm, like many
others, have that faith. Patients before profit."
TUC General Secretary Frances O'Grady said:- "This September's
march and rally will allow thousands of ordinary people to show the
government exactly what they think of their policies.
Austerity is having a devastating effect on our communities and
services, with 21,000 NHS jobs lost over the last 3 months
alone. The NHS is one of Britain's finest achievements and we will
not allow ministers to destroy, through cuts and privatisation, what
has taken generations to build."
TUC North West Regional Secretary Lynn Collins, who has organised
the event in conjunction with the unions said:- "Our NHS is
under attack and we want to send the strongest message to the
Conservatives that we will not stand by and let them sell-off our
national treasure.
But it's not just our health service under attack. Workers in the
North West and beyond have had enough of a government that cuts and
cuts; whether it be jobs, services or wages. That's why we are
taking to the streets on 29 September 2013."
Around 30,000 people are expected to attend the march and rally
which starts on Liverpool Road at 11am.
As well as The Farm, there will be other musical guests, including
The Stalybridge Old Band and John Lennon McCullagh (who is signed to
Creation boss Alan McGee's new label, 359) and speeches from public
sector workers, union leaders and shadow health minister Andy
Burnham MP.
Events on Sunday, 29 September 2013.
11am Liverpool Road (M3 4FP) assemble for march.
TBC March passes Manchester Central Convention Complex.
TBC March continues down Oxford Road.
2pm Rally at Whitworth Park with The Farm, Stalybridge Brass. Band,
John Robb and Andy Burnham MP.
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MEN MOURN GARAGE
LOSS
A phenomenon known as 'garage
grabbing' among estate agents is leaving men mourning the loss
of their last refuge; a survey by Halfords has revealed.
Homeowners are increasingly using garages as store rooms or
converting them into additional living space as a means of keeping
properties tidy or improving their saleability; eroding the natural
habitat of amateur mechanics and weekend tinkerers at an alarming
rate.
An estimated 1 million households have had garages converted in the
past 3 years and a further 350,000 are currently considering it,
according to the research.
Of the 9.5 million UK homes that have garages, Halfords has found
that just 28% (2.66 million) are actually used for their intended
purpose, protecting and maintaining the family car.
Dave Poulter, Head of Trading at Halfords, said:- "It's a sad
fact that less than a 3rd of drivers are now able to store or work
on their car in the garage; the vast majority of which (60%) have
been commandeered for extra storage to accommodate household junk.
With garage grabbing on the rise, so is the number of men lamenting
their loss; with over ⅔ (68%) telling us
that they miss having a space that they can call their own where
they can work on small projects."
In response to this demand, Halfords is inviting customers to
'Escape
to your garage this Autumn' and introducing a range of products
and offers intended to help them rediscover and reconnect with their
garages.
Half of the men surveyed said they would do more DIY if they had
more space to work in and 4 in 10 nostalgically remember tinkering
at the workbench with their Dads or Granddads as children and yearn
to do the same with their own youngsters.
While the majority of those questioned blame house builders for the
general lack of storage space in modern homes, half admitted that
they were to blame for the garage becoming a dumping ground and only
17% saying that they clear it out more than once a year.
Dave Poulter added:- "Losing the nation's garages not only
means that there is no-where in which to pass on practical skills
and knowledge, but also that, in households with more than one car,
an increasing number of people have to park the car on the street;
adding to congestion and leaving vehicles more susceptible to
damage.
We're convinced that if only garages were kept more tidy and
organised, people would be amazed at how much lost space they can
reclaim."
From shelving and wall storage to workshop tools and chests, to see
what products Halfords has to help you reclaim your garage visit:-
halfords.com. So what do you think about this
report? do you agree that we are loosing the last refuge of
males? Email us your views on this issue to:-
news24@southportreporter.com and let us know what you
really think about this issue. |
