As England once again grapples with extreme weather conditions, residents in Withington are being invited to a free public film screening and discussion exploring what the climate crisis means for local communities.
Manchester Withington MP Jeff Smith is among those due to attend the screening of “The People’s Emergency Briefing”, which will take place on Saturday, 6 June, from 3 pm to 5 pm, at Withington Methodist Church, 439 Wilmslow Road, M20 4AN. The event is being organised by the local community group “People, Place, Planet Didsbury” and is open to all.
Local councillor, Beth Hartness, will also be attending the event.
The People’s Emergency Briefing is a film adapted from a national event held at Westminster Central Hall in November 2025, where more than 1,200 MPs, peers and leaders from across UK public life gathered to hear from leading experts on the climate crisis. The Withington screening is part of a nationwide programme that brings the briefing to local communities, making information about the climate crisis accessible across the country.
Withington and the surrounding areas of South Manchester have already felt the impact of extreme weather, when the River Mersey reached record levels during the New Year 2025 floods, with floodwater affecting Withington Golf Club, Didsbury Sports Ground, Palatine Road, and nearby community facilities. Manchester City Council’s flood investigation found that 60 homes and 29 businesses across the city suffered internal flooding, while many others faced loss of access, power, or utilities.
One of the organisers, Cordelia Newsome (a retired teacher and Withington resident) said:
“From flooding around the Mersey to scorching heatwaves, we in Withington and across south Manchester have already seen how extreme weather can disrupt our lives. So, on Saturday, we hope to create a welcoming space where local people can hear clear information about the climate crisis and talk about it openly. We are pleased that Jeff Smith MP will be joining us for this important conversation, and we hope locals will come along, ask questions and be part of the discussion”
Broadcaster and environmental campaigner Chris Packham, who opened the initial national briefing last November, said:
“I’d encourage people everywhere to attend a screening of The People’s Emergency Briefing. It creates exactly the kind of honest local conversation we now urgently need, both about what these changes mean where we live, and about what we can do together to address them.”
The Withington event is free and open to anyone concerned about the changing climate, regardless of prior knowledge of climate science. Booking is required due to limited seating. For more information, visit nebriefing.org or People Place Planet – Didsbury.
