THE LRM

 Dear friends in loitering

I hope you are enjoying Spring. It’s First Sunday, This Sunday and so time to wander together.

Folk have been asking to explore outside the city centre and there was a suggestion for different loiterers to facilitate walks where they live, and so I thought I would extend an invitation to Whalley Range which has been my home for the last 24 years.

Please join me 2pm Sunday April 2^nd at the main gates to Alexandra Park – on Alexandra Road South near the junction of Yarburgh Street. If you are coming by bus you can get the 85 from Piccadilly Gardens, Oxford Road or Chorlton.

This will NOT be a tour, the direction and pace will be determined my all those who attend (and possibly some giant dice or friendly ducks). When we are tired will finish somewhere for a convivial drink and story swap.

As ever our events are free and open to all. If you would like more information, or have any questions, please do get in touch: email mlrose@thelrm.org twitter @thelrm facebook “the loiterers resistance movement” or text/whatsapp 079 749 29589. If there is anything you need to enable you to join us please ask we will do our best to help.

If you have any ideas for future walks please do also get in touch. I would also love to hear from anybody interested in the future of #OurIrwell and what we can do next to improve access to the river.

Other things you might like:

This is a good read on why loitering, parks and why public space matters: https://brokenbottleboy.substack.com/p/loitering

I’m organising an event on an urban right to roam in Liverpool and online on Wednesday May 24^th: more details soon

Here’s a link to me playing some songs I love and talking about The LRM and other stuff as a guest on ALL FM: 28th March 2023 Programme - Interview Dr Morag Rose of Loiterers Resistance Movement by Vintage FM - Don & Mike | Mixcloud

I hope to see you on the streets or in a park soon

With love and golden apples

Morag

Campaigners have won access to the River Irwell at Ralli Quays in Salford. Working together as “Our Irwell” they have successfully overturned plans to divert the public right of way through a hotel lobby.

Developers Legal and General have amended their plans and they now include the guarantee that “from the hotel opening date the towpath shall be dedicated as highway for use by pedestrians for public access in perpetuity” and the hotel will not open until “the route is open and available for use by the public.”

Planning permission for the development was originally granted by Salford Council in January 2022 despite strong objections. Campaigners argued access to the river is a fundamental right. Closure would be against aims to improve active travel, health and well-being, and the local environment in Salford. Legal and General met with supporters of Our Irwell on multiple occasions to discuss their concerns and have promised continued dialogue on design details. The renovated path at Ralli Quays will pass under new colonnades and will be temporarily closed during building work.

Campaigners are satisfied with this outcome as the best possible solution under current planning legislation. Their core aim – keeping the towpath open and free for all to use – has been met. The accessible alternative route through Ralli Quays via Stanley Street currently remains permissive and it is hoped this can also be made a public right of way.

Campaigners will remain vigilant to ensure commitments are honoured. They are also planning future actions to improve access to Our Irwell.

Steven Lindsay says “I am delighted we seem to have managed to save access to our Irwell riverside walkway for future generations. Whilst it’s sad that the Council seemed happy for it to be lost until people objected, and that it’s far too difficult for local residents to understand the planning processes and get involved, this is a great example of sense prevailing despite these issues. Well done to everyone involved in this achievement.”

Morag Rose says “We hope Ralli Quays can set a precedent to stop private developers stealing public land and blocking rights of way. The river is a vital part of our collective heritage and treasured by many in Salford, Manchester and beyond. The right to roam is a vital issue in urban areas as well as the countryside and we hope to build on this success.  Ralli Quays is small, but significant, stretch of land that demonstrates the importance and value of public space, and access to nature, for everyone. Heartfelt thanks to everyone who supported our campaign, and worked with us to save the path along Our Irwell at Ralli Quays, I’m excited to see where we can go next”

Contact for more information:

Morag Rose, email mlrose@thelrm.org tel 07974929589 twitter @thelrm

Background information to the campaign:
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/aug/11/developer-to-close-300-year-old-footpath-along-river-irwell-in-salford

https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/300-year-old-right-way-21781691

The planning documents, and minutes from meetings etc can be found on Salford Council website https://www.salford.gov.uk/ application ref 21/78277/FUL

Dear friends and comrades in loitering

The First First Sunday wander of 2023 will take place this Sunday, 8^th January (yes, I know that’s an interesting definition of “First Sunday” but sometimes time-slips).

Join me at 2pm, Piccadilly Gardens, near the metal memorial tree. We can excavate the remnants of Christmas, make and break resolutions and take steps to re-enchant the new year…..

As ever all are welcome, the direction and pace will be decided by the group according to our collective needs and desires. Our one rule is not to be an arse: to take care of and respect each other, ourselves and the spaces we walk through. We will finish around 4pm somewhere convivial for an optional beverage and blether. If you would like to join us remotely please contact me before 12 noon on Sunday and I will set up a whatsapp group or find another way to share our walks.

Please do get in touch if you have any questions, comments or need more information. I would particularly appreciate any suggestions for start points, themes or other ideas for future First Sunday.

Here’s my contact details:
email mlrose@thelrm.org
twitter @thelrm
text/whatsapp 07974929589
facebook “the loiterers resistance movement”

If you tend to use the website http://thelrm.org/blog for information about events please be aware I have been having a few issues with it so if updates don’t appear please do check those other ways

My heartfelt thanks as ever for all who loiter with me

Love and golden apples

Morag xx

PS more about Glossop, Engels and the Right to Roam events soon 

It’s First Sunday this Sunday and so time again for an extraordinary stroll….

Meet The LRM under the tiled map at Victoria Station, Manchester, 2pm this Sunday 4^th December. We shall wander at will for about 2 hours and then have a convivial beverage somewhere agreeable. 

As ever the direction and pace will be determined by loiterers and all are welcome as we explore our streets together. If you are interested in joining remotely via whatsapp please message 07974929589 by noon on Sunday.

There’s a couple of other events coming up this month which may be of interest.

The culmination of my residency at George Street Bookshop in Glossop will be The Peoples Tour of Glossop. It will take place twice:
Saturday 17^th December 2-4pm and Wednesday 21^st December 6-8pm with an Online Walk-Talk Tues 20^th 6-8pm

Tickets are free, I will post the Eventbrite link as soon as I have it, More details here: https://www.georgestreetcommunitybookshop.co.uk/

I’ve also been exploring the archives at the Working Class Movement Library to create a new wander around Engels in Manchester. The first event will be on December 10^th but it will be repeated in the new year due to demand so you can register your interest here: https://www.wcml.org.uk/whats-on/events/engels-walk-with-dr-morag-rose/

Finally we are hoping the fight to save the towpath at Ralli Quays will be won soon but we aren’t quite there yet. The right to roam is a vital one and is as important in our towns and cities as it is in the countryside. I have been working with other campaigners on issues beyond GM – if you are interested please do get in touch. More on that in the new year…

For more information about any of the above please contact mlrose@thelrm.org

I hope to see you on the streets soon

With love and golden apples

Morag x