Stockport Source Issue 5

issue five

WELCOME It seems like the arrival of Spring has brought with it Stockport’s own version of The Season, with significant events taking place almost every week. In this issue we announce the return of the Teenage Market, the Making Headway spectacular and the first Stockport Cultural Festival and next month is the Beer and Cider Festival. Furthermore, Seven Miles Out has now opened its doors in the Market Place with a flurry of activity, Miss Stockport returns to the town as an entertainment extravaganzawhile the increasing popularity of Foodie Friday sees it being used to launch other events such as Feeding Stockport in June and the Stockport Together Festival in August.

All these events need popular support and, as you’ll be aware, at Stockport Source we are fully committed to doing our bit to put them in the public eye.

All towns need focal points on the calendar, be they cultural or celebratory but the only way the public can ensure they remain on the calendar is to attend the things. And I don’t care if it is raining. See you at the Cultural Festival, 16th - 18th May.

Publishing Director Publishing Director Editor Marketing Director Photographer

Paul Taylor Chris Roberts Paul Day Heather Roberts Matt McNulty

07901 557788 07805 149850 07981 086684 07790 634011 07757 287285

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News

Headlander and Teenage Market return

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What’s On

The best days out and about

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Fashion

Marvellous maxis

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Metro Fitness

A new approach to fitness

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Isabella Bridal

Marking a year on Underbank

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Jake Shoes

Nearly 40 years of independence

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Making Headway

Celebrating the hat

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The Cultural Festival

A new event for Stockport

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Bradley McIntosh

The S Club star spills the beas

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Travel

We go poolside

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Sidney Jackson

The second part of our profile

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Music

The important new releases

paul@shoutmediauk.com chris.roberts@shoutmediauk.com paul.day@shoutmediauk.com heather.roberts@shoutmediauk.com signol1000@ntlworld.com

Stockport Office 0161 244 9896 Wilmslow Office 01625 541106 www.stockportsource.co.uk @StockportSource Stockport Source

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HEADLANDER 2014 Toploader and Stooshe to headline Headlander Festival in Bramhall 21st & 22nd June - Stockport Rugby Club

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ollowing last year’s success, the Headlander festival returns to Bramhall this year for a second year. Staged to provide affordable entertainment for the whole family, the festival takes place in the 13 acre grounds of Stockport Rugby Club. Five marquees will be buzzing with events, stalls and workshops during the day, with a food festival and skate park.

75 acts have signed up to provide 80 hours of live music across five stages, offering rock, indie, reggae, ska, blues, jazz and acoustic.

Chris Keene, who masterminds the festival along with a team of volunteers from Bramhall, said “We are incredibly excited to bring Headlander festival back to Bramhall. Last year blew us away; the atmosphere was electric.”

National as well as local bands are spotlighted on both Saturday and Sunday nights.....and Battle of the Bands returns, providing a showcase for up and coming talent. Bands wanting to take part can find out more on Headlander’s website. Since winning last year’s Battle of the Bands, Purge have gone from strength to strength playing live round the country. Now signed up by Castle Rock Studios in Alderley Edge, they are recording their first EP. Tickets go on sale at retail outlets, online and at the venue from £10 pp for a day ticket, family fun day tickets at £10 per adult (U16s go free), with charity proceeds donated to Millie’s Trust and OXJAM. www.headlanderfestival.co.uk or contact Chris on 07913 674481.

YOU COULD SPONSOR THE NEXT MISS ENGLAND!

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he crowning of the first Miss Stockport for many years, in the official Miss England qualifier, takes place at the Stockport Plaza on 24th April.

The evening is a night full of family entertainment and not only includes the crowing of the next ‘Town Ambassador’, it raises money for ‘Beauty with a purpose’ and is also headlined by chart toppers S CLUB. There are still opportunities to be a business sponsor for some of the contestants in the night; The package is just £150 and includes 4 VIP tickets, branding on a sash and programme along with the opportunity for modelling work from the chosen contestant. Plus there is always the possibility that you may have sponsored the next Miss Stockport, Miss England or even Miss World, now there’s a PR story?

Anyone interested in sponsoring a contestant in this year’s finals should contact April Nolan on 07741 311028. We will be running full coverage of the competition in the next issue.

THE TEENAGE MARKET RETURNS TO STOCKPORT

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tockport’s now-famous Teenage Market returns on Sunday 27th April at Stockport Market Hall from 11am - 4pm.

The Teenage Market, an initiative which started in Stockport and provides a free platform for young people to showcase their creative talents, is to be rolled out across the country as part of its campaign to establish a national network of Teenage Markets in towns and cities across the UK. The Teenage Market gives young people who are already trading online a chance to trade at their local market and inspires young people who have never considered the idea of trading on a market the chance to have a go. It’s a perfect opportunity for markets to connect with their town’s large population of young people, by providing a free platform for them to be entrepreneurial, try out a new a business idea and sell creative products.

The team behind The Teenage Market hope to replicate the success of the event in Stockport across the whole of the country, with Middleton, Salisbury, Kettering and Wolverhampton already signed up to run Teenage Markets for the next two years. Co-creator of The Teenage Market, Joe Barratt, said, “It’s fantastic

news

to see towns and cities across the country embracing the model of The Teenage Market in order to support young people near them. I’m really excited to see it take off.”

As well as a creative retail offer, The Teenage Market also gives young performers the chance to showcase their talents to an audience. The Teenage Market in Stockport has featured a whole range of performances, giving a platform to local dance, drama and music groups across the whole of the borough.

The Queen of Shops, Mary Portas, has praised The Teenage Market in Parliament, describing it as being “driven by young, individual, innovative teenagers” as well as “unique, inspired and game-changing”.

OXBRIDGE SUCCESS FOR MGS

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A BETTER BRASSERIE

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he Elizabethan-Gothic style Alderley Edge Hotel, with its panoramic views over the beautiful Cheshire Plain and Derbyshire countryside, has long been known for the exceptional food offer of The Alderley Restaurant under the leadership of head chef Christopher Holland.

The fine-dining restaurant is now complemented by the relaxed alternative atmosphere of a Brasserie serving simple but high-quality retro classic dishes, with the kitchen’s signature modern twist, throughout the day and evening.

From morning coffee with homemade croissants or lunchtime and evening dishes such as twice-baked three cheese soufflé, with spinach and truffle croutons or a slow cooked beef and mushroom pie with J W Lees ale. All in stylishly casual surroundings.

Both eateries are serviced by the same kitchen team, whose coveted three AA rosettes standard ensures that the brasserie food you will be eating will be some of the best brasserie food you can get.

ix Stockport students – all of who attend The Manchester Grammar School (MGS) have secured coveted places at the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge.

The boys have all been offered the advance places based on their predicted A Level and International Baccalaureate grades and include Stockport resident Christopher Broughton (not pictured), Daniel Duffy – who is from Bramhall – Cheadle boys Joshua Ellis, Harrison Edmonds and Fraser Cheetham, and Marple resident Adam Walters.

Speaking of the news 17-year-old Adam, who will study English at Cambridge King’s College said: “I’ve always been interested in humanities led subjects so a degree in English suits me perfectly. I find the Literature side the most interesting as it’s a way of understanding culture. I can’t wait to start my course in the autumn.”

Daniel Duffy, Joshua Ellis and Fraser Cheetham will study Human Science and Natural Science degrees. Daniel, who hopes to study at Cambridge’s Downing College, said: “Natural sciences is an area I’ve always been interested in especially physics – that being the topic I think I’ll base my career on. I’d like to thank MGS for helping reinforce my love of sciences with great teachers.”

(L to R) Adam Walters, Daniel Duffy, Fraser Cheetham, Harrison Edmonds

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what’s on

APRIL EXHIBITIONS Saints & Sinners Paintings from the John Benjamin Smith Collection Until 26 October 2014 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 Unlocking Lock & Co – The story of the world’s oldest hat shop Extended until 11th May Last chance to catch this exciting exhibition! Unlock the story of the world’s oldest hat shop, over the years Lock’s have supplied headwear to many tens of thousands of people

from all walks of life who have sought out their quality and service. These included historical figures such as Sir Winston Churchill, Charlie Chaplin, Sir Anthony Eden, the Duke of Wellington and Admiral Lord Nelson. Lock’s also hold the royal warrants for His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh and His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales Suitable for all ages Hat Works, Wellington Road South, Stockport SK3 0EU Admission free 10:00 - 17:00

EVENTS Every Wednesday Tea Dance Refreshments available as well as a charity raffle. Come and enjoy an afternoon in the magnificent Town Hall ballroom with all your favourite dance songs. New dancers and group parties always welcome. (Groups of over 6 people please contact 0161 474 3451) Town Hall Ballroom £2.40 13:30 - 16:00

Every Wednesday Blitz Jive Classes It’s easy to learn with a friendly mix of teaching and freestyle sessions.

Beginners class: 7.30pm. Intermediate class: 8.45pm. Dancing until 10.30pm.

No partner required. Bar open Stockport Town Hall Ballroom Tickets and info: 079 6318 4578 £7.00 19:30 - 22:30 Wed 9 & 16 April Children’s Explorer Tours Exciting children’s version of our ever popular Explorer Tours. Brave the darkened tunnels as you go back in time and experience the life of a child during the war.

Air Raid Shelters, SK1 1NE 6.45pm - 8pm £3.95 per child, accompanying adults £3 Booking Essential Contact: 0161 474 1940 Saturday 12 April Family Poetry Workshop Celebrate National Poetry Month by taking inspiration from our Benjamin Smith Collection, part of the Saints and Sinners Exhibition and create a poem! Will you take a Grand Tour, use a muse, or be ingenious with Natural History? The choice is yours...

Stockport Story, SK1 1ES Suitable for all ages 10am - 4pm Free - Just drop in Contact: 0161 474 4444 Your Museum Needs You! Do you have any diaries, letters or family stories from World War I? Come and share them with our team of curators.

They are looking for stories of people from Stockport who went to fight or who stayed at home and supported the war effort for an exhibition commemorating World War I later this year.

Stockport Story, SK1 1ES 11am - 4pm Free - Just drop in Contact: 0161 474 4444 Sunday 13th April The Handmade Market Featuring a Vintage Easter Egg hunt.

Make sure you take a good look over all the stalls because you might find a

little egg containing a unique vintage trinket (or chocolate!) £2 entry, U12s free Sunday 20th April The Handmade Market Over 30 stalls selling a whole range of items. Get last minute Easter gifts and treats, locally made food items, handmade homewares and more.

11am - 4pm, Stockport Market Hall Throughout the Easter Holidays Easter Bunny Trail Visit Hat Works and take part in our Bunny Trail, you never know you might win a prize!

Hat Works, SK3 0EU Suitable for all ages 10.30am - 4pm Free - Just drop in Contact: 0161 474 2399 Sunday 20 April Grand Easter Festival Join us again for a great family day out and a special fundraising day organised by the ‘Friends of Bramall Hall & Park’. A variety of side shows, stalls and activities in and around the Hall.

Bramall Hall, SK7 3NX 11am - 4pm Suitable for all ages Adults £1.50, Children Free Just drop in Contact: 0161 474 2020 Monday 21 April Easter Monday Fun and Games Outdoor fun for younger members of the family (organised by the Friends of Chadkirk).

Chadkirk Chapel, SK6 3LD Suitable for all ages 1.30pm - 3.30pm Free Contact: 0161 474 4444 Thurday 24th April Miss Stockport a full night of family entertainment including stars of X Factor and TV. Stockport PLaza 6pm-9pm Friday 25th April Foodie Friday Food and entertainment in and around the Market Hall 6pm-9pm

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We look at some of this year’s classiest maxis

Savoir Tribal Print Maxi Dress £29 from Isme

Strappy print panel maxi £15 from Primark

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Lace panel maxi dress £70 from Lipsy

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Darling Selena Dress £79.00 from Modiste, Bramhall

The

The holiday staple you get full use from.

Brave Soul Womens Leopard Print Maxi £19 from Get The Label

Somedays Lovin Yellow Maxi £55 from Eternal Envy, Stockport & Heaton Moor

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Oasis; Animal Maxi Dress £16 from F&F

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A LONG COOL SUMMER

fashion

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Limited Edition Maxi Dress £49.50 from Marks & Spencer

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A NEW APPROACH TO GETTING IN SHAPE Take along this voucher to receive a free one day pass

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remium and budget aren’t two words that usually go hand in hand, but Metro Fitness, in the heart of Stockport is changing that...

It’s often true to say that you get what you pay for, however, the thought here is to give local people more than they would expect from a gym that costs less than £20 per month. Of course, members love the fact that they are not tied into a contract, even more so that they have full, unrestricted access to the all the facilities, 365 days a year.

The commitment to innovation is underlined by new classes and sessions that are constantly being introduced to the weekly schedule. Metro have even launched a ‘Monthly Class Pass’. For a one off £20, the pass provides access to any 10 classes on the 60 class a week timetable....that’s only £2 a class!

It doesn’t end there - they have also done away with the age old ‘gym induction’. The thought of following a gym instructor around whist they just quickly whizz you around all the equipment is regarded by Metro as being a complete waste of time. Instead, you’ll have the option of benefitting from two, half hour, one to one sessions with one of Metro’s experienced personal trainers. The big difference here is that you tell the coach what you want and they then go about putting together a very specific workout & nutritional programme that can be reviewed as often as you wish. These sessions are free of charge to every member.

From the outside, you’d be forgiven for thinking that the place is not going to be that big. However, it’s not until you set foot into the Gym that all is revealed. Apart from the superb Gym itself, complete with over 150 pieces of equipment; there are seven other workout zones, including a private women’s only workout space, a virtual spin area (designed to provide you with a spin class whenever you want), a group exercise studio and a dedicated free weights and functional training section...there is even a competition sized boxing ring and an extensive selection of punch bags to choose from. You’ll even benefit from free WiFi throughout the Gym and those little convenient things in the changing rooms such as, shaving points, hair dryers, hair straighteners, private changing cubicles and over-sized lockers.

Situated opposite BHS, on the pedestrianised area of Merseyway Shopping Centre, Metro Fitness is easy to reach on foot, by public transport or by car.

Where else can you combine your weekly shop or perhaps a little retail therapy with a trip to the Gym? Metro Fitness Unit 22, 21-23 Merseyway Shopping Centre 0161 477 3895 www.metro-fitness.co.uk

ISABELLA BRIDAL

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aving opened on Little Underbank last April, Isabella Bridal are celebrating a year of supplying wedding gowns to the beautiful brides of Stockport and beyond. Owner Maggie is from a fashion background and, after graduating, worked for a bridal company for three years, during which time she researched the bridal gown market in depth.

themselves. When the prospective bride finds a style she likes, the dress will then be made specifically to her measurements, incorporating any changes the bride might want to incorporate.

That notwithstanding, when Maggie came to get married herself, she encountered the sort the problems that Isabella Bridal has set out to overcome, “We struggled. A lot of the dresses I liked were so expensive and very few places could turn one round in the three months we had until the wedding.”

The style of the dresses reflect the style of the boutique itself: simple, elegant and contemporary, aimed at the younger customer who will probably appreciate the relatively modest price range of £499 to £899.

And so the idea was formed that the Maggie should open her own shop, supported by husband Joe who runs the company’s website. Despite living in Manchester they searched long and hard before settling on Stockport.

style

As Maggie explains “Our wedding dresses will be made to fit your shape and curves exclusively. This will ensure that the proportions of the dress will be correct and no detail will be lost in alterations.”

The pair are aware that wedding dresses can be bought for £200-£300 online and have dealt with brides who initially went down that route: “we’ve had people come in here having bought one and they just don’t want to wear it, the quality really isn’t there.”

Maggie has also eased the time pressure on getting yourself fixed up with a dress. Eight to ten weeks is the standard delivery time but if you’re willing to pay a bit more you could have it in four.

Maggie decided to concentrate specifically providing dresses for the bride although they do offer a small, imaginative range of bridesmaid dresses too. The most important part was ensuring that the dresses she were offering were well designed and reasonably priced.

Whereas most bridal boutiques will offer a range of stock samples, order the nearest size then alter it to fit the bride, Isabella Bridal offer a range of samples which they have designed

The consultation process is taken seriously - a bridal lounge is provided for the private use of the customer and their family. Maggie goes out of her way to advise the bride that they should bring up to three people with them, to make the process more relaxed.

In honour of the milestone, Isabella Bridal is running a promotion in April offering all brides to be a massive 10% discount on wedding gown purchases. Various competition will also be held throughout April on their Facebook page.

Isabella Bridal 36 Little Underbank, Stockport, SK1 1JT 0161 477 3967 www.isabellabridal.co.uk

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JAKE SHOES In 1975 Jake Shoes opened on Prince’s Street in Stockport . The original owners named the shop after their infant son and, 39 years later, Jake has overseen a major refurbishment of the shop. We paid a visit to this independent stalwart

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ust as Hillgate was once the main route into Stockport before the A6 came along, so Prince’s Street was the place to shop prior to the creation of the Merseyway Shopping Centre. Less than ten years after the creation of this iconic concrete monolith, a shoe shop called Jake opened at the Debenhams end of that very road. This was 1975 and four years later the editor of this magazine bought a superb pair of black and grey two-tone shoes from them. Probably his mother paid for them. It was the mod-revival era and 16 year-olds were paying attention to the design and quality of their clothes for the first time. It’s telling that the other pair of top shoes in the editor’s collection back then were a pair of white winklepickers from Shelleys in London. The point of course is that Jake Shoes were streets ahead of anywhere else even then. This is particularly impressive given that Jake himself was a mere six years old at the time.

“My mum was a hairdresser in Briddlington,” explains the now grown-up Jake, “She was very into fashion, she’d go down to London to buy shoes and clothes and when she got back everyone would ask where she got them from. So on one trip she went to a wholesalers, bought half a dozen pairs of shoes and put them in the hair salon window. She sold them within a week and made more money from that than she did cutting hair in a month. A few months after that she sold the salon and opened a shoe shop.”

The family subsequently moved to Macclesfield and opened a shoe shop there. By 1975 this had relocated to Stockport and the new operation was named after the two-year-old Jake. 39 years later it is still there and, even better, Jake is now running it.

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shopping

Jake Shoes 115-117 Princes Street, SK1 1RB 161 480 5558 www.jakeshoes.co.uk

“I always loved the shop. I spent my life in their growing up. My mum kept wanting me to take Saturdays off but I wanted to be at the shop. But I never actually thought I would take over - even though I had no real plans for what I would do. But my mum and dad went off travelling America for a year and when they came back they decided they didn’t want to go back to work we had to decide whether they should sell it or whether I would run it. I panicked and thought “Oh God, what would I do?” So I took it over.

You would be hard pressed to come up with an independent retailer in the heart of Stockport to compare with Jake. For one thing, town-centre independent shops aren’t meant to survive through decades and generations these days. They are generally squeezed out, one way or another. For a while, Prince’s Street held out, but as Jake himself observes, “There’s no-one else any more.

When you think back to the old days there was us, Zico opposite, the Suede and Leather Bar, a few menswear shops. It was quite a good little street.”

So it is slightly ironic - and undoubtedly impressive - that Jake has quietly taken the fight to the corporates and in 2001 opened a second store in Manchester, which has now relocated to the Arndale centre. But we’re here in Stockport for the new-look Jake. To keep ahead of the game the shop has been given a comprehensive makeover that should ensure that its future will fairly reflect its past.

“It’s given the shop a new lease of life. We’ve taken out the sale area which has made the shop look nicer because everything’s a bit more spaced out. We’ve had a mixed reaction to that but we’ll just have sales at sale time now. We’ve also taken out a staircase and knocked a wall through.”

The shop caters equally for men, women and children, a versatility that has helped establish its reputation, “People know that they can come here and get fixed up with a pair of shoes. The whole family, mum, dad and the kids.”

The balance of the product range has shifted slightly over the years. What was once a comparatively small selection of kids shoes - essentially Kickers and Timberland - has grown considerably, overtaking the mens’ because, as Jake suspects, “kids’ feet grow., men will make do.” By way of redressing the balance, the refurbishment sees the mens’ collection being pushed to a position of prominence at the front of the shop.

Brand-wise Converse are a popular line but so are Ugg, for whom Jake has a particular admiration “we do a lot with Ugg and they are really changing as a brand.

They’re coming out with some really nice styles, not just the classic Ugg boots.

They do some very nice kids’ products. “ On his own feet you’re most likely to see Converse or Timberland, both of which he describes as “perfect for running round the shop”.

With a beautifully designed new interior the shop is well positioned to head into its fifth decade next year. This will also be the year when work will start on the huge Bridgefields development that wil occupy the space between Prince’s Street and the motorway. Like many people, Jake is positive about the development although understandably nervous about the disruption that will come with the building process itself. But when it is all complete, Jake Shoes will be there, defiantly representing the independent traders who contributed so much to the retail heritage of this area.

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HAT WORKS MUSEUM B In the 19th and early 20th century Stockport was the thriving centre of the UK’s hatting industry, hats made in the town were exported across the world! The town’s important role is celebrated at Hat Works, the UK’s only museum dedicated to the hatting industry..

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n recent years, there has been a renaissance in the UK hatting industry with an emphasis on unique and high quality design, demonstrated by milliners such as Philip Treacy and Stephen Jones but the focus of the revival is centred in London and the south.

Through open competition 13 of the UK’s best up and coming milliners have been selected to take part in a professional development programme which will result in the creation of two new design collections of hats inspired by Stockport’s wonderful museums collections.

Wth an exciting new project that goes by the name of Making Headway, Hat Works museum run by Stockport Council aims to bring the creative hatting industries home to Stockport and once again make the town a creative hub for contemporary millinery. This seems only fitting as it was in the North West that the UK hatting industry was born.

Making Headway will explode onto the public arena with two spectacular, free catwalk shows which will be hosted in St.Mary’s Church in Stockport Market Place on Saturday 17th May. The first of the two new hat collections will be shown at this event against the spectacular backdrop of the atmospheric church and an installation created by students from Manchester School of Ar-

chitecture. It promises to be a great afternoon of cutting edge fashion and everyone is welcome to enjoy it!

Following the catwalk shows the new collection of hats will feature in a brand new exhibition at Hat Works Museum which opens on Saturday 24th May. For the very first time the hats in the exhibition will be for sale, giving you a wonderful opportunity to purchase a unique handcrafted hat by an emerging millinery talent.

Making Headway being made possible by funding from the Arts Council strategic fund and Manchester Airport and of course Stockport Council.

Hat designers, (l to r) : Francisco Rico, Marina Walger, Rhian Kempado (Photograph by Ashley Karrell) Opposite page: Margaret Woodliff – Wright (photograph by Karen Rangeley) Front cover : Marie Halewood (Photograph by: Karen Rangeley)

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events

M BRINGS HATTING HOME

Participating milliners are: Beth Simpson of Lady Go Red Francisco Rico Jane Bailey Marina Walger Victoria Shearing Marie Thornton Sue Wood Margaret Woodliff-Wright Marie Halewood Victoria Shearing Kate Jones Sue Carter Rhian Kempadoo Making Headway – The Catwalk Show St.Mary’s Church , Stockport Market Place, SK1 1YG Shows at: 1.30pm & 2.30pm. ALL WELCOME! Making Headway – The Exhibition Hat Works Museum, Wellington Road South, Stockport, SK3 0EU 24 May 2014 – 24 May 2015 For more information about the catwalk shows and the exhibition visit: stockport.gov.uk/museums or call Hat Works on 0161 474 2399

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B ATHROOMS & CONSTRUCTION

GERMAN QUALITY C

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ill and Dave Lee acquired in-toto Stockport last August.

The business, established in 1985, is one of the oldest in a national network of franchise businesses. You get the peace of mind of knowing your kitchen is supplied by a national company, but the benefit of dealing directly with a couple who own and run the entire business themselves. You get a KBSA guarantee, and a personal touch. in-toto Stockport has long since moved from its original home on St Petersgate and can now be found under the Garrick Theatre on the A6.

Jill explained to us how her and Dave ended up there, “Dave’s a builder and I’m from a sales background. Dave has worked in the area for the last 15 years, so when we decided to do something together, the kitchen and bathroom business was a perfect match.” Couple those two, and join them onto an

experienced building company and you’ve got a business uniquely placed to provide peace of mind to any customers. A genuine one stop shop!

Once Jill and Dave had taken over at in-toto Stockport, the original bathroom displays were replaced with a fully functioning wet room area, bath and furniture displays. Jill explains, “we want people to see how a wetroom actually works. Our bath and sink taps work. If we can show customers what we do and how we do it, we feel they are more likely to put their faith in us. Every job we do looks like the job we have done in our own showroom, be it a kitchen, a bathroom, or a two storey extension!”

Elsewhere around the surprisingly large showroom, the fresh redecoration gives a more homely and inviting feel. The kitchen displays occupy the majority of the space, and they are all well presented, as though a family

Y CRAFTSMANSHIP... IN STOCKPORT might wander in at any moment and start making breakfast. Something they could very well do, because everything in the displays works as it would in your home, from ovens to hobs, Quooker taps to sinks.

or bathroom in a new extension, we could do the whole thing. Naturally, if you just want us to fit a kitchen and bathroom we are more than happy to do so. If you have your own fitters, we supply only, as well.”

Jill and Dave are more than happy with the way the business is developing, “A lot of the work we’re getting is based on the fact that we can offer the whole package. Other in-totos may have a strong link with a local builder, but they’re not the main contractor on the job. in-toto Stockport is the builder, is the kitchen supplier and is the bathroom installer. More than that, though, if you want an honest, local company that is a registered installer of Nu-Heat underfloor heating systems, that can offer supplied and fit Vaillant boilers with a seven year guarantee and install a GRP roof with a 25 year guarantee from world leaders Polyroof, you are in the right place.

So if you wanted your new kitchen

One of the big bonus points selling quality German and English kitchens is that repeat business does come around, even if a little slowly, as Jill explains. “We get people coming through the doors saying they bought an in-toto kitchen 20 or 25 years ago and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with it. They just want a new one, because it has dated.” in-toto Stockport’s reputation hangs on the two hooks of design and build quality. They are delivered as rigid carcasses, ready-built, dowelled and glued - a fitter’s dream in fact.

Whatever style of kitchen you choose, these carcasses are a constant, it’s the door finish that makes the difference.

Inherent in the design is a versatility that means the kitchens can adapt to the way people’s living habits change.

“More and more people are creating a living space. They’re bringing the living area into the kitchen”, adds Dave, “where there’s an island for cooking and an entertainment area with sofas.

That’s the way that people are living these days.”

And while the customer’s ambitions are completely respected, Jill and Dave are professional enough to ensure that the client’s brief is practical, “We had a lady who knew exactly what she wanted but when we got it on the computer it just didn’t work. The ovens would have been too far away from any surface where she could put pans down, so we had to recommend a rethink. We want the space to work for them.”

Jill and Dave have already been quick to connect with the local community.

Oliver Dunn has turned up to make truffles and chocolate shapes immediately prior to Valentine’s Day and the opening event, attended by the mayor, featured a Neff chef hosting a live cookery event in the fully working kitchen display at the front of the showroom. Along with Siemens and Miele, Neff are the main lines of cooking equipment in-toto offer (although they will supply other brands). All the tools for cooking, showering and, well, living, are on display at In-Toto Stockport. When you visit you can see for yourself how a cutting-edge induction hob can help you boil a pan of milk quicker than anything you’ve seen before, or you can stroll through your level access shower room. Jill would love to show you. Dave would love to fit it for you.

22, Wellington Road South, SK4 1AA (under the Garrick) 0161 477 7282 stockport@intoto.co.uk

STOCKPORT CREATIVEFESTIVAL

events

16th - 18th May The Stockport Creative Festival aims to unite arts and crafts groups from across the borough and showcase the talent within Stockport. The organisers have encouraged voluntary groups and community organisations from around the borough to come into the Town Centre and showcase their talents whether it is arts, dance, singing, craft, digital, drama, spoken or written word.

The event is headed up by Festival Director, Carol Ann Whitehead, a colourful character with 20 years of event management experience including a couple of royal visits. “There is some excellent artwork being developed in the districts and it’s time to showcase them at an annual town centre festival” she explained. “We hope the event will highlight the positive impact that art and craft activities, cultural events and performances have on the lives of residents in Stockport. Most of all we want everyone to have fun!”

PROGRAMME OF EVENTS Friday 16th May 4pm - 6:30pm Disability Stockport will host a Creative Festival Drop in with tea and cake plus entertainment.

6pm - 9pm A one year anniversary Foodie Friday event linked with the National Big Dance with groups taking part in the countrywide flash mob performance.

Saturday 17th May 10am to 4pm - Entertainment and craft markets at a variety of points in the town centre from Mersey Square to Great Underbank and the Market. Indoor and outdoor activities showcasing the creative community and voluntary organisations from across the borough this will link with the UK wide Love Your Local Market.

Ann Coffey MP added “The Creative Festival programme of events looks really exciting - something for everyone, and a real cultural boost for the market and the town centre.”

Logo by ARC Media

Specially designed for the Stockport Creative Festival is a Game development crash-course managed by Stockport based Dan Hett from the Manchester Game Jam Team and games review veteran and voting member of BAFTA, Dan Whitehead (this is a bookable activity – so book early). Plus the Portas Pilot ‘Making Headway’ fashion show at St Mary’s Church in the Marketplace.

Appearance by the Headlander Festival tour bus with live acoustic entertainment

Saturday 17th May 6pm to 9pm - Cool Club Vibe - Stockport Art Gallery will host a fabulous array of creative entertainment from puppetry and poets to street artists painting throughout the evening and a selection of bands including reggae artist Mykal Moziah and the Ash Mountain band plus there will be a bar and snacks. The Big Digital Project will also dazzle with a lightshow incorporating unique stories and voices.

Sunday 18th May Noon - 4pm - Stockport Art Gallery only – participation workshops and exhibitions, plus displays from the street artists work from across the weekend and the March 2014 Brinnington Arts Festival. There will also be guided tours for the launch of the Stockport Arts Trial – impressive artwork from the young people managed and coached by artist Karen Allerton.

On each day there will be a Fairground to support the event in Mersey Square.

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The Manchester Grammar School Target the World’s leading universities; study at a World-leading academic school Whole School Open Event Thursday 15 May 4:30 pm - 7:30 pm Applications for Sixth Form welcome - bursaries available

For further information contact Kath Heathcote 0161 224 7201 Ext 234 or k.heathcote@mgs.org

MGS.org @MGSmagic

interview

BRADLEY McINTOSH He had 11 top five singles and sold over five million albums with S Club 7. On 24th April he’ll be performing with S Club at The Plaza for the Miss Stockport event. We spoke to him about the past, the present and the future

You have a musical background don’t you?

Yeah, my mum and dad were in a band called the Cool Notes and my mum still sings. In fact, she’s been a backing singer for Jamiroquai for ten years.

Were there auditions for S Club 7?

Yes but I was invited to go to the auditions because someone who was working with my dad had heard me singing at home. I think Rachel was spotted in the street but the others got in through auditions.

How old were you then?

16 when I did the audition but I’d turned 17 by the time we did the TV show.

What’s your best S Club 7 memory?

One of the first performances we did was Party in the Park in front of 100,000 people and that was amazing. The other was performing for the Queen at the Jubilee, on the same stage as Brian May, Phil Collins and Sir Cliff Richard. After the event we went into the Palace, into this massive room with high ceilings and paintings. They were giving out champagne and I was so nervous that when I wanted another glass I made John come with me to get some. On the way Prince Charles stopped us and asked us if we were enjoying it. I’ve never been so star-struck. It’s different when you meet people from bands but when you meet a royal you just put on your telephone voice.

Were you mates having a good time or was it more stressful?

I’d say 90% of the time it was us having a great time, laughing, joking, taking the mick.

Who did you share with on tour?

Ha! I don’t think anyone liked sharing with me on tour, I was the party boy. Obviously there were three of us boys and when we got double rooms we’d take it in turns to have the room by ourselves. As time went on and there was more budget we all got our own apartments.

How did it all end?

I think it was a more natural end than most bands. We could see that a lot of bands were breaking up or falling apart around us. We’d just done the movie

and Paul had left the band for his own reasons - he was older and wanted to do something more rocky - we could see that it wasn’t going to go on forever. So we thought we’d go out on a high rather than being dropped by the label or something. So we planned to do an album and a tour, then announce on the tour that we were breaking up.

What’s your favourite S Club track?

I never thought I’d say this but it’s “Reach For The Stars” purely because of the response you get from the crowd. We always leave it to last and people get up for it, no matter how old they are.

You went on to appear in an MTV show ‘Totally Boy Band” what was that all about?

I got a random call asking if I’d be interested in doing the show. It was sold to me that it would be a great way for me to showcase my talents. In the end it was about 2% of us in the studio writing and the rest was us getting drunk in nightclubs and sliding down stairs on white boards. But I had a great time, with Dane Bowers and Jimmy Constable (911) and Danny Wood (New Kids On The Block) they’re really good guys and we had so much fun together.

You’re a writer and a producer now...

Yes, I write a lot - I had something on Peter Andre’s album - although I do a lot of deep house, garage and hip hop stuff. But I used to write a lot in S Club.

So you’re back on the road with Jo, Paul and Tina, any plans for the others to join you?

Well this sort of happened by accident. I was doing some DJ-ing and Paul had come along with me. At the end of the set I put on some S Club and pulled Paul on stage with me and the crowd went insane. My agent said “I don’t know what you did the other day but I’ve got people calling saying they want you and Paul to go back. But they don’t want you to DJ, just to sing a couple of S Club songs” I told Jo about it and she’d just had a baby but she said “give me a bit of time and I’ll come and do a couple with you” and she did, and we enjoyed it. But we thought that if we made it more than the three of us it would get too expensive for the clubs. But we’ve spoken about doing something bigger, all seven of us.

Even if it’s just a one-off, we’d all like to do one more thing for the fans.

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DON’T BUY A NEW FIREPLACE! Until you visit our

REFURBISHING & UPDATING

GRAND SALE! £675,000 STOCK FOR IMMEDIATE DISPOSAL! A huge choice of gas and electric fires, wood-burning stoves and fire surrounds from top quality brands including: Chesney’s, Valor, Dimplex, Gazco, Stovax, Nu-Flame, Matchless, Legend, Fireline, Aurora, Newman, Be Modern etc..

MASSIVE PUBLIC SALE! April 2nd - 22nd

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t’s been a privilege to serve the good people of the area since we first opened Fireplace Superstore, more than nine years ago, and I’d like to thank you for your valued custom. Now, to improve the store for the future, we will proceed with a massive refurbishing and re-merchandising project - including a new gas flue system, electrical re-wiring, new decor, and new product displays. We must clear the entire stock without delay, so that the work may commence.

The store has been closed while we reduce prices and prepare displays for the launch of our £675,000 refurbishing & updating GRAND SALE

EVERY SINGLE PRICE WILL BE DRASTICALLY REDUCED! THIS WILL BE OUR BIGGEST EVER SALE! We must urgently sell all our traditional, contemporary and bespoke-designed gas, electric, wood-burning and multi-fuel fires and stoves, along with our extensive range of fire surrounds inc: limestone, marble, wood, granite and cast iron. We also have a huge range of hearth mounted fires, wall mounted fires, ‘hole-inthe-wall’ fires, freestanding fires, inset fires, coal, log and pebble effect fires, conventional flue and flue-less fires and fireplace accessories, fireguards, companion sets, logs etc., etc..

“All showroom goods, plus warehouse stock..and all new factory orders... will be on sale to you, with bigger savings than ever in our history” Neil Gent - M.D.

ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING MUST BE CLEARED ASAP Stanley Green Retail Park, Earl Road Cheadle Hulme, Cheadle, SK8 6PT tel: 0161 488 4991 www.fireplacesuperstore.com

SIDNEY JACKSON & SON FORD DEALERSHIP

Above: The site as it is today, with the original, two-car showroom in the foreground and...

Near left: as it was in the beginning.

Far left: Accountant Alan; Sales Executive Simon; Liam, the General Manager and Sales Executive Steve Below: Then and now. A Sidney Jackson line-up from the 80s and one from last year. Five of the original eight are still with the company

Sidney Jackson & Son Ltd Wilmslow Road Garage Wilmslow Road Butley MacclesďŹ eld SK10 4LG 01625 829248 / 01625 828692 www.sidneyjackson.co.uk info@sidneyjackson.co.uk

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Motoring

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he Sidney Jackson & Son motto is “Part of the family” and those of you who read the first part of this company profile will immediately see how appropriate this is. By way of a recap, Sidney Jackson set up business on this site in 1920, his son Jimmy turned it into a Ford dealership and his son, Tim is the current Service Director.

General Manager Liam Riley has ‘only’ been with the company since 2008 but already seems part of the family himself. It was Liam who took us to see Jimmy at his home for the first part of this feature and it was Liam with whom we sat down to compose the second. His career in selling Fords began in 2000 and he has worked at some of Ford’s largest dealer groups before taking over here.

“This business is still run as a family business,” he says, “ how we were then is how we are now. It has the same ethos and the same ethics as it has always had. Even the way we invoice customers... it’s all quite old school but on the other hand, we’ve completely refurbished the showroom, we have two iPads for the customers to use and there’s wifi around the whole site. So we’ve moved forward in many respects but we are still holding on to the original, traditional values. “ Clearly, when a business has been in a family for three generations, it builds up a loyal customer base organically, and that has been essential for Sidney Jackson which, on Wilmslow Road in Butley, isn’t exactly on a major thoroughfare. So existing customers need to be retained and must be so satisfied with the service they receive that new customers are attracted via word of mouth. “ We have to sell it on customer service,” explains Liam, “because we’re out here, we sell it on the fact that we’re a bit different. Most people who come here do so because they’ve heard of us from someone else.

Maybe that was three or four years ago but at some point they’ve thought ‘let’s try them’. Perhaps they’ve

had a faceless experience at one the bigger dealerships and decided to act on a recommendation. They’re often delighted to realise that anything those dealerships can do, we can do, but with a personal touch.”

On the other hand there are many customers who have been visiting the dealership for years. “We have customers who have been coming in here since Jimmy was first setting the business up. People who have literally been coming here for 30, 40, 50 years. One customer drew up a list of every car he’d bought from us and there were 18 or 19 cars on it.”

So there is the three generations of Jacksons and the long-standing customer base; the third side to this “Part of the Family” triangle is the staff. Staff retention at Sidney Jackson is nothing short of extraordinary. As the photographs opposite show, five of the team pictured in the 1980s are still at the company today. And this being a Ford dealership, there is no chance of them becoming complacent in their role. As Liam tells us, “Ford have technicians. They are the ones that have done the training courses at the Henry Ford college in Daventry. Our technicians have to complete level assessments every couple of years. The technology is changing so fast that we need to ensure we’re on top of it. Especially with the new range of one litre, three cylinder turbo-charged engines - they are completely different to what’s gone before. These are 12-18 months old so we’re just seeing them coming in for their first services now. They use a special oil and they have to be serviced in a particular way.”

Sidney Jackson has found the perfect balance between the perceived reliability of ‘the good old days’ and the technological capability to survive well into the future.

Just as Jimmy advised Sidney that they should be selling cars as well as repairing them, so the present team are clearly capable of moving it on to the next level.

Whatever that might prove to be.

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