MCR 13

MCR Manchester City Region Magazine

13

Summer 2014

‘A landmark theatre event.’ Time Magazine

The National Theatre production

Based on the novel by Michael Morpurgo Adapted by Nick Stafford In association with Handspring Puppet Company

Wed 23 July - Sat 20 September thelowry.com/warhorse The Lowry | Pier 8 | Salford Quays | Salford | M50 3AZ

FIRST WORDS ‘13 is unlucky for some’. This old adage couldn’t be further from the truth in the case of MCR magazine.

We’ve taken our thirteenth issue as an opportunity to do things differently. Regular readers of the physical edition will notice the new compact size. This is intended to enhance our options for distribution and we hope you’ll agree that it maintains the great quality of our previous editions.

The change in size had us thinking about the magazine – and Manchester – from a renewed perspective. Indeed a theme of ‘renewal’ is underlying throughout this edition and is exemplified by the beautiful artwork that adorns our front cover.

Our cover art is one of five specially commissioned works created for MCR by Manchester-based artists.

We asked them simply, to interpret the city from their own perspective. I think the results are wonderfully eccentric – you’re invited to make your own mind up; they can be seen throughout this publication.

Marketing Manchester Carver’s Warehouse, 77 Dale St, Manchester, M1 2HG T. +44 (0)161 237 1010 marketingmanchester.com visitmanchester.com Designed & Published: Marketing Manchester, April 2014 Photography: David Lake, Ben Page, Craig Easton, Joby Catto & VisitEngland Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy in this publication, Marketing Manchester cannot accept liability for any loss or damage arising from its use. As changes often occur after publication date, it is advisable to confirm the information given.

The information contained within this guide is copyright and no part of the guide may be reproduced in part or wholly by any means, be it electronic or mechanical, without the prior written permission of the publishers.

Marketing Manchester is the agency charged with promoting the city-region on a national and international stage, and is part of the Manchester Growth Company. Visit Manchester is the Tourist Board for Greater Manchester and is a division of Marketing Manchester. They are funded by 360 commercial members and the organisations below.

Back to the city itself and there is plenty of renewal in progress throughout 2014. This is perhaps best exemplified by the stunning refurbishment of Central Library which has just reached its completion. The neoclassical 1934 building is situated in the very heart of Manchester, adjacent to the Town Hall. Believe me, its new lease of life is reason alone to make a visit to the city this year. It reopened to the public on Saturday 22 March 2014.

Change is also taking shape elsewhere in Manchester.

The Albert Hall on Peter Street, which stood empty for nearly three decades, has been regenerated and reopened to the public as an iconic new music and performance space. To the south of the city, Whitworth Art Gallery is set to be reincarnated as a 21st Century gallery in the park in autumn.

Meanwhile, just around the corner from the Albert Hall, visitors to Manchester can gain a completely different experience this summer, as they have an opportunity to once again walk the famous hallowed cobbles of Coronation Street. This attraction is only temporary mind you, and in this sense, it perfectly represents the fast pace of renewal that is underway in Manchester.

Enjoy the read!

Andrew Stokes Chief Executive, Marketing Manchester April 2014 @marketing_mcr

@visit_mcr | visitmanchester.com

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p 32

p 43

Contents Features 04-07 What’s new?

News and updates.

98-102 Pedal power in the Peak District Stunning scenery and cycling routes aplenty, it’s no wonder the Tour de France is passing through this summer.

17-21 Manchester’s hidden galleries A guided tour of Manchester’s smaller museums.

108 The last word Tom Cheesewright on the evolution of Manchester and its digital future.

24-27 Saved for the City: Albert Hall The unsung star of Manchester’s built environment returns with a new lease of life.

What’s on

35-39 Symphonic City An overview of the city’s flourishing classical music scene, upheld by three major professional orchestras.

12-14 Exhibitions The war of nature, time machines, Ossie Clark and the Asia Triennial.

42-45 Manchester Craft and Design Centre A jewel in Manchester’s Northern Quarter.

32-34 Music and theatre Shrek the Musical, Billy Liar, Cirque du Soleil and George’s Marvellous Medicine.

47-51 Treats on the street Looking into the wonderful food markets that decorate our region.

59–61 Pampering Power Check out some of the best spas that Greater Manchester has to offer.

54-55 LGBT Great British Bear Bash, Split Britches, Manchester Pride and Sparkle.

70-71 Festivals Sounds from the Other City, Parklife, 24:7 Theatre Festival and Manchester Literature Festival.

62-66 Literate legacy Joining the dots between our city’s outstanding libraries and the way in which ‘Cottonopolis’ has inspired some of literatures greats.

82-83 Sport Gumball 3000, Tour de France, Ironman UK, and Super League Grand Final

77-81 Wheels in motion Get yourself in a spin with a guide to our superb cycling offer.

86-87 Expos and fairs MCM Manchester Comic Con, Soccerex, Buy Art Fair, and The National Wedding Show.

88-92 A tour of Tameside Quaint villages, brass bands, rugged countryside, canal boats, inns and taverns.

93-95 Greater Manchester Festival Oldham 2014, Walks & water, Rochdale Feelgood, & Wigan International Jazz Festival.

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Contributors

p 59

David Atkinson David is a freelance travel writer and travel blogger based in Chester. He writes widely for newspapers, magazines and online about all aspects of travel from family to green via cultural tourism, often taking his two young daughters with him. atkinsondavid.co.uk | @atkinsondavid.

Lizzie Carter

Snapshots 08-09 10-11 30-31 52-53 74-75 96-97

MCR13 Snapshots explained Rebecca Kevill Chris Ridler Wes Dooley Will Berry Layla Sailor

MCR Voices 22-23 John Constadine A role model for taxi drivers around the world.

40-41 Mary Anne Hobbs The champion of new music explains why she has such an incredible admiration for Manchester.

56-57 Divine David How the city helped to spark his creative talents.

68-69 Brian Cox The Emmy award-winning actor on his new role as the great football legend, Sir Matt Busby.

84-85 Andy McGarry Setting the scene for the upcoming Transplant Games in Bolton this summer.

Useful stuff 105

Transport information A guide to Greater Manchester’s transport network.

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Airport information Direct flights from over 200 destinations around the world. Save time, fly direct!

Lizzie has worked for a variety of arts organisations across Greater Manchester including Oldham Coliseum Theatre, the Hallé, Manchester Museum and Whitworth Art Gallery. She is a cultural marketer and PR professional and has written for various publications. Manchester has stolen Lizzie from her home town of Oxford and while she may dream of spires, Cottonopolis is where she truly lays her hat.

Hayley Flynn Hayley Flynn is a researcher, tour guide and author. She is the creator of Skyliner; an award-winning blog about unusual art, architecture and histories. A lover of looking up and opening closed doors, Hayley plans to extensively explore and document the built environment to create an intricate archive of the city. theskyliner.org | @theskyliner

James Walker Born in Manchester and now based in Amsterdam, James is a freelance journalist who writes for a variety of business publications and websites.

A keen traveller and cyclist, James takes a closer look at what the north has in store for BMX, road and mountain bike enthusiasts. He’s even completed Manchester’s annual 100-mile bike ride on a couple of occasions – just don’t ask him how long it took to reach the finish line. @WalkManchester

@visit_mcr | visitmanchester.com

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WHAT’S NEW? Manchester Central Library The much loved Manchester Central Library has reopened following an extensive refurbishment and extension to bring it up to date. Visitors are invited to pop in to relax and unwind in the city’s ‘living room’ or be inspired in new spaces such the Henry Watson Music Library and the BFI Mediatheque. Those looking to trace their family roots back to Manchester should visit Archives+ which brings thousands of the city’s records together under one roof. manchester.gov.uk | @MancLibraries | @mcrarchives

© Mark Waugh

Dunham Massey: Sanctuary from the Trenches Visitors to the ever-popular Dunham Massey Hall will be part of a unique experience taking place there between now and 11 November 2014. Marking the centenary of the First World War, Dunham Massey has been transformed back into Stamford Military Hospital - the convalescent hospital in which 282 soldiers were treated between April 1917 and January 1919 – revealing the personal and highly emotive stories of some patients, their injuries and how their conditions were treated 100 year ago. ‘Sanctuary from the Trenches’ will return to Dunham Massey in 2015. nationaltrust.org.uk/dunham-massey | @DunhamMasseyNT © Robert Thrift / National Trust

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@visit_mcr | visitmanchester.com

Whitworth Art Gallery Closing with the high profile ‘Whitworth Weekending’ event in August 2013 and on a high after hosting Nikhil Chopra’s highly acclaimed ‘Coal on Cotton’ performance for Manchester International Festival, Whitworth Art Gallery is currently undergoing major work to extend and double the public space of the gallery into leafy Whitworth Park.

The gallery will re-open on 25 October 2014 with a major exhibition from acclaimed British sculptor and installation artist, Cornelia Parker (see page 14), as well as the very best of the Whitworth’s outstanding collection. manchester.ac.uk/manchester | @whitworthart

Coronation Street The cobbles of Coronation Street are once again open to the public for a limited time only, until autumn 2014.

With the main set recently relocated to MediaCityUK at Salford Quays, fans can now take a guided tour behind the scenes of the former site, have a picture taken at the bar of the Rovers Return, hear stories about some of the Street’s best loved characters and learn fascinating facts behind the making of the world’s longest running soap. The Granada site will soon be developed into a new city centre neighbourhood by the team behind Spinningfields. coronationstreettour.co.uk

Elizabeth Gaskell’s House Elizabeth Gaskell’s House in Manchester was the home of Elizabeth Gaskell, one of the 19th century’s most important women writers. An exciting £2.5 million renovation project is now well under way to convert the house into a major visitor attraction and a centre for the community on its doorstep. Focussing on the cultural and literary heritage of Elizabeth Gaskell and her family and complementing Manchester's social and political history already richly documented in the city, Elizabeth Gaskell’s House will offer plenty for both literary and history fans alike. The house will reopen in October 2014. elizabethgaskellhouse.co.uk | @EGaskell

@visit_mcr | visitmanchester.com

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HOME In spring 2015, a new purpose-built centre for international contemporary art, theatre, film and books will open its doors for the first time in Manchester, as part of the First Street North development. It will be called HOME. From gallery to screen via café bar and bookshop, HOME is set to redefine the contemporary arts centre, creating a space where ideas, hopes and moments of wonder ricochet off walls and lodge themselves in the headspace of audiences old and new.

Plans are gathering pace for HOME’s first season of productions, including an intriguing selection of site specific work, to be announced in spring 2014. The programme will be the first from Walter Meierjohann, HOME Artistic Director: Theatre. homemcr.org | @HOMEmcr

New summer walking tours Arguably the best way to get under the skin of the city, Manchester has a huge range of themed walking tours departing daily from various locations. New walks for the summer include: New Manchester Walks’ ‘Ten Manchester inventions that shook the world’ which brings together some of Manchester’s remarkable discoveries on an easy walk around the city; Jonathan Schofield’s ‘Impossible Bridge and the Improbable Hill’ tour which features cemeteries, strange sculptures, great views and a scramble up the stones that built the city; and Manchester Guided Tours’ various walks looking at Manchester’s role in WWI. Pop into the Visitor Information Centre at Piccadilly Gardens to find out more about all available tours. @NewMCRwalks | @JonathSchofield @MCRguidedtours

Hotel Football Hotel Football is one of the most anticipated hotel openings of 2014. Located on the doorstep of Old Trafford, the hotel and its conference and event facilities will boast a number of unique features, making it the go-to destination, with a football twist, for business users, fans, families and tourists alike. With its own five-a-side rooftop football pitch and event space and further six meeting and event rooms catering for up to 400 people, the 139 bedroom hotel will provide a relaxed, friendly yet professional environment – perfect for business meetings, conferences and special events. The hotel will also become home to Café Football Manchester – an exciting new restaurant venture which first launched in Stratford City, Westfield in December 2013. hotelfootball.com | café-football.com | @hotelfootballUK

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MiGuide

© Paul Cooper Photography

Whether you’re staying in Manchester for two nights or two hours, look out for the MiGuide kiosks located across several sites in the city centre. The ten kiosks are free to use and supply a wealth of tourist information to help you navigate the area. The MiGuide interactive touch screen supplies location-specific updates about everything from events, attractions and nightlife to shopping, food and drink, accommodation and transport.

You can find MiGuide at: Withy Grove at corner with Exchange Square New Cathedral Street at corner with Exchange Square New Cathedral Street at corner with St Mary’s Gate Market Street West near Cross Street St Ann’s Square St Ann’s Street near Deansgate Piccadilly Gardens West near Lever Street Piccadilly Gardens East near Market Street Market Street East near High Street Market Street at junction with Brown Street

English Tourism Week 2014 Visit Manchester recently celebrated English Tourism Week 2014 (ETW2014) by participating in a number of initiatives in partnership with national tourism board VisitEngland. Running from Saturday, 29 March through to Sunday, 6 April 2014, English Tourism Week is a celebration of our country’s thriving tourism industry and kick-starts England’s traditional tourism season.

Activities included Visit Manchester backing taxi tour guide John Consterdine in his bid to win a national tourism superstar award (see pages 22-23); a search to find out what Greater Manchester’s best claims to fame are for VisitEngland’s ‘Hall of Fame’ campaign; and a partnership with popular bar hotspot, The Alchemist, which created a bespoke Manchester cocktail to mark ETW2014. @VisitEngland | #ETW14

Share your experience MCR is inviting readers to share their experiences of Greater Manchester for an upcoming feature in the magazine. Whether you’re a visitor or resident, share your photographs, memories and ideas with us using the hashtag #mcrmagazine and we’ll compile the best submissions. @visit_mcr | #mcrmagazine

@visit_mcr | visitmanchester.com

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MCR13 snapshots For this issue of MCR we have commissioned a number of young and upcoming artists to create works based on their own interpretation of what Manchester means to them.

Pages 10 - 11

Pages 30 - 31

Rebecca Kevill

Chris Ridler

Rebecca Kevill is an artist, digital painter and Creative Director of Leftfield LTD.

Chris Ridler is a painter who works principally in acrylics and draws inspiration from his physical surroundings.

“My artwork infuses the innovations that have happened within the city since the Romans settled here in 79 AD. It is mind blowing to think what has been achieved within this city; the industrial revolution began, the first computer was created and the atom was split. Imagine the huge cargo ships coming inland to exchange goods many miles from the sea; women fighting for their rights; philosophers writing new ideas; and musicians coming up with experimental sounds all shaping the future for generations to come.”

“I have come to know this view into the city well over the last few years, walking past it on my commute from Salford to Manchester. The notorious weather patterns we have here lead to beautiful skies, and this open view of the city is inspirational for me. The light and atmosphere of Manchester is the main focal point in most of my work, and it is key in this painting. I love this view; Beetham Tower dominating the skyline with nature on the city edge, seemingly taking over.”

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Wes Dooley Wes Dooley works with mixed media and illustration and loves to meld the two to create windows into other worlds.

“My relationship with Manchester has always been one of contrast, which is what my piece signifies.

Manchester’s harsh industry is complemented by the most wonderful countryside that surrounds it. Even in Manchester’s perceived bleakness, there is a sense of colour that often explodes unexpectedly. I find myself constantly looking up at the tops of the buildings set against the sky, where there is a constant of amazing architecture set against a grim sky; or dark buildings set against the bright blue sky.

Colour is my biggest inspiration, and this makes being an artist very easy indeed.”

Pages 52 - 53

Pages 74 - 75

Pages 96 - 97

Will Berry

Layla Sailor

Will is an illustrator and designer working within the field of hand drawn digital imagery.

Layla is a photographer, filmmaker and art director, who creates hyperrealistic, surreal photographs.

“My illustration sets out to show a perspective of Manchester that has not been viewed before. The work is of Manchester's Sackville Street from a rooftop perspective. The original image was photographed on an urban exploration expedition by collaborator Alex Macdougall. The illustration shows the new and the old of Manchester's regeneration giving the viewer a fresh perspective of the inner city area. This image was created using a combination of hand drawn and digital illustration techniques including a collection of hand made mono print textures bringing the scene to life.”

“My work is a physical collage of traces of Manchester that interest me, taking inspiration from multiculturalism within the city. The piece uses religious iconography inspired by St Michaels Church in Little Italy, Ancoats and the Procession of the Madonna della Rosario. I have created a headdress and clothing using new and vintage fabrics from ABC Wax in Hyde, who have been designing and producing printed fabrics for the African and Worldwide market since 1908. The halo, framing the model, is formed from an 1870 ordnance survey map of all the places that I have lived in Manchester.”

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What’s on: exhibitions Matt Pyke: Museums at Night National Football Museum 15 May 2014 Following a public vote in January, The National Football Museum will host digital artist Matt Pyke for an exciting one-off evening event featuring his innovative voice sculpture. At time of writing plans are set to involve football fans shouting and singing their own chants, from the disparaging to the unifying, the whispering of football-related rumours. The emerging sculptural form will be projected within the Hall of Fame space and onto the exterior of the iconic glass building in the city centre. nationalfootballmuseum.com | @footballmuseum

Joana Vasconcelos: Time Machines Manchester Art Gallery Until 1 June 2014 This major new show features over twenty of the Portuguese artist’s most significant sculptures, which fill the gallery’s major exhibition spaces, adorn the exterior of the gallery and act as interventions with the gallery’s permanent collection in spaces across the whole gallery building. The exhibition includes new and recent works, the majority of which are previously unseen in the UK. manchestergalleries.org | @mcrartgallery

Joana Vasconcelos: Time Machine. © Unidade Infinita Projectos

Jonathan Yeo: Portraits The Lowry Until 29 June 2014

Jonathan Yeo: Portraits

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Jonathan Yeo is one of Britain’s best portrait painters, especially well known for his paintings of performers, artists and politicians. Many of his most famous subjects have been brought together in this new exhibition from the National Portrait Gallery. From Kevin Spacey, acting as Richard III; Damien Hirst, dressed incongruously in chemical protection suit; to Helena Bonham Carter, Michael Parkinson, Grayson Perry and Idris Elba. thelowry.com | @The_Lowry

The Space Between The John Rylands Library Until 3 August 2014 The concept for this exhibition began as artist, Anthony McCarthy, walked along Chapel Street in Salford heading towards Manchester and The John Rylands Library.

Armed with pencil, paper and a disposable camera, Anthony recorded the changing aspects of Chapel Street, the transition and the re-development of an area in Salford that has significant history.

The drawings on display in the exhibition are observations of a changing landscape. library.manchester.ac.uk | @TheJohnRylands

From the War of Nature Manchester Museum Until 31 August 2014 Boxing hares, burrowing parasites, baby birds and prowling wolves are just some of the characters appearing in this story of predation, competition, co-operation and collaboration. The exhibition reveals that living things resolve conflict in many, often unexpected, ways and aims to challenge the perception that war is an inevitable outcome of conflict. From the War of Nature coincides with the nationwide commemoration of the start of World War I. The title comes from Charles Darwin’s On the Origin of Species, published in 1859. manchester.ac.uk/museum | @mcrMuseum

From Street to Trench

From Street to Trench: A War that Shaped a Region IWM North Until 2015 This is the largest exhibition ever created exploring the North West of England during the First World War, unveiling extraordinary and surprising personal stories with objects never before seen on public display. The exhibition illustrates how the region was shaped by the conflict and how local people played a significant role in global events. This will be IWM’s first major exhibition marking the centenary in 2014. iwm.org.uk/north | @I_W_M

Clifford Owens: Better the Rebel You Know Cornerhouse 10 May until 17 August 2014 This will be the first major European show by American performance artist Clifford Owens, whose work explores the intersection of photography, video, text and performance and the possibilities of interaction between artist and audience. The exhibition will include exclusive UK editions of Owens’ Anthology, originating from a series of performance instructions by British artists, and Photographs with an Audience, for which audience members helped create photograph by responding to Owens’ prompts. cornerhouse.org | @CornerhouseMcr

Clifford Owens

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Cornelia Parker Whitworth Art Gallery September 2014 until 8 March 2015 The Whitworth opens its doors again after its major development with an exhibition by one of Britain's most acclaimed artists, Cornelia Parker. The exhibition will be Cornelia Parker’s most extensive to date showing a range of work made during her career. It will include Cold Dark Matter (An Exploded View) (1991), a garden shed and contents blown up for the artist by the British Army, the fragments suspended around a light bulb. A new work specially commissioned for this exhibition will employ debris from many real explosions from theatres of war filling a room, as though part of one detonation, standing for all conflicts. manchester.ac.uk/manchester | @whitworthart

Asia Triennial Manchester (ATM) 2014 Various venues 26 September until 23 November 2014

Cornelia Parker. © Hugo Glendinning

Collider Museum of Science and Industry 23 May until 28 October 2014 Step into the heart of one of the greatest scientific experiments of our times: the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). Collider presents an immersive blend of theatre, video and sound art to create a behind-the-scenes look at the CERN particle physics laboratory in the first exhibition of its kind, offering the closest experience possible to visiting the famous site itself. Please note that this exhibition is only suitable for those aged 16 and over. mosi.org.uk | @voiceofmosi

Asia Triennial Manchester is set to stage the largest exhibition of Chinese contemporary art in the UK to date, featuring up to 30 major artists, from China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, exhibiting across key spaces in Manchester, including Centre for Chinese Contemporary Art, UHC, John Rylands Library, the Museum of Science and Industry, Imperial War Museum North and the National Football Museum. The only Asia Triennial outside Asia, ATM will work with partners to commission world-class visual arts and stage major exhibitions across Greater Manchester. asiatriennialmanchester.com | @TriennialMCR

A Land Fit For Heroes People’s History Museum 24 May 2014 until 1 February 2015 The People’s History Museum’s next changing exhibition ‘A Land Fit For Heroes’ will examine how the first world war changed society, radically altering the social, economic, cultural and political outlook of the British people. It will look at why people supported the war (and those that didn’t), the role that women played in the war effort, how home life was radically changed, the influence the war had on politics and the labour movement and life after the war. phm.org.uk | @PHMMcr

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Collider. © Nick Rochowski for MOSI

BY THE TIME YOU READ THIS A PARTICLE IN THE LARGE HADRON COLLIDER COULD HAVE TRAVELLED AROUND THE WORLD 30 TIMES. STEP INSIDE THE WORLD’S GREATEST EXPERIMENT 23 May – 28 Sep 2014 Book now at mosi.org.uk @voiceofmosi #mosicollider SUPPORTED BY

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Castlefield Gallery. © John Lynch

Manchester’s hidden galleries

By Hayley Flynn

The advantage of living in a region of such historical importance is the legacy that leaves us; the vast array of galleries and museums throughout the county that cover every aspect of culture and heritage you could imagine - from hats at Stockport Hat Museum to the living archives scattered throughout the city in the form of businesses long gone.

Castlefield Gallery dates back to the mid 80s but has recently re-emerged in the spotlight since re-launching in 2012 with the same entrepreneurial spirit upon which it was founded. Tucked away behind Deansgate station this is more than just a gallery, it’s an artist development agency, and as well as hosting regular exhibitions the team curate the exciting pop-up gallery New Art Spaces. NAS is currently at Federation House - a former CoOperative building, and provides a temporary and dynamic art space for emerging artists in vacant units

across the region. Castlefield Gallery are investing in the art scene at a time when few others have the courage to. The project focuses on local communities as well as new artists and runs across the North West.

The International Anthony Burgess Foundation is hidden behind Oxford Road and is best approached from Whitworth Street West; a short yet colourful walk, taking in the purple and blue bricks of Hotspur Press, and the red and white hues of the bridge overhead. The foundation is a museum of literature

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and paraphernalia belonging to the author - but it’s also host to all manner of cultural activities including past events from Jonathan Meades and Chuck Palahniuk. Even if you’re ambivalent towards Burgess and his works it’s a wonderful spot for lunch away from the bustle of Oxford Road.

After an extensive renovation in 2010 The Gallery of Costume is back and plays a crucial part in the cultural line up of the city. The gallery is of huge significance with over 20,000 items from the last 400 years. A changing exhibitions gallery can be found in the newly revamped space along with a lecture room; all beautifully packaged within a textile merchant’s cottage at Platt Hall, in the lush surrounds of Platt Fields Park. The gallery boasts a specialist library of fashion journals and catalogues.

To truly appreciate the collection at Platt Fields one must be prepared to revisit as it’s simply too vast a collection to display at any one time - the exhibitions here are as seasonal as the latest catwalk fashions.

Greater Manchester Police Museum is the silent star of central Manchester. The former police station on the Northern Quarter’s Newton Street is suspended in time. Victorian cells show the underworld of Manchester some 120 years ago and galleries of police equipment, vehicles and uniforms make for a truly tangible experience. The police archives are vast and carefully selected for display so as to be relatable and interesting to all visitors - you can discover the intricacies of forensic science through to the identity of the author who inspired the names of every police horse Manchester has ever owned.

Staying in the Northern Quarter area of the city, the Centre for Chinese Contemporary Art on Thomas Street is a gallery on the cutting edge of culture.

The centre was established in 1986 and is the UK’s leading organisation for contemporary Chinese Art. An overwhelming number of solo exhibitions at the centre have launched the burgeoning careers of many an artist and the residencies and exhibitions are always ambitious and unique. The centre is located opposite the gates to the former fish market and the intricate carvings at the peak of each gate are worth a visit alone.

Cheetham Hill Road – a short walk north of Manchester Victoria Station – is the home of Manchester Jewish Museum and a newly opened exhibition centre. The museum can be found in an ornate Moorish building dating back to 1874 and is in

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The Gallery of Costume

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Salford Museum and Art Gallery

fact the oldest synagogue in Manchester. Manchester’s Jewish community is the second largest in the UK and the archives at the museum tell of a compelling and often emotional history that has played a vital part in making Manchester the city it is today.

Salford Museum and Art Gallery is often overshadowed by the cultural offerings of central Manchester less than a mile away, but is well worth crossing the invisible boundary of the Irwell for.

Lark Hill Place is a main feature of the gallery – this indoor Victorian street is largely made up from the preserved shop facades of the much-regenerated thoroughfare Chapel Street which were salvaged in 1957. The centre is housed in what was the UK’s first free public library and hosts regular learning programmes making for an enjoyably interactive experience. Rumours are that LS Lowry had a set of keys to the art gallery and that’s endorsement enough for me.

Centre for Chinese Contemporary Art. © Constantin Brosteanu

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as a whole. Whilst in Stockport do remember to seek out the former air raid shelters built into the sandstone caves upon which the town is built. A hands on, unique experience and winner of best small visitor attraction at 2010 Manchester Tourism Awards. If you’re looking for something a little more unusual then look out for the enormous chimney emblazoned with Hat Works, there you’ll find the UK’s only museum of millinery housed within a Grade II listed former hat factory and cotton spinning mill.

Visitors to Bury should take the time to explore Bury Art Museum. The museum is home to the Wrigley Collection - over two hundred paintings and prints once belonging to Thomas Wrigley, a paper manufacturer during the Industrial Revolution.

Notable pieces in the collection include works by Constable and Turner. Bury Art Museum prides itself on its warm and friendly approach to the arts, and has been extensively refurbished to deliver a radically modern take on museum life.

Touchstones

With the extension of the tram route out towards Rochdale, there’s no excuse not to visit Touchstones.

This integrated arts and heritage centre is run by an inspiring team driven to deliver an eclectic range of exhibitions. Touchstones champions local art and in Gallery One welcomes exhibitions from residents of the region. The building itself, like much of Rochdale, is steeped in history and is only a stone’s throw from Toad Lane - home of Rochdale Pioneer’s Museum; a living relic of the co-operative movement.

Stockport Art Gallery and War Memorial is run by volunteers and Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council. The volunteer team was formed in 2013 to sustain the life of the gallery at a time when it was threatened with restricted opening times. The voluntary project now curates exhibitions with the help of a specially recruited arts panel and the high energy group focus on a mix of high quality artists and community groups. As a result of this crowdsourced dynamic the gallery is diverse and culturally valuable to the town of Stockport, and to the region

Central Art Gallery in Ashton is found above the library on Old Street. The site is a collection of small gallery spaces and temporary exhibitions. It’s a convivial space with a range of sculpture, textile and paintings and whilst in the neighbourhood it’s more than worth the short trip out to Fairfield to see the Moravian Settlement - a still active religious settlement and museum surrounded by original housing all of which is listed; a real step back in time.

Manchester is a myriad of hidden museums and galleries which lie in wait of discovery - if only you know where to look...

For more information: visitmanchester.com/galleries

Stockport Art Gallery

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Š www.mickcooksonphotography.co.uk

John Consterdine John is a full time taxi driver and award-winning city tour guide who runs Manchester Taxi Tours.

A good taxi driver does more than take you from A to B. Exceeding customer expectations with great service, taxi drivers should be ambassadors for the city.

I pride myself on a friendly and professional service, helping visitors to get the most out of their visit. My aim is to make everybody's trip to Manchester memorable.

Then there are the places of historical importance, brought up to date and reused, like MediaCityUK at Salford Quays. I’m a regular guest on BBC Radio Manchester which is recorded at MediaCityUK and I’ve watched it grow from both sides to become this amazing media hub, whereas years ago it was a dockyard.

Driving round the city you see 2,000 years of history.

From Roman Castlefield to No.1 Angel Square and all ages in between - the medieval Cathedral, Georgian houses, the mills, canals and warehouses which made Manchester the first industrial city in the world, the stunning Victorian Town Hall and neo-gothic John Rylands Library. Not forgetting the grandeur of the Midland Hotel, 60's chic in Piccadilly Plaza and landmark modern buildings like the Beetham Tower and Civil Justice centre.

Salford Lads Club is the highlight of my tour for many people. The club has a special atmosphere with its social and cultural history and the important work it does today with the local community. Of course it’s massive for music fans, especially fans of the Smiths and not a lot of people know that its on the corner of the real Coronation Street.

The question I'm most often asked on my tours is whether I’m a Red or Blue. I've got to be impartial and I get around it by saying 'one of the big Manchester teams'. Football is wired into our DNA here in Manchester and we’re really lucky to have two teams with huge global followings that attract thousands of visitors, all wanting to experience the passion of the beautiful game.

People come up with some really unusual requests on my tours. I've been asked to find farms in Glossop, graves in churchyards and houses all over the region.

One of the nicest tours I’ve done was for a lady who went to the University of Manchester who hadn't been back for 30 odd years. We found her old student house and the pub where she used to work during her time here. It was a privilege to watch the years roll back as I drove her around.

I love the people in Manchester. I get a great sense of pride listening to visitors talk about their experiences of the friendly people they meet whilst here. You’ll often hear people say that they asked someone for directions and the person walked them to their hotel and that’s exactly what I would expect from Mancunians.

On my tour you’ll see a city moving forward - new developments, an expanding transport infrastructure, and the regeneration of places like East Manchester.

I'm a big believer in putting back into the community.

I get a lot out of Manchester so a colleague and I started a charity called Manchester Taxi Aid to help raise funds for local charities. Lancasterian School and Salford Lads Club are the beneficiaries this year. We encourage taxi drivers to join us and take part in the big Manchester sporting events – running, swimming, cycling. Taxi driving means a lot of time spent sitting in a cab so it’s a great way to keep fit and raise money.

I won the 'Tourism Star of the Year' award at the Manchester Tourism Awards in November 2013.

It felt fantastic. I’m very proud of my city and it’s always a privilege to be recognised for your hard work, especially for something that you love doing. Following my win in November, I’ve now been nominated for VisitEngland’s ‘Tourism Superstar 2014’ award and to represent Manchester at a national level is a dream come true.

The thing that sets Manchester apart from any other city is that it’s got everything except a beach, as Ian Brown said, but it’s true. Manchester is a great working city and all the parts work to make the whole - the combination of old and new mixed with a permanent buzz that just couldn’t be recreated anywhere else.

The VisitEngland ‘Tourism Superstar 2014’ announcement is due to be made on 29 March 2014, after this issue has gone to print. manchestertaxitours.com | @MCRTaxiTours

@visit_mcr | visitmanchester.com

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Saved for the City: Albert Hall

By Hayley Flynn

Peter Street is an unsung star in the city lined on either side by striking buildings of historical importance and architectural majesty, until recently the street lay in an area that people journeyed through rather than towards.

Š Andrew Brooks and MIF

But the Albert Hall and Aston Institute, now known simply as The Albert Hall is fast becoming one of the main attractions of the city. Built in 1910 by W J Morley, it was home to the Manchester and Salford Wesleyan Mission, and latterly to Brannigan’s Bar. Today it is the most recent addition to the eclectic catalogue of Trof bars; the vision of publicity-shy owner Joel Wilkinson.

who have crawled through chimney spaces and galleries in vain trying to find the heart of the ventilation system. These quirks of the building might be the source of much head-scratching and hard work for Trof, but the fact they are willing to take on and resolve such issues is testament to their dedication to provide something new and original for the city.

The Grade II listed building is vast and spread over four huge floors. The main hall that lies one floor up from Brannigan’s ground floor venue originally seated 2,000 and is lined with wooden seating in a horseshoe shape, stained glass windows and an ornate glass ceiling. Rooms to the rear of the hall include a few office spaces and a projection room, lined with heavy metal panels which slide to reveal letter-box sized peep holes. The organ is big enough for a dozen people to climb inside, and until recently this part of the building had been hidden from the public since its closure in the summer of 1969; left alone, frozen in time.

As you ascend the staircase to the top of the building, in a part now restricted to staff, there is an old coat sign still etched on to crumbling paintwork, a relic of a muddled past - one-off Victorian signage mixed-up amongst Brannigan’s storage overspill of Christmas decorations and stag night props.

Thanks to an unusual vacuum-like system called a Plenum Chamber the building is naturally very warm, something that has baffled the new owners

The building was inspired by Santa Maria della Spina in Pisa, though it's by no means evident on the face of things. The exterior is of polished granite and brown Bermantofts terracotta tiles, similar to that on the facade of London Road Fire Station. There are six main staircases, all grand and vast in size - so large in fact that it doesn't seem feasible that there are so many. The building, in the decay and dim light is maze-like when navigating around it.

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Perhaps the most interesting thing about the Albert Hall as a new business venture for the city is that it hasn’t officially opened yet and is already the music hotspot for touring artists.

recovered from elsewhere then recycled into a striking interior design by Joel and his wife. The duo are hard working and humble, and are excited by people, design and how those two things interact.

During the summer of 2013 the team worked hard to get the venue as event ready as possible for a series of unique shows for Manchester International Festival. The venue hosted the palpably haunting adaptation of Shelley’s Masque of Anarchy as performed by Maxine Peake, as well as concerts by contemporary artists such as Mogwai and Goldfrapp.

Since MIF the venue has planned a carefully curated selection of musical events from the cult band Slint through to the long awaited return of indie icons Neutral Milk Hotel.

In a society of pay day loans and hyper debt it’s assuring to see a business working within its means, Wilkinson is inventive with his resources and is not afraid to make sacrifices - Trof sold their flagship Fallowfield bar to help pay for the initial layout required on Albert Hall – and essential works such as the windows and the acoustics were strengthened thanks to pragmatic decision making on Wilkinson’s behalf.

How does a small local business like Trof grow to such a burgeoning chain in a relatively small space of time? As an architectural researcher I’ve often found myself, accidentally on the trail of Wilkinson at various demolition sites including the former BBC site on Oxford Road. Each site stripped of its fittings: “Oh yes, Joel was in here yesterday...” chime the demolition contractors as I point and ask where the flooring and lights have gone. The collection of speakers at the Deaf Institute, the unique blue wall of handles and dials at Gorilla - they’re nearly all

When the Albert Hall originally opened as a temperance chapel there were up to 100 Wesleyan halls across the UK. Today just 16 remain in use. The venue built as a temple of abstinence is now saved for the city by a licensed nightclub and bar. The irony of the ever-evolving city.

Albert Hall on Peter Street is due to reopen this year, as a restaurant, bar and events space.

For more information: alberthallmanchester.com

© Kevin Cummins and MIF

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Coronation St ™ & © ITV Studios Ltd. 2013. Licensed by ITV Broadcasting Limited. All Rights Reserved.

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FOLLOW US TO MANCHESTER’S NEXT DESTINATION Join the story… facebook.com/noma53 @noma53 noma53.com

noma53.com

What is NOMA?

Tell me more…

NOMA is an evolving neighbourhood of shops, restaurants, hotels, new homes and both cuttingedge and refurbished work space, with acres of outdoor space for new events and the public to enjoy.

NOMA is a 10 year regeneration project, designed to meet the needs and aspirations of both modern businesses and life, with a real community at its heart.

What’s next?

With Phase 1 now complete and The Co-operative settled in to the stunning new 1 Angel Square office, 2014 will see more developments brought forward for NOMA. These include a second new public square in the heart of the listed estate, which will be home to a variety of street-food and pop-up shops as well as an exciting events programme.

Why NOMA? NOMA is a gateway location and central hub that puts you right in the heart of city life. So if you’re thinking about moving offices, looking for a new place to expand your retail business or to set up home, or simply a great place to relax and take it all in, then follow us to find out what’s new at NOMA.

noma53.com

What’s on: music & theatre The Last Days of Troy

The Two Worlds of Charlie F

Royal Exchange 8 May until 7 June 2014

Manchester Opera House 9 – 14 June 2014

This new version of The Iliad – by nationally acclaimed poet and author Simon Armitage and starring Lily Cole as Helen of Troy – tells the story of two countries moving towards war, from petty conflict that escalates at a great cost to human life. Told through the eyes of Achilles, this fast-paced piece of story-telling culminated in the legendary tale of the Trojan Horse. After premiering in Manchester, The Last Days of Troy will transfer to Shakespeare’s Globe throughout June 2014. royalexchange.co.uk | @rxtheatre

The true stories of British servicemen and women brought unflinchingly to life and a soldier’s view of service, injury and recovery. From the war in Afghanistan, through the dream world of morphine induced hallucinations to the physiotherapy rooms of Headley Court, it explores the real consequences of injury, both physical and psychological, and its effects on others as the soldiers fight the new battle for survival at home. The play is a darkly comic, authentic and uplifting tale of survival. atgtickets.com/Manchester | @PalaceAndOpera

Hallé: West End Musicals

An August Bank Holiday Lark

The Bridgewater Hall Saturday 31 May 2014

Oldham Coliseum 10 – 14 June 2014

Take a trip to the West End without leaving the North West. The Hallé and conductor Stephen Bell are joined

by Scarlett Strallen and Killian Donelly, two of the hottest West End talents, for a fantastic collection of some of the best show-stopping scores ever written. The show will include favourites from Les Misérables, Phantom of the Opera, Carousel, West Side Story, Singin’ in the Rain and many more. halle.co.uk | @the_halle

It’s an idyllic summer in Saddleworth in 1914. Excitement is building for Wakes week; a rest from field and mill and a celebration of the Rushbearing Festival with singing, courting, drinking and dancing. The looming war barely registers... but it will. An August Bank Holiday Lark is a deeply moving drama poised at the tipping point of war.

Intensely nostalgic and emotionally rich, this is a story that will both entertain and tug at your heart strings. coliseum.org.uk | @OldhamColiseum

The Last Days of Troy

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An August Bank Holiday Lark

Robbie Williams Phones 4u Arena Manchester 29 – 30 June & 2 July 2014 Following the ecstatic response to his recent London Palladium one-off show where he showcased material from his latest album Swings Both Ways, Robbie Williams will play three days in Manchester over the summer as part of his European tour. A natural master of showmanship and an adopted Mancunian from his Take That days, Robbie is sure to put on a fantastic show for fans old and new. phones4uarena.co.uk | @phones4uarena

Contacting The World 2014 Contact Theatre 8 – 11 July 2014

Robbie Williams

Cirque du Soleil: Dralion Phones 4u Arena Manchester 11 – 15 June 2014

Contact’s pioneering international festival for young people returns with a lively programme of new theatre, workshops and discussions. After being twinned for a nine month creative exchange, six international youth companies - Bread and Butter (Mumbai, India) and Corby Young Actors (Corby, UK); CYAC (Manchester, UK), and margintheater, (Tehran, Iran); Firefly Arts - Fresh, (Livingston, UK) and Quilt Performing Arts Company, (Kingston, Jamaica) - come to Manchester to present their new work. contactmcr.com | @ContactMCR

Fusing the 3,000 year-old tradition of Chinese acrobatic arts with the multidisciplinary approach of Cirque du Soleil, Dralion (pronounced “Dra-lee-on”) will visit Manchester this summer as part of its first ever UK arena tour. Drawing inspiration from Eastern philosophy and its never-ending quest for harmony between humans and nature, Dralion will showcase a mindblowing blend of amazing acrobatics, stunning choreography, and live music with hilarious clowns. phones4uarena.co.uk | @phones4uarena

Love Story by Erich Segal Octagon Theatre Bolton 19 June until 12 July 2014 Two worlds collide when spirited Italian-American Jennifer Cavilleri and wealthy, privileged Harvard Alumni Oliver Barrett IV fall in love. The pair, whose backgrounds could not be more different, are united by a love that endures in the face of adversity. Love Story is inspired by Erich Segal’s best-selling novel and subsequent 1970’s smash-hit film, widely regarded as one of the most romantic films of all time, and features a brand new score by Emmy, Brit and BAFTA award-winner Howard Goodall CBE. octagonbolton.co.uk | @octagontheatre

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Elaine Paige: 50th Anniversary Farewell Tour The Bridgewater Hall 12 October 2014 As 'The First Lady of Musical Theatre' Elaine Paige has made a major contribution to the modern musical and has starred in numerous productions in the West End and on Broadway. This new tour will encompass Elaine Paige’s monumental career, with songs from the world of musical theatre and her hugely successful recording catalogue. bridgewater-hall.co.uk | @BridgewaterHall

Shrek the Musical The Palace Theatre 2 December 2014 until 11 January 2015

War Horse

George’s Marvellous Medicine Tatton Park 13 July 2014

Direct from the West End and larger than life! Based on the award-winning DreamWorks animation film, Shrek the Musical is this year’s must-see show at The Palace following the success of shows such as The Lion King and Wicked. Join the unlikely hero Shrek and his loyal steed Donkey as they embark on a quest to rescue the beautiful (if slightly temperamental) Princess Fiona.

Featuring all new songs as well as cult Shrek anthem I’m a Believer, Shrek the Musical brings all the much-loved DreamWorks characters to life live on stage, in an allsinging, all-dancing extravaganza. atgtickets.com/Manchester | @PalaceAndOpera

The fantastic Illyria Outdoor Theatre brings George's Marvellous Medicine, by Roald Dahl to Tatton Park this summer. Adapted by David Wood, the Roald Dahl classic about a boy who concocts medicine to give to his horrible Grandma will be performed in the grounds of the atmospheric Old Hall at Tatton Park.

With larger-than-life characters and just a twist of malicious fun, the performance is guaranteed to send the audience through the roof! tattonpark.org.uk | @tatton_park

War Horse The Lowry 23 July until 20 September 2014 After a successful run over Christmas 2013, War Horse, presented by partner company The National Theatre, returns to the Lowry this summer. Based on the beloved novel by Michael Morpurgo, War Horse tells the powerful and uplifting story of young Albert, his beloved horse Joey, and the unimaginable obstacles they overcome both individually and together. thelowry.com | @The_Lowry Shrek the Musical

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Symphonic City

By Lizzie Carter

Manchester has a rich musical landscape – we all know about ‘Madchester’ but there’s so much more to the city’s musical offerings than a simian stroll.

Manchester benefits from three major professional orchestras and is one of the best places in the country to study classical music.

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The Hallé If the name Charles Hallé rings a bell it’s because he also founded the Hallé orchestra back in 1858.

The Hallé is a world class symphony orchestra, performing nearly 70 concerts a year in Manchester and - as Guy Garvey of Elbow once said - ‘is the original Manchester band’.

The Hallé serve Manchester first and foremost.

When the Hallé’s original home, the Free Trade Hall on Peter Street, was requisitioned and bombed during the Second World War the Orchestra continued to perform at other venues throughout the city. Look out for the old Hallé logos that still adorn the doorways at the Free Trade Hall – now the Radisson Blu Edwardian Hotel.

The Hallé’s programming is broken up into different series: one featuring giants of orchestral repertoire alongside lesser known works, another consists of great choral works and collaboration with the Hallé’s choirs.

Elbow performing with the Hallé at MIF

Royal Northern College of Music Manchester is home to one of the world’s leading music schools, the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) situated on Oxford Road. Its beginnings stretch back to 1893 when Sir Charles Hallé founded the then Royal Manchester College of Music. The college not only trains upcoming professional musicians, but also programmes a mix of inventive musical performances. This can range from a screening of Charlie Chaplin’s Modern Times with the score performed live by the RNCM Symphony Orchestra to a re-imagining of Kraftwerk complete with video projections.

Michelle Castelletti, RNCM’s Artistic Director, explains, “Providing students with diverse and relevant performance opportunities is very important to what we do, as is engaging with audiences.

“For me personally, new alliances excite me. I love cross-art form because I think it brings people together with different tastes from all walks of life.

We strive to be ‘elite but not elitist’, and to open doors to the man on the street who, out of pure curiosity, wants to give it a try.”

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Their Opus One Concerts are a unique concept with performances of the same repertoire three times in one week, on a Wednesday afternoon and on Thursday and Sunday evenings. This particular series began in 1952 as the Industrial Concerts to which people from Manchester’s working class communities – especially local factories and mills – were encouraged to attend.

Hallé Pops and Christmas concerts welcome newcomers with themed evenings including film nights, music from musicals and much more.

The Bridgewater Hall

The Hallé’s current musical director Sir Mark Elder was appointed in 2000, and he has recently renewed his contract with the Orchestra until 2020. Since Sir Mark was first appointed, the Orchestra has reasserted itself as a major creative presence, not only in Manchester but nationally and abroad.

BBC Philharmonic Manchester isn’t short of symphony orchestras and based at MediaCityUK in Salford is the BBC Philharmonic. The orchestra regularly records programmes for BBC Radio 3 as well as appearing on other BBC radio and television programmes with artists such as Richard Hawley and the Pet Shop Boys.

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The orchestra also perform small scale events in the BBC studio – check the website to find out what’s coming up next – and if you’re lucky you could also catch a tour of the BBC studios.

Currently under the baton of Chief Conductor Juanjo Mena, BBC Philharmonic is committed to introducing an adventurous repertoire so expect something you might never have heard before.

A musical education Manchester’s symphonic musical learning institutions don’t stop with the RNCM. Chetham's School of Music, tucked behind Manchester Cathedral, is the largest specialist music school in the UK, teaching budding musicians aged 8-18.

Housed in 600 year-old medieval buildings, Chetham's is very much part of Manchester’s musical fabric. With a regular programme of free lunchtime concerts where students perform their current repertoire, a visit to this unique venue is an afternoon well spent.

Chetham’s School of Music

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Students from Chetham's also perform in Manchester’s beautiful cathedral situated just round the corner at the top of Deansgate. As well as lunchtime concerts, the cathedral programmes coffee concerts, live bands and literary events.

Symphonic collaborations Joining artistic forces is something Manchester does well – including orchestras. In 2012 the Hallé, together with The Lowry and the Royal Exchange Theatre were awarded the Manchester Theatre Award for Best Production for Leonard Bernstein’s Wonderful Town.

The BBC Philharmonic and Manchester Camerata worked with the Hallé and RNCM on the ‘Strauss’s Voice’ festival, based on performing all 27 of Richard Strauss’s orchestral songs during January to March this year.

One of the country’s leading chamber orchestras, Manchester Camerata works in partnership with the RNCM, Salford University, Chetham's, and Junior

RNCM for their annual Composers Workshops. These give 11 young composers the chance to have their music played by a professional ensemble - opening up to new ideas - with the winner having their work performed to the public.

“Collaborations are important because they challenge the way that you normally work” says Samantha McShane, head of creative programming at Manchester Camerata. Working in partnership also benefits audiences; the Camerata regularly work with the Manchester Literature Festival. “It brings two completely different audiences together”, she says.

“After an event with poet Lemn Sissay last year, someone said to me ‘I’ve never been to a classical music concert and that was so moving – it added so much more to the occasion’.”

Unconventional musical experiences Manchester isn’t short of interesting venues, Manchester Camerata’s UpClose series programmes concerts in some of the city’s more unique venues, breaking down any formality surrounding classical music. Venues include Gorilla on Whitworth Street, The Deaf Institute off Oxford Road, the Anthony Burgess Foundation on Cambridge Street and the newly opened Albert Hall on Peter Street.

Three Mancunian recordings to listen to…

Hallé Elgar, Symphony No 1 Recorded in 2008 exactly 100 years after the Hallé gave the first performance of the work in Manchester in 1908.

BBC Philharmonic Turina, Danzas Fantasticas A recent CD from the BBC Philharmonic recorded at MediaCity with Chief Conductor Juanjo Mena.

Manchester Camerata Beethoven, Symphony No 9 The final recording of the orchestra's acclaimed project to record the entire Beethoven Symphony Cycle.

“Going to a concert in a formal concert hall may not be for everyone”, Samantha explains. “So we took the music to bars, creating a relaxed atmosphere so that the players and the audience are able to connect on a completely different level. That’s what’s so exciting about UpClose – the audience becomes part of the performance.”

Over in the ever-developing Ancoats – a stone’s throw from the city’s Northern Quarter – sits Hallé St Peter’s; a recently renovated, deconsecrated church that provides another stunning setting for small scale live music events.

Nearly every musical institution mentioned so far performs at the magnificent Bridgewater Hall – the city’s leading classical concert venue. The Hallé is one of three resident orchestras there and the hall programmes an International Concert Series which – as the name suggests – includes not only Mancunian offerings but orchestras and artists from across the globe.

For more information: visitmanchester.com/classicalmusic

@visit_mcr | visitmanchester.com

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Mary Anne Hobbs A champion of new and alternative music, Mary Anne Hobbs is a DJ, presenter and music writer.

The response to my BBC 6 Music show has been extraordinary. My listeners are like family to me and people all over the UK (and internationally) are setting their alarms to wake up with the show. We all gravitate together to share the same experience, and the sense of communion is tangible.

collaboration with Adam Curtis in 2013 was a piece that resonated so deeply with me, I have contemplated the themes and the questions posed about the true nature of 'freedom' almost every day since the performance. I admire the bravery and the vision of the curator Alex Poots so much.

Music has been a driving force for me since I was a girl. I cut my teeth listening to John Peel under my blankets at night on a transistor radio about the size of a sardine can. John stood at the gateway to an alternate universe, a place I'd have had no evidence existed at all without his shows... a place I wanted to find. So at the age of 18 I ran away to London and lived on a bus in a car park for a year with a rock band called Heretic. A crazy move perhaps, but it was the first step on the causeway for me, and I've never looked back.

I am inspired by the Manchester poet Lemn Sissay.

His poems adorn the walls of this city and his poem 'Belong' is an example of the way in which he weaves so much magic about Manchester into a complex narrative; Piccadilly Tower, The Bridgewater Hall, John Cooper Clarke, Morrissey, The Stone Roses. I worked with Lemn on a project to give Christmas Dinner to 45 young people from care homes in Manchester on Christmas Day 2013, which was one of the greatest experiences of my life.

If working in radio has taught me one thing, it's that it is so important in terms of the real evolution of democracy, to give the voice of the BBC such an incredible platform in the North West in Salford.

MediaCityUK is like broadcaster's Eden, and every day I cross the threshold I am so grateful to be working in such a vibrant, collaborative, highly creative environment. I love the BBC, and I feel the work we are doing from MediaCityUK is changing, diversifying and strengthening us.

I love Manchester because every time I step off the train at Piccadilly I feel the thrill of the city. It's an atmosphere and an energy that's completely unique to Manchester. I've felt it ever since the late '80s when I was writing at NME. With a gang of mates I would roll up the M6 every weekend from London to hook up with Happy Mondays and their manager Nathan McGough to hit the Haรงienda. The distillation is as potent as ever in 2014.

During my time in Greater Manchester I've been lucky to see gigs at the Sways Records venue, The Bunker. All I had was a postcode from the Sways crew as there is no formal address. The place looks like a derelict warehouse on a deserted Salford Street, but inside the atmosphere is electric. Bands play inside a giant wooden cage in the centre of the warehouse, and the audience literally swing from the framework. Make it your mission to find the place, and you'll never forget it.

Manchester International Festival is the most creatively original and ingenious arts event on earth.

The line-up of music, theatre, arts and poetry created uniquely for MIF is peerless. Massive Attack's

I would recommend first time visitors to Manchester to check out Manchester Art Gallery, curated by one of the most inspirational women in Manchester, Maria Balshaw. The Gallery has a beautiful permanent collection, but also ever changing conceptual and artistled exhibitions. Jeremy Deller's exhibition was a highlight of 2013 for me. I saw it at least five times.

You'll also find my original Banksy, 'Love Is In The Air' in the gallery, juxtaposed brilliantly by Maria Balshaw among the Pre-Raphaelites.

You can hear Mary Anne Hobbs every Saturday and Sunday from 7-10am on BBC Radio 6 Music. bbc.co.uk/6music | @maryannehobbs

@visit_mcr | visitmanchester.com

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Manchester Craft and Design Centre: a jewel in Manchester’s Northern Quarter

By Nyree Hughes

Just a hop and a skip away from Piccadilly Gardens and the very modern Manchester high street with its opulent facades and glass fronted offices, you’ll find yourself in Manchester’s Northern Quarter – a veritable bohemia, buzzing with independent fashion stores, restaurants, bars, cafés and attractive boutiques.

Tucked amongst this oasis of one-of-a-kind retailers you’ll discover the award-winning Manchester Craft and Design Centre (MCDC) on Oak Street. Crowned with a large glass roof, this creative hub, located in an honestly restored Victorian fish and poultry market, is occupied by skilled artists and makers who create and sell everything from hand-crafted jewellery and ceramics to breathtaking paintings and imaginative home decorations made from recycled materials.

This hive of innovation and creativity is a must visit for anyone looking for an alternative shopping fix.

From humble beginnings A not-for-profit social enterprise, MCDC opened its doors to the public 30 years ago, initially operating as an artists’ cooperative, and has played a leading role in the regeneration of the Northern Quarter to what it is today as the city’s creative neighbourhood.

From fish market to design powerhouse, MCDC is responsible for safeguarding its historic home; reinvigorating it with creative enterprise; supporting the growth of successful and sustainable creative businesses; and developing new talent through its various programmes and opportunities.

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Over the years the centre has championed top class contemporary designer/makers – whether through its carefully selected studio artists, exhibitions programme, public workshops or business development sessions, the centre’s mission is to be the place to make, see and buy contemporary craft and design in the North West Today Manchester Craft and Design Centre is home to 19 working studio boutiques where 35 artists, designers and craftspeople produce and sell work to the public six days a week in a calming and tranquil environment. A new website was launched in 2013 and the team are now gearing up to launch the MCDC online shop, showcasing all of its in-house resident makers’ work.

Complementing the relaxed and creative atmosphere, the humble Oak St. Café, located at the heart of the building has an alternative offer, serving locally sourced, artisan products and delicious homemade food to eat in or take away, with a daily-changing menu.

During 2012 MCDC celebrated its 30th anniversary and commissioned artist Lucy Harvey to gather memories and images that tell the story of the centre in an online archive. Make time to visit the website and enjoy some of the stories told by local residents, early visitors, resident artists and market traders, as well as some fascinating photos of the site’s development over the years.

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“I am able to talk to my customers, tell them about my work and demonstrate my enthusiasm for pewter. Being able to work in such an inspiring environment, both in terms of other makers and the building itself, makes me feel very privileged every day I come to work in my small (but perfectly formed) studio.

“Manchester Craft and Design Centre is a must-see.

It inspires, delights and awes. You can see makers making, using their traditional skills to create their works at the heart of the thriving British and Manchester design scene, then take a piece of it away with you.”

Nurturing new talent MCDC maintains a strong connection with up and coming makers through Manchester Metropolitan University’s School of Art and has been finding new talent for several years through its ‘Spotted’ initiative.

As a creative organisation MCDC is committed to supporting emerging makers through a number of initiatives including co-curating, take over days and exhibition opportunities.

Elizabeth Jane Winstanley, MCDC’s Spotted Award winner for 2014 wowed MCDC at her Manchester School of Art embroidery degree show in 2013 and was awarded their prestigious MMU Graduate Exhibition Award. Elizabeth pushes the boundaries of embroidery by using alternative media and creates captivating illusions from patterns and light emitting wires. A current exhibition, Tactile Illusions showcases Elizabeth’s screen printed acrylic sculptures and prints, and includes a selection of never-before-seen pieces. The exhibition runs until 5 July 2014.

Featured artists MCDC makers are varied and come from diverse background. We took a nosey around two of the resident makers’ studios; Ella McIntosh’s This is Pewter and Andrea Lord’s &Made.

Ella McIntosh made the Craft and Design Centre her studio and showroom in 2012. A metal worker, Ella specialises in lead-free pewter, a material introduced to her in 2006 while studying for a degree in Designed Metalwork and Jewellery at Buckinghamshire Chilterns University. Ella’s innovative use of pewter in her designs both illustrates an outstanding skill and its benefits as a material. Having started her business at home, the community aspect of MCDC really appealed to Ella.

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&made’s Andrea Lord, spent 30 years as a costume designer for children’s TV production company Cosgrove Hall, but for the past four years she has been based at MCDC running her own business, creating a range of home ware and hand made gifts.

After finishing her degree at MMU she immediately started work at Cosgrove Hall Animation House in Chorlton cum Hardy where she trained as a model animator working on shows such as Chorlton and the Wheelies, Wind in the Willows and the feature film Fool of the World and the Flying Ship. Following a

stint working for a computer games company, Andrea returned to Cosgrove Hall to work as costume designer/maker on Postman Pat, Fifi and the Flowertots and Rupert Bear. Andrea loved this work as it perfectly employed all her skills and encouraged her to explore and learn lots of new ones. Cosgrove Hall provided her with all the transferable skills that made &made possible, including teaching her the importance of branding and marketing.

Commenting on her place at MCDC, Andrea said: “Following my years at Cosgrove Hall, I found working from home very isolating and more than anything I missed people! Moving &made to MCDC provided me with that missing element – the feeling of belonging to a community of like minded designers and makers has been the perfect solution. For a start up business like mine, having the support and encouragement of all these lovely people with their wealth of experiences is priceless. Added to this as a shopper, it certainly has something for everyone”.

MCDC events and exhibitions • Craft Unveiled: monthly lunchtime talks.

• The Makers Dozen: an enormously talented collective of Manchester based designers and makers will be taking over MCDC’s exhibition space this summer with their own curated showcase of the best emerging makers around.

• Tactile Illusions: Elizabeth Jane Winstanley until 5 July 2014.

The MCDC team is currently engaged in several projects across Greater Manchester, one of which is a WWI centenary project with IWM on the 14 and 15 June. Keep an eye out on the MCDC website for further updates.

For more information: craftanddesign.com

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Sample our reputation as one of the UK’s friendliest towns and join in the great family fun and games on offer in 2014.

There’s something to spice up everyone’s life with our famous Food and Drink Festival, the world’s largest IronKids run, the Ironman UK Triathlon plus much more…

Skyride City, June 1 - Over 7,500 cyclists enjoyed last year’s 5km traffic-free cycle ride through the town so don’t forget your bike. www.goskyride.com Horwich Festival of Racing and Carnival, June 15 – Join us for one of the most popular sporting events in the North West with cycling and running championships including unicycle, races for children and the fabulous Horwich Carnival Parade. www.horwichfestivalofracing.co.uk

IronKids, July 19 - Children aged 3 to 14 years take part in a series of fun runs in the town centre cheered on by family and friends, finishing under the iconic IRONMAN gantry. www.ironkids.co.uk Ironman UK Triathlon, July 20 - Cheer on 2,000 athletes who complete a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride and 26.2 mile run in the UK’s premier long distance triathlon. www.ironmanuk.com British Transplant Games, August 7-10 - Over 600 athletes and 2000 supporters gather to compete in the one of the UK’s largest multi-sport events and raise awareness of organ donation in the UK. www.britishtransplantgames.co.uk

Bolton Food and Drink Festival, August 22-25 - A delight for foodies and families alike with top TV celebrity chefs, live cooking demos, speciality markets, live music and great family entertainment. www.boltonfoodanddrinkfestival.com

Bolton has loads more to choose from and we can’t wait to see you… www.visitbolton.com

@VisitBolton

Treats on the street

By Siobhan Handley

As Greater Manchester’s food market renaissance continues to grow – with the region becoming even more renowned for its independent and innovative food and drink product – the market and street food scene has taken centre stage and is now one of the most vibrant indie market hot spots in the country.

Image © Elisabeth Kurtis Photography

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Whether it was the economic downturn, the growing taste for unusual and adventurous cuisine, or the desire to support and dine at hip, independent businesses, one thing’s certain; the last couple of years has seen a revolution in artisan produce and food from the street. The nation’s passion for good food – as straightforward and honest as it is delicious – has steadily grown in momentum with Greater Manchester quick to carve out its own place in the national street food shake up.

Who after all would have envisaged vendors making pizza in the back of a VW a few years back? That Manchester’s biggest developers would welcome small markets and give over state of the art units to local bakers? Or that Mancunians would queue en masse to sample exotic morsels like arepas?

There’s no suggestion that our obsession with food is ready to slow down and as a region blessed with some of the most historic and impressive marketplaces in the UK, the new generation of entrepreneurs have plenty of old hands to draw inspiration from.

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Bury Market is world famous, multi-award winning, and has been serving the people of the North West for over 500 years. In 2014 it is still a great foodie day out. The centre piece Meat and Fish Hall is a mecca for fresh, locally sourced ingredients, whilst local food heroes like the Bury Black Pudding Company and Katsouri’s Deli lie in the main hall – the perfect place to hunt out some of the most famed food that the region has to offer. A great atmosphere and easy to get to by tram, it’s a tried and tested day out.

Over in Tameside, Ashton Market has recently added to the region’s market plaudits by this year scooping a national award for Best Market in the UK. Built in 1901 this huge market hall was gutted by fire in 2004, but after a £1.6 million investment, it now boasts an amazing range of traders and state of the art surroundings, including free wifi and plenty of lovely pit stop points. Check out the Seaking Fish Stall where you can pick up fresh fish direct from Fleetwood on the Fylde Coast.

Our regional food fantasia also extends out to Bolton where another of the finest markets in the UK can be found. Bolton Market has won numerous awards over the years including BBC Radio 4’s prestigious Best Food Market category in their Food and Farming Awards and Manchester Food and Drink Festival’s Best Retail Outlet of the Year. The town has recently unveiled its newly refurbished markets, with celebrity chef Simon Rimmer pledging his support as an official ambassador. The main hall has been revamped to include a central food court area, with around a third of the 40 businesses being new additions to the market including a micro-pub, Great Ale Year Round and a coffee bean company, The

Coffee Grind, but of course it’s still the best place in town to pick up fresh produce, cheese, fish and meats too.

Stepping up to establish their own place in Greater Manchester’s burgeoning food scene, the new kids on the block champion diversity and often bring traditional market values with a contemporary twist.

Castlefield Artisan Market is the biggest fine food, craft and vintage market in Manchester city centre.

Starting out a couple of years ago as an occasional event under the arches of Castlefield – one of the city’s most historic and picturesque areas – stall holders were bowled over by the response to the venture and now pitch up monthly. The Castlefield Artisan Market has recently been re-housed in Upper Campfield Market - a Victorian Market Hall in Castlefield, providing the perfect setting to browse artisan food, drink and crafts, come rain or shine.

Stall holders are an eclectic mix of creative and independent folk from makers to bakers, meaning great produce and street food sit alongside vintage and craft. There’s usually live music and performance, so bring your dancing shoes in case you get the urge to burn off some calories.

Flying the flag for alternative markets is Guerilla Eats, an indie food collective that puts the ‘street’ into street food with some of the region’s most fashionable independent food traders taking part.

Guerilla Eats monthly ‘street food parties’ happen at a variety of venues, bringing cool new food innovations to venues ranging from upmarket King Street in the city centre to the backstreets of Salford.

Alcohol and DJs are usually involved too. Keep an eye on the Guerilla Eats website for details of their next event.

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For the best suburban artisan market in the region, somewhat surprisingly, Levenshulme is leading the way. Levenshulme Market is a social enterprise run entirely by the traders involved and features at least 50 concessions every Saturday on a carpark behind Levenshulme train station. Stallholders offer a bounty of artisan produce with new local food heroes such as Trove sharing the Levvy limelight with the likes of The Buttery, The Brownie Owl, Robinson’s Bakery, Margo and Rita Mexican Streetfood and the amazing Ginger’s Comfort Emporium Ice Creams.

Piccadilly Gardens has become another unlikely hot spot for artisan food on the street. It is now home to a wealth of street food heroes every Thursday, Friday and Saturday and with around 20 stalls weekly it makes for a fabulous dining destination, not just for visitors to the city, but as a ‘go to’ venue for the city’s work force as an end of week lunch time treat.

Of course, like any good city alongside the permanent and regular market and street food celebrations, Greater Manchester has a varied programme of annual foodie jamborees.

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Manchester Food and Drink Festival will take over Albert Square in the Manchester city centre for its 17th outing this in September. The biggest annual urban food and drink festival in the UK, it provides an opportunity to revel in local food and drink with 100 beers, dozens of street food heroes, producers and master classes, plus live music until 11pm most nights; its a food and drink ‘gastravaganza’ you do not want to miss.

Bolton and Wigan’s Food and Drink festivals meanwhile have become major food tourism events in their own right and are well worth a look when they come around – August and February/March respectively – with literally hundreds of stallholders taking over the centres of both towns for their duration.

For more information: visitmanchester.com/foodmarkets

TOP five DeLiCACieS If you’re on a foodie shopping trail in Greater Manchester, then make sure you hunt out these regional gems...

1. Bury Black Pudding from Bury Market Okay, it’s an obvious one, but you can’t take a regional markets quest in Greater Manchester without bringing back a bag of beautiful black pudding. Make that your ‘must do’ when you visit Bury Market and choose between Bury Black Pudding Co and their rivals next door at Chadwicks. buryblackpuddings.co.uk

2. A Trove Loaf from Levenshulme Market Shaking things up in Levenshulme, Trove Bakery is producing some gorgeous handcrafted loaves from their acclaimed cafe on the A6. Pick up a batch of sour dough at Levenshulme market and enjoy at home with salted butter. To die for. trovefoods.co.uk

3.Cupcakes from Hey Little Cupcake! at various markets, or Spinningfields Flying the flag for cupcakes, in what perhaps became a slightly saturated market, Hey Little Cupcake! is the one that stuck. Gorgeous cupcakes and sweet treats are available from various markets, but at any time you can visit their swish ‘permanent pop up’ over in Spinningfields. heylittlecupcake.co.uk

4. Paella from Levanter fine foods at various markets One of the street food stalwarts in Manchester, familyrun Levanter bring authentic Spanish produce to various markets around Manchester. Pick up the best steaming hot bowl of Paella around and Chef Joe may even serenade you with his Flamenco guitar! levanterfinefoods.co.uk

5. ice Cream from Gingers Comfort emporium at various markets and Afflecks Street food celebrity Ginger (AKA Chorlton based Claire Kelsey) has caused a national stir (no pun intended) with her handmade, experimental ice cream. With flavours from Green Meanie (made from Absinthe) to Chorlton Crack (salted caramel and peanut butter) they are all as deliciously addictive as they sound. Claire can be found at many of the markets around the city and now also has permanent home at Afflecks in Manchester’s Northern Quarter. gingerscomfortemporium.com

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What’s on: LGBT

Great British Bear Bash

Pride Games

Gay Village 2 – 5 May 2014

Various locations 7 – 8 July 2014

Four days of furry, friendly fun held every May. The bears come out of hibernation and the Gay Village comes alive with club nights, parties and events catering for bears, cubs, daddies, chasers and chubs. ‘The Big Top’ includes club nights Hi-NRG Carnival, Manbears @ Sound Control and Cirque Du Bear, with plenty of other events to keep bears busy over the course of the weekend. manbears-manchester.co.uk |@manbears

Split Britches: RUFF

The Pride Games is an annual, international LGBT sport festival for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and their friends. Run by Pride Sports - it is committed to supporting LGBT sports clubs and working towards equity for LGBT people in sport at all levels. Held at various sporting sites in Manchester, it’s the perfect opportunity to try a new sport, re-awaken old talents or brush up on current skills, while having fun and meeting new people. pridegames.org.uk

Contact Theatre 28 May 2014

Sparkle

Peggy Shaw had a stroke in January 2011. Since the stroke she’s realised she has never really performed solo. She has always had a host of crooners, lounge singers, movie stars, rock and roll bands and eccentric family members living inside her. RUFF is a tribute to those who have kept her company these 68 years, a lament for the absence of those who disappeared into the dark holes left behind by the stroke and a celebration that her brain is able to fill the blank green screens with new insights. contactmcr.com | @ contactmcr

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Gay Village 11 – 13 July 2014 The weekend festival - based around Sackville Gardens in the Village - is a celebration of all forms of transgender and everything in between and culminates with Sparkle in the Park which is a full day programme of live music, events and stalls. The all-inclusive Sparkle is an important part of Manchester’s LGBT calendar and is one of the biggest transgender events in the country, attracting visitors from far and wide. sparkle.org.uk | @Sparkleweekend

Manchester Pride Fringe

Manchester Pride Big Weekend

Various locations August 2014

Gay Village 22 – 25 August, 2014

Manchester Pride Fringe is a colourful programme of arts, cultural and community events showcasing Manchester’s vibrant lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community taking place throughout August in the run up to the Big Weekend. Previous highlights have included diva Margarita Pracatan, live cartoonist Ennio Marchetto, the Colour of Salford paint throwing and celebrity exhibitions and events. A fun and engaging programme of events will be announced in spring 2014. manchesterpride.com | @manchesterpride

The multi-award winning Manchester Pride festival continues with the Big Weekend, a 72 hour ticketed event in Manchester’s world famous gay village. The popular, vibrant Manchester Pride parade runs through the heart of the city centre on the Saturday, meanwhile inside the Big Weekend site, expect performances from national and international artists in the Main Arena, a chilled out programme of music and entertainment in Sackville Gardens and high-profile DJs in the 2,000 capacity Dance Arena. The festival closes with the poignant and moving George House Trust Candlelit Vigil, to remember those who we have lost to HIV and show solidarity in fighting the disease. A sea of candles light up the calm surroundings of Sackville Gardens. manchesterpride.com | @manchesterpride

Britain’s leading LGBT event a colourful programme of theatre, live music,culture, art, debate and community events celebrating lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender life throughout august 2014 / manchesterpride.com registered charity 1117848

@manchesterpride

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© Lee Baxter

David Hoyle David Hoyle is an artist and performer.

I was born in Blackpool. I was there until I was about 21, and then I moved to London and lived there for three years. I came to Manchester in the mid-80s and I’ve been here ever since. Although a lot of my work is in London and other places, I’m always glad to come back to Manchester, rest, see my friends and recharge my batteries.

Manchester in the 80s was fantastic. There was a lot of very grassroots queer activism going on and there were some wonderful publications, including one that I was very lucky to do illustrations for called Scene Out. It was a smaller scene in those days, so it was very friendly and everyone knew each other. I call it ‘life prior to Queer As Folk’ because once that came along the Gay Village stopped being a gay village and became a tourist destination. It was pretty halcyonic back then and towards the end of that decade we had the Manchester ‘Summer of Love’. It was a great time to be here – it felt like Manchester was the very epicentre of the universe.

I have a flat in Longsight where I do a lot of my paintings. And also writing which is something that I’ve only got into in the last year. Because my act is all improvised and spontaneous – to keep it fresh, to live in the now and in the moment – I had avoided writing for much of my career, but now I’m really into it and I’m hoping to carry on with it.

Working in the arts has taught me everything. It’s been the love of my life, my ongoing relationship. I suppose I have an almost monogamous relationship with art really because it’s literally what gets me up in the morning and it’s what motivates me. I have more faith in art sometimes than I do in people.

I do have a need to create and a need to express myself. I think some of us find it a useful tool to externalise things that might be troubling us, or it might be our way of making a comment on the world that we live in, particularly politically and socially. It allows you to engage in a very personal way and I would encourage that for everybody. Get your felt tips out and get doodling away, write slogans or whatever you need to express yourself and let out an avalache of creativity.

I’m not into gender. I dont really believe in it. I think its a devisive distraction and I think we all know that when it comes to masculine and feminine, it doesnt all tie in with the persons genitals. I believe in equality completely, so irrespective of how our toilet parts are arranged, I don’t really think that it says much about us.

I think we all need to be free now, wear what we want and just try to keep warm.

What tends to be controversial is that which we are not encourgaged to discuss, or that which we are not encouraged to explore. It might be controversial to ask: why have we got an unelected head of state? But many people would find even the suggestion of bringing that subject up controversial. Is it not controversial that the position of our head of state cannot even be referred to in the House of Commons so that within our democratic arena we cannot even discuss alternatives to a hierarchical imposed form of government? I say be as controversial as possible; otherwise you are supporting the status quo which needs an irreparable hole tearing in it for all of time.

I do like northerers. People ask, quite cynically, why I choose to live in Manchester when I could live in London. I like the northern sense of humour and I think we’ve got a very proud history of comedy particularly, and music and art. I think the cities of both Liverpool and Manchester have created a lot of wonderful art and are still fermenting underground artists and expression – it keeps the North West very alive.

If it’s open and you have the opportunity, visit the Whitworth Art Gallery. Like many of Manchester’s galleries, it’s a free gallery and was founded on that ideal by Mr Whitworth many years ago. It’s a beautiful building and they have a magnificent permanent collection. It’s also the national centre for print, so for people into printworks there is the most amazing and comprehensive archive. For a while I studied printmaking at what was the old polytechnic, so I have a strong connection to it.

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Ramada Manchester – Salford Quays

Ramada Salford Quays is a modern award winning hotel and a short stroll from Media CityUK and Manchester International Airport only 8 miles south of the hotel keeping our national and international guests well connected.

We offer five flexible function rooms suitable for meetings, seminars, private dining, weddings and banquets with our largest room, The Oasis Suite accommodating 140 people for a meeting and 120 dinner dance. Free WiFi is offered throughout the hotel for residents and delegates.

There are 142 superb, modern and contemporary air conditioned bedrooms. Stresa Restaurant and Oval Bar offers fine food and beverage where you can enjoy delicious food freshly prepared and available daily.

All the ingredients you need to feel at home.

Day Delegate Packages from £30.00

24 Hour Rates from £135.00

Overnight Accommodation from £75.00

Trafford Road, Salford Quays, Manchester, M5 3AW Tel: 0161 876 5305 - Fax: 0161 876 5306 www.ramadasalfordquays.com - sales@ramadasalfordquays.com Facebook: Ramadasalfordquays - Twitter: @ramadasalford

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Bali Health Lounge & Spa

Pampering power There’s arguably no better way to relax than during a spa day. As a special treat with loved ones or as means to alleviate the stresses of a tough week or long journey - that feeling of indulgence is the perfect antithesis to hectic urban life. Here’s our guide to some of the top spots to revive and rejuvenate in the region.

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Mottram Hall Club and Spa Nestled within 270 acres of rolling Cheshire countryside the new Mottram Club and Spa is the definition of serenity. Guests are invited to work up a sweat with a Biospace Fitness Assessment, followed by a session with the state-of-the-art TechnoGym facilities. But what makes this spa particularly popular is the array of indoor and outdoor relaxation facilities - from the unique Alfresco Thermospace which offers the experience and health benefits of bathing outdoors, to the innovative Brechelbath and Stonebath thermal rooms – the first in the UK. devere-hotels.co.uk/mottram-hall | @DeVereMottram

The Mere Golf Resort and Spa A leisurely 25 minute drive from central Manchester, the Mere Golf Resort and Spa is the ideal place to wind down after a stint of city slicking. From the moment guests pass through the iconic archway they are transported to a haven of relaxation. With world-class workout areas, a stunning pool, wet and thermal facilities and a range of top-to-toe treatments - every want and whim is catered for. Couples can take advantage of the dual treatment rooms, although with a picturesque golf course on offer, a round of golf may distract some visitors. themereresort.co.uk | @LifeatMere

The Lowry Hotel One of Manchester's leading urban spas, The Lowry Spa offers a relaxing haven away from the hustle and bustle of the city streets within the five star Lowry Hotel. Open to hotel guests and day visitors, the spa offers a wide range of facilities and treatments that utilise top products by Elemis, Carita and Aromatherapy Associates - all designed to restore body and mind. With gym, sauna, health suite, male and female chill out areas and private spa dining also on offer, a visit to The Lowry Spa is the ideal way to prepare for a big night out in the city. thelowryhotel.com | @RF_Hotels

The Radisson Blu Edwardian The Sienna Spa and Health Club combines a luxurious and recently refurbished day spa with excellent leisure and fitness facilities to guarantee that guests have the perfect environment to exercise, relax and unwind.

With new and beautifully appointed treatment rooms for Sienna Spa treatments, a 12 metre deck level swimming pool and Nordic sauna – guests can feel their stresses and strains melt away as the gentle aromas and soft music soothe them back to good health. siennaspa.co.uk | @RBEhotels

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Bali Health Lounge and Spa One of Manchester’s best kept secrets, Bali Health Lounge is an innovative relaxation lounge, tea house and day spa tucked away in an ornate five-storey Victorian building in the heart of Manchester city centre. The Balinese-inspired sanctuary is an urban oasis of tranquillity that fuses Eastern aesthetics with an inimitable Western style. A wide choice of holistic treatments and healing therapies are on offer, utilising some of the most innovative and high quality products currently used in the leisure industry. balihealthlounge.com | @BaliHL

Spa Satori Established in 2002 and situated in the heart of the cosmopolitan Northern Quarter, this independent spa has built its reputation by providing some of the best healthcare and wellbeing treatments in Manchester.

With an extensive list of treatments including the ‘Ultimate Stress Relief’ massage, hot volcanic stones, balancing reflexology, organic eminence facials, Shellac nails, waxing and much more – guests are spoilt for choice. spasatori.co.uk | @SpaSatori

Malmaison Manchester Another inner city spa helping to rebalance inner body peace, the le petit spa at the Malmaison Manchester hotel may be small-scale but its ability to heal weary visitors is well-known. From a quick fix to an all day escape, le petit spa has treatments to suit all needs, allowing guests to unwind and recharge before bravely heading back into the retail jungle or corporate front line.

And being located just across the road from Piccadilly Train Station, it’s the perfect place to visit upon first arrival in Manchester or before departing for a new adventure. malmaison.com | @ManchesterMal

Macdonald Manchester Hotel and Spa Discover harmony and serenity at the Macdonald Manchester - a sophisticated and sumptuous spa with luxury rooms and a signature thermal suite featuring hot rock sauna, infra-red sauna, eucalyptus scented steam room, sensation shower, ice igloo and heated loungers.

Guests are invited to indulge and relax in deeply soothing Elemis products for both men and women, with treatments lasting from as little as 30 minutes to half day, full day and weekend breaks. macdonaldhotels.co.uk | @MacdonaldHotels

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Š Mark Waugh

Literate legacy

By David Atkinson

Manchester has inspired and nurtured great writers for centuries. From Karl Marx observing working life in the mid 19th century to the UK's current Poet Laureate, Carol Ann Duffy, the evolution of the modern industrial city has been recorded in literary works to challenge, inspire and surprise.

The living room Manchester Central Library, a Grade II-listed building and the second largest public library in the UK, reopened in March after a four-year £50 million refurbishment. The concept is to open up the library, making 70% of the space accessible to the public while restoring some of the intricate architectural flourishes to their 1930s glory. New features include a high-tech media lounge, performance and exhibition space, plus dedicated children's, music and business libraries, and the Archives+ family history centre.

"It's the public library as the third space, a place to meet, reflect and read. Nobody asks why you're here when you walk in the front door,” explains Neil MacInnes, Head of Libraries, Information and Archives, as staff members busily unpack boxes of new-arrival books around us.

Neil takes me on a whistle-stop tour behind the scenes of the refurbishment from the walnutpanelled Chief Librarian's Office, overlooking St Peter's Square, to the new climate-controlled, secure vaults, where the rare old books include the Codex Justinianus, the 1437 book of emperor law hand written by monks on parchment.

The crowning glory, however, remains the Reading Room, built around a gilded clock and surrounded by marble-effect pillars under a huge glass dome. This statement space returns to its original purpose post refit as a room for quiet study with English Heritage advising on the painstakingly restored 1930’s furnishings. The genteel ambiance and smell of dusty, leather-bound volumes is complemented by words stencilled around the ceiling: "Wisdom is the principal thing."

“The Library still embraces knowledge and learning, it promotes reading and literacy,” says Neil, who expects two million visitors in the first year, many using the library as a cultural space, not just a place to borrow books.

“But,” he adds as we weave through metallic stacks of assorted tomes, ducking down tiny stairwells to the lower levels for a look at the new performance space, “it's also increasingly about providing space for people to interact – like the city’s living room.”

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© Mark Waugh

This vision for an all-inclusive community space was fundamental to the redevelopment plans. Cllr Rosa Battle, who oversaw the refurbishment for Manchester City Council, explains: "Central Library is a unique place where people can meet, learn and be inspired. Whether looking for a book, meeting with friends or attending a cultural event, it’s a place that is truly made for people.”

The idea is to restore the house, both in aesthetics and ambiance, to the era when Elizabeth lived there with her two daughters and husband William Gaskell, a Unitarian minister and pioneer in the education of the working class. It re-opens as a centre for cultural understanding and literary heritage in time to host events as part of this year’s Manchester International Literature Festival.

Historic property

"We wanted to bring the house back to life and recognise Gaskell's work, drawing the parallels between the 19th century issues she addressed and contemporary issues today," explains Project Manager John Williams, guiding me through the lived-in family rooms.

Elizabeth Gaskell’s House, located just outside the city centre in Ardwick, will reopen in mid October after a lengthy £2.5 million renovation. Gaskell, the author of Cranford (1853) and North and South (1855), documented Manchester’s industrial revolution from her writing desk at 84 Plymouth Grove after the family moved to the house in 1850.

The Manchester Historic Buildings Trust subsequently saved the Grade II-listed Regency villa and spent three years lovingly restoring it.

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The Gaskells would have entertained the writers Charlotte Bronte and Charles Dickens, and the conductor Charles Hallé during the 1850s and each room boasts artefacts and stories to discover; many reflecting the social history described in Elizabeth's

letters. The dining table, for example, will be laid out as if the family were about to come down for supper, while her paper-strewn writing desk overlooks the shrubberies of the manicured Victorian garden.

"This is one of the city’s few pre-industrial buildings.

It traces Manchester's association with literature back to the medieval age," explains Librarian Michael Powell.”

"Elizabeth fits into the free-thinking, radical tradition of Manchester in the way she reflected on the Industrial Age," says John as we climb the elaborate staircase to a glass-domed landing. “Her thoughtful world view is still valid today.”

Across town on Deansgate, the John Rylands Library reopened in 2007 after a five-year, £17 million transformation which fused a modern wing onto the existing neo-Gothic structure. This has opened up new exhibition space and a new study centre. The historic reading room remains the preserve of hushed reverence as the third largest academic library in the UK but new visitor facilities target the wider community through exhibitions and events.

Seats of learning Chetham’s Library, located opposite the National Football Museum, is the oldest free public library in the English-speaking world. The 17th century Manchester textile merchant Humphrey Chetham created the legacy of the library in his 1651 will and his ethos remains stamped all over the late-medieval college building to this day as “a place for scholars and others well-affected …”

The small space, crammed with dusty ledgers locked behind sturdy wooden gates, has provided a haven of tranquility and learning for the likes of Benjamin Franklin and Karl Marx, the latter’s study desk now a place of pilgrimage in a cloister off the 16th century, wood-panelled reading room. Other gems include a 1578 copy of the works of Plato, signed by the 17th century British poet Ben Johnson.

Chethams Library

Research centre Elsewhere across the city, other literary centres include the Anthony Burgess Foundation, located near Oxford Road and dedicated to the Manchesterborn novelist best known for his dystopian book A Clockwork Orange. The centre is home to an extensive library and archive of manuscripts, correspondence and photographs relating to Burgess and his work. The Reading Room is open daily by appointment if you call ahead.

The Working Class Movement Library in Salford, meanwhile, records the story of Britain's working classes from the beginning of industrialisation to the

The John Rylands Library

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present day. The huge collection of photographs, poetry, plays and journals – not to mention 35,000 books, 200,000 pamphlets and reports from radical trials – spans topics from the trade union movement to the Spanish Civil War. It includes some of the earliest union documents to have survived from the 1820s through to an archive of work by Jim Allen, the Manchester-born screenwriter who worked on Coronation Street.

Festival fever The annual Manchester Literature Festival (MLF) returns to the city this autumn (October 6 - 19).

Established in 2006, the festival showcases the best in contemporary writing from across the world and promotes Manchester as a hub for international cultural exchange. The programme spans all genres with events staged across the city.

Before that, the bi-annual Manchester Children’s Book Festival returns this summer with events running from June 26 to July 6. The Poet Laureate, Carol Ann Duffy, established the festival in 2010 and remains its creative director, running it with her team at Manchester Metropolitan University.

For more information visitmanchester.com/historiclibraries

Five Greater Manchester bookshops Cornerhouse 70 Oxford Street, city centre, M1 5NH 0161 200 1503 The contemporary art and film centre on Oxford Road houses a fantastic bookshop, stocking over 2,700 specialist titles from the world of contemporary visual arts. cornerhouse.org/books

Travelling Man 4 Dale Street, city centre, M1 1JW 0161 237 1877 The Travelling Man comic bookshop stocks graphic novels, manga and role-playing books – from Marvel to smaller presses like Pantographic. It’s a friendly place for comic-book newbies and promotes local, independently produced comics. travellingman.com

Paramount Book Exchange 25-27 Shudehill, M4 2AF 0161 834 9509 Paramount is a cornerstone of the artsy Northern Quarter. Peruse stacks of action comics and vintage girly magazines, or dip into the egalitarian secondhand-fiction section, where literary greats jostle the children’s classics. paramountbooks.co.uk

Urmston Bookshop 72 Flixton Road, Urmston, M41 5AB 0161 747 7442 Now firmly established as a hub of the Urmston community, this friendly independent bookshop and café hosts regular craft days, film nights and storytime sessions for toddlers. urmstonbookshop.co.uk

EJ Morten 6 Warburton Street, Didsbury, M20 6WA 0161 445 7629 Eric Morten's delightfully old-fashioned bookshop, located down a cobbled sidestreet in Didsbury, is easy to miss – but don’t be fooled. This Fifties-era haven embodies the golden age of the pre-Amazon bookshop.

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Stunning fashion finds from Ted Baker, Hobbs Swarovski, Joules and many more.

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Brian Cox A Scottish-born Emmy award-winning actor, Brian Cox plays Sir Matt Busby in the new film, ‘Believe’.

‘Believe’ is a film about a group of Manchester school kids in the 1980s. It begins with one of them attempting to steal an older man’s wallet. It turns out in fact, that they chose to steal from the famous Sir Matt Busby. In the film, he’s retired and no longer with Manchester United; he’s in his 70s. Instead of rejecting these kids, he goes on to train them in football for a Manchester youth team competition.

My interpretation of Sir Matt Busby draws upon my childhood. I was probably about ten when the Munich air disaster happened. I remember that it left a very vivid impression on me. These young men, returning from an away match, were tragically killed whilst Busby - their

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manager - nearly died himself. The film is really about Busby laying the ghosts to rest; of the boys and the events that troubled him.

Busby was the first great believer in European football and everything that has now come to pass; the way that football has become truly international. He wanted to go to Munich to complete his team’s fixtures whilst the Football League at the time was not very fond of the Association in Europe. Busby was trying to open frontiers. In a way he felt responsible because the team went out there partly on his instructions, which proved to be fatal. I think that he was very hard on himself. He was trying to honour something he believed in for the future

of football. He was a man of extraordinary dimension and of tremendous belief. I just completely empathise with him; it was a great privilege to step in into his shoes.

People should watch the film because it is an amazingly life-affirming piece. It’s got the charm of successful British films such as Billy Elliot and the Fully Monty. Like them, it’s about overcoming adversity and what happens when communities pull together in towns and cities like Manchester. ‘Believe’ is a perfect title for it.

Before filming, I hadn’t been to Old Trafford since the 60s and it just remains one those extraordinary places. It’s a hallowed ground in a way. It’s surprisingly small in one sense – it’s grand of course but there’s some modesty about it in terms of where it’s located.

Going there to watch Manchester United when I was younger, I became a firm fan of the team. I saw a couple of games there and was really impressed by the whole ethos. It’s an ethos that was started by Sir Matt and continued with Sir Alex. Of course, with them both being Scottish, I feel there is a very strong bond for a Scotsman in Manchester. That’s not to forget Manchester City as well - and that great rivalry.

The two teams are at the zenith of their powers.

The Royal Exchange for me, still to this day, is probably the best theatre in Britain. In terms of its physicality and also in terms of it’s design. It’s a phenomenal space; the idea of taking the old cotton exchange and building this amazing lunar module in the middle of it. It’s sensational. I played it in its heyday. I was a founder member of the theatre and we did the first productions in the University on Oxford Road way back in the late 60s. I played in its temporary incarnations; in Manchester Cathedral and then on a tour of Bacup and Colne in Lancashire. I also performed in the first module in the present building in the early 70s, before the permanent construction was actually built. I’ve known that theatre throughout my life so it has been a very important space to me. That space still is, for me, the best in the UK. Believe is released in summer 2014.

For more information: believe-movie.com

Manchester is transformed. It is probably, without question the most successful city in the UK. I used to come to Manchester (to perform in the Royal Exchange Theatre) regularly throughout the 70s until the beginning of the 80s. It was an amazing time though back then.

Manchester was never the bustling metropolis that it has now become. It’s a University town today and a very lively city altogether. It seems to be non-stop, 24-7.

I’ve never known a city so lively as Manchester.

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What’s on: festivals Sounds from the Other City

24:7 Theatre Festival

Chapel Street, Salford 4 May 2014

Various venues 18 – 25 July 2014

Celebrating the 10th anniversary of what has become one of Greater Manchester's premier days out for lovers of new music, Sounds from the Other City festival 2014 (SFTOC) unites the cream of the national and international new music scene with some of the city's finest independent promoters, collectives and club nights. A regular feature on the May Day Bank Holiday, SFTOC 2014 will take in a huge array of unusual places and spaces along Chapel Street, the historic centre of Salford a stones throw from Manchester city centre. soundsfromtheothercity.com | @sftoc

24:7 is a unique theatre festival that brings innovative drama to the people of Manchester and nurtures the writing, directing, performing and producing talent of tomorrow. For a week in July 24:7 will be celebrating 10 years of festival theatre-making with world première productions, rehearsed readings, scripts in development and a host of extra events featuring emerging artists from the region.

247theatrefestival.co.uk | @247theatre

Parklife Weekender Heaton Park 7 – 8 June 2014 Following last year’s sell out event, this year’s Parklife is set to bring more music, more dancing and more fun than ever thought possible in a Victorian park! Joining the thousands of revellers for this year’s event is a handpicked line-up which includes Snoop Dog, Foals, Bastille, Rudimental, Disclosure, London Grammar, Jamie Jones, Kendrick Lamar, Sam Smith, Julio Bashmore, SBTRKT, Carl Cox, Soul II Soul, Katy B, Seth Troxler, Jamie XX and Annie Mac. parklifeuk.com | @Parklifefest

mjf (Manchester Jazz Festival) Various venues 18 – 27 July 2014 Immerse yourself in the 19th annual Manchester Jazz Festival. This year’s event offers 10 days of great music in the heart of the city with over 70 bands performing in one of seven city centre locations. The annual festival serves to celebrate the amazing diversity of jazz with many free events. manchesterjazz.com | @ManJazzFest

Manchester Day City centre 22 June 2014 Created in 2010 to celebrate the creativity and diversity synonymous with the city, Manchester Day is now an annual event cumulating in a spectacular parade in which communities are given the opportunity to celebrate individual and collective pride and portray the stories about what makes them feel uniquely Mancunian.

Over 2,400 participants from across Manchester get involved each year, all aiming to wow an audience of more than 50,000 residents and visitors who line the streets of the city centre. themanchesterdayparade.co.uk | @mancitycouncil

Manchester Literature Festival. © Chris Bull

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Manchester Food and Drink Festival

RHS Flower Show, Tatton Park

Dig the City

RHS Flower Show Tatton Park

Manchester Food and Drink Festival

Tatton Park 23 – 27 July 2014

Albert Square and various locations 18 – 29 September 2014

Set in magnificent parklands the RHS Flower Show Tatton Park 2014 is a celebration of the best in gardening with a vibrant carnival atmosphere. Breath-taking displays, inspiring show gardens and the chance to meet top plantspeople mix with floral parades, a flower filled Ferris wheel, high summer colour, live music and entertainment. rhs.org.uk/Tatton | @rhs

Dig the City

Manchester Food and Drink Festival is one of the UK’s largest and highest profile urban food festivals. Visit the Festival Hub on Albert Square, open daily throughout the Festival. Here you can tuck into an eye-wateringly good burger; eastern-inspired streetfood; a glass of wine chosen by a local merchant; breads baked throughout the day; an unconquerable burrito; a tasting menu courtesy of some of the UK's hottest chefs; or simply a pint of beer from one of the city’s excellent microbreweries. foodanddrinkfestival.com | @MFDF14

Various locations 2 – 10 August 2014

Manchester Literature Festival

This summer, Manchester becomes a garden city once more. The city’s shopping streets will bloom into life, via flowers, food and a fete, with show gardens, horticultural markets and kid’s fun with the National Trust. As the festival blossoms across the city, so too will nine days of unexpected things to do – after work, at the weekend and in the holidays. digthecity.co.uk | @digthecitymcr

Various locations 6 – 19 October 2014 A celebration of the written word, including discussions, readings, new commissions, literary tours and sneak peeks into the creative process of our favourite authors and poets. Manchester Literature Festival provides unique and imaginative opportunities for audiences to experience high quality live literature and an array of associated projects each October. manchesterliteraturefestival.co.uk | @McrLitFest

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This summer Manchester becomes a garden city city..

From King Street to the Cathedral, via food, flowers and a fete, with show gardens, markets and 100 tonnes of soil.

As the festival blossoms across city, the city y,, so will nine ni days of unexpected things to do – after work, at the weekend and in the holidays.

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Wheels in Motion

by James Walker

Whether you’re seeking the highoctane thrills of one of the city’s numerous bike tracks or a leisurely ride around one of the North West’s many beauty hotspots, discover why Manchester is now considered the Home of British Cycling.

Over recent years, cycling in the UK has enjoyed something of a renaissance. The much-lauded success of the British cycling team at the London Olympics, coupled with the public’s more general desire to get fit and (importantly) stay fit, has resulted in many of the country’s residents choosing to ditch their car keys in favour of their bike helmets.

With its central location on this small island, Manchester represents the pulsing heart of cycling in the UK. Home to the world-leading National Cycling Centre, the city hosts numerous annual events that draw fans of the sport from far and wide. And, for those who would rather participate than spectate, Manchester and the surrounding region offer countless cycling options – from mountain biking and BMX tracks to pedal-powered city rides and idyllic countryside jaunts.

Image © Vaughn Ridley/SWpix.com

Anyone who chooses to call this city their home will tell you that Manchester is the perfect size; most certainly never too small to get boring, but also not too big to stop you from venturing out on a day trip to one of the region’s most picturesque hotspots (Cheshire and the upper Peak District to name but two). In some European cities, it can take half a day or more to get away from the traffic jams and the noise. From central Manchester the countryside can be reached in less than half an hour by train. And this, of course, is an excellent prospect for any cycling enthusiast.

On ya bike Before we ride out to the country, it’s well worth taking a closer look at some of the many ways to enjoy cycling in and around the city itself. As with many cities, one of the best ways to see Manchester is by bike. It’s quick. It’s easy. And, with no parking fees or petrol pumps to worry about, it’s cheap. Cycle hire is available at the Brompton Dock at Piccadilly Station and through a myriad of independent retailers dotted around the city, many of which offer discounts for those looking to rent out bikes for more than one day.

© Vaughn Ridley /SWpix.com

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Team GB gold postbox

When asked about what Greater Manchester’s local councils have planned for fans of two-wheeled transportation, Councillor Andrew Fender, chair of the Transport for Greater Manchester Committee, said that more than £37 million will have been invested in cycling between 2011 and 2015. That means more cycle hubs and cycle ride stations are on the way, which will make it even easier for people to get around on their bikes. All this forms part of the ‘Vélocity 2025’ vision – an ambitious project that will see the development of an initial 56km of cycle routes on key corridors into the city centre by 2015, and a major education programme inspired by other European cities.

Commenting on the rise of cycling in Manchester and the North West region in general, Councillor Fender said: “I cycle locally myself, and it has been great to see the huge rise in cycling in Greater Manchester over the last few years. Cycling uptake has risen by 30% since 2005 and through our Vélocity 2025 plans we are aiming for a 300% increase in cycling levels by 2025.”

Chasing the medal No trip to Manchester would be complete without a visit to the city’s jewel in the crown: the National Cycling Centre (NCC). Opened as the UK’s first indoor Olympic cycling track in 1994, the NCC quickly became a catalyst for further development of the east Manchester area.

Since the NCC opened its doors, the venue has hosted numerous cycling events of all sizes, from local weekly track leagues to the UCI World Track Championships.

Athletes from ‘Team GB’ are based at the NCC and, according to Jarl Walsh, general manager of the facility, the regular access they have to the track has enabled them to maintain their position as one of the leading track cycling teams in the world.

The impact of Team GB on Manchester’s cycling profile cannot be underestimated, as Councillor Fender explains: “Through the Commonwealth Games and the London Olympics, Manchester is now known internationally as the Home of British Cycling.”

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© Alex Broadway/SWpix.com

Incidentally, it’s not uncommon to see members of the British cycling team riding around the Greater Manchester region. But if they are too quick for you to catch a proper glimpse, you could always head down to the commemorative post box in Albert Square, which was painted gold in honour of Team GB’s celebrated athletes.

While track racing remains one of Manchester’s key drawcards, it’s not all carbon fibre frames and spandex shorts. In 2011, the NCC was expanded to include the world’s first purpose-built indoor BMX arena complete with two start ramps for elite and community use. And last year the NCC was further expanded with the creation of the Mountain Bike Skills area in the adjacent Philips Park and 11km of mountain bike trails in nearby Clayton Vale. “These have quickly established themselves as ‘must try’ destinations for avid and experienced MTB cyclists and introductory sessions for beginners are now available,” Walsh said.

One cycling expert who remains a fan of all things off-road is Ricky Crompton, a Manchester-born international competitor across multiple disciplines, including mountain bikes, BMX and fixed gear.

Discussing the profound influence Manchester has had on his career, Crompton – who now runs his own mountain bike and BMX skills coaching business based in Greater Manchester – said: “Growing up in

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© Alex Broadway/SWpix.com

Ramsbottom, Greater Manchester provided me with a number of indoor and outdoor facilities to practice. Cycling in Manchester is becoming as recognised as football.

“Manchester is now the major player in providing the best cycling facilities in the UK. Many people travel to practice, train professionally and race here on a weekly basis.”

Due to his extensive industry knowledge, Crompton is currently overseeing the construction of a new BMX track at Cheadle’s Bruntwood Park. Set to open in the first half of the year, the track will have a real community feel to it and will be open to all ages and abilities.

“A club has been already set up to run weekly coaching and practice sessions,” Crompton said. “There will also be a number of national and regional BMX races happening at the track through out the year, which will see competitors travel from all over.”

John Lister, one of the managers at Bike Events, which organises the North West century and numerous rides around the UK each year, said the Manchester 100 is becoming one of the country’s biggest cycle meets. “There is no doubt that cycling has really taken off over the last five years,” he said.

“Along with the Manchester to Blackpool ride, the Manchester 100 forms a crucial part of our annual fundraising efforts for The Christie. Rider participation has been growing steadily over the years, and now across the two circuits we have over 3,000 people taking part. It’s great to see more people getting out on their bikes.”

Tour de Manchester According to Walsh at the NCC, the emergence of the Team GB cycling squad has coincided with a greater appetite for cycling – whether as a form of exercise or a means of transport. There are now numerous sportives and mass participation cycle rides available to all, and this has fostered a greater desire for the public to get on their bikes.

One event that continues to attract cyclists in their thousands is Manchester’s annual 100-mile bike ride.

Taking place towards the tail end of summer, the Manchester 100 is a great ‘century’ ride that starts and ends in Wythenshawe Park, taking in beautiful lanes and forests through a wide sweep of Cheshire.

For those not willing to put themselves through the full 100 miles, an equally picturesque 100-kilometre route is also available.

All in all, it’s clear that 2014 is the year to get on your bike in Manchester. As Walsh explains: “The beauty of cycling is that its appeal is multi-faceted, so whether as a means of transport, exercise, competition or to enhance one’s social life, the sport has much to offer.”

Manchester has some first-class cycle trails and BMX tracks, and it remains the perfect size for exploration on two wheels. And if that wasn’t enough, there is the small matter of the Tour de France, which starts in Leeds and passes through Rochdale in July.

Indeed, for adrenaline junkies and spectators alike, the road beckons.

Tickets for British Cycling events at National Cycling Centre can be booked via ticketmaster.co.uk/britishcycling

@visit_mcr | visitmanchester.com

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What’s on: Sport BUPA Great Manchester Run

Gumball 3000

Across Greater Manchester 18 May 2014

Across Greater Manchester 8 June 2014

With 40,000 runners, the Bupa Great Manchester Run is Britain's premier 10km running event, attracting tens of thousands of runners of all abilities taking part as a personal challenge or to raise money for a variety of good causes. The weekend kicks off with the Great CityGames on Saturday, 17 May; bringing top class athletic events to the streets of Deansgate and Albert Square at a specially constructed track and pop up arena.

Events are free to view with no tickets required. greatrun.org/Manchester | @Great_Run

The Gumball 3000 is an annual British 3,000-mile international motor rally which takes place on public roads and has gained global recognition through popular culture with a road trip adventure. The official route for 2014 is Miami to Ibiza, which takes place from the 4 – 11 June, sees the rally travel across two continents and five countries, filled with parties, concerts, checkpoints and VIP hospitality. This year’s event brings the rally to Manchester on 8 June. gumball3000.com | @gumball3000

Greater Manchester Cycle Ride Across Greater Manchester 29 June 2014 The UK’s largest timed cycling event returns to the city.

The 13-mile circuit based within Manchester and the neighbouring borough of Trafford starts and finishes at Etihad Campus, the home of Manchester City FC. The route includes landmarks such as Old Trafford, plus a stretch of the iconic Mancunian Way - a section of motorway normally off-limits to cyclists. Participants can choose from 'A Great Day Out' over 13 miles, 'Rule the Roads' over 26 miles, or for more established riders, 'Break Away from the Pack' over 52 miles. greatcycle.org | @Great_Cycle

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The British Transplant Games Bolton 7 – 10 August 2014 Staged annually in different cities around the UK – with the aim of raising awareness of the NHS Organ Donor Register and promoting the value of organ donation – the British Transplant Games are not only a celebration of life, but a chance for people of all ages who have had a transplant to compete in a wide range of sporting activities and most of all, have fun. Almost 1,000 recipients of life saving organ transplants are set to take part in 18 sports over four days, including a mass participation Donor Run on Saturday, 9 August. britishtransplantgames.co.uk | @whbtg

Investec Test Match England v India Emirates Old Trafford 7 – 11 August

Tour de France: Greater Manchester border Rochdale 6 July 2014 The Tour de France is coming to Greater Manchester, Rochdale to be precise. As Grand Départ comes to the UK for the first time since 2007, stage two will bring riders to Littleborough. The riders will pass through Rochdale at Blackstone Edge turning left from Turvin Road (B6138) onto Rochdale Road (A58). The 2014 tour will include three stages in the UK; stage one will cover Leeds to Harrogate, while stage two will take the riders from York to Sheffield, with a little trip to Manchester in the middle and the third stage will be from Cambridge to London. letour.yorkshire.com | @LeTourYorkshire

India's tour of England this summer, which will encompass five Investec Test Matches, will be the first time they have played a five-Test series in England since 1959. The visiting side’s fourth test will be played at the refurbished Emirates Old Trafford venue, which hosted The Ashes last summer. lccc.co.uk | @lancscricket

Super League Grand Final Theatre of Dreams, Old Trafford 11 October A recent contract extension will see Rugby League’s most prized trophy contested once again at its spiritual home, the Theatre of Dreams in Old Trafford where the title deciding Grand Final has been played every year since its introduction in 1998. superleague.co.uk | @SuperLeague

Ironman UK Bolton 20 July 2014 The UK’s premier long distance Triathlon returns to Bolton for the 6th time in 2014. The course features breath-taking views and a spectator-friendly course, including a lake swim in Pennington Flash, a 112-mile bike ride through countryside and a marathon through Bolton with a spectacular finish in Victoria Square in front of Bolton town hall. ironmanuk.com |@Ironman_UK

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© Lee Baxter

Andy McGarry An ambassador for the Transplant Games 2014, Andy is a professional tennis player and a heart transplant recipient.

The Transplant Games is probably not on the radar as much as it should be. We’re always trying to put the event in the public eye but for many reasons, it’s not picked up by a lot of people. Perhaps because many have misconceptions about organ transplantation. There are indeed a lot of downsides but overall the benefits completely outweigh the negatives.

The Games are coming to Bolton, Greater Manchester in August 2014. They promote transplantation by showing the benefits of what can be achieved post-operation, in a sporting capacity.

The Games have been staged around various cities and towns every year since the late 1970s.

There haven’t been many transplant events held locally of this magnitude and hopefully it will be a chance for a lot of the region’s local organ recipients like myself to participate. I first got involved in the Transplant Games in 2005 in Loughborough and I've been to every one since. It’s important that the Games move around - a lot of the participants will be scared about going too far away from home. The comfort of being in their own locality after transplantation is very reassuring.

No matter who you are, the chance to see people receiving a fresh start is awe-inspiring. When you come to the games there a lot of people who might, for the first time in their life, be jumping in a swimming pool for example. Even if they only swim one-length of the pool, you can really appreciate what it means to them. When you see children racing along the 100m track, knowing that maybe just a year before they were on death’s door, it’s encouraging to say the least. To see their families and friends; the joy on the faces of all the people involved is just a really powerful, emotional feeling.

I wasn't knowingly ill prior to having my transplant so in that sense, my experience has been something quite rare. It happened in 2002 and resulted from something known as viral dilated cardiomyopathy, which is basically where a virus has attacked the body.

I woke up ten days after falling unconscious to find out I’d had a heart transplant. The first few months are obviously very difficult because the body is taking a new organ on board and rejection is the first thing that you encounter. It’s like a virus in a computer; your body is confused. The doctors here in Manchester – I was taken to the University Hospital South Manchester (UHSM) – have treated me exceptionally well.

I’m from Merseyside but I have a strong affiliation with, and affection for Manchester. And speaking of which - I appreciate the ongoing rivalry between Liverpool and Manchester. It’s a healthy one in many respects! I’ve spent a lot of time with the people around Greater Manchester, in the city and around the sports clubs. It’s a fantastic city. Like Liverpool, it’s constantly changing and active, fun and safe.

When it comes to sport, I’m naturally quite serious and competitive. Which is why I made the conscious decision not to play tennis in the British Transplant Games. For me it’s all about the enjoyment and I don’t want to detract from other peoples fun through being known as a professional. So I’d rather try my hand at something different and see if I can win. I’ll be having a go at the crown green bowling, lawn bowls and golf this year. Hopefully I’ll get involved in the donor run this year too. It takes place across Bolton with lots of spectators, people in fancy dress, all fun stuff.

The care and attention that I’ve received at UHSM, from day one, has been unbelievable. I’ve always been very carefully looked after and treated really well; my family the same. At the end of the day, the staff here have kept me alive all of these years. Each time, I appreciate coming back - it’s a chance to say thanks, a gratitude thing. They’ve got a vested interest in me and now its vice-versa. Through participating in the Games, I’m showing my gratitude back to the hospital and the staff that work there. britishtransplantgames.co.uk | @WHBTG

@visit_mcr | visitmanchester.com

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What’s on: expos and fairs Decorative Home and Salvage Show

MCM Manchester Comic Con

Tatton Park 14 – 15 June 2014

Manchester Central 19 – 20 July 2014

If you’re salvage savvy, passionate about the past, or just looking for that exquisite piece to make a statement, the Decorative Home and Salvage Show is the show for you.

Offering unusual and beautiful objects imbued with history and character, the Decorative Home and Salvage Show will bring together a group of specially selected exhibitors to show off their wares in the stunning grounds of Tatton Park. tattonpark.org.uk | @tatton_park

After last year’s smash hit show with a record attendance of over 19,300 visitors, MCM Manchester Comic Con will return to Manchester Central in 2014 as a bigger, two day show. With all the magic of the famous MCM London Comic Con, the North West’s premier festival of popular culture will play host to everything from the newest games, movie and sci-fi special guests and talented artists and writers in the Comic Village, to the colourful competition of the cosplay masquerade. mcmcomiccon.com | @mcmexpo

International Festival for Business 2014 Liverpool and the North West June – July 2014 IFB 2014 is a global showcase of great British industry, bringing the world of business to our closest neighbours in Liverpool, its city region and the wider North West for 50-days in June and July. Comprising up to 200 events, the Festival will offer considerable opportunities for small and medium size businesses to make international connections, exchange new ideas, promote their products, create new partnerships and seek new sources of finance. The city of Manchester is proud to support this high profile event. ifb2014.com | @ifb2014

Decorative Home and Salvage Show

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The Venue Expo EventCity 1 – 2 September 2014 The Venue Expo is a free to attend, business to business expo and a must attend for anyone working within the industry of meetings, conferences and events. The first event of its kind in the North of England, The Venue Expo and will bring countless business professionals, event organisers and anyone with an interest in the events industry into one place to browse, uncover and connect. thevenueexpo.co.uk | @TheVenueExpo

Buy Art Fair

Soccerex Football Festival

Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair

BT City Square, Etihad Stadium 6 – 7 September 2014

Spinningfields 9 – 14 October 2014

The Soccerex football festival returns home to Manchester and will take place at one of the city’s most iconic sporting venues. An extravaganza of football and entertainment, the two-day event will include tournaments, coaching sessions and workshops and will be free to members of the public. soccerex.com | @soccerex

Recognised as one of the leading retail events for contemporary craft in the UK, attracting over 6,000 visitors. The GNCCF showcases cutting edge contemporary craft to buy from over 150 selected designer-makers in ceramics, glass, jewellery, interior and fashion textiles, wood, paper, silver, metal, product design, print-making and more. greatnorthernevents.co.uk | @GNCCF

Buy Art Fair Old Granada Studios 25 – 28 September 2014 Taking place at the iconic Old Granada Studios, Buy Art Fair welcomes 70 galleries exhibiting the work of over 500 artists. With prices from £50 to £5,000+ and pieces from across all genres, there is a piece of original, affordable art for everyone. Buy Art Fair is the largest contemporary art fair in the North and welcomes 8,000 visitors. Free tickets will be available later in the year. buyartfair.co.uk | @BuyArtFair

The National Wedding Show Manchester Central 25 – 26 October 2014 The National Wedding Show is the ultimate wedding shopping experience with thousands of ideas to plan your perfect day. The show offers visitors everything they need to help them plan their big day, offering everything from bridal and grooms wear – including the UK’s largest collection of wedding dresses under one roof – to florists, venues, photographers, cake designers, jewellers, wedding planners and honeymoon destinations. nationalweddingshow.co.uk | @nationalwedding

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A Tour of Tameside Situated in the East of Greater Manchester, at the foot of the Pennines, Tameside is an ideal base to explore the grandeur and beauty of the Peak District countryside, whilst the recent arrival of the Metrolink easily connects visitors to the beating heart of the city.

Laying claim to a rich and proud industrial heritage and taking its name from the river Tame, which courses through its valleys, Tameside as a region is now known is relatively young, created in 1974 as an amalgam of historic towns and villages which were formerly parts of Lancashire and Cheshire.

In their day, towns such as Hyde, Dukinfield, Ashton and Stalybridge were industrial powerhouses built on coal, engineering and cotton. Denton was one of the world’s most famous hat-making centres.

Beyond these old mills and factories there are vast swathes of picturesque countryside. Hyde has Werneth Low Country Park; Mossley hugs the border with Saddleworth; and Longdendale - the gateway to Derbyshire - comprises three villages including Mottram where the artist LS Lowry lived for many years.

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Among the other famous sons and daughters of the borough are the toffee magnate John Mackintosh, Coronation Street’s ‘Norah Batty’ actress Kathy Staff, and Dan Dare creator Frank Hampson. Beatrix Potter regularly took holidays in Tameside; it was the site of the first “Gardener’s Question Time” (in 1947); and the place where Jack Judge wrote the famous First World War marching song “Tipperary”. It can claim to be home to Britain’s first chip shop and still has the pub with the longest name: The Old Thirteenth Cheshire Astley Volunteer Rifleman Corps Inn. When visiting, the best place to start any tour of Tameside is Ashton-under-Lyne. As the region’s biggest town and the site of a new Metrolink terminus - connecting it to the city centre and the rest of Greater Manchester – Ashton is the commercial heart of the borough.

Portland Basin

Standing proud in central Ashton is its market which can trace its origins to medieval times. Ten years ago the market hall was gutted by a catastrophic fire which left only the exterior wall standing, but since reopening in 2008 it has displayed a renewed vitality, retaining all the bustle of its venerable predecessor and drawing in day-trippers keen to browse the stalls and have a chat with locals.

Those who prefer to do their talking over coffee should pop across the market ground to Trifles, on Market Avenue. As you sip your latte, you can peruse pictures of the many cakes the business has supplied for Coronation Street’s wedding and birthday episodes.

The early-Victorian town hall, which overlooks the market, is home to the Museum of the Manchester Regiment and was opened by the Queen Mother in 1987. The ‘Manchesters’ had their regimental depot in Ashton for more than 100 years and the stone gateway and perimeter wall to Ladysmith Barracks still stand on Mossley Road at the edge of town.

The museum gives a full history of the Manchesters whilst the extensive medal collection is used to tell the story of nearly 800 men that served in the Regiment, including 550 First World War Veterans medal groups.

The First World War trench at the museum recreates the sights, sounds and smells of trench warfare minutes before the men ‘went-over-the-top’ on the first day of the Battle of the Somme in 1916.

A re-creation of a 1950’s Barrack room scene will also bring back strong memories for any national serviceman of the post war years.

Also in close proximity to the market is the parish church of St Michael and All Angels which can trace its history to 1281, although many experts believe it was mentioned in the Domesday Book. It is one of two grade I listed buildings in Tameside, the other being St Michael’s Church, Mottram, which sits upon a hilltop above the village and is visible for miles around.

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Along with a rare, three-deck pulpit, Ashton Parish Church has some of the finest 15th century stained glass in the country, telling the story of St Helena.

The church once stood next to Ashton Old Hall, home to Sir Ralph de Assheton, the legendary Black Knight who was reputed to rule his estates with great cruelty.

Portland Basin Museum, which occupies a converted warehouse at a canal junction overlooking Dukinfield, chronicles Tameside’s history and offers a splendid family day out – so much so that it regularly features among Greater Manchester’s most popular attractions on TripAdvisor. In addition to its picturesque waterside setting - close to an old bridge which was built to cater for horse-drawn boats - it has an industrial gallery, a ‘Tales of Tameside’ exhibition, and a faithfully reproduced 1920’s street complete with grocer’s shop, chippy, terraced house, chapel, doctor’s surgery, school-room and pub. Occasionally it is possible to get some authentic old-style teaching in the schoolroom complete with chalk and slates.

The museum’s ‘Nuts and Bolt’s’ play area, aimed at under-5’s is a great place for young families, while the changing programme of exhibitions, events and activities rewards those that venture back to the museum time and time again.

The cultural offer of Tameside’s award winning museum service does not stop there. Central Art Gallery in Ashton town centre boasts a changing exhibition programme of exciting regional works along with the Rutherford Gallery. Born in Denton in 1903, and based for much of his life in Hyde, Harry Rutherford has often been identified as one of the unsung heroes of the Lowry generation. The Rutherford Gallery celebrates many of his works as well as a reconstruction of his studio containing materials that he used.

The three canals which stretch out from Portland Basin – the Huddersfield, the Peak Forest and the Ashton – offer pleasant walks and an insight into the borough’s place in the cradle of the Industrial Revolution. Alongside the old factories and mills are newer developments such as the Droylsden Marina, as well as many peaceful places to simply sit and take in the view.

Towering over Ashton on its border with Mossley, is Hartshead Pike which, like Werneth Low in neighbouring Hyde, offers stunning views. The hill has been used for signalling beacons since Roman times. The present tower was built in 1863 to mark the wedding of the future King Edward VII. Once a month, Ashton hosts a popular farmer’s market, as does nearby Stalybridge, which uses Armentieres Square on the banks of the Huddersfield Narrow Canal. On nearby Corporation Street in Stalybridge, there is a plaque marking the buildings where Jack Judge wrote and performed “Long Way to Tipperary” in 1912. A statue outside the old market hall also commemorates the song.

Two of Tameside’s more notable shops can be found in Stalybridge, both on Melbourne Street. Say Cheese offers a high-quality variety of cheese, cooked meats and coffees. Across the road, highly-regarded butcher JW Mettrick has recently opened an outlet. Mettrick’s sources most of its meat from within a 35-mile radius and has won countless awards including best pub sausage and best football pie.

Take a walk to the railway station on Rassbottom Street and you’ll find the beloved buffet bar, a favourite haunt for real ale fans. It retains all of its 19th century charm and would not be out of place in a black and white classic such as ‘Brief Encounter’.

The Q Inn, literally a stagger away, is another pub in the village that makes the Guinness Book of Records – this time for having the shortest name.

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Hartshead Pike

Stalybridge is at the heart of an annual event which merges two Tameside traditions. The Whit Friday band contests bring together brass bands – and every Tameside town boasts at least one – with the Whitsuntide festival when churches hold walks of witness to mark Pentecost. Many of them carry embroidered banners that date back to the early 20th Century.

Werneth Low, which stands above the town, capped by a war memorial, has some glorious countryside. It is accessed through the ancient village of Gee Cross where the tradition of well dressing has been revived in recent years. Dominating this community is Hyde Chapel, a huge cathedral-like structure built by the mill-owning Ashton family. It dwarfs the Parish Church of Holy Trinity, which is tucked away on Higham Lane.

The contests, which take place at venues across the borough, attract many of the country’s best known bands as well as local outfits including Stalybridge Old Band, the world’s oldest, formed in 1809.

Curry fans will find much to tantalise their taste buds in Tameside. The Indian Ocean, Ashton, was voted best Indian restaurant in the North West by the British Curry Awards in 2007, 2008 and 2009, and by the English Curry Awards in 2011. The town of Hyde, like Rusholme in Manchester, boasts its own curry half-mile on Market Street, with many of the restaurants and takeaways owned by members of the town’s Bangladeshi community.

A walk over the Low is worth the climb. What’s more you can reward yourself with a drink or something to eat at the Hare and Hounds, an inn which looks out towards Manchester. During the summer, take in a cricket match at Hyde Cricket Club’s pretty hilltop ground which has views over Compstall and Marple in Stockport. Refreshments, alcoholic and otherwise, are available in the pavilion.

At the other end of Tameside, Mossley has many similarities but, as with all the towns, retains its own identity. It occupies three levels – Top Mossley, Bottom Mossley and Micklehurst – and once

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straddled three counties with the West Riding of Yorkshire added to the usual Lancashire and Cheshire equation.

Dotted with stone cottages, Mossley retains a village feel and has a very strong community spirit. A fundraising committee makes sure its walks of witness still take place on Whit Friday, rather than Whit Sunday as is common elsewhere. Children get a day off school, the whole town turns out and thousands line the streets. In late afternoon the band contests take over.

A Chinese takeaway on Stamford Street, Top Mossley, occupies the same building where John Lees opened what many believe to be Britain’s first fish and chip shop in the 1860s. He moved there from a wooden hut which used to stand on the old market ground across the road.

And if chips are on your agenda, there are lots of places to buy them in Tameside. The Church Street Chippy, Dukinfield, regularly ranks highly in surveys as does the Oxford Street Chippy, tucked away on a back street of Stalybridge town centre.

Mossley Band

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Tameside is blessed with lots of rugged countryside, offering plenty of scope for running, cycling, horse riding or just a walk in the fresh air. There is now an annual triathlon which is growing in popularity each time around.

The borough’s parks – which range from ornamental to semi-wild – have taken on a new lease of life in recent times. Extensive refurbishment work means ten of them have green flag status. There is still plenty of scope for an old-style Sunday stroll complete with an ice cream and time on the swings.

Nowadays, however, you are just as likely to see open-air drama or even a film.

Over the last few summers, families have flocked to the parks to see adaptations of popular children’s stories. Last year, there was great interest in a screening of the 2012 version of ‘Les Miserables’. Tameside is hard to sum up in one paragraph. Don’t go there expecting one place because you’ll get nine or more.

It stretches from the inner city to the Pennine hills.

It is a single borough boasting many different facets.

However, if character, history and hospitality are what you crave, Tameside is the place to find them.

Hyde Park

What’s on: Greater Manchester

1940’s Weekend

Walks & Water

Festival Oldham 2014

City of Salford Throughout 2014

Oldham Town Centre and Gallery Oldham 24 May 2014

Discover Salford’s fascinating heritage on land or water, exploring everywhere from the leafy Worsley village to The Quays, mixing modern urban landscapes and miles of countryside and waterways. This ongoing and evolving programme is delivered through a series of regular guided walks and leisurely cruises. visitsalford.info/walksandwater | @visitsalford

A big day of fun, art and entertainment to start the Bank Holiday weekend. Look out for brilliant street theatre, music and dance across Oldham town centre and in Gallery Oldham. visitoldham.com | @OldhamCouncil

1940’s Weekend East Lancashire Railway, Bury 24 – 26 May 2014 Enjoy the glamour and thrift of a bygone era as villages along the Irwell Valley are transformed into a living 1940’s period drama, with re-enactments, vehicle displays, singing, dancing and much more. The centrepiece for the event is the 12-mile East Lancashire heritage steam railway. Keep an eye out for vintage aircraft flyovers, which can be viewed from vantage points around the railway. eastlancsrailway.org.uk | @eastlancsrly

Spirit of Salford Festival Weekender Salford 31 May – 1 June The highlight of the Spirit of Salford Festival is the Weekender event. This special two day celebration will feature the best local culture, music, art and food and drink. A range of local community talent will be showcased along with a few very special guests.

There will be children’s entertainment, live music, craft activities, special performances on the outdoor stage, food and drink and much more. spiritofsalford.info | #spiritofsalford

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Open Art Tameside Central Art Gallery, Ashton 10 July to 20 Sept 2014 Unlike other events of its kind, Tameside Open Art Exhibition has no selection procedure so it provides the ideal opportunity for artists of all abilities to get their work displayed on the walls of Tameside Central Art Gallery. The exhibition offers a great chance to see the quality of work being produced in the borough by artists both professional and amateur. Most of the work within the exhibition is for sale at reasonable prices. tameside.gov.uk/museumsgalleries

Bolton Food and Drink Festival Wigan Jazz Festival

Alice in Wonderland – The Musical Bramall Hall, Stockport 8 June 2014 Bring a picnic and join Alice on the croquet lawn at Bramall Hall for a wonderful afternoon of open air theatre for all the family. Logic is abandoned in this wonderfully interactive tale of childhood and imagination. As Alice meets White Rabbit, the Mad Hatter and the March Hare. Filled with catchy songs, this lively and funny performance is brought to life for families with music, dancing and a host of pranks that appeal to both children and adults alike. stockport.gov.uk/museums | @SMBC_Museums

Bolton 22 – 25 August 2014 (Bank Holiday weekend) A four-day event bursting with cooking demonstrations, speciality markets, live music, entertainment and family fun. Last year’s event attracted over 130,000 visitors and featured celebrity chefs James Martin, Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood and Aldo Zilli. boltonfoodanddrinkfestival.com | @visitbolton

Horwich Festival of Racing and Carnival Horwich, Bolton 15 June 2014 Since it began in 2002, Horwich Festival of Racing has grown to become one of Greater Manchester’s most popular sporting events. This year’s event features British standard cycling and running championships, Unicycle Championships, Balance Bikes & Scooter Races for children and the Horwich Carnival Parade. horwichfestivalofracing.co.uk

Wigan International Jazz Festival Robin Park, Wigan 10 – 13 July 2014 Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra will open this four-day extravaganza on Thursday 10 July.

This is the 29th year of the Wigan International Jazz Festival, which promises a myriad of Jazz performers at Robin Park and surrounding venues in Wigan. wlct.org/wigan/whats-on/jazz

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Bolton Food and Drink Festival

Rochdale Feelgood festival Rochdale Summer 2014 The Feelgood festival is a free, two-day food and live music celebration which takes place on Rochdale Town Hall square and attracts more than 10,000 people.

Previous performers have included The Feeling, Fun Lovin’ Criminals, Martha Reeves, The Lightning Seeds and Badly Drawn Boy. It returns this summer – dates were just being finalised as this issue went to press. rochdalefeelgoodfestival.co.uk | @FeelGoodFest

Saints & Sinners Paintings from the John Benjamin Smith Collection Stockport Story Museum Until 26 October 2014 This exhibition explores virtue and vice as depicted in the John Benjamin Smith Collection, gifted to Stockport in 1879. Iconic religious scenes, stories of martyrdom and vistas of classical ruins provide an interesting backdrop to the story of the man behind the collection. Smith was an MP for Stockport for over 20 years and one of the founding fathers of Stockport’s Museums. He collected these paintings during his grand tour of Italy in the first half of the 19th century. stockport.gov.uk/museums | @SMBC_Museums

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Pedal power in the Peak District The Peak District, located within easy reach of Manchester, is set to be one of the best areas in the UK to get on your bike in 2014.

Lâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Eroica Britannia Š James Brown

Milestone events such as the Italian-inspired L’Eroica Britannia vintage cycling showcase take place in June, whilst the Tour de France passes through the area in July. The good news is that you don’t have to be a super-fit athlete to join in the fun. Whatever your age or ability, there’s a route to suit – everything from traffic-free former railway routes to challenging, off-road upland trails.

The Peak District already has its fair share of cycling champions. Peerless Paralympians Dame Sarah Storey, who won four Gold Medals and set a world record at London 2012, hails from Disley, while Anthony Kappes MBE, originally from Chapel-en-leFrith, was a double gold medallist in Beijing 2008 and struck gold again in the B Sprint tandem, also in London.

So saddle up for the Peak District’s Summer of Cycling, whether you’re a beginner or expert.

Have fun, get fit and enjoy the fresh air amid some of Britain’s most stunning landscapes.

Say ‘buongiorno’ to the first-ever L’Eroica Britannia Cyclists from across the UK and Europe will be in attendance at the first-ever L’Eroica Britannia – a three-day celebration of vintage cycling, fashion, local food and much more. The extravaganza takes place from 20 to 22 June 2014 and promises fun, fitness and a festival atmosphere for visitors of all ages.

The Italian-inspired event – whose name literally means ‘the heroes’ – will be all about enjoyment – encouraging everyone taking part to exercise, look and feel good, feast on local produce and have a great time in one of the most beautiful parts of Britain. Organisers were inspired by the original L’Eroica festival, centring on the tiny village of Gaiole in Chianti, Tuscany, and founded in 1997, which epitomises retro style and glamour – with regular stops to sample local meats, cheese, olives and wine.

In the Peak District the emphasis will be on local cheeses, pies, beer and wine to offer a uniquely English flavour. Award-winning Thornbridge Brewery in Bakewell is brewing a special L’Eroica beer, marrying Peak District water with ingredients from Tuscany.

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Stanage Edge © Karen Frenkel

The main focus for the event will be Bakewell Showground, the starting and finishing point for three rides covering 30 miles, 50 miles and 100 miles. The Showground will host a celebration of cycling; vintage fashion and cars, local produce and music – and all villages en route will enter into the carnival spirit by holding mini-festivals of their own.

Bonjour Le Tour!

With L’Eroica only just over, visitors will be able to see some of the world’s fastest cyclists in action when the world’s most famous bike race, the Tour de France, flashes through the northern tip of the Peak District National Park on July 6. Day two of Le Grand Départ will start in York. Competitors will pass through Holmfirth and Holme, tackling the challenging ascent of Holme Moss before descending to Woodhead. They will then ride through Langsett and Bradfield to finish in Sheffield’s Motorpoint Arena. Keep any eye out for details of special events being planned by Derbyshire County Council and partners to celebrate its arrival – these will be revealed nearer the time.

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Head for the hills For those who like to participate as well as spectate, there are nine circular routes on offer that have been developed to help you make the most of the Peak District’s varied and safe cycling. The routes put cyclists in touch with the best views, most picturesque villages, quiet lanes and former railway lines and cycle-friendly pubs and cafes en route.

One of these routes – starting out on Anthony Kappes’ home patch of Chapel-en-le-Frith – is on the Manchester to Buxton railway line and takes in fabulous views from local landmarks such as Eccles Pike, Pym’s Chair and Windgather Rocks. It also includes the classic spa town of Buxton, with its fine fusion of Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian architecture incorporating a variety of shops, pubs, cafes and restaurants and the picturesque village of Peak Forest.

Further ahead, exciting plans are in the pipeline to put around 3.5 million people – including visitors to, and residents of, Greater Manchester – within even

easier reach of the Peak District’s cycle network.

The second phase of the Pedal Peak District project, spearheaded by the Department of Transport in partnership with Derbyshire County Council and the Peak District National Park Authority, will mean the area’s routes can be reached by bike in less than an hour or following a short train ride.

One of the four planned links – The White Peak Loop – will make cycling access much easier from Manchester. Two new sections will link the popular High Peak and Monsal Trails, one between Matlock and Bakewell and another between Buxton (from the terminus of the Manchester to Buxton rail line) and Hurdlow – offering cyclists a seamless route into the heart of the area. All four routes are expected to be open by 2015.

Off your bike If cycling isn’t your favourite hands-on or spectator sport, there’s much more to enjoy in the Peak District. It’s right at the heart of England – the ideal destination for an accessible and affordable holiday or short break. Here’s just a snapshot of what else it can offer, right on Manchester’s doorstep...

Just an hour after setting off by train from Manchester Piccadilly, you can be in one of the area’s most elegant market towns, Buxton. Home to the internationally-renowned Buxton Festival (11 – 27 July) of live opera, music and literature, England’s leading spa town also hosts an annual Festival Fringe (9 – 27 July), featuring a wide variety of comedy,

music, drama, street entertainment and other events.

You’ll also find a good range of shops, regular specialist fairs, cafes and restaurants and a Real Ale Trail, plus an Edwardian gem of a theatre, Buxton Opera House.

If you’re a film or TV fan, you can trace the footsteps of your favourite actor or movie star or spot some five-star film locations in the Peak District. Visit Chatsworth, beautiful backdrop for Pride and Prejudice (2005) and The Duchess (2008), both featuring Keira Knightley. More recently, the Duke of Devonshire’s ancestral home took centre stage in the BBC’s three-part adaptation of P D James’s murder mystery sequel to Jane Austen’s classic romance between Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet, Death Comes to Pemberley, screened over Christmas 2013.

Soak up the enchanting atmosphere of Haddon Hall, near Bakewell, once described as ‘the most perfect English house to survive from the Middle Ages’. No less than three versions of Charlotte Bronte’s classic novel Jane Eyre (two films and one BBC TV series) were shot there.

Closer to Manchester, and back on Pride and Prejudice territory, take the train from Manchester to Disley and Lyme Park, where you can see the famous exterior of the house that doubled as Mr. Darcy’s substantial country seat, Pemberley, in BBC TV’s 1995 adaptation of the novel. Spot the lake where Oscarwinning actor Colin Firth emerged, in dripping wet shirt and breeches, to impress Elizabeth Bennet ( Jennifer Ehle).

Buxton Opera House © Pure Buxton

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‘The Village’ © BBC Productions

If you prefer grittier dramas, head for Hayfield, Chapel-en-le-Frith, Glossop or Edale, where BBC 1’s prime-time series The Village, was filmed. You will recognise Kinder Road and its shops as The Village’s eye-catching main street, where soldiers marched off to the First World War.

Unique events Nowhere else in the world can you watch unusual events such as the Castleton Garland Ceremony (May 29), the World Toe Wrestling Championships, near Ashbourne ( June 8), Flash Teapot Parade ( June 15) or the World Hen Racing Championships at Bonsall, near Matlock (August 2). Catch one while you’re here for a day out to remember!

Another unusual custom unique to the Peak District is ‘Well Dressing’ – the centuries-old tradition of creating living art installations from petals and other natural materials. Scores of communities stage them between May and September, and add to the party atmosphere with carnivals, fetes, flower festivals and other special events.

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Whether you’re an absolute beginner or hardened hiker, the Peak District boasts a wealth of walking terrain that is second to none. If you travel into the area by train, there are lots of routes to suit all age groups and abilities around Buxton. Or take the Sheffield train from Manchester Piccadilly and stop off at Chinley, Edale, Hope, Bamford, Hathersage or Grindleford for walks and views that will literally take your breath away.

More information: summerofcycling.co.uk visitpeakdistrict.com

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The essential, insiderâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s guide to the city. 104 pages of things to do, see, buy, eat and enjoy.

Just ÂŁ4.95 - buy now at: visitmanchester.com/store

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Transport information Manchester is one of the most accessible cities in the UK thanks to its location and level of connectivity with national transport infrastructure. Once you have arrived in the city, getting around couldn’t be easier thanks to a fleet of buses, trains and trams.

Trains There are four main stations in the city centre: Piccadilly, Oxford Road, Victoria and Deansgate.

Piccadilly welcomes the majority of visitors and is the main arrival point for those flying into Manchester Airport or travelling up from London.

The city has direct rail services south to Birmingham, Bournemouth, Reading, Bristol, London and Plymouth as well as north to Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Operators include: CrossCountry Trains (crosscountrytrains.co.uk / @crosscountryuk) First Great Western (firstgreatwestern.co.uk / @FGW), Northern Rail (northernrail.org / @northernrailorg) and TransPennineExpress (tpexpress.co.uk / @TPExpressTrains) and Virgin Trains (virgintrains.com/@virgintrains)

Bus & Coach Within the city centre, Metroshuttle provides a free ‘hop on, hop off’ service that links all of the main rail stations, shopping districts and business areas. It runs every ten minutes from 7am - 7pm Monday to Saturday and 10am - 6pm on Sundays.

Across Greater Manchester, Arriva (arrivabus.co.uk), First (firstgroup.com / @FirstManchester) and Stagecoach (stagecoachbus.com) operate a comprehensive network to get you out and about.

Further afield, National Express provides services from all over the country into Chorlton Street Coach Station in the heart of the city (nationalexpress.co.uk / @nationalexpress)

Road Manchester is well connected to the rest of the UK via excellent motorway links. The M60 ring road connects the city to motorways north, south, east and west.

In the city, NCP has over 13,000 car parking spaces across 43 sites, including a number of exclusive parent and child bays and green bays for vehicles with low emissions. Parking with NCP in the city centre starts from just £1.60 an hour. ncp.co.uk / @ncpcarparks

Trams The city’s Metrolink network is one of the most successful light rail systems in the UK, carrying nearly 20 million passengers every year. With services roughly every five to ten minutes, it is great mode of transport for those not on a strict timetable. Don’t forget to purchase your ticket on the platform before you board. metrolink.co.uk / @OfficialTfGM

Journey Planning Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) is the official public transport body for the city. Its website has a wealth of information to help you plan your journey, including details of Park & Ride services, accessible transport, bus service maps and a journey planner.

For service information, call: +44 (0)871 200 22 33 (10p per minute from landlines). tfgm.com / @OfficialTfGM

System One Want to travel on any bus? Or a combination of bus and train, or even bus, train and tram? Why not purchase a System One Travelcard. It covers a wide-reaching area from Bolton and Bury in the north to Stockport and Altrincham in the south, Oldham and Rochdale in the east to Standish and Wigan in the west.

It can make your travel planning much simpler and save you money too. systemonetravelcards.co.uk / @OneManchester

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Manchester Visitor Information Centre

Manchester Visitor Information Centre Piccadilly Plaza, Portland Street, Manchester, M1 4AJ Monday - Saturday: 9.30am - 5.30pm Sunday: 10.30am - 4.30pm Tel: 0871 222 8223 Email: touristinformation@visitmanchester.com

Manchester Airport part of MAG With three terminals handling over 20 million passengers each year, Manchester Airport is the global gateway to the North of England. Sixty-five airlines with connectivity to over 200 destinations ensures that Manchester is no more than one-stop away from anywhere in the world.

Whether travelling for business or pleasure, Manchester Airport offers a host of facilities and services to help ensure hassle-free travel:

Disabled access A pioneering new access guide has been designed, which provides disabled customers with all the information they need to plan their journey from door to door.

Airport Shopping and dining Join the vast number of savvy shoppers already taking advantage of exclusive tax and duty free savings at the airport. Then, make the most of the wide selection of food and drink options available across all three terminals.

Free Wi-Fi Stay connected to the outside world, with free Wi-Fi for up to 60 minutes, across all three terminals.

The Manchester Airport App Escape Lounges For those looking to end their holiday in style, or simply for some peace and quiet to finish last minute business, the Escape lounges in Terminal 1, 2 and 3 offer a tranquil environment. Here you can also enjoy complimentary refreshments and take advantage of the free Wi-Fi.

For the kids If you need to keep the kids entertained or use up some of their excess energy before a long flight, there are now two free soft play areas. These are located in both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.

For the perfect travel companion download the Manchester Airport app, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s your one-stop guide for flight and airport information. Even better itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s completely free to download on your smartphone.

Airport Parking There is a parking option to suit every need, from great value Long Stay parking to the ultimate convenience of Meet & Greet parking.

For the latest information visit manchesterairport.co.uk or follow @manairport on Twitter.

Direct Connectivity There are direct flights to Manchester from over 200 destinations worldwide including: Europe Aberdeen Amsterdam Antwerp Barcelona Athens Berlin (Schonefeld) Bilbao Bruxelles Cardiff Cologne (Bonn) Copenhagen Kastrup Cork Dublin Dusseldorf Frankfurt Gothenburg

Glasgow Hamburg Hanover Helsinki Ireland West Airport Knock Isle Of Man (Ronaldsway) Lisbon London (Heathrow) Lyon Madrid Malaga Moscow Munich Murcia (San Javier) Naples Nice Oslo

Paris (Charles De Gaulle) Pisa Prague (Ruzyne Rennes (St Jacques) Rome (Ciampino) Rome (Fiumicino) Shannon Stockholm (Arlanda) Stuttgart Venice Vienna Warsaw Zurich North America Atlanta Charlotte

Chicago (Ohare) Las Vegas (McCarran Intl) New York (John F. Kennedy Airport) New York (Newark Liberty) Philadelphia Intl Toronto Vancouver Middle East Abu Dhabi Doha Dubai Jeddah Asia Singapore

For a full list of direct flights please visit manchesterairport.co.uk

@visit_mcr | visitmanchester.com

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The last word From Clubs to Coders: Watching a City’s Evolution

Automation is transforming retail, professional services and finance. iTunes killed HMV because it was many orders of magnitude more efficient: HMV needed 200 times as many staff to generate comparable revenues, plus warehouses, logistics and expensive high street rents. Tube workers went on strike because machines replaced human ticket sellers. Half of all law firms with 10 partners or more, merged or acquired another firm in the last 12 months. The most financially successful of the large accountancy practices are growing profits, not revenues, by automating core functions and making redundancies. Banks? Well increasingly it’s a computer that says yes, or more likely, no.

All of these industries have played a strong role in Manchester’s economy in recent years. Maintaining our growth means recognising their travails and looking for what’s next. And here, I am cautiously optimistic.

I’m a naturalised Mancunian. Next year I celebrate a decade living in the city, but I’ve been drawn here on a regular basis for 25 years. In the 90s it was the clubs (and yes, the girls that populated them). Back then the Northern Quarter was two bars and Afflecks Palace, not the vibrant jungle of cafés, coffee bars, bistros and boutiques it is now.

Chaos Theory

When I came to live here permanently, it was for the lifestyle. I’d done the London thing. I was in the privileged position of being able to work from pretty much any city in the UK. My wife wanted a good arts scene, in the pursuit of both career and culture.

Manchester offered a compact package of everything we sought, plus houses that were twice the size and half the price. The same arguments have been bringing young professionals back to the North for years and will continue to do so in the future.

We are the second city in Europe for creative digital work, with only London ahead of us. We have digital infrastructure businesses like UKFast and Melbourne operating on a local, national and international scale.

Major players like Virgin, Sky, Cisco and Fujitsu have a good footprint here. We have software start-ups like ResponseTap, CapsuleCRM and my own CANDDi, plus the up and coming output from TechHub. There’s science spinouts, bio-medical tech, and all that before we even talk about graphene.

It’s that future that most interests me now. I’ve made futurism my full time job. And with two young children, I have a very personal stake in the future of this city.

The challenge for Manchester in the future is to weave some of these threads together into a coherent whole. To connect them with the other industries where we remain very strong: health, and manufacturing, now entering its own technologydriven renaissance. As we begin to make new connections between all of the disparate activity that is already happening, we will fire new innovations and drive new growth.

Spirit of Progress Manchester has a strong history of entrepreneurship and innovation, and right now it needs to call up that spirit of progress. Because the world, and particularly the economy, is changing incredibly rapidly. The industries that have supported Manchester’s growth in recent years may not be so strong in five or 10 years time. They certainly won’t in 15 when my kids are looking for work.

Getting your head around all of the entrepreneurial activity going on in Manchester is hard, even if you just focus on technology. Manchester has a thriving tech community, but unlike Newcastle or Cambridge it lacks a coordinating force or common voice. It’s messy, organic and wild.

Manchester’s cycle of continuous evolution will go on.

Tom Cheesewright is an applied futurist and founder of the ‘Book of the Future’. bookofthefuture.co.uk

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