The Peterloo bicentenary weekend commemorations may be over, but if you missed them and want to know more about Peterloo, and its relevance to today, then Disrupt, Peterloo and Protest at the People’s History Museum is for you. With the current plans for prorogation of parliament, causing a crisis in our democracy, the exhibitions theme […]
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, […]
Lemn Sissay on his new memoir ‘My Name Is Why’
Lemn Sissay, award-winning and internationally acclaimed poet, was stolen from his birth mother and given to a foster family. He was thrown out by his foster parents at the age of 12 and sent to several children’s homes. He has written a memoir to tell his story of loss and healing, and he spoke to […]
Mike Leigh hopes small independent media can ‘grow and be heard’ to counter failings in modern media landscape
To round up a host of events to commemorate the bicentenary of Peterloo over the weekend, acclaimed film director Mike Leigh attended a screening of his film Peterloo, at HOME Manchester, and answered the audiences questions on it’s relevance for life in the UK today. Film director Mike Leigh invited us all to join him […]
March for Democracy, to honour the fallen at Peterloo and plan for future reforms
The March for Democracy, this Sunday 18 August, will pay tribute to those demanding democratic reform who were slaughtered by government forces 200 years ago at Peterloo. The rally will also look to the future, asking how we can reform democracy, to make it fit for the 21st century. It’s the bicentenary of the Peterloo […]
The Six Acts, inspired by Peterloo, aims to reboot democracy now
It’s two hundred years since Peterloo, where those calling for democratic reform were slaughtered by government forces. A new campaign called The Six Acts aims to honour those who fell, in the struggle for a more inclusive democracy, by rebooting democracy today. And they need your help to do it! On the 16 August 1819, […]
‘There are no co-ops in Moneyland’- author Oliver Bullough at the Co-op Congress in Manchester (pt.2)
The previous episode of this story outlined Oliver Bullough’s concept of Moneyland, which he reports on in his latest book and explained to the Co-operative Congress in Manchester. It describes a complex Steal-Hide-Spend system used by affluent people across the world, often in positions of power, who by corruption or other illegal activities steal huge […]
Review: Videodrome at HOME Manchester
David Cronenberg’s 1983 sci-fi thriller Videodrome was screened last Tuesday 6 August at Manchester’s HOME cinema. Starring Debbie Harry in one of her first acting roles, the film was presented as part of their Sound and Vision: Pop Stars on Film programme. HOME’s screening of Videodrome began with Ellen Smith, one of the cinema’s Ushers and […]
‘There are no co-ops in Moneyland’- author Oliver Bullough at the Co-op Congress in Manchester (pt.1)
The Co-operative Congress in Manchester this year saw delegates from co-ops across the UK gather to hear a key session on how to build a “fairer economy”: a topic that is close to every co-operators heart and a vital driver for people to become co-operators in the first place. Author and journalist Oliver Bullough told […]
Residents vent their frustration at Manchester City Council’s planning process
Public meeting to discuss Manchester City Council’s planning process saw accusations of developers ‘watering down’ councillors’ powers and there being a ‘lack of accountability’ in decisions made during the planning process. Frustration and disillusionment were the primary feelings expressed as Labour Piccadilly ward councillors held a meeting with local residents and activists to discuss ways […]