In 1999 the Claremont Community Association and local residents won the campaign to stop the demolition of historical weavers cottages built in the 1700s where the old village stood at Irlams o'th' Height in Salford, Greater Manchester, Lancashire. The cottages were inhabited and in good condition when plans were made to knock down the little remaining history left standing at The Height, which used to be a small village before industry and Salford's close proximity to Manchester city centre led to the area becoming built up as part of a city. The original video was preserved and sent to me by my mum Cath Connett who was part of this campaign, and other campaigns to save significant architecture in the area including the Grade II listed Art Deco Ambassador Cinema on Langworthy Road (now demolished for appartments) and Victoria Theatre in Broughton (still just about standing.) As I am 'born and bred' on Irlams o'th' Height and as a kid was ‘dragged around' to help with these campaigns, I edited this video for Youtube in an effort to encourage local residents to find a new interest in caring for their heritage, culture and history, which is constantly under attack and at risk from outsiders keen to make a profit. It's a hard time for Salford at the moment as a working class Northern city suffering under government cuts to public services (and therefore cuts to any remaining community spirit.) As Salfordians under the shadow of Manchester we are often taught that we don't have any history worth keeping, which makes it all the easier for the big wigs to whip our history from under our feet. I hope that this video demonstrates that the people can make a difference!

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