Search Results

MCRJourno Over 1,000 Morris dancers are set to descend on Stockport this April as the town hosts A Day of Dance. On Saturday 26th April more than 60 Morris dancing groups will take part for the Joint Morris Organisation’s National Day of Dance - filling the streets with rhythmic stepping, clashing sticks, and swirling ribbons. Cllr Helen Foster Grime, Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture and Sport at Stockport Council said: "It’s events like this that bring our communities together, fill our streets with joy, and make Stockport such a fantastic place." Hosted by Adlington Morris Men and funded by Totally Stockport BID, Stockport Council, and Merseyway, the event promises to be the biggest and quite possibly a record breaking celebration of Morris and folk dancing in the UK. Performances will take place between 10:15am and 4:30pm at locations including the Underbanks, Merseyway, Prince’s Street, Suffragette Square and Market Place. There will also be a traditional social gathering at St Mary’s Church featuring a live folk band, pop-up craft beer bar and street food. Visitors will also see activities from local shops, businesses, and the community - including family-friendly craft workshops, shire horses, niche folk-inspired fringe events and giveaways. Shaun Freeman Jones, Totally Stockport BID Manager said: "To have a massive national celebration of Morris and folk dance right in the heart of the town is a huge opportunity for Stockport to showcase its vibrancy, community spirit and rich cultural scene." More information on A Day of Dance can be found here: www.totallystockport.co.uk .

Helen Clarke Snippet from the behind-the-scenes video. Credit: Manchester United Manchester United's tech sponsor has used advanced AI to restore photos from the clubs first game - celebrating 115 years of the team. HONOR via Qualcomm’s sponsorship with Manchester United brings the red devils' history to life with AI Photo Upscale on Magic7 Pro - powered by Snapdragon. To commemorate the 115th anniversary of the first game at Old Trafford, HONOR has restored iconic photographs of Manchester United's legendary stadium - the Theatre of Dreams with club historian Jason Leach commenting: "It's like stepping back in time, allowing us to see these scenes with amazing clarity. "Some details that were lost to time are now more visible, bringing the atmosphere of that first game in 1910 to life for modern fans." Snippet from the behind-the-scenes video. Credit: Manchester United Since 1910, Old Trafford has been the stage for countless unforgettable moments in world football - and now fans can enjoy those moments revisited in HD. The HONOR Magic7 Pro restored and enhanced over 40 photographs from Old Trafford’s archives, turning faded relics into polished images fit for the 21st century. Qualcomm Technologies hopes to deliver unique experiences to supporters with its sponsorship of the club - such as the current restoration project. Snippet from the behind-the-scenes video. Credit: Manchester United Wei Luo, Chief Imaging Architect at HONOR said: "The HONOR Magic7 Pro's AI Upscale isn't just about improving photos, it's about connecting people with magic moments from the past. "We believe that AI can be a powerful tool for preserving cultural heritage, and this content is a perfect example of that potential." An exclusive look at the photo restoration project and a behind-the-scenes video can be viewed here: https://www.manutd.com/en/videos/detail/snapdragon-x-honor-115-years-of-old-trafford

Helen Clarke People’s History Museum in Manchester is currently displaying banners that have been on marches, campaigned for rights, and stood on picket lines for their 2025 Banner Exhibition. Visiting the 2025 Banner Exhibition is free, but donations made support the work of the museum with most visitors donating £10 for entry to the museum. The exhibition is running until 29th December 2025 and can be found within the main galleries with historical information and conservation insights shared on each item. With the largest banner standing at over three metres tall and the oldest dating back to 1900, there are more than twenty banners on display. Opening hours for the People’s History Museum are 10am to 5pm, every day except Tuesdays with the Open Kitchen Cafe & Bar open every day except Tuesdays, from 10am to 4pm. The Homelessness Action Campaign banner The banner is about the housing crisis of 1946 that followed the Second World War, when tens of thousands of people, mainly ex-servicemen and their families, moved into empty military camps. It was likely used by the Communist Party of Great Britain to show its support for the homeless people forced to squat. To mark the 40th anniversary of the Miners’ Strike (1984-1985) two banners are on display, the Young Communists say Coal Not Dole banner (1984) and the Lesbians & Gays Support The Miners banner (1984). As one of the most popular banners in the collection, it represents a story of solidarity between the activists who founded Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners (LGSM) and the striking miners and their communities. Marking further anniversaries in 2025 - banners represent the passing of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act (1970) 55 years ago, as well as the Disability Discrimination Act (1995), and the 15 years since the Equalities Act (2010) was passed. The Manchester Deaf Triangle Club banner A banner made for the Triangle Club in 1985 formerly known as the Kings and Queens Club, hangs in the exhibit too - it was a social club for deaf gay, lesbian and transgender members based in The Rembrandt pub in Manchester. On loan from the British Deaf History Society, this banner features a pink triangle - a symbol that went from being used to identify LGBTQIA+ people in Nazi concentration camps in WWII to being reclaimed by LGBTQIA+ groups and campaigns from the 1970s onwards. The Fakenham Labour Party banner (after 1987) is an early example of the Labour Party’s use of the red rose as its symbol. It was said to have been introduced to improve the image of the party under the leadership of Neil Kinnock and now hangs in the exhibit.

Helen Clarke This Kind of Black: Requiem for Black Boys is exactly that - a homage to young black boys who have lost their life and a celebration of the life lived before. An honest and important piece that showcases both the variety and commonality of black experiences and deals with difficult subject-matter such as racism, violence, and poverty with the eloquence of Reece Williams' poetry. As a one-man show, flowers must be given for Williams' outstanding ability to command a stage and captivate an audience in both moments of comedy and stillness, as both performer and writer. Black excellence is in the artistry of this piece, from an exploration of poverty so accurate you feel the working-class child inside yourself screaming 'yes, exactly' when hearing "this kind of poverty hides this kind of poverty" - alongside a representation of playground racism so well defined it feels all too familiar to those that know, and devastating to those of us who will never experience it. This Kind of Black isn't a piece about despair or anger - it is a piece about reality. About how one person's experience can't match another's but how the threads of community, friendship, humour, and suffering are all there - how the experience of young black boys is a human one, and one that needs to be shared, and to be represented accurately. Directed by Matt Fenton, with Julie Parker's lighting design and Yussuf Maleem's musical accompaniment, a world is created on a sparse stage where friendships are forged, memories are shared and loved-ones remembered. A world stands as complex and treasured as your own, a world at times peppered with the uncertainty or getting home okay, of getting away, of finding a safe space at a time of sadness, a world punctuated by brave and bold characters. There are characters you recognise, moments you've shared in, and recollections written in a way that the audience feels as if they're being played out right in-front of them. Whether you know about North or South Manchester, Moss Side, Bury, Cheetham Hill or not, you'll know this family, this community, and this story is rooted in warmth, support, and resilience. This is a production about black experiences, and whether they are your experiences or not - you need to see them. This Kind of Black runs at HOME Manchester from Wed 19th Feb - Sat 22nd Feb as well as further shows planned in Liverpool, Lancaster, Brixton, and Oxford.

MCRJourno New research from Trainline shows that more than 50% of Brits in a long-distance relationship say their romances lasted less than a year. Reasons for breaking up include the cost of travel, emotional strain, and the effort of planning trips. One in three said their long-distance relationship ended within six months with almost half of singles surveyed saying they would hesitate to enter into something long-distance. Media psychologist and relationship expert, Dr Linda Papadopoulos created a campaign to help singles combat relationship strain with tips such as planning trips in advance, setting realistic expectations, and making the most of technology. She said: "Love isn’t just about proximity; it’s about effort, intention and making the moments together count - so don’t let the distance derail something special." Trainline shared its own tips such as utilising railcards, splitfares, and ticket alerts for cheaper rail journeys. Sakshi Anand at Trainline, said: "Whether you are visiting family, catching up with friends or celebrating the people who matter most to you, we’re here to help make that distance and cost feel a little smaller."

MCRJourno This year Salford Community Stadium will host four pool games for the Rugby World Cup where the world’s best women’s teams compete in venues across England Visitors will have the opportunity to cheer on teams like Australia, Scotland, and Wales from the stadium. The tournament aims to inspire the next generation of players and leave a lasting legacy for women’s rugby in the city. Ceremonial Mayor, Councillor Tanya Burch, said: "Eccles RFC is a shining example of what sport can achieve. Not only does it help people stay active, but it also brings communities together and offers fantastic opportunities for women and girls to be part of something special." To launch the city’s preparations and celebrate the contribution of women and girls’ rugby in Salford, the Ceremonial Mayor hosted a special reception at Salford Civic Centre for players, coaches, and volunteers from Eccles RFC. The event also recognised Eccles RFC’s achievement in receiving the prestigious King’s Award for Voluntary Service. As Salford’s largest community Rugby Union club, Eccles RFC plays a vital role in promoting rugby and supporting the local community, offering opportunities for women and girls to get involved in the game. Councillor Robinson-Smith, Lead Member for Culture, Heritage, Equalities, Sports and Leisure, said: "From schools programmes to non-contact rugby sessions led by Salford Community Leisure, we’re creating exciting opportunities for more women and girls to experience and enjoy the game." Salford Community Stadium will host the following Women’s Rugby World Cup pool games: Saturday 23rd August 2025 Australia vs Samoa Scotland vs Wales Saturday 30th August 2025 Canada vs Wales Scotland vs Fiji

MCRJourno Young Frankenstein will be hoping to hit the right note in a musical retelling at the regional premiere later this year. Hope Mill Theatre will be making music on stage from 10th October to 30th November 2025, directed and choreographed by Nick Winston. The production marks the 10th anniversary of Hope Mill Theatre which opened its doors in October 2015 founded by Joseph Houston and William Whelton. William Whelton said: "Myself and Joe could not have imagined that we would be reaching such a milestone, we have so much to be grateful for as we reflect on what has been an incredible decade. "The future is full of hope for us, and we have so many exciting plans afoot, as we continue to secure the legacy of Hope Mill Theatre." With an award-winning venue, Young Frankenstein tells the story of the grandson of the infamous Victor Frankenstein, Frederick, who inherits his family's estate in Transylvania. With the help of a hunchbacked sidekick, Igor, and lab assistant Inga, Frederick finds himself in the mad scientist shoes of his ancestors - accompanied by such memorable tunes as The Transylvania Mania, He Vas My Boyfriend and Puttin' on the Ritz. Director Nick Winston said: "I am beyond excited to direct the uproarious musical comedy and to be doing so at the brilliant Hope Mill Theatre. "The immediacy of this space mixed with Mel Brooks' iconic humour and the musical's brilliant score will create a cocktail of laughter, love and a bit of mad science."

MCRJourno Salford Youth Zone, a service to support young people opening in summer 2025 has announced its latest donor. With plans to promote financial literacy and employability skills for young people Manchester Building Society will become a patron of the service. Hoping to equip young people with the skills to make informed financial decisions and build long-term stability, the move comes as part of a North West revival with a £100,000 donation over four years. Andrew Haigh, a representative for Manchester Building Society said: "It’s an exciting time for us as we relaunch in Manchester this year and deepen our roots in the city by committing to initiatives that unlock the potential of individuals, families, and communities. "We intend to focus our powerful partnership with Salford Youth Zone  on developing the financial and personal empowerment of young people." The youth zone aims to support thousands of young people within its state-of-the-art facilities, following the success of the first Empower site, HideOut Youth Zone, in Gorton. Other patrons include Salix Homes, Muse, Assura, and Sandywood Property. Adam Farricker, CEO of Empower Youth Zones, said: "Every young person deserves access to a youth worker and the support they provide. Financial literacy remains a significant challenge and addressing it is crucial to creating equal opportunities for young people." Manchester Building Society also has plans to open a flagship branch on King Street later this year with further branches offering accessible financial advice.

MCRJourno A much-loved Danish store has found a new home at the Trafford Centre on Valentine's Day. Variety store Flying Tiger Copenhagen will be opening its doors at 10am on the 'day of love' to welcome shoppers for the first time. After a sneak-peek the night before, the store is stocked and ready to open with a range of items available from modern home décor to colourful everyday purchases such as stationery, party supplies, kitchen essentials and children’s toys. Creating 16 new jobs, the 1,500 square feet store will open on Upper Peel Avenue, next to the LEGO store. Michael Burke, Managing Director for Flying Tiger Copenhagen UK & Ireland said: "Flying Tiger Copenhagen aims to inspire and make every day extraordinary through affordable, design-led products. "The opening of our Trafford Centre store marks our first opening in 2025 and expansion of our presence in the UK, bringing our unique shopping experience to even more customers. With items priced from £1 - the store is an affordable option in contrast to several Trafford Centre stores for the more luxurious shopper - here utility and fun are the decision makers. To celebrate the launch, the first 200 customers to visit the new store today will receive an exclusive goody bag filled with items from the latest collection. The brand's friendly mascot will also be making special appearances throughout the day to entertain visitors of all ages. Simon Layton, Centre Director at Trafford Centre, said: "Flying Tiger Copenhagen is a fantastic addition to our retail offering, a real treasure trove of goodies and something for everyone. "We’re looking forward to welcoming them on 14th February and we’re sure that visitors will love exploring the new store."

MCRJourno The National Football Museum has a variety of events in store to keep the kids busy as well as under shelter if the weather doesn't play ball. Celebration is the theme of the week - whether it's a goal scored, a game won, or launching the museum's new exhibition - From Pitch to Page: The Magic of Football Annuals. The exhibition launches on Monday 17th February, an immersive experience centred around inclusion and fun allowing visitors to step into the story of the beautiful game and the magic of football annuals. Activities over half term include: Saturday 15th - Sunday 23rd Feb 11am - 3pm Celebration Station. Recreate your favourite footballer poses or create one of your own in the museum’s Celebration Station activity. Saturday 15th - Sunday 23rd Feb 11am 2pm Celebration Tours. A special guided tour of the galleries with a museum interpreters, based on the theme of celebrations: great games, goals and trophies. Saturday 15th Feb Learn more about the game through museum objects on a guided tour, included in the price of admission. Tours take place at 10:30am, 11:30am, 12:30pm, 1:30pm, 2:30pm, 3:30pm. Monday 17th Feb - Tuesday 18th Feb Premier League Player VR. Using cutting-edge VR game modes you can test your reflexes as a Premier League goalkeeper and challenge your aerial ability in a fast-paced test of skill. Tuesday 18th Feb 11am - 12pm Join NFM for the latest instalment of the Wonderkids Book Club, where staff will be reading from the ever-popular Roy of the Rovers comic book. Word Play Workshop Inspired by the games in Football Annuals and as part of our From Pitch to Page exhibition three amazing poets will spend the day running drop-in workshops: Tuesday 18th Feb 11am - 2pm: Lewis Buxton Friday 21st Feb 11am - 2pm: Ruth Awolola Sunday 23rd Feb 11am - 2pm: Monika Radojevic

MCRJourno Full Power Cacao stall Last Sunday Stockport's Guildhall hosted the Vegan Festival ran by Vegan Events UK who host gatherings across Britain. From artisan bakeries to handmade jewellery, charities to botanical liquors, and confectionary to vegan clothes - there were plenty of stalls to enjoy. There was also a selection of talks ranging from making the transition to a vegan diet, to the personal struggles of one woman's journey towards healing and spirituality in the face of adversity. Stallholder Kate, from Drink Me Designs, uses vegan ink to create her artwork prints, stickers and merchandise alongside compostable packing and is hoping to turn success at festivals and pop-ups into a permanent digital store. Drink Me Designs stall Global campaigning network Greenpeace were also in attendance with one representative surprising many with statements such as "three tonnes of plastic are dropped into the ocean every minute" and "we know more about space than we do our own oceans - only 1.2% of our oceans are protected." In a campaign about grocery giant Tesco, a Greenpeace staffmember shared that the five-year plan for supermarkets to go plastic free isn't enough. Festival organisers had commented that the aim of events such as this is to "show people how easy, affordable, healthy and varied living a vegan lifestyle can be." as well as support causes like Miracle’s Mission. Miracle’s Mission is a non-profit animal welfare charity that works with sick, injured and disabled animals worldwide and had a stall on the day selling dog products and food. Greenpeace stall One unexpected item on sale was vegan dog food, free from meat or animal products for those who want their dog to follow the same style of diet as them. Talking to a few attendees about the concept of vegan dog food, reviews were mixed with one individual commenting: "Vegan dog food is a good idea in theory, but dogs need meat to get the necessary nutrients to thrive. "Incorporating vegan elements or supplementing ingredients would be better than completely vegan dog food." Others felt the lack of choice on the part of the dog didn't sit right with them. Missy’s Vegan Cupcakes stall One person said: "I feel like vegan dog food goes against a dogs natural instincts and would only make the dog rebel more when they smell meat. "It would be unfair on any pet with a carnivore diet to force them into not having it." Miracle’s Mission said: "As a vegan charity we are of course opposed to taking the lives of animals, to feed other animals. We have been feeding our dogs a vegan diet for 10 years and have seen many dogs thrive on this. "Vegan diets can reduce inflammation, skin irritation and actually help reverse chronic health issues in our dogs. We were so thrilled to see that the British Veterinary Council have now officially recognised that dogs can thrive on a balanced plant based diet. "We have known that for years, but it is good to have the science to back it up." With events across Britain, Vegan Events UK are back in Greater Manchester in April with a festival at Manchester Metropolitan University. More information can be found here: https://www.veganeventsuk.co.uk/northern-vegan-festival/

MCRJourno This National Apprenticeship Week we spoke to Natasha Clarke, people director at Bolton headquartered multi-utility connection specialists, Aptus who said: "Apprentices have helped upskill the team by bringing new ideas and initiatives alongside having fantastic digital skills. "This has enabled more experienced colleagues to develop their own skillsets as a result. The practice, known as reverse mentoring, is now a fundamental aspect of training and development at Aptus." Over the past 13 years the business has recruited more than 70   apprentices on both the construction and administrative sides of the business. What effect has having an apprentice had on the business and have any stayed on to further employment? Having apprentices within the business has brought so many benefits to the company. They bring energy, fresh ideas, and creativity which is great for team morale and togetherness. We’ve also seen on countless occasions that young people can find solutions to problems and challenges that more experienced members of the team may not have thought of before. It is great to have a mix of ages and perspectives within the business for this very reason. We’ve certainly been lucky with the apprentices we’ve had at Aptus, with many going on to secure full-time employment at the company. Some have been with us for over a decade. It’s rewarding to see people progress from apprentices to senior leaders within the business and make a successful career for themselves. What are the real-time highlights/challenges - is it worth the risk? It can always be challenging for young people to adapt to the pressures and expectations of working in a business if their only previous experience is learning in a classroom. There are conflicting deadlines to meet, software programmes and processes to learn, and a professional environment can seem daunting. There’s also etiquette to uphold and new people to get to know. But time and time again we see these young people flourish and adapt to their new surroundings and working conditions. Some adjust quicker than others, but it’s amazing how quickly they become an integral part of the team. Giving the talent of tomorrow a chance is so important as without these opportunities, how are people ever going to progress? I would certainly urge other companies to consider offering apprenticeships. Millie, who has been an apprentice at Aptus for 12 months is currently studying for a HR Support Level 3 Apprenticeship, she spoke to us about her experience. When I finished my A-levels, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do next. I decided to take a year out to explore my options. When I saw the HR apprenticeship at Aptus on the government website, I knew it was the right fit for me as I had already developed an interest in HR as a career, and this was the ideal opportunity to gain hands-on experience while learning. One of the biggest advantages of an apprenticeship is that it prepares you for a career while allowing you to earn and gain experience. It also increases your chances of securing a job at the end, compared to graduating from university and competing with many others for the same roles without prior work experience. The whole HR team has been amazing to work with. It’s a really close-knit group which is incredibly supportive. Each of us has different strengths and our approaches complement each other which helps us succeed as a team. My apprenticeship has really helped me appreciate the importance of teamwork and to see how collaboration helps deliver the best results. Leo joined Aptus in 2023 on a Business Administration Apprenticeship through Wigan & Leigh College. He’s currently working towards an NVQ Level 3 Business Administration qualification and told us: I’m enjoying being given the opportunity to learn my role thoroughly as part of a strong team who are always available to help and support me. My duties at Aptus tie in perfectly with my apprenticeship as I am always dealing with the needs of external stakeholders and learning how they can be met by us. Do you believe this gives you a better understanding of the 'real' world of work and has it met your expectations? I chose the apprenticeship route because on-the-job training offers a practical approach which is better suited to my learning requirements. Aptus is well-established within the industry too and the business is constantly offering employees new ways to improve and develop both in and out of the workplace. This has been brilliant for my progression. It has been a fantastic learning experience so far and given me so many skills that will prepare me for full-time employment. What experiences have you been able to gain from an apprenticeship? It has opened up different career options that I didn’t even realise would be possible to achieve due to the variety of topics my business apprenticeship covers, and the number of transferrable skills I develop whilst working towards my qualification.