Councillor John Blundell strongly proposed in Manchester Confidential that Manchester City Council should start fining “aggressive beggars” as it is “the only solution” to what he describes as “organised begging”. His use of the term “beggar” comes off the back of Manchester City Council leader Richard Leese in his leader’s blog describing Christmas as “peak […]
British sound and Manc slang: Argh Kid brings poetry to Victoria Warehouse
Before David Scott became Argh Kid, his dream was to have a career in music. Ten years later, he has been invited to be the Poet Laureate at Kendal Calling festival, named UEFA’s Official Poet, written a film for Manchester United FC and last weekend was invited to host The British Sound Project – a […]
Who is this city for?
Rochdale Councillor John Blundell, who is a member of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority Planning and Housing Commission, last week published a piece in Manchester Confidential entitled ‘Why foreign property investors are not a bad thing for Manchester‘. We welcome his willingness to participate in public debate about the future of our city region, but […]
Manchester activists plan to disrupt weapons sales at DSEI, the world’s biggest arms fair
Military delegations from around the world will head to London for Defence & Security Equipment International (DSEI) – the world’s biggest arms fair – on the 12-15 September. Many of these delegations will be from countries with abominable human rights records. At DSEI, they will meet weapons industry salespeople who will have filled the ExCeL […]
Who Let Grenfell Burn ?
Manchester poet Tom Skinner wrote this two days after the fire in Grenfell Tower. “It was a response to seeing the government trying to dodge the guilt of what they have allowed to happen”, says Tom. It’s based on Bob Dylan’s song Who Killed Davey Moore. Who let Grenfell burn, Who’s to blame, what can we […]
Acoustic Amnesty fundraiser brings a taste of Americana to Salford
Once again an Acoustic Amnesty gig approaches with a top notch line up of singer/songwriters and poets that promises to bring a transatlantic feel to the beautiful Sacred Trinity church in Salford. The performance on 9 June, the day after the general election, provides an excellent opportunity to soothe away your sorrows or celebrate your […]
Unite Community protests against benefit sanctions across Greater Manchester
A national day of protest against benefit sanctions saw Greater Manchester Unite Community Branch (GMUCB), and other campaigning organisations, demonstrating outside job centres across Greater Manchester (GM). Benefit sanctions are applied as a punishment to benefit claimants who have broken jobcentre rules. If someone on benefits does not apply for enough jobs, or turns up […]
Precious peace in the midst of chaos: Carol Ann Duffy’s ‘The Christmas Truce’
Nestled in the cosy confines of one of Manchester’s ancient armpits is 53two, a theatre in a railway arch offering an hour of festive transcendence to knackered shoppers and knackered everyone. These are grim times, and there’s a feeling in the air that this might be the last Christmas in which the West can stay […]
Party Protest group invite volunteers to break bread with Manchester’s homeless this Christmas
Christmas is a time of togetherness, and yet we often spend the build-up in our own world, wrapped up in the stress to be ready in time. As we cram into already overcrowded areas, queue seemingly endlessly and wrack our brains to find something half-decent for our loved ones, we tend to dehumanise most of […]
Review: Stand Up For The People’s Assembly at Manchester Academy
‘Stand up, that we might’ sang protest singer Grace Petrie. ‘Save tomorrow’ came the refrain from a game crowd at the second annual Stand Up For The People’s Assembly event. The night, organised by Manchester People’s Assembly, saw a host of established performers donate their time to raise money and awareness in the fight against […]