Sustainable Living in the Heatons

Hedge Maintenance
2025-08-17 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-06-15 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-05-18 10:00 - 12:00 UTC | Priestnall Allotments Hedge
Hedge maintenance session. We’ll be clearing the path running alongside this ancient hedge, weeding around the hedge, threading the branches and picking up litter. Come and join us to take part, or have a chat about what we are doing. Wear sturdy shoes and long sleeves and bring gloves if you have them, although we will come with equipment.
We usually have a break around 11am – tea, coffee and biscuits will be provided!
The hedge is between Priestnall allotments and the recreation field, on the lane that links Trentham Avenue (SK4 3QD) and Mersey Road. All welcome.

Friends of Darley Street Task Day
2025-08-16 10:30 - 12:30, 2025-07-19 10:30 - 12:30, 2025-06-21 10:30 - 12:30, 2025-05-17 10:30 - 12:30 | Darly Street, Heaton Norris
Darley Street is a beautiful community garden that can be enjoyed by all.
Our Friends group meets on the 3rd Saturday of the month at 10:30 a.m.
Darley Street is situated at in the heart of the Heaton Norris conservation area, at the junction of Green Lane and Alexandra Road close to the Nursery pub.

Heatons Repair Café
2025-08-16 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-07-19 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-06-21 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-05-17 10:00 - 12:00 | St Paul’s, St Paul's Church, St Paul's Road, Stockport, Greater Manchester, SK4 4RY, United Kingdom
Join volunteers from across the Heatons for our new repair café!

How does it work?

Repair cafés are run by volunteers — people who have specific skills that they would like to share with the local community. These skills may include sewing or repairs to furniture/wood, bikes, garden tools and small electrical items. There is also a need for volunteers with “meet and greet” skills for managing the tea, coffee and cake! Repair cafés operate once a month for a period of two hours.

Is there a charge?

No, the repairs are free, although donations are welcome to help build the stock of tools and materials.
Do you know anyone who might be interested in volunteering? Repairs will include household objects, bicycles, clothing, mechanical devices and woodworking repairs. Any skill you may have to repair things, whatever it is, we would love to hear about it. If you can help or would like to know, more email info@slheatons.org

Heaton Mersey Village Garden Maintenance Session
2025-08-10 10:30 - 12:30, 2025-07-13 10:30 - 12:30, 2025-06-08 10:30 - 12:30, 2025-05-11 10:30 - 12:30
Come and join Heaton Mersey Village Gardeners for a task day at Heaton Mersey Village Garden! There is lots of information about this space in our blog. Contact us via info@slhheatons.org for more information about what we do or feel free to drop by the Village Garden in person. We still meet even during winter months, although the task day is weather permitting.

Monthly Meeting
2025-08-02 10:30 - 12:00, 2025-07-05 10:30 - 12:00, 2025-06-07 10:30 - 12:00 | Patio Room, Heaton Moor United Church, Stanley Rd SK4 4HL, Patio Room, Heaton Moor United Church, Stanley Rd, SK4 4HL
The SLH monthly meetings are on the first Saturday of the month from 10.30am to 12.00 noon. Our meetings are held at the Patio Room, Heaton Moor United Church, Stanley Rd SK4 4HL. The room has direct access from the car park and has a shared kitchen and toilets very close to the room. Hot drinks will be provided for everyone.
Everyone is welcome to our meeting. Contact info@slheatons.org if you have questions. We use the time to discuss and plan our activities, and have occasional guest speakers. Everyone is welcome. Do come and meet us!

Lovely Family-Friendly Bike Ride to Clayton Vale via Phillips Park and Manchester Velodrome
2025-07-27 10:00 - 15:00 | Thornfield Park, Thornfield Road, SK4 3JT
This is one of longer bike rides organised by Sustainable Living in the Heaton this season, and takes us to places that our rides have never visited before! We hope that many of you will join us for this ride of about 16 miles, much of it off road or on quiet urban streets.
Our endpoint is Clayton Vale, a Local Nature Reserve and a great place to enjoy woodland and walks along the river Medlock, cycling, picnicking or pond dipping. We’ll get there by going east along the Fallowfield Loop, via Phillips Park, opened in 1846 as one of the world’s first municipal parks, and also calling into the Manchester Velodrome, known as “the home of British cycling”.
Bring a picnic to eat at Clayton Vale, plenty of water in case it’s hot, and clothes to fit the weather.
You can book your place here.

Bike Friday
2025-07-25 07:45 - 09:00, 2025-06-27 07:45 - 09:00, 2025-05-30 07:45 - 09:00
Join members of the SLH team who help to lead this great event from Manchester Friends of the Earth.
Bike Friday is exactly what it says on the tin: A bike ride on the last Friday of every month. We set off from Heaton Chapel train station at 7.45am and lead on a route heading into Manchester City Centre.
The ride is on quiet routes and are suitable for everyone — from the regular commuter, to the first timer wanting to try a new way of getting into work.

Heaton Mersey Village Garden Maintenance Session
2025-07-22 10:30 - 12:30, 2025-06-24 10:30 - 12:30, 2025-05-27 10:30 - 12:30
Come and join Heaton Mersey Village Gardeners for a task day at Heaton Mersey Village Garden! There is lots of information about this space in our blog. Contact us via info@slhheatons.org for more information about what we do or feel free to drop by the Village Garden in person.

Bike Ride To Trafford Ecology Park
2025-07-20 10:00 - 16:00
Join us for a one-off cycling adventure that’s a real treat for nature lovers and urban explorers alike. This is SLH’s very first ride to Trafford Ecology Park—and it’s not just any park visit. We’ve got special access on a day it’s normally closed, all thanks to the team at Groundwork who care for this hidden gem in the heart of Trafford Park.
What’s waiting for you?
– A lovely 11-acre haven featuring tranquil woodland and a peaceful lake, tucked away in an industrial landscape. Chalk and cheese.
– A chance to wander through nature, spotting wildlife and enjoying the serenity that’s usually reserved for the working week.
– A relaxed picnic lunch, so bring your favourite snacks and chill out among the trees.
Ride Details
– Meet at 10am in Thornfield Park, Heaton Moor.
– The round trip is approximately 20 miles, mainly flat—ideal for all riders.
– We’ll cruise along scenic off-road paths and quiet roads, making the journey just as enjoyable as the destination.
– Back by 4pm, with plenty of stories and a phone full of photos.
And a little touch of SLH history—some of the timber from the Ecology Park’s old boardwalks now helps grow new life in raised beds at School Lane and St Pauls. It’s all about community, connection, and the joy of getting out there.
So, saddle up and don’t miss out on a Sunday adventure that’s as local as it is lush. Let’s make this ride one to remember.
Book you place here: https://app.tickettailor.com/events/sustainablelivingintheheatons/1772205

Fun-Filled Family Bike Ride to Heaton Mersey Common!
2025-06-29 13:00 - 16:00 | Thornfield Park, Thornfield Road, SK4 3JT
Organised by Sustainable Living in the Heatons, this is the bike ride to come on with the kids! We have all been watching how the new cycling and walking paths on the common have taken shape and we are hoping the paths will all be finished soon. This will be the chance for us all to explore them safely and to check out how they help us all to enjoy the common. Even new bike-riders will have fun on this ride which we will lead around the common, and there will always be the opportunity for families to peel off for a rest at any time. We’ll stop for a drink and a snack in the big central grassed area, and there will even be a game of rounders for anyone who is interested and want to burn off some extra energy!
This bike ride is the shortest of the season, at just 3 miles maximum. Everyone is welcome. You can book your place here.

Free Family-Friendly bike ride to Manchester Museum
2025-05-24 10:00 - 16:00 | Thornfield Park, Thornfield Road, SK4 3JT
Join Sustainable Living in the Heatons on this cycle ride which will use mostly off-road, quiet side roads, and cycleways to get to the University of Manchester and the Manchester Museum, via the Fallowfield Loop and Platt Fields in Fallowfield. This is an excellent way to find a quiet route to get into Manchester, although we will not go to the city centre. You can book your place here.
We will spend time in the museum and have lunch before returning to Heaton Moor. There’s lots of different things to see and do in the museum – well worth a visit. Check it out and plan your time here.
The ride is about 14 miles. Families and cyclists of all levels are welcome come.

SLH 2025 AGM
2025-05-13 19:00 - 21:00
Look out for your invitation to join us for this year’s AGM!

Bat Walks at Dusk in Heaton Mersey
2025-05-12 21:05 - 22:05 | SK4 3QT, SK4 3QT
Join us for a spooky evening stroll in Heaton Mersey to spot some bats as the sun sets using bat detectors!
This evening bat walk will give you the chance to hear and observe the bats using our special bat monitoring equipment. The insects will be out and the bats will be hunting!
The event will last just over an hour, and will take you from a meeting place in Heaton Mersey down to the river. Please wear appropriate shoes for uneven terrain. You can book your tickets here.
The walks are led by volunteers from Sustainable Living in the Heatons. Although the walk is free, we ask for a voluntary donation of £6 for adults over 18, payable in cash on the night. Please book a place for all adults and children attending.
Our bat walks are always popular and oversubscribed. If you or your party need to cancel your booking, please do so as soon as possible through your booking confirmation. If you are unable to cancel it through this method please contact bats@slheatons.org. If the event is fully booked please contact bats@slheatons.org to go on the waiting list.
Having booked for the bat walk, you will receive more detailed information and meeting details by email a few days before the event. If you need more information please contact us at bats@slheatons.org.
The bat walks are led by volunteers from Sustainable Living in the Heatons, trained by ecologist Jeff Clarke, and with funding from the Stockport Hydro Environmental Challenge Fund to purchase the bat monitors.
See our Bats page for information about previous bat walks and other events organised by Sustainable Living in the Heatons.
