Celebrity Cat at Urmston Bookshop

Urmston Bookshop is hosting the launch event for Jessi-Cat: the Cat that Unlocked a Boy’s Heart.

Every good bookshop hosts personal appearances from literary luminaries but Urmston Bookshop is delivering a unique treat on 1st August with a visit from the country’s most famous cat.

Jessi-Cat, who resides in Davyhulme, won the Cats Protection National Cat of the Year award in 2012.  The launch of her human companion’s inspirational book at Urmston Bookshop marks the mid-point of her two year reign.

Cat-mother Jayne Dillon has written Jessi-Cat: the Cat that Unlocked a Boy’s Heart which tells the story of how her adorable feline helps her young son cope with selective mutism and Asperger’s Syndrome.

You can read all about Jessi-Cat on her Facebook page or follow this clever cat on Twitter.

Jessi-Cat: the Cat that Unlocked a Boy’s Heart is published on 1st August.  The book launch at Urmston Bookshop will run from 6.30-8.00pm and will feature a meet-and-greet from author Jayne Dillon, her son Lorcan and Jessi-Cat herself in the actual feline flesh.  You can pre-order the book from Urmston Bookshop.

News from Urmston Market

Urmston Market’s summer fair festivities were a great success.

Sandra Waite from Candy Stripes sweet stall on Urmston Market has been very busy indeed.

Not only did she organise the market’s summer fair extravaganza, but she has also been invited to appear on BBC Radio Manchester’s Ladies @ Lunch from 12.30 on Wednesday.  Sandra will be talking about her efforts to build up the market and more generally about independent trade in Urmston and similar small towns.

Sandra has also organised a craft market at Urmston Market on 27th July and is looking into the possibility of monthly farmers’ markets.  With all this activity it seems that Urmston Market is fast becoming the new place to be around here: why not pay a visit on Tuesdays, Fridays or Saturdays?  If you do, make sure you tell Sandra you appreciate all the work she is putting in – Urmston needs independent traders.

Independents’ Day 2013

Celebrate Independents’ Day on July 6th with the independent traders of Urmston.

Urmston is celebrating Independents’ Day on Saturday, 6th July.  The brainchild of the National Skills Academy for Retail, this annual event has been embraced by independent traders across the country.  Take a stroll around Urmston this Saturday and you will find all manner of promotions and special deals.  Many of the independent traders will be handing out free hessian bags and balloons.

The Messenger Newspaper has been running an Independents’ Day promotion and and some of the deals being offered are as follows:

The Glass Slipper is offering 10% off across the store including sale items.

Urmston Bookshop is offering 10% off selected purchases as well as the chance to make a slug from an odd sock (booking essential).

TLC  is offering a free assessment and a friendly chat.

Better Tuition is offering a free assessment and first lesson free when you book your assessment on Independents’ Day.

Affordable Fancy Dress has slashed all stock by 15% on the day.

Phase 1 Computers will give you 10% off repairs and parts and 5% off new PCs and laptops on production of their ad in the Messenger.

Card World is offering 10% off all cards and gifts on production of the voucher printed in the Messenger (27th June edition).

Harbex Nursing Care is giving all staff that join on 6th July 20% off their CRB check, free training for home carers and a free initial assessment for clients with 10% off their first bill.

Chesworths DIY Ltd is offering 20% off skirting and architrave plus 20% off shed and gate furniture.

Thomas Carter Opticians is offering free advice.

As well as the above offers, keen bargain hunters should never omit a trip round Urmston Market, where the friendly stallholders offer great prices all year round.  You can also find tons of independent shops and services all around Urmston, from Woodsend Circle to Church Road, so please use them on Saturday and whenever you need great service and a great deal.

Births, Deaths and Fun Events

Did you know that 40% of all blog posts worldwide begin with an apology for not having posted recently?  The statistic is invented but my apology is sincere, so with that, let us put it behind us and press on …

Births

Urmston is buzzing with fresh, new businesses, community events and all sorts of activities this summer.

The Urmston Music Foundation has set up in the former Boogie Piano Lounge.  A recent Irish night was well attended and we will add updates about the venue as and when they come our way.

Paul’s Floors has moved into 414 Flixton Road, into the shop vacated by Michelle Richards’ florist shop.  Paul – and indeed Mrs Paul’s Floors – are nice, friendly people, so don’t be shy about calling in to say hello.

I also have it on good authority that a needlecraft shop has opened on the site of Nuala’s Blooms on Gloucester Road (not a good time to be a florist, it seems).  I haven’t been in myself yet but will post more details when I get them.

Urmston Market is planning a monthly craft market – watch this space for dates and more information.

Deaths

Greg Nicholson Golf on Flixton Rd has shut its doors and gone online.

Eccles Wholesale Electrical on Flixton Rd has closed its shop but will deliver to you.  Call 0161 747 4696 to order.

Fun Events

There is a giant birthday party in Golden Hill Park to celebrate the 65th birthday of the NHS tomorrow (5th July).  From 3-7pm the park will host a 1940s-themed children’s tea party with bouncy castle, face painting, crafts, mini-triage and healthtastic races.  For grown-ups there are fabulous bands Small Weller, the Rainband and top swing band the Debonaires.

Independents’ Day is on Saturday (6th July) and many of Urmston‘s independent businesses are running special offers or events.  You can find out about these in the Messenger or by taking a stroll around Urmston on Saturday.

Urmston Bookshop‘s Once Upon a Slime event offers you the chance to make something sluggish from your odd socks.  This free event must be booked.