The Canal and River Trust fear that an outbreak of a deadly disease for birds has developed at the popular Ashton Canal running through Manchester. Overabundance of common bacteria in the canal water, due to recent warm weather, is believed to be responsible for multiple bird deaths, and there may be more to come. Over […]
SwitchMCR brings a dystopian vision of 2020 to Manchester in new play ‘We Won’t Fall’
Local theatre company SwitchMCR are bringing their new production, ‘We Won’t Fall’ to the International Athony Burgess Foundation this month. Imagine a world very different from the one we live in today. A world where music and free speech are censored, and a battle is waged to keep the community spirit alive in the face […]
Far right mobilise in Manchester following damning child sex abuse report
Far right protesters gathered in St. Peter’s Square brandishing banners with racially charged slogans, following the publication of a report into Operation Augusta – an investigation of child sexual exploitation in Greater Manchester. Katy Preen reports on who we really need to hold accountable for the failures to properly investigate and prosecute child sex abuse. […]
From the Levellers to the Suffragettes: a course on the history of radical women
If you want to know more about the role radical women have played in fighting inequality and shaping modern society then this is the course for you. Local historian Michael Herbert will deliver this comprehensive series of lectures on influential women fighting for social justice, with many links to Manchester, starting 3 March. Manchester is […]
One in 23 deaths in Greater Manchester is now linked to air pollution
One in 23 deaths in Greater Manchester is linked to long-term exposure to air pollution, new research shows. Research from Centre for Cities has revealed that one in 23 (4.3%) deaths in Greater Manchester is linked to long-term exposure to air pollution. The only area in the North West with a higher proportion of air […]
Fighting talk from Labour rally this week
On Monday 2 September, the Labour Party held a rally at the Lowry in Salford. I’d only received notification of it the night before, but even at such short notice it was an opportunity not to be missed. A snap general election is likely, and Labour is getting their message out while the current government […]
Access to Pride should not be denied to disabled people
Pride in Manchester is becoming a bigger event with each passing year, reflecting the city’s reputation as a diverse and LGBT+ friendly place. But this year’s Pride celebrations were not inclusive for everyone, as some disabled attendees discovered during the weekend’s events. Concerns about event pricing, over-ticketing and poor organisation were raised by many people, […]
Organiser of World Naked Bike Ride in Manchester explains why hundreds of nude cyclists took to the streets
You may have noticed some unusual sights in Manchester city centre last month – and your eyes weren’t deceiving you! There really were hundreds of naked cyclists riding through Manchester city centre on 7th June. It was for the World Naked Bike Ride, an annual event that takes place all over the world. I spoke […]
Who is representing you on Greater Manchester’s local councils?
Three weeks ago, Greater Manchester elected one-third of its councillors to local government. Seats were contested in all ten boroughs, but with a turnout of just 31% across the region, which is typical for local elections, few of us actually had a say in who represents us on the local council. Bolton went to the […]
SpyCops in Lush shops divides public opinion
Lush made a bold move with their recent #SpyCops campaign – bold enough to enrage a section of the public who saw the campaign as an attack on the integrity of all police officers. This pressure eventually led to some #Spycops window displays being taken down – which proves they hit a nerve, but perhaps […]