Here are some photos from the switch-on event of our Christmas lights in the park. We estimate over 100 people turned out (so many we struggled to have enough treats for the children). It was a fantastic evening with refreshments, music from children from St Chrysostom's school, carol singing, a craft stall, and of course the big switch on, proceeded by a very loud countdown. Big thanks to the Council for providing the lights and other resources, and to Elizabeth Gaskell's House, Moss Care St Vincent Housing, Grove Village and Longsight Church of the Nazarene for their help and support. Maybe we'll do it again next year...

Our free park Christmas lights switch-on event is just a week away on Wednesday November 24, from 4:30 to 5:30pm and we've just put banners up on the park to remind everyone. 

For the festive season this year, with help from the Council, we are having lights put on one of our trees in the park, making it a Christmas Tree! It has been another year of lockdowns and restrictions and, even though things are a lot freer now, the pandemic is far from over. So, as a reminder that hope and good news are still possible, and we have much still to be grateful for, Christmas lights will be shining in the park.

There will be a switch-on event in the park on Wednesday November 24, from 4:30 to 5:30pm. This will be for all the family, with refreshments, a children's party hat competition (and prizes), and traditional carol signing. Several local organisations are contributing, including Elizabeth Gaskell's House, which will also be open all day for free entry for M13 postcode residents. For more information download a poster here.

This year's Love Parks Week is July 12-21 with lots of free events happening in Manchester parks.
Why not walk on part of Manchester’s new Green Trail, a walking circuit made up of 14 routes which connects many of the beautiful green spaces and tree lined streets around the city. Download a map. During Love Parks Week the Ramblers will lead walks on every section of the Trail. Download a list of dates and times and meeting points. For further information contact Salle Dare on 07523 871475.

We're having some amazing weather, and hoping for another dry and sunny day on July 14 and the next Swinton Grove Park Fun Day. The event runs from 12-4, but setting it up starts at 9:30am. This is done by a fairly small group of local volunteers with some help from the Council and some students. It would be great to have some more local people coming doing the morning to help make this Fun Day happen - even just for an hour. Another way to help is by giving out our leaflets and posters (download a leaflet here) in the week leading up to the event. If you'd like to be a part of it, drop us an email.

The funding is in (thanks Manchester City Council), the music, entertainers and stalls are booked, the food is ordered. We're hoping for another sunny day...

The 2018 Swinton Grove Park Fun Day will be on Saturday 14th July, 12-4pm

Once again the Friends of Swinton Grove Park have been working hard behind the scenes getting everything ready. If you can help on the day with marquees, gazebos, tables, chairs etc. send us an email.

Our annual Fun Day on July 8 was (yet again!) a sunny one and drew what may have been record crowds. A great time was had by all: big thanks to our entertainers, stall holders and caterers. Thanks also to the Lord Mayor, local Councillors, Tina, Mavis and Bernard and our MP Lucy for supporting the event. And a special thank you to our volunteers – some local, some students on placement from the USA – without you setting up from 9:30am and taking down until 6pm the day just would not have been possible. See the photos here.

​This is the sort of day that shows what Manchester is all about: all of us getting on together, having a good time. We could still do with more help in the Friends Group who organise it. If you'd like to see another Fun Day next year and would like to be a part of making it happen, click here.

Last Saturday, the day of our 2016 Fun Day, did not start well, with heavy rain all morning. Was our "never rained on" record going back to the first Fun Day in 2003 about to end? We set up anyway, getting drenched and more despondent... and then, at almost exactly 12noon... the rain stopped!! It stayed away until about 3:45pm when there was a light shower. OK, it was a bit wet underfoot, and some slight re-arranging of the programme was necessary, but about 400 people came and had a fab time.
​Lots of photos here.

Swinton Grove Park Fun Day for 2016 will be on Saturday 9th July from 12noon to 4pm.