Under the sunny skies of Salford on Saturday children and parents enjoyed a wonderful day for the Ordsall Olympic Festival.
Families took to the sports and community activities with real gusto, trying out climbing or running or even inflatable sumo wrestling.
Children were delighted to try all the sport on offer, to get facepainting and take part in beginner Zumba classes with their mums.
But there are still strong concerns over the amount of development coming to Ordsall and the lack of community facilities for the people that live in this relatively isolated area.
One of the mums who attended the event said: “I lived here all my life, it’s not like it was when I grew up, now there is nothing for the kids.
“I would like to see more green space, instead of just more buildings.”
The day was co-organised by Debbie Butler, Project Manager of the Ordsall Cafe’ Project on Tatton Street.
“Unfortunatly this area doesn’t have a great reputation because of its past, and mainly just for the actions of a few people spoiling it for the rest of us – but there is a great community spirit in Ordsall.
“I have lived here since I was a little girl and I wouldn’t change it for any other place.”
The event was funded by Salford CCG’s Partnership and Improvement fund, and in partnership with local young parents social enterprise Visit from the Stork CIC.
Kimberly Bond, Managing Director said: “The mums I spoke with today told me that there is nothing for the children to do and there are no sports clubs or anything like that is going on around here.
“Unfortunatly the space where we are today is going to be developed on very quickly over the next couple of years and that is very disappointing.”
