mancunian wave

Thanks for 30+ years #Manchester #CityDailyPhoto...

2017-02-21T07:51:00.000+00:00

It's two years now since Cornerhouse arthouse cinema and galleries moved down the road to HOME. HOME has become a second home to me, full of great films, theatre, art and many a happy evening spent at the bar and restaurant there too.

This sign at the old Cornerhouse Screen 1 remains in place today and it's appropriate for me in a way as, after 30 years in Manchester, I am about to relocate 445 km (277 miles) to St Leonard's-On-Sea, next to Hastings on the East Sussex coast. St Leonard's-On-Sea is, in my eyes, a little like a coastal version of Manchester's Northern Quarter.

This blog, nearly six years old, will continue to run but only when I'm on my regular return visits to Manchester (my latest idea is to cash in a pension and buy a small caravan in Cheshire or Lancashire, or as close to Manchester as such sites exist- we shall see). Please do join me from March 1st, at my new City Daily Photo blog, Chrissy by the Coast.

Monday Mural: Spear Street Sirens

2017-02-20T08:10:00.000+00:00

Impressive artwork on Spear Street. Good enough to share with the Monday Mural.
Plus a nice new one from round the corner on Stevenson Square.

Tripping at St Philips

2017-02-19T08:07:00.000+00:00

On Wilton St, just off of Chapel Street in Salford, St. Philip's Church. It was built almost 200 years ago, between 1822 and 1824. Taking part in Inspired Sundays.

Weekend Reflections: A cuppa at Soup Kitchen

2017-02-18T07:53:00.000+00:00

I sat and contemplated the other day at Soup Kitchen, trying to write my latest radio column but distracted by memories of the decades of fun, love, friendship, parenthood, laughs, culture, music, walks, work and political activism that I have enjoyed in my magnificent Manchester. Reflecting for Weekend Reflections.

Gateway to the Northern Quarter to go

2017-02-17T13:37:00.000+00:00

David Kemp's Big Horn sculpture of a giant trombone on top of an old mill wall has marked the gateway to the Northern Quarter since 1999 (on Tib St and Church St). It's going to be moved elsewhere to make way for a new development...

Take that to The Bank

2017-02-16T11:08:00.000+00:00

A former bank that has been a pub for as long as I can remember. What a good use of a bank! Named, of course, The Bank, it stands on Mosely and Nicholas Street. The wonderful Portico Library is upstairs in this building.

I took this photo whilst waiting for some friends to help distribute bedding and food to the hundreds of homeless people in Manchester. Homelessness caused by the banks' crash in 2008 and the government's response to it.

Car in the arcade @lunyamcr #moritzcar

2017-02-15T06:00:00.000+00:00

I'm not one to want to advertise products but this car in Barton Arcade made for such an interesting photo opp that I couldn't resist. I've even followed instructions re: a hashtag to win stuff at the Catalan deli who put it there. I'd donate food prizes to the many Manchester homeless people. Wish me luck!

Tripping in the city centre

2017-02-14T07:40:00.000+00:00

How I often see Manchester :-)

Monday Mural: Strawberry Studios Forever...

2017-02-13T12:15:00.002+00:00

Yesterday was partially spent at the Strawberry Studios exhibition in Stockport Museum. The legendary recording studio operated from 1967 to the 1990s, set up by the forerunners to 10cc. Mancunian and Stopfordian legends (and smaller artists) recorded here, as did musicians from the wider world of pop and rock.

I've included some of the panels as photos to give you more information. Good to hear that Blossoms want to reopen the studio- hope it comes off.

One for Monday Mural.

Eric Stewart's Gibson guitar, used on many 10cc classic tracks.

Velbekomme Cafe

2017-02-12T10:34:00.000+00:00

Checked out the new Scandinavian café in Chorlton in the week. Simple and stylish in decor. Good food with some nice vegan options.

Weekend Reflections: Here comes the flood

2017-02-11T07:50:00.000+00:00

After the deluge comes an inevitable flood in the fields across the lowlands of the Cheshire countryside. Weekend Reflections.

Mr Thomas' Chop House

2017-02-10T07:18:00.000+00:00

A city centre watering hole since 1870, Mr Thomas' Chop House retains its 19th Century charm almost 150 years later. Here's a look around the inside. I must post an outside shot of its cast iron frame and terracotta block displaying Art Nouveau motifs another time.

HiP (Humanities in Public) Beyond Babel multilingual film festival

2017-02-09T07:01:00.003+00:00

A really interesting evening at MMU for the HiP (Humanities in Public) Beyond Babel multilingual film festival. It shows the wonderful positivity of multiculturalism.The festival is free and there is another film this evening, I recommend you attend.

Talks and a very moving and inspiring French feature-length documentary (Le Cour du Babel ) set at a northern Paris school, called La Grange aux Belles. It tracked the academic year and the lives and development of the 24 students in the reception class, a term used for non-French speakers and which get their French up to speed so that they can join the main classes and lessons.

The pupils were aged probably 11-13 and came from all over the world. They included a Jewish Serbian escaping neo-Nazi persecution of his family, girls from Mauritania, Ukraine, Senegal, Egypt and the UK, boys from Belarus, Brazil, Chile, Venezuela and Northern Ireland.

Demuth style on Hilton Street

2017-02-08T15:25:00.000+00:00

A trip to Sacha's...

2017-02-07T09:46:00.001+00:00

Gonna miss my lovely Manchester...

Monday Mural: The North amplifys

2017-02-06T08:07:00.000+00:00

I've always admired the mural of amplifiers and sound systems on the Northern Pub on Oldham Street, so it's about time I added it to the worldwide Monday Mural collection! Have a good week.

Yesterday afternoon... #Manchester #MakeMayPay #StopTrumpMCR

2017-02-05T08:46:00.000+00:00

Another day, another demo. For the fourth time since Trump's inauguration, thousands took to the streets of Manchester to protest about Trump and the special relationship with the UK that the unelected Teresa May is so keen to instil at any price. No to the Muslim ban, No to climate change denial, No to racism, sexism and discrimination against LGBTQI communities.

Next actions include the initial meeting of the Stand up to Trump Manchester group on Thursday 9th Feb, 5.30 Central Hall, Oldham Street, M1 and ongoing publicity for the national Our NHS demo in London on Saturday 4th March. It's great to see so many new and young faces getting involved- together we can make it a better and fairer world.

The weekend in Black and White: Solace at Mr Thomas'

2017-02-04T10:33:00.001+00:00

The Weekend in Black and White. A snapshot, taken at Mr Thomas' Chop House.

Skywatch Friday: Prestwich Clough

2017-02-03T09:02:00.000+00:00

A walk on Prestwich Clough started with this view of St. Mary's Church. Clough is a northern English word for a steep valley or ravine. Skywatch Friday.

Hope at Hope Mill Theatre #CabVolt101

2017-02-02T09:21:00.002+00:00

Hope Mill on Pollard street in Ancoats was in business as a cotton mill by the Ashton Canal, way back in 1824. Nearly 200 years on part of it has been reclaimed and is in newish use as a theatre. #ReasonsIloveManchesterNo.3,754...

Last night, Cabaret Voltaire recreated 101 years of Dadaism- this was the best part of the evening for me (along with the great vegan pizza and bottle of Brooklyn beer). The second act had some good performances, notably the poet on dating and the two anti-Trump sections but other pieces weren't for me (or maybe I didn't get them). Check it all out yourself on 2 and 3 February.

City Daily Photo Theme Day: Loving Life

2017-02-01T08:00:00.000+00:00

A Saturday morning at Manchester's City Art Gallery. The City Daily Photo Theme Day for February is Loving Life.

Away from the stress of another working week, many people who don't have to work weekends, can r e l a x . Solo with a cuppa and the weekend newspapers, or with family and friends.

I was influenced by an effect I saw put to good use by Jack at the Hartford and Naples in Season blog in December.

Our World Tuesday: Last night in #Manchester #MakeMayPay #NoStateVisit #DumpTrump #NoMuslimBan

2017-01-31T08:47:00.003+00:00

Sometimes one photo isn't enough for a City Daily Photo blogger. In the severity of the global situation, I make no apologies for posting many placards from last night's rally and march in Manchester. 5-7,000 people organised with about a day's notice and said no to Trump's fascism, no to unelected prime minister Theresa May's fawning and acceptance of such policies and no to a state visit by him.

Next Manchester action, rally and march, 2pm Saturday in Albert Square.

Taking part in Our World Tuesday.

Monday Mural: Birds of Faraday

2017-01-30T09:00:00.000+00:00

I think this is my 199th contribution to Monday Mural but there's always something new and exciting to report muralwise from the streets of Manchester. This one was done last year as part of Cities and Hope but I took the photo last week.

On Faraday and Port Streets, where the Cuban bar has now been replaced bythe Stage and Radio bar.

Dragon on Greengate

2017-01-29T10:46:00.000+00:00

There be dragons in Salford...

Weekend Reflections: Chinatown window

2017-01-28T09:05:00.000+00:00

Reading Cantonese or Mandarin when it's reflected in a window makes life that much harder... Weekend Reflections visits Chinatown at this time of Chinese new year celebrations.