Stockport Source issue 8

issue eight

WELCOME ...to issue eight After our ‘Festival Crazy’ issues last month we thought we had boxed them off, but it seems that was just the tip of the iceberg as the Festival feeling is even stronger in this issue. This time around we explore more of the exciting events still to come as the Summer reaches its crescendo. It’s nice to see Stockport taking a leaf from Edinburgh’s book and running a Fringe Festival concurrent with the original event. Let’s hope it proves as successful as the Scottish version. Petrolheads might instead want to get their fix at the 14th Roughley’s Bikeshow will definitely be taking place after months of uncertainty over a venue.

Make sure you check out the What’s On guide too. A lot of the events we cover are running until the end of the school holidays so there’s still time to take advantage.

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News

Car show off, bike show on.

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Festival Special

Your guide to August’s big events

8-9

The Stockport Fringe

Alternative entertainment in Stockport

10-11

The Big Weekend

Eat, drink and be merry

12-13

Stockport Festival

Fashion, fun and music

14-15

Fashion

Statement necklaces

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Competition

Two great prizes from Robinsons

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Travel

The fascinating Island of Lundy

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Union J

The boys tell us what’s happening

22-26

Education

A five page education special

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What’s On

Days out in August and September

31

Music

The best of the new releases

Stockport Office 0161 244 9896

Publishing Director Editor Advertising Photographer

Paul Taylor Paul Day Carole Jones Matt McNulty

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Wilmslow Office 01625 541106 www.stockportsource.com @StockportSource Stockport Source

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news

BAKERS VAULT REOPENS

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he 18th century Bakers Vault reopened its doors last month, having been transformed into one of Stockport’s coolest pubs. Under the management of the team that runs The Parlour in Chorlton, as well as Gullivers, The Eagle and The Castle in Manchester’s Northern Quarter, the Bakers has been creatively reworked, with the bar moved backwards and an interior that is entirely contemporary while still being true to the themes of the traditional English pub.

OLD TOWN WEBSITE LAUNCHED

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tockport Old Town now has its very own website offering a wealth of information that should be of interest to anyone who lives in then area. Offering detailed information of all events that are taking place in the Old Town area as well profiles of the local independent traders, the website is a great resource for fans of the area and an educational tool for those not yet familiar with the places to eat, drink and shop in Stockport’s hippest location. www.stockportoldtown.co.uk

The big thing in the kitchen is hot dogs, with an intriguing variety on offer: there’s a Welsh Rarebit Dog, a Balti Dog, a British Bulldog and a Dog Fish.

“We designed the sausage with our butcher through 3 or 4 prototypes” it is explained, “all the meat is locally sourced and free range, we don’t use rusk and all the casings are natural not synthetic.

We add smoked dry cured pancetta to it and grind the mix 3 times to get that ‘Frankfurter finish’” Customers are able to enjoy a range of guest cask ales that sit alongside Robinsons favourites such as Unicorn, Dizzy Blonde and Trooper.

MISS STOCKPORT PICKS UP HER PRIZE

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erseyway centre Manager Brendan Webb presents Miss Stockport ‘Jade Leverton’ with part of her winning prize on behalf of competition sponsors Merseyway.

The vouchers were from the ‘famous brands fabulously close’.

CONSULTATION FOR BRIDGEFIELD

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tockport Council will be consulting with local businesses and members of the public on plans for a brand new multiplex cinema and leisure complex on the site of the Bridgefield car park in Stockport town centre. The Bridgefield development will see construction of a new multi-storey car park linking to the Debenhams and Merseyway car parks, creating around 350 spaces. A brand new multiplex cinema with up to eight ground floor units that will be let to food and beverage businesses, and the creation of a new public square and improvements to the public realm will link the new development to Merseyway and the wider town centre.

As part of the consultation, the Council will be hosting three drop-in events for people to have their say on the plans which will take place at 76/78 Princes Street (formerly the Kiss Ladieswear shop) on: Wednesday 27th August 9.30am – 12.30pm, Friday 29th August 9.30am – 12.30pm Tuesday 2nd September 1.30pm – 4.30pm

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news

BRAMHALLʼS GOT TALENT OPEN FOR ENTRIES

WILMSLOW MOTOR SHOW POSTPONED

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ramhall’s Got Talent 2013 was an event organised by independent traders in the Village Square as a way of increasing awareness of their businesses and proved such as success that they didn’t hesitate to announce that there would be another such event this year.

from Bramhall to enter, last year a magician travelled down from Blackpool to take part and all varieties of acts are welcome to enter - singers, dancers, comedians, ventriloquists...

ilmslow Business Group has postponed the Motor Show planned for 13th September 2014.

Steve Kennedy of Mailboxes Etc and the Motor Show Project Leader commented: “We have been delighted with the amazing levels of support and interest in the 2014 Motor Show which was planned for next month.

Last year there were over 50 entrants, who preformed throughout the day in front of consistently big and enthusiastic crowds.

The competition was won by Henry Gallagher (pictured here during his performance) who has been busy performing ever since you can catch him on stage at the Stockport Festival on Sunday 31st August.

“The Show has generated interest not only from local car dealers but also from other businesses which would bring extra excitement and glamour to the Show. However, to enable us to make the most of all this interest and deliver a real jaw-dropping event, the organising team requires a greater lead-in time.

We have therefore decided to

This year’s event - which is again being sponsored by local estate agents Mosley Jarman has been set for Saturday 4th October and will offer a £500 first prize. Entries are now being accepted online at www.bramhallsgottalent.co.uk. You don’t need to be

postpone the Show until early summer 2015.”

Catherine Mackenzie, Chairman of the Wilmslow Business Group said: “The success of the Wilmslow Motor Show over the last two years has been down to the drive and determination of Steve Kennedy of Mailboxes. Our newly established events team, Georgie Johnson and Bethan Phillips have been working tirelessly with Steve to plan and organise this year’s Motor Show.

“We have not taken the decision lightly to postpone this year’s event, but the Show is really developing into something even more exciting and we want to ensure that the day really works and provides a great family day out.”

ROUGHLEYʼS BIKESHOW TO GO AHEAD

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fter a certain amount of confusion regarding whether this long-standing Stockport motorbike show would have a venue for a 2014 event, it has now been confirmed that it will be taking place on Sunday 24th August at Heaton Lane car park, across the A6 from Debenhams.

Due to a change in ownership of the site of last year’s show, the organisers had been looking for a new venue for some months and as the cut-off point for finding a new home loomed on-line petitions sprang up and social media became heavily involved in the clamour for a resolution. As it was, the new venue was confirmed within days of the cut-off point, saving the 14th Roughley’s Bikeshow by the skin of its teeth.

port calendar and raises a great deal of money for The Rainbow Trust, The Together Trust and the National Association for Bikers with a Disability which was founded in this area in 1991.

The bike show will start at noon and will run until 10pm with a mix of entertainment that will include live bands, trade stalls, face painting, bouncy castle, Rodeo Bull, tombola, raffle, Roughley’s Bar, not to mention the bike show itself.

Entry is £2 for adults, U15s free (accompanied by a responsible adult).

Under 14s are required to be off-sire by 8pm.

The show dates back to 1999 when Andy Roughley was working at the Bulls Head in the Marketplace on August bank holiday.

He invited some of his mates to come down, some market buskers joined in and such a great time was had that they resolved to repeat the event the following year, this time putting some bikes on show as an added attraction. The event has snowballed to the extent that it is now one of the most popular events in the Stock-

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Stockport Festival Friday 29th - Sunday 31st August Stockport Old Town Fringe Festival Friday 29th - Sunday 31st August Wilmslow & Alderley Big Weekend Saturday 27th - Sunday 28th September

FESTIVAL SPECIAL Summer reaches a climax over the next few weeks as the big events come along one after the other or in some cases, simultaneously. Over the next six pages we look at three of the biggest, the Stockport Festival and its new sibling, the Stockport Old Town Fringe Festival which will, as the name suggests, be based in and around the Old Town. The entire weekend promises to be a brilliant mix of the mainstream and the indie, going from Friday night all the way through to Sunday. In September there’s a new event on the horizon, the Wilmslow & Alderley Big Weekend at Lindow Cricket Club. Saturday will feature a “Party in the Park” while Sunday will host a Food & Drink Festival. For more information on all the above, keep reading...

festival

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he first ever Stockport Old Town Fringe Festival will take place at the end of August over a weekend packed full of music, art, culture, independent retail and quality food and drink.

The Fringe Festival will highlight the new branding for Stockport Old Town which includes a newly launched website focusing on the independent businesses and specialist events in the area www.stockportoldtown.co.uk The Fringe Festival is supported by Stockport’s Portas Pilot and is sponsored by Orbit Developments who are keen to put Stockport Old Town on the map as a destination to shop and socialise.

To ensure that you don’t miss anything, here’s a breakdown of the three days of the Fringe Festival activities.

STOCKPORT OLD TOWN F FRIDAY 29TH AUGUST Take a walk around The Old Town and follow the trail of the Sellotape Sculptures.

Look out for Jimi Hendrix outside Fab Music Store and Desperate Dan outside Lord of the Pies. These amazing pieces can usually be seen stationed outside Seven Miles Out and are created by Brin Morris, the organiser of the Artism group who support artists on the autistic spectrum now based in The Glass Umbrella creative arts hub above the centre. www. artismuk.webs.com If you fancy your hand at something arty with the kids, there are free art workshops to interest all ages running from 12-4pm in Seven Miles Out. For budding young street dancers, there will be a chance to take part in a free contemporary dance workshop from Born and Bred Dance Theatre and perform it in the Market Square!

In the evening the Market Place will be transformed by the increasingly popular Foodie Friday 6-10pm featuring live bands headlined by Martin Stephenson and the Daintees. As usual there will be an complementary live music offer in Seven Miles Out which has a licensed bar and features local acoustic music from 7-9pm and an evening of Irish music from 9-11pm.

For those of you who prefer mystery to music and fancy a trip into the unknown, the Isis Centre are hosting their Paranormal Evening with a talk and investigation hosted by Most Haunted’s Cath Howe from 7pm. For more information visit: www.stockportfringeisis.weebly.com (the hyphen is meant to be there).

SATURDAY 30TH AUGUST The weekend begins serenely with The Hare Krishna Experience at Seven Miles Out from 11am to 2pm with chanting, dancing and a freshly cooked vegetarian feast to sample all free of charge.

The afternoon brings a celebration of urban street culture with The Sound On The Street in Angel Yard at Seven Miles Out from 2-4pm, featuring MCs, DJs, break dancers and graffiti artists with a showcase performance from the Brighter Sound music workshop featuring young local performers.

At 2pm, there is a free opportunity to join the Stockport Rocks! Musical Tour of The Old Town with Blue Badge Tourist Guide Jean Bailo, who will be pointing out all the musical landmarks where international artists played including The Sinking Ship and The Tabernacle. The tour also runs on Sunday at 2pm, meeting at Seven Miles Out. Over Saturday and Sunday there are a number of fascinating talks at the Isis Centre including historian Mark Olly and a psychic and magic show from Jon Scotland.

On Saturday evening, Mojo Bravo Comedy Club culminates its excellent series of Edinburgh Fringe previews with a riotous show from rising star Vikki Stone, who will be appearing at Seven Miles Out fresh from her stint at the Edinburgh Fringe.

Vikki is famous for her comic tribute to Philip Schofield serenading him live on This Morning. Tickets are £6 from the venue or online at www.mojobravo.co.uk

festival

SUNDAY 31ST AUGUST The main Festival Day promises entertainment for all the family as the Market Place is transformed with a colourful and creative celebration of street theatre, dance and music with highlights including Pif-Paf’s Flycycle and Submercycle rides taking children on a magical journey around The Old Town, Circus House performing their jaw-dropping circus skills and giving free workshops and the death-defying Dick Danger Show which really has to be seen to be believed.

For younger children there is a traditional Punch and Judy show from the nationally renowned Tony James who’s from just up the road in Heaton Moor.

The Festival of Dance in the Market Square showcases some of our top local performing talent including The Cheshire Theatre School, The Lally School of Irish Dancing, Gibsons’ School of Dance, the Urban Gypsies, NK Theatre Arts and morris troupes Stockport Morris Men and Poynton Jemmers.

N FRINGE FESTIVAL

There’s some cracking shopping opportunities on offer too. For the first time ever Stockport’s specialist Sunday markets come together with the award-winning Vintage Village, Handmade Market and The Teenage Market combining their creativity under the glass roof of the Victorian Market Hall.

Look out for Fringe magician Rikki Lowry performing close magic and why not try your hand at making one of the sellotape sculptures.?

Live music plays a big part in the day with up and coming performers showcased by Longevity records in the Market Place. Seven Miles Out plays host to the Stockport Ukulele Players and Manchester’s favourite troubadour Gideon Conn performing at 3pm whose irresistibly catchy songs have such quirky titles as The Man Who Drives Around Selling Fish...

The three-day Festival culminates with a free live theatre performance from the Mad Theatre Company in the intimate surroundings of Seven Miles Out at 7.30pm.

The team who created the sell out ‘Pints of Swill & Pork Scratchings’ and ‘They’ve Just Nipped Out For Fags’, will be performing ‘The Demise & Rise of Bunny Lamar’ which promises to have the audience howling with laughter.

All in all it the Stockport Old Town Fringe Festival promises to bring a liberal dollop of daftness to the town, the like of which has never quite been seen before. For more detailed information on each event and lots of other stuff going on visit www.stockportoldtown. co.uk

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THE WILMSLOW & ALDERLEY

festival

Sunday 28th of September

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he very first Wilmslow and Alderley Edge Food Festival will be held on Sunday the 28th of September. This free event will celebrate the very finest local food, local beer and Street Food.

FOOD & DRINK FESTIVAL The event will showcase gluten free delights, patisserie, loose leaf teas, locally roasted coffee beans, award wining pies, delicious biscuits, Cheshire cheeses, cooked meats, Spanish wonders, Italian specialities, Lebanese delights, macaroons, traditional pies, honeys, classic colas, exquisite chocolate truffles, pesto, vinegars, tasty marshmallows, scotch eggs, gnocchi & pasta, honest bread, olives, funky cupcakes, chocolate bars, chilli chutney, pickles, spicy sauce, doggie treats, cream teas, pâtés, grannies potted beef.......among many others.

You will also be able to feast on Vietnamese Street Food, stone baked pizza, authentic French Crepes, traditional hog roast, pulled pork, tapas and more.

Budding bakers will be given an opportunity to show off their cooking skills with the Alderley Edge and Wilmslow cake off competition. With a selection of catergories, you can obtain a registration form from their website: www.wilmslowlive.com. Our crowning winners will be awarded vouchers to spend at the food festival, as well as rosettes and certificates.

Cookery demonstrations which include an appearance by celebrity chef David Mooney (right), co-owner and Chef Patron at The New Moon Pub Company. David has a glittering CV including an apprenticeship with Raymond Blanc and a stint as Commis Chef to Marco Pierre White. Previously Chef Patron of the Belle Epoque in Knutsford, David is recognisable as a media star, with many appearances on television and on radio under his belt. Notably, he was the resident chef on the region’s Granada Tonight programme as well as hosting the ‘Food Hunter’, in which he travelled throughout the North West cooking up a culinary storm in various locations using locally sourced produce.

Beer lovers have got a real treat in store. The Alderley and Wilmslow Beer Festival and Beer awards, where visitors can sample the best local beers and vote for their favourites.

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STATEMENT NECKLACES

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Versailles Embellished Statement Necklace £29.00 at Accessorize

Allusions Pink Flower Statement Collar Necklace £15.00 at BHS

Jenny Packham for Debenhams £45.00

Jewelled pastel necklace £12.00 from George at ASDA

Adorning Ava Necklace £10.00 from Modiste, Bramhall

Opaque Mix Statement Necklace £25.00 at M&Co

They may big big and bold but they’re versatile too. Wear them under the collar of a buttoned-up blouse but go easy on your other jewellery.

fashion

M&S Collection Necklace £19.50

Stone statement necklace £39.00 from Mint Velvet

Next Necklace £28.00

Rhinestone Flower Collar £18.50 from Diva at Mss Selfridge

Blue Floral Necklace £12.50 at Dorothy Perkins

Curved Bar and Sticks Necklace £18.50 from Freedom at Topshop

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attractions

ROBINSONS OFFER THE FULL FA R W obinsons Brewery in Stockport is the town’s leading tourist attraction, yet there is still much about it that would surprise most people in the area.

You might not be surprised that you can get a beer in there but The Unicorn Bar also provides a high quality food offer throughout the day, perfect for a quick snack or a business lunch. The kitchen takes advantage of the abundance of local produce available on their doorstep, with a menu that combines traditional favourites with a modern twist as well as offering light lunches, snacks, speciality teas, coffees and of course a full range of award winning ales.

The brewery is also host to two state-of-the-art conference rooms - The Frederic’s Room and The Old Tom Room - which are equipped with surround sound, large flat screens, laptop, DVD player, microphones and wifi - with scope to adapt to a variety of needs, from theatre style to banqueting or training. The kitchens also offer full or part catering.

Robinsons Retail Operations Manager, Simon Taylor adds “The Frederic’s Room is a more intimate meeting space and perfect for smaller groups of up to 20, whereas the Old Tom Room is superb for larger bookings of 70. Conducting a meeting or seminar in a brewery, and a working one at that,

will certainly give business guests something to talk about.

We pride ourselves on offering flexibility and a memorable experience and once you’ve got the business side of things out of the way, you can end the day with a brewery tour and a pint (or two) at the bar.”

The fact that Robinsons run tours around their recently refurbished brewery is probably not a big surprise but that the tours are fascinating and educational for children might be.

School trips are a regular event, providing an opportunity for school children or students to go behind the scenes and see how traditional skills are combined with modern equipment and technology to produce Robinsons’ famous beers. The younger kids might just be enchanted by the two working shire horses - who live next door to the Visitor Centre - or awe-struck by the scale of the operation, older children will pick up valuable information for science, biology, business studies, tourism, marketing, history and geography. It also provides a fascinating insight to life in the area over 150 years ago.

Robinsons are consciously expanding their offer to make it even more family-friendly so the Summer holidays might be the perfect time to visit. And if you enter our competition, it might not even cost you anything!

Trooper and new arrival Wizard are two of the few remaining Shire horses in the British Brewing industry

The Unicorn Bar uses local produce to create a menu combining traditional favourites with a modern twist

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W

travel The response to our last article on the work of the Landmark Trust was so positive that we thought we would feature a very special location this month

LUNDY

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t’s best known for its position between Sole and Fastnet in the shipping forecast but this 400ft granite outcrop, which sits 12 miles off the Devon coast, is very popular with holiday makers in search of a unique experience. The island - voted Britain’s’ 10th greatest natural wonder - is managed by The Landmark Trust on behalf of the National Trust.

While the permanent population is less than 30, the Landmark Trust offers 23 self-catering properties, sleeping between one and 14 people, including

a 13th century castle, a late Georgian gentleman’s villa, a lighthouse, the isolated coastguard watchhouse of Tibbett and a simple fisherman’s chalet. All properties have hot and cold running water, electricity (except one) and fully-equipped kitchens.

As with all Landmarks, every Lundy property is simply, but elegantly, furnished in a way that reflects its individuality. Historic paintings and photographs are carefully selected as too are the small libraries in the bookcases. There are no

televisions, radios or telephones and the electric supply is usually turned off between midnight and 6am.

The island also boasts a pub, a church, a farm and three lighthouses. On the west side, exposed to the Atlantic, there are high and rugged cliffs, on the east, sheltered from the prevailing wind, the coastline is gentler with grassy slopes, trees and many types of wild flowers. This contrast explains the rich diversity of the island’s animal and plant life and its attraction to walkers, climbers and divers. www.landmarktrust.org.uk

TIBBETTS This building is as remote and simple as anyone could wish for. Built on one of the highest points of the island about 1 3⁄4 miles from the village here you can truly appreciate the tranquillity of the island. No electricity.

Sleeps 4 2 Bunk beds 4 nights from £228.00

CASTLE COTTAGE Castle Cottage is built against the Castle Keep and has spectacular coastal views from its sitting room. This is a compact place where the facilities have been cleverly squeezed into the space available.

Sleeps 2 1 Double 4 nights from £222.00

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CASTLE KEEP EAST The three Castle Keep Cottages are built round a small courtyard inside the Keep.

The cottages are snug and sociable, inwardlooking except for one or two windows in the outer walls which have spectacular marine views.

Sleeps 2 1 Double 4 nights from £207.00

GOVERNMENT HOUSE This is one of the best houses on the island and so well sited that it seems always to have been there, sheltered on three sides and looking down the Millcombe Valley towards the sea. This is an extremely comfortable and elegant house with a feeling of seclusion but close to the village.

Sleeps 5 1 Single 1 Twin 1 Double 4 nights from £372.00

THE RADIO ROOM The Radio Room is a small solid building in the walled garden behind Old House in the centre of the village. It is cosy and self-contained, with an east-facing terrace.

Sleeps 1 1 Single 12 nights from £96.00

MILLCOMBE HOUSE A large classical villa built for the Heaven family which looks down a wooded valley and out to sea. The well proportioned rooms are full of 19th century furniture in keeping with the style of the house.

Sleeps 12 2 Single 3 Twin 2 Double 4 nights from £618.00

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talking point

UNION J Originally a trio consisting of Josh Cuthbert, JJ Hamblett, Jaymi Hensley, Union J became four when George Shelley was added to thier number during X Factor 2012. They recently popped into Imagine FM for a chat with Chellce AJ So much has changed since we last met, you all look so much older I don’t know how to take that. We look more mature?

So what have you been up to?

We’ve been really, really busy. We came off the back of the tour with out first album and we’ve being doing the second album. Doing music videos, travelling and writing. We’ve really enjoyed it, it’s been a super year for us.

Is this the year when you really think you’ve become artists?

Coming off the X-Factor it takes you a year to find your feet and realise what direction you want to go in and we’ve taken the positives and negatives from last year and that’s helped us find our feet in terms of the choice of music we’ve gone with and hopefully everyone will feel the same about the choices we’ve made.

It takes a while I guess...

X Factor is such a whirlwind and although we didn’t release Carry You until June last year we’d already recorded the album, chosen the singles and done all the press shots - all in five months. This time round we thought it would be better to sit down and record as many songs as possible - we have 30 or 40 songs ready for the album - and we’re going to test the water every step of the way. So we don’t know what the next single will be or what will be on the album. We want to get a feel for it, see how each single does and see what the public think.

How do you think the public will react because the new single isn’t as poppy, is it?

I think our music is more current. We loved the last album, it did well, we loved singing it on tour but the new songs are songs that we’d listen to and we think that’s really important.

How do you feel that the boyband market seems to have shrunk so much recently? When you first came off the X Factor there were so many boy bands around but they seem to have been filtered out and now it’s just you and 1D really...

It’s exciting because there a lot of other bands coming up now. When we started there was JLS and The Wanted - proper boy bands - and obviously they’ve gone but now there are bands like Rixton, Five Seconds of Summer and The Vamps which is exciting for us because we were kind of like that on X Factor. There was District 3 who were the boy band while we had George playing guitar and we were doing Coldplay/Taylor Swift style music, so we can move into that lane. It’s not that we’re trying to move into that lane. It’s just where we feel more comfortable and we wish we

could have released this sort of music last year. But you have to work with what’s going on at the time. You can’t throw a curve ball out there and have everyone going “I don’t get that, that’s it, it’s over” A lot of artists have done that, changed over too quickly...

Yes and we’re so grateful, it’s humbling to see that the fans have stuck by us and they love it.

And there are a lot of your fans outside right now...

Our year is split into two. There’s six months where we’re behind the scenes, writing and recording and in the other six months are spent going out and seeing the fans and that’s so important to us, spending some one-on-one time with them. We love them.

JJ, you’ve become a dad since we last met, how are you finding fatherhood?

JJ: Yeah, he’s seven months old now, he’s got his first tooth through. He’s like our little mascot.

And Jamie, you’ve got engaged? Have you set a date?

Well because I’m so busy and because we have other aspirations, like buying a house, we thought we’d plan everything down to the last detail, up to the point where we can pick up the phone and say “right, do it!”

Because we don’t have the time to sit there for hours planning everything.

Will it be a tradition English wedding or might you go abroad...?

I think we’re going to stay in this country but it won’t be too traditional because the great thing about being in a same sex marriage is that you can make your own rules, we could do it Carrie Bradshaw style. [at this point the alarm on George’s watch goes off} We’ve got a beeping Casio, what’s going to happen now?

George: It’s to remind me - at 3 o’clock every day - to appreciate what we’re doing.

Is that actually what it’s for?

George: Yes. It’s like a little pinch. Sometimes you have to pinch yourself when you’re doing this.

Right, plug your single for us Our new single Tonight We Live Forever is out August 17th. And check out the new video which we had so much fun making. We had a wicked time and we want to invite you into a little bit of our World. ...And look out for an exciting ballad-slash-acoustic guitar-driven song around Christmas .

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education

UNIVERSITIES STILL NOT OFFERING STUDENTS VALUE FOR MONEY

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hich? reveals nearly half of first and second year students don’t think their degree is worth the money, and there are wide variations between what universities offer for the same subject.

With university tuition fees now averaging £8,500, new research from Which? has found 46% of students with a loan don’t think their degree is worth the amount they’ll have to pay back, although three-quarters (73%) say it will be if they get the career they want.

Three in ten (29%) don’t think the academic experience itself is good value for money. The top reasons given were that the teaching was inconsistent (60%), there was too much emphasis on self-learning through private study (53%) and the quality of teaching was lower than expected (51%). Half (49%) said there were too few contact hours.

There is also evidence that universities are not pushing students as hard as they could. A quarter (26%) of students surveyed say they are working fewer hours, or doing less work, than at sixth-form or college with the same percentage (26%) saying the university could be pushing them harder academically.

Tuition fees are approaching the £9,000 cap and students are increasingly demanding more for their money, but our separate analysis of the 2014 Higher Education Policy Institute-Higher Education Academy Student Academic Experience survey reveals that there are big differences between what universities offer students studying the same subject.

Teaching time for psychology students ranged from 7 hours 6 minutes at University of Reading to almost double – 13 hours 48 minutes – at University of Glasgow.

History ranged from 7 hours 6 minutes at Royal Holloway, University of London to 11 hours 54 minutes at the University of Cambridge.

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The survey also found variation in the proportion of hours led by an academic member of staff from around half (58.7%) for history students at University of Cambridge to almost all (94.3%) at University of St Andrews. And although students value teaching time in small groups, business and management students at University of Bath spent less than two in every 10 hours in small groups, compared to six in every 10 hours at Leeds Metropolitan University.

Which? are asking the Government to make it a legal requirement for all universities to contribute to the Key Information Set and make sure that the sector provides better information about the academic experience, including amount and type of contact hours. This will help students make a more informed choice and get better value for money from their university experience.

Which? executive director, Richard Lloyd, said: “With nearly half of students saying their degree is not worth the money they will have to pay, and significant differences among universities in teaching time for the same subjects, it’s clear that many students are not getting the experience they deserve.

“A lack of comparable information makes it difficult for students to know what to expect. We want the Government to make it a legal requirement for all universities to provide better information to help students make a more informed choice.”

Which? University now features guides on individual subject areas, which include our analysis of the 2014 HEPI-HEA Student Academic Experience survey, to help prospective students understand typical entry requirements, career prospects, and what is expected of them before they make their decisions. www.which.co.uk/University

education

APPLICATIONS OPENING FOR SEPTEMBER 2015 STOCKPORT

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Stockport Council have announced that the online application process for admissions to nursery, primary and secondary schools in September 2015 will open on Friday 15th August 2014.

The closing date for secondary school places starting in September 2015 (for children born between 1st September 2003 and 31st August 2004) is 31st October 2014.

The application process is completely online and parents can apply at www.stockport.gov.uk/schooladmissions. Parents must apply for a school place, even if they have another child already at the school or their child currently attends the nursery class. The Council wishes to inform everyone that should parents miss the application closing date they may miss out on a place at one of their preferred schools for their child.

The Council’s online application system will be quick and simple and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

tember 2015 (for children born between 1st September 2010 and 31st August 2011) is 15th January 2015.

CHESHIRE EAST

• The closing date for primary school places starting in Sep-

• The closing date for nursery schools and classes starting in September 2015 (for children born between 1st September 2011 and 31st August 2012) is 31st March 2015.

Parents will receive email confirmation that their application has been received and will also receive email notification of their school place on offer day. The council can be contacted on: 0161 217 6028.

The online system for applications will open on 1st September 2014. Booklets containing the relevant information will be available on www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/schools from that date.

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Primary Reception applications will close on 15th January 2015. with the deadline for accepting or declining places the 30th April 2015

• Secondary Year 7 applications will close on 31st October 2014 with the deadline for accepting or declining places the 2nd March 2015.

SAM TAKES HIS SKILLS S TO THE STATES

am Heath, a sixth former at Manchester Grammar School, is taking his passion for languages to the next level by securing an unconditional place at one of the world’s top universities: Dartmouth College in New Hampshire.

Sam took A-Levels in French, Latin, History and Spanish, and will study Japanese and Spanish at the renowned Ivy League university.

High flier Sam, who only applied to American universities, decided to study languages because he wants to pursue a career as a travel writer. He said: “Japanese is a really fascinating and intriguing language which is actually quite easy to pick up in terms of understanding, but it is definitely more complex in written form.

I have been studying it myself for a year, so I am ready for the challenge!

“The languages complement each other, and I hope that I will be able to combine my studies at Dartmouth College with the opportunity to travel around Mexico to develop my Latin Spanish.”

Sam, who was also offered a place at Penn University in Philadelphia, had to sit American entry tests and three separate exams in Latin, French and Spanish, in addition to attending interviews.

Patrick Thom, Head of Sixth Form, commented: “Dartmouth College is recognised worldwide for its excellence. Competition for places there is fierce, so we are thrilled at what Sam has achieved.

“I have taught Sam French and I know he will really thrive in a university languages department. This is a fantastic opportunity to experience a different country and education system.”

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education

CHEADLE AND MARPLE DEMONSTRATE WAYS TO GROW

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beautifully designed garden created by a partnership between Cheadle and Marple College horticulture students and customers of Stockport Homes was awarded a Silver Gilt medal at RHS Tatton 2014.

The garden, entitled ‘Ways To Grow’ was designed by Anastasia Demetriou, a horticulture tutor at the College for 11 years. The exhibit also picked up the ‘Best Mini Bed’ award During the year, as part of Stockport Homes ‘Skills for Life’ courses, customers have attended a 12 week horticulture course, delivered by The Cheadle & Marple College Network, and held at Woodbank Park. They have since put their new skills and knowledge into practice to help design, grow and nurture all the plants from seedlings for the garden. At the end of the show all the plants grown were sold and a donation of £237.25 the proceeds are to be donated to Millie’s Trust, their chosen charity for this year.

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he Cheadle College and Marple Sixth Form College offer a wide range of courses including AS and A Levels, BTECs and Apprenticeships.

The recent Ofsted [March 2014] praised the college, its inspirational leadership and the harmonious learning environment that the students benefit from. All the teaching staff are specialists in their subject areas and many have industry experience.

In addition to offering full time courses for 16–19 year olds the College offers Apprenticeships in Business

Administration, Accounting, Sport and Recreation, Childcare and Teaching Assistant. To find out more contact Viv at: viv.murdey@camsfc.ac.uk Apprenticeships can offer you the best of both worlds - the opportunity to work and earn a wage whilst achieving valuable qualifications. “An Apprenticeship can provide you with the skills you need to develop your chosen career and we are one of the few training providers who can find you a job if you haven’t already got one. If you are an employer and you employ less than 250 people, you could be eligible for a grant of £1,500 to support an apprentice opportunity and enhance your workforce.”

A Learning for Leisure programme for adults is available at both sites. It includes a wide range of courses from dressmaking/sewing, IT skills, horticulture, modern foreign languages (Greek, Spanish, Italian, French and German) to digital photography and ukulele for beginners. Adult Open Evenings will be held on 3rd September at Marple and 4th September at Cheadle.

Contact the Admissions team on: Cheadle: 0161 486 4600 Marple: 0161 484 6600 Website www.cmcnet.ac.uk

education

KINGʼS PUPILS HIT SIX

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n incredible number of King’s School’s young academics have achieved Level 6 in their Key Stage Two assessments, leading to record results at the school.

This year, 18 of King’s Year 6 pupils achieved the outstanding award of a Level 6 in at least one of their end of Key Stage assessments in Reading, Writing or Maths. The national expectation is for children at this age to reach Level 4 and for higher achievers to achieve Level 5, so this is an incredible achievement. At King’s eleven pupils achieved Level 6 in Maths, seven pupils achieved Level 6 in Reading, and five in Writing.

Principal of King’s Infants and Juniors, Caroline Hulme-McKibbin, said, “These children, along with their classmates, have benefitted from our stretch and challenge programme and the wide range of enrichment opportunities at King’s resulting in so many of the year group achieving these exceptional results. Our Year 6 pupils have also won regional and national titles in a variety of sporting disciplines, as well as large numbers of pupils who have achieved an outstanding level in music exam awards and in regional music festivals. We are very grateful to the parents whose support plays such an important role in their children’s success.”

ALEXANDRA PARK ARE STOCKPORTʼS YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS 2014

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round 200 primary pupils took part the final of the Stockport Young Entrepreneurs of the Year competition at Stockport Town Hall.

The children, some as young as four, from 14 primary schools were given £400 through Stockport Council’s School Improvement Service to set-up and run a small business. They undertook their own market research and designed, produced, advertised and sold a product. Each child had a role within the ‘company’ such as finance director or marketing manager. Every club was supported by a business mentor - a local business person - who generously gave their time and expertise to help the pupils.

The climax, in front of over 500 people at Stockport Town Hall was in the style of the Dragon’s Den. The children ran trade stands displaying their products with the school’s business links acting as ‘Dragons’ interviewing and judging

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them on criteria such as originality of design.

Children at Alexandra Park Primary won first prize. They ran a company called KS2 Inc, producing a range of goods branded with their own creation - Crazee Creatures.

Runners up were North Cheshire Jewish Primary School. who ran a company called ‘In the Bag’.

The best trade stand at the final, voted for by other children at the event, was Ladybrook Primary School, who set up an upcycling business called, “ReLoved”, making new items from vinyl records.

Councillor Shan Alexander, Executive Member for Lifelong Learning and Achievement, said: “The competition is a great opportunity for young people from our primary schools to devise and pitch an innovative project to a panel of judges to show their business potential.”

what’s on

EXHIBITIONS Until 26 October 2014 Saints & Sinners Paintings from the John Benjamin Smith Collection Stockport Story, SK1 1ES 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.

Suitable for all ages. Free admission Contact: 0161 218 1460 Until May 2015.

Making Headway - The Exhibition Amazing exhibition of a brand new collection of couture hats created with inspiration from Stockport museum collections by the best up and coming millinery talents in the country!

For the very first time at Hat Works all the hats in the show are for sale, which presents visitors with the opportunity to buy a unique couture hat by a future millinery star, inspired by Stockport.

Suitable for all ages Hat Works, Wellington Road South, Stockport SK3 0EU Admission free 10:00 - 17:00

EVENTS 16th August Jewellery and Craft Fair Felted bags, mohair scarves, paintings, silver jewellery, woodturning, unique letter frames, personalised prints, hairbands, cards, keepsakes, paper craft, bookmarks, calendars, gemstone jewellery, paper craft items, hand knitted items, brooches, blankets, ribbon craft, bespoke jewellery, painted glass, scarves, soft toys, tooth fairy pillows, pottery, badges, medieval style jewellery, African art, jute bags, glass beads, ceramics, buttons, bunting, hair grips, clocks and much more.

Stockport Town Hall Ballroom 10am - 3pm FREE Until Friday 29 August Young Farmers Summer Club and

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AUGUST - SEPTEMBER Own a Pony Day Holiday activity for children aged 5 - 16 years : • groom ponies • cuddle rabbits • walk goats • trek with Alpaca’s • build scarecrows • plant vegetables and herbs The young farmers club is on Monday to Saturday over the school holidays.

You can come as often as you want.

Take a packed lunch although snacks also available for small price.

ARC, 5 Quarry Road, Romiley, Stockport SK6 4BA £10 Monday to Saturday, noon - 3pm Until 30th August Fairytail Staircase House Take your fairytale basket and travel through Staircase House and discover fairy stories that you might or might not know. A magical and creative tour where you and your family can join in and have fun together.

Stockport Story Museum, 30 Market Place, Stockport SK1 1ES Kids Go Free, Adults £4.75 Tuesday to Sunday, 1pm - 5pm Until 12th September Arc Summer Exhibition Arc presents its annual Summer Exhibition featuring art, prints, crafts, jewellery, textiles, ceramics and many original works for sale.

The Summer Exhibition is full of wonderful works from a range of Arc artists - paintings, drawings, textiles, ceramics and jewellery as well as plenty of affordable items for sale and entry is free.

Information: 0161 480 7731 Arc Community Gallery, Unit 33m Vauxhall Industrial Estate, Greg Street, Reddish FREE Monday - Friday 10am - 4pm Until 30th August Free Basketball Training Stockport Basketball are coming to a park near you for summer basketball training with their qualified coaches.

All equipment provided.

Tuesdays 2-3pm @ Marple Memorial Park Wednesdays 2-3pm @ Cale Green Park Thursdays 3-4pm @ Thornfield Park Saturdays 3-4pm @ Alexandra Park For further information: www.ballinstockport.net Email - stockportbasketball@gmail.com Phone - 07540 095889 Free

Every Tuesday Second-hand Tuesdays As part of the Market Improvement Plan, Tuesdays have been themed for second hand, antiques, collectables and bric-a-brac.

Trading opportunities are now available for only £7.50 per day you can have: • a marquee for cover • a table • parking Turn up on the day between 7am and 8am. You must stay trading until at least 3pm.

All goods must be second hand. You don’t need insurance unless you are selling electrical goods - all electrical goods must display a valid PAT test sticker.

Stockport Market, Market Place, Stockport SK1 1ES £7.50 Every Thursday and Friday DWN Street Dance Classes Street and Contemporary classes for children aged 5 - 11 years old. Build on choreography and performance skills alongside technique.

Thursdays - Offerton community Centre, Mallowdale Road, SK2 5NX Fridays - Torkington Community Centre, Torkington Road, Hazel Grove, SK7 4PY Info: dancewithnatalie@outlook.com £3.50 5.15pm - 6.30pm Wednesday 20th August Screen Printing Workshop Get your creative juices flowing and have a go at screen printing. Be inspired by our hat collection and create a piece of printed fabric to take home.

Workshops at: 10.30am - noon and 1pm - 2.30pm Booking essential please contact 474 2399.

Hat Works, Wellington Mill, Wellington Road South, Stockport, SK3 0EU £3.50, Leisure Key £3 Saturday 23rd August Poynton Show As well as a large competitive section, the Show will offer attractions such as monster trucks and displays from gundogs, ferrets, eagles and vultures.

There will also be a food market, craft stalls and trade stands Poynton Show Ground, SK12 1BS Adults £9.00 (on the day) Children (5-14) £5.00 (on the day) Children under 5 Free

Wednesday 27th August Children’s Explorer Tour Exciting children’s version of the ever popular Air Raid Shelter Explorer Tours.

Brave the darkened tunnels as you go back in time and experience the life of a child during the war.

Suitable for ages 7+ Booking Essential Contact: 0161 474 1940 Stockport Air Raid Shelters, Chestergate, Stockport SK1 1NE £3.95 per child, accompanying adults £3 18:45 - 20:00 Friday 29th August Foodie Friday Food and entertainment in and around the Market Hall 6pm-10pm Friday 29th - Sunday 31st August Stockport Summer Festival A free festival celebrating the very best of Stockport.

Friday 29th - Sunday 31st August Old Town Fringe Festival An anarchic, unusual and hugely entertaining programme of events around The Old Town Sunday 31st August Everything Stops for Autumnal Tea Join us for an Autumnal twist on our popular sell-out tea parties when The Plazarettes, our famous waitress team, will host an afternoon of entertainment in the sumptuous surroundings of our Art Deco Café Lounge followed by a delightful afternoon tea. Early booking recommended 4pm Stockport Plaza, Stockport Saturday 6th September Antique and Collectors Fair A huge variety of stalls in the Town Hall ballroom and committee suite.

Stockport Town Hall Ballroom, Edward Street, Stockport SK1 3XE. £1.50, Concession £1.00 9am - 4pm Sunday 14th September The Vintage Village The Fourth Birthday Bash Fair in Stockport Market Hall 10am - 4pm

music Imagine FM’s breakfast show host Paul Willett looks at the big releases for June.

NEW RELEASES lead role in the major motion picture film, Begin Again from director John Carney, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2013. The film was released in June.

Kongos – Come With Me Now (Single) – 8th September It’s in the roar of the vocals, the hook of the accordion, the sheer tribal stomp of the beat – the enormous sound that’s swamped America. ‘Come With Me Now’ is an absolute monster of a song that’s growled and shaken its way into the charts from coast to coast propelling KONGOS, the British/South African band comprising four brothers, from relative obscurity to the US Billboard chart in just a matter of months. Having topped the Alternative charts for five consecutive weeks and shot up the Billboard Hot 100, KONGOS are now one of the hottest bands in America, and are heading out on tour with Kings Of Leon and One Republic. The track features on their debut album ‘Lunatic’, which is released on September 14th. ‘Lunatic’ sees the multi-instrumentalist brothers bring an eclectic melting pot of influences to their musical stew.

With Greek blood in their veins, a childhood spent in Britain and South Africa and their family home now located in Phoenix, Arizona, Dylan, Danny, Jesse and Johnny Kongos are the sons of legendary British singer-songwriter John Kongos, most famous for his 1971 Top 10 single, ‘He’s Gonna Step On You Again’, which Happy Mondays covered for their 1990 hit ‘Step On’.

Amelle – Summertime (Single) – 8th September Singer Amelle Berrabah is best known as member of chart-topping pop trio The Sugababes. She replaced founding member Mutya Buena in the group in December 2005, and went on to enjoy eight successful years with the band, achieving two number one spots in the UK charts before splitting in September 2013. As well as the Sugababes, Amelle scored a solo number one single in 2009 after collaborating with Tinchy Stryder on their single Never Leave You, making her the first member of The Sugarbabes to achieve a number one single outside of the group. Amelle’s has been tirelessly working in the studio to find her solo sound, which she has found in “Summertime”.

The single has an infectious feel good chorus that instantly puts you in a great mood and you can’t help but sing along. As well as the release of “Sumertime” Amelle will be appearing in BBC1’s new Saturday night primetime show Tumble.

George Ezra – Blame It On Me (Single) – 15th September The sensation of the year so far George Ezra is back with the release of his 2nd single Blame It On Me, out on Columbia Records. The song comes hot on the heels of hit single Budapest and is the latest to be lifted from Ezra’s critically acclaimed debut album Wanted On Voyage, which charted at #3 upon release last month and remains in the top five today, making it one of the breakthrough success stories of the year so far. Recorded late last year in Clapham with producer Cam Blackwood, Ezra plays guitar, bass and keyboards on the album. Ezra sold out his October UK tour in a matter of days, with all tickets for his London headline show snapped up in less than an hour. He has been named as support for Robert Plant’s show at Glastonbury Abbey, put together by Glastonbury Festival organiser Michael Eavis. For a full list of upcoming UK dates; see georgeezra.com for details.

Maroon 5 – Maps (Single) – 25th August Maroon 5 are back with a new single the first off o the group’s highly anticipated fifth studio album ‘V’, which was recorded in LA over the past year and will be released on September 1st. The band worked with producers Max Martin, Benny Blanco, Ryan Tedder, Shellback and Sam Martin, and the release sees Maroon 5 reuniting with long-time keyboardist Jesse Carmichael who took a hiatus while the band recorded 2012’s ‘Overexposed’.

Having sold 17 million albums worldwide, Maroon 5’s releases have gone gold and platinum in over 35 countries. In addition to his work with Maroon 5, Adam Levine has returned for the 6th season as a coach on the EMMY Award winning NBC hit series The Voice. Adam made his small screen-acting debut on the second season of the hit FX drama American Horror Story, and will soon be seen in a

Listen to your local radio station on 104.9FM, online at www.imaginefm.net or on your mobile

The Best of the Rest August 18th Alo Blacc – Hello World Union J – Tonight (We Live Forever)

August 25th Ed Sheeran – Don’t G.R.L – Ugly Heart Lillywood & Robin Schulz – Prayer In C

September 1st The Script - Superheroes Demi Lovato – Really Don’t Care The Pierces - Creation

September 8th Amelia Lily - California Train – Angel In Blue Jeans Katy Perry – This Is How We Do

September 15th George Ezra – Blame It On Me Gregory Porter – The In Crowd

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