The Building Appeal earlier this year was successful and we are very grateful for everyone's donations. We also received a contribution via the City Council - recognition of the Booth's education and training work.

The Centre's users and staff are rejoicing in the results of work completed in April. At last there is hot running water in the now splendidly tiled toilet, with proper ventilation to the area. The main room has new lighting and Centre volunteers have redecorated the place in light blue, so everything looks clean and fresh. The Co-ordinator, and the rest of the staff doing office work, help and advise in a very small area which gets stuffy during busy drop-in sessions. There is relief at last as there are now opening windows in the office.

Manchester Art Gallery asked our art group to help with some ‘performance art'. A Chinese artist, Han Bing, wanted to recruit 100 people to take part in a Cabbage Walk he was organising. The Cabbage Walk meant taking a cabbage on a dog lead and walking it through the streets (quite a sight for unsuspecting shoppers!)

Han Bing and interpreter ran a workshop at the Centre, explaining the importance of cabbages as a staple food for many Chinese. One of the group's comments on this: "At first I thought he was having a laugh, but when you hear him talk about how people in China have to live on cabbages for months, it makes you think - our dogs get more than them."

The Over 50s' discussion group have produced a booklet of reminiscences - an illuminating read. If you'd like a copy please ring the Centre on 0161 835 2499 and we'll post one to you.

Diary dates: Open Day in the Centre on July 3 at 1.00 p.m. "What we do and how the place works". Art Exhibition by the Centre's art group at St. Ann's Church, St. Ann's Square, July 1 to July 13.  (Paintings for sale with proceeds to the artists.) "Lost Letters" on the evenings of July 22 and 23 at the Royal Exchange Studio with our drama group taking part.

(As usual, we welcome donations of biscuits, fruit and the ever useful toiletries, socks and money will be gratefully received.)