Save Monton's Christmas Lights!

Aim

As Monton faces its first December without Christmas lights, help us get the association back up and running so this never happens again.

How can you help?

Imagine our village with no Christmas lights. No community events. No community improvements.  A home where nobody has a voice to affect positive change. That is where we are at, at this moment. We are missing out on opportunities as a community, and as a local economy.  

Why we need your help now! 

We've got just 4 weeks to raise £20,000.  If we get enough support Paul Dennett, Salford Mayor could match fund up to £10,000.   

We know times are hard for families and businesses, whether you give £1 or a £1000 you'll be playing a valuable role in getting the association operational again. And, as a thank you, for every £5 you donate you receive a raffle ticket for our epic raffle (more details in the rewards section).   Alternatively, you can claim guaranteed rewards - at a small premium.  

Our History

Originally called The Monton Traders Association; MVCA was founded in 1995 by the village retailers and was set up to promote the businesses in Monton. Several years later, it grew to include the whole community. For over 25 years the association has existed to help improve our village, and our community facilities.  

The Projects 

The Association is purely volunteer led; residents and retailers work together to fundraise, so we can champion the community projects that matter most to you. In 2020 Covid hit, and the association was unable to operate as it previously had. Not only was there a loss of membership revenue, but the association was unable to fundraise. Here are just a few of projects the association has delivered over the years. 

Christmas Lights

Each year association funds has purchased, erected, and maintained the village Christmas lights.  On average our current Christmas Light provision has cost £4500 each year. There are a number of factors which mean that the current Christmas light provision isn't fit for purpose.  It's unlikely Monton will have festive lights this year.  As well as avoid that happening again, we want to create a whole new Monton Christmas light legacy.  Monton used to have the Christmas Lights that every other village aspired to.  With your support, we can again.    

Summer Festival 

The highly anticipated Monton Summer Festival was a free, inclusive, annual community event which saw our community come together in its 1000s. Although organised solely from volunteer efforts, association funds were used to buy gazebos, produce marketing collateral, merchandise, bunting, and other necessary items. 

Let's create a calendar of events  

Not only do we want to reinstate the Monton Summer Festival, but we want to create a calendar of events which brings us together as a community and creates lasting memories for children and adults alike.

Hanging baskets on high street 

The association raised funds to have hanging baskets installed and maintained on the high street. They are sorely missed by residents and traders alike. Watering the hanging baskets at such a height is costly but not unachievable with community support. 

The Shackleton Playground refurb

In August 2015, Derek Hodgkinson, a local resident raised concerns about the lack of play equipment at Shackleton Playground and generally in Monton.  No funding could be provided from the local authority, so MVCA stepped in. After applying for a 45k Landfill grant, and securing funding from local business, the playground was given a complete overhaul.    With your support we'd love to look at ways to further improve Monton's outside playground provision.  

Street Art 

Monton's street art was inspired by the artwork on shutters in Barcelona. MVCA commissioned artist Sumit Sarark to lead the project, with a small grant from the local neighbourhood team, and a nominal fee from the businesses who participated.  Russ at Playfoots was the first to take part and cleared the association to use his side wall. The bee theme developed with conversations between Sumit & Russ. Playfoots ran a competition to name their new addition, and so Monty was born. With your support we'd love to look at further building on Monton's street art provision.  

Monton Village Noticeboard

The association raised the funds to have the village noticeboard commissioned and installed, providing a FREE advertising space for local business, and a bustling information source for our community, featuring events, & community news. The noticeboard is damaged and needs repairing. This community's support means we can restore our village noticeboard to its former glory. 

Monton Green Busy Bees

Monton Green is a conservation area.  In the late 1990s Salford Council cuts meant that the Monton greens would no longer be cut, beds grassed over, & flower beds would disappear.  Cue the Monton Busy Bees gardening group.  In the beginning the group took to cutting the grass, planting annual flowering plants, and litter picking.  The groups esteemed work gained press coverage in BBC Northwest, The MEN, & The Salford Advertiser, prompting the council to reinstate their mowing programme, giving the group time to focus on the flower beds and litter picking.   We'd want to continue to support the busy bees and all the brilliant work they do keeping our green looking beautiful and litter free.  

Paths & Benches 

The association raised funds to have the paths and metal benches installed on the green.  The paths now need re-doing, and the benches refurbishing.  With community support we can give Monton the paths and benches the beautifully maintained green deserves. 

The Veterans Shelter Refurbishment 

The focal point at the heart of our village, The Veterans Shelter, provides a meeting space & seating for the old and young alike.  In 2019, in dire need of some TLC, the Association secured The National Lottery heritage funding of 25k; and alongside the refurbishment, commissioned the info boards on the green.  We'd like to explore funding opportunities for other vital improvements.  

Educational Packs

In an attempt to engage the younger members of our community, the association produced a history of Monton educational pack. We want to collaborate with local schools, organisations, businesses, so we can develop projects which are fun and educational but most importantly make our children feel like heard, valued members of this community.  That will include events, competitions, educational packs, and in time we hope a young person's committee. 

The Future

The organisation has a brand-new team of local residents who are volunteering to carry on the association's amazing legacy. We want to reinstate the monthly meetings to give our residents a voice, the chance to hear from local councillors, make improvements, get these projects, and more underway. 

Some resident suggestions have included Makers Market, Welcome to Monton signs, more trees planted on high street, pavement improvements.   With your support what else could we do in Monton? 

Makers Market on Dukes Drive

Welcome to Monton signs (Folly Lane, Green Lane, Parrin Lane, & Monton Rd) 

More Trees on High Street & year-round tree lights 

Prizes

We've been blown away and humbled by the support from local retailers and organisations.   They want to reward you for playing your part.  We've had everything from a full car service, dinner for two at all your favourite Monton eateries, full beard trims, to prescription sunglasses.   Don't delay, check out our rewards section today.  

This project successfully funded on 3rd December 2022