I WOULD like to start this week by giving a huge heartfelt thanks to Mr David Wood, his family and his friends who clubbed together to buy me a special edition bottle of Frank Sinatra Jack Daniels.

As you read in last week’s ‘Letters Page’ , they wanted to give me a gift to thank me for my community work. I’m very much aware that there are many people who do great things in our community, so to have people who follow and support what I do enough to send me a gift is very much appreciated.

I feel very honoured and privileged to have support from our lovely community. Thank you.

Messenger Newspapers:

Wayne was delighted with his gift from Messenger reader David Wood and his family.

Val and I recently attended the annual Carrington and Urmston Family Funday on Urmston Meadows. The main organisers are Stuart Brame (Chairman) and James (Jim) Ogg, (Director) of Carrington RUFC.

This is a ‘not for profit’ event and proceeds from the day are divided between keeping the club running and the rest is donated to charity.

This year the Funday celebrated its 12th year in the style of a traditional fete with stalls and sports activities, a hog roast (which was delicious), BBQ and cake stall and a bar and Prosecco bar which was most welcome because of the hot weather!

Messenger Newspapers:

Wayne with Funday organisers and Carrington RUFC chairman Stuart Brame, and director Jim Ogg.

We spent a nice relaxing hour there wandering round, listening to live music and I even had a go at the darts and the coconut shy!

I’ve heard good things about a new restaurant called Haldi that has opened on Higher Road in Urmston. So I took my Val along to try it out and we were not disappointed.

Messenger Newspapers:

Wayne with Haldi restaurant staff Nobibur Ali, Monsur Ahmed
and Afzal Miah. Wayne enjoyed a delicious meal at Haldi in Urmston and praised the staff for their service.

The lovely warm welcome we received from the friendly and courteous staff was wonderful, as was the delicious food. The restaurant is beautifully decorated and there’s a lovely function room upstairs that Val and I had a sneaky peek at. We both enjoyed our gorgeous meal and will definitely be going back again. Thank you Haldi for a lovely evening.

I was back on BBC Radio Manchester on Thursday as a ‘lunch timer’ having a good chat to Becky Want about what I am up to and discussing current affairs from various newspapers. I’ll be back with Becky at the Beeb on August 27, so I hope you’ll tune in!

Straight from the BBC I was whisked off to Hale Barns where I performed for our senior citizens at a lovely afternoon tea. As always, in Hale Barns, I was given a very warm welcome. I might be an Urmston man but I was told that the people of Hale Barns are adopting me, which is lovely! I had a really enjoyable afternoon crooning the hits from yesteryear.

This week I also attended a book launch at St Clements Church in Urmston for the launch of 'The Story of Urmston, Flixton and Davyhulme' a book by Michael Billington.

As we sat in the church pews with our glasses of wine we were entertained by the author, who also happens to be a musician, and he treated us to the unique sounds of the Hungarian bagpipes.

I can honestly say I haven't heard anything like that before. The evening gave a unique twist to your normal book launch just as the book gives a unique twist on the history of our area. It's very personal and humanises the story of our local past.

There is even a section on Ernest Leonard Leeming who I first learned about at the History Society I was kindly invited to last month. The book is available now and anyone with an interest in local history should definitely have it in their collection. 

Thank you as always for your support and nice comments and please get in touch if you have an upcoming event in Trafford and if I’m able to, I will attend.

Thank you as always!