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Community queen Ivy is streets ahead

5/ 9/2008

ONE of Newton Heath's community heroes is to have a street named in her honour.

Ivy Graham, from Troydale Drive, dedicated much of her life to helping local people before her death in February.

She founded numerous local groups – including Heathfield Health Group, Troydale Tenants’ and Residents’ Association and Briscoe Lane Youth and Community Centre – and tirelessly campaigned for facilities for young people in the area, as well as being a member of the Northwards Housing Riverways Area Panel.

She also represented local residents at a strategic level and attended ward co-ordination meetings and local area partnership meetings to ensure residents' views were heard.

When she died from cancer aged 86, she even left her body to medical science.

It was former Miles Platting and Newton Heath councillor Christine Carroll who suggested a street should be named in her honour.

Ivy Close will now be included in McInerney Homes' new Zest development, off Oldham Road.

Son Frank Smalley, who has himself been honoured for his charity work, said: "She would have loved this, she would be very honoured. It is a lasting memorial to her.

"She and Christine were on many committees together.

"Northwards Housing were actually due to present a plaque to her the day before she died, so when we had her memorial service they presented me with it instead.

"She was the cleaner at the community centre until she was about 83 and didn't think anything of it. That was the sort of person she was."

Northwards Housing board chairwoman Sue Ratchford said: "Ivy was a kind, caring and unique individual, always thinking of others and keen to help in the community.

"She put her heart and soul into helping those around her, to the very end. If it helped the local area you could count on Ivy being involved. This is a lovely way to remember the wonderful things she did for her community."

Tracey Lowe, sales manager for McInerney Homes North West said: "We think that naming the road after Ivy is a brilliant idea and it seems a fitting tribute to a lady who is sadly missed by an entire community."