More than 700 people have attended community events in Little Hulton and Walkden as part of a drive to boost community spirit in Salford’s 100th year.
With locals now 30 days through a 100-day-long programme of events taking place in community centres, care homes, youth centres and shops across the area, the organiser hailed the positive way the initiative had brought people closer together.
At the end of February, people from Little Hulton and Walkden came together to suggest and lead 100 activities over 100 days to celebrate Salford’s centenary.
Now, on the day the city turns 100, organiser Stewart Knights said the scheme had been a monumental success.
“Over the 100 days, we have seen over 700 people come to the events,” he said.
A defibrillator training session, a day of dance and a local history quiz night have taken place, showing the range of the educational and recreational activities on offer throughout the 100 days.
Mr Knights looked ahead to self-defence, journalism and hand printing sessions taking place in a laundrette, which will take place across the next 70 days.
Salford Now went down to day 16 of the activities where Longvielogy took place.
He explained that Walkden-based local poverty-relief charity the Bridgewater Foundation acquired a van through centenary funding which will become a “listening pod” for residents to share their thoughts across the next 100 days.
“They will be taking it around Little Hulton and Walkden in existing places and places where people may feel left out,” he explained.
While the programme has been a resounding success, launching the large-scale initiative has not been without its challenges. He clarified that the biggest challenge was the planning.
As residents were asked to contribute ideas for the type of activities they would like to see throughout the 100 days, organisers had to consider how to work with “existing groups offering to do something new” and help them to put plans in place.
“Just the idea that the 100 days of activity going on is reassuring and impressive for the area,” he added.
Stewart emphasised the importance of the activities to the communities: “The 100 days have always been about new ways of collaborating. People have been able to collaborate who haven’t been able to collaborate in the past.”
