THING OF THE WEEK
NOSTALGIA… Worsley New Hall in Salford may have been demolished in 1946, but the Royal Horticultural Society wants to preserve memories of the site as part of its 150-acre RHS Garden Bridgewater, due to open in 2020. Since its demolition, the site of the hall has been used by the War Office, has hosted a garden centre, a scout camp, and a rifle range, and the RHS is now calling for locals to send in their memories of the site to feature as part of the garden’s opening. Its rich history includes two visits from Queen Victoria in the 1850s, and its use as a British Red Cross Hospital in the First World War. Those events are a little early for anyone to remember but you can share any memories you might have of the site with the RHS at bridgewaterfeedback@rhs.org.uk
FAILING SOCIETIES… A report released this week by thinktank IPPR North says we are “collectively failing to deal with the complex and messy reality of disadvantage”, but argues devolution across Northern cities will provide more opportunities for decision making across the region. Citing case studies in Liverpool and Greater Manchester, the thinktank said joined-up public services can help to improve local economies and tackle disadvantages; in Oldham, for example, a five-year plan has been created to ensure public service partners alongside private, housing, and community organisations can all pull in the same direction. There is also a case study on Capacity, the Liverpool City Region’s public services lab. Among its recommendations, which you can read here, include adopting this more collaborative approach to support disadvantaged people and societies.
BRIDGE WITH A VIEW… For those who’ve yet to find the time to visit, do not fear, Network Rail’s landscape photography exhibition is running at Waterloo station until 20 February, featuring 148 winners of the national competition. The headliner is a photograph by Jon Martin of a train crossing Barmouth Bridge in North Wales, just after sunrise. As the winner of the ‘Lines in the Landscape’ award, Martin’s prize was a visit to the Forth Bridge in Scotland, and a chance to photograph the 127-year old railway bridge from areas not accessible to the general public.
CANAL TREAT… Ever danced the night away on top of a drained canal? It’s likely the answer is no, but tonight the Canal & River Trust is offering up just that. The Trust is inviting people to “dance the night away to some much-loved Hacienda club classics” in the drained chambers of locks 90 and 91 on Deansgate between 6pm and 9pm tonight, as part of a showcase of its repair works to the canal. If that’s not your thing, the Trust is also hosting open events on Saturday and Sunday to show the public how it’s improving the canal network in Manchester by removing rubbish, repairing the canal’s gates, and encouraging wildlife back into the area. Visitors will be able to walk through the drained canal to get a first-hand look at the works, joined by the Trust’s construction supervisors. Tours are taking place between 10am and 4pm tomorrow and Sunday.
LONG READ… It’s 1 December, which marks the final countdown to Christmas, filled with festive networking, long lunches, and dubious jumper choices. For those planning for the year ahead and wondering what will be the hot topics for the region, keep an eye on Place’s NW in 2018 series, which will publish prediction pieces from guest contributors throughout the month. It’s been a big year for Joanne Roney, who took the mantle of Manchester City Council’s chief exec when Sir Howard retired in March. While we’re sad to see the Star Wars references have disappeared from Roney’s Twitter account since she took post, we’re happy to see her as our first contributor to NW in 2018, published today. Click here to read more…
