THING OF THE WEEK

PICK ME UPAn art installation at Manchester’s Noma district is giving people returning to its offices a warm message of support as they navigate the uncertain path from their home studies back to the city centre. A series of signs, created by artist Tim Denton, can be seen throughout the neighbourhood imploring people to keep their peckers up and take a moment, all in the name of support during this trying time. If you have ever been to Passion Fruit Coffee in Stretford, you will be familiar with Denton’s work – he designed the interior. 

The seven signs say:

  • KEEP YOUR PECKER UP
  • WHO CARES WINS
  • TAKE A MOMENT
  • DO WHAT YOU CAN
  • USE WHAT YOU START
  • START WHERE YOU ARE
…and our favourite:
  • MOVE AT THE SPEED OF PLANTS

Darwen

Darwen is pulling at the leash

DEXIT…Encouraged by the ‘success’ of Brexit, the Lancashire town of Darwen, fed up of being shackled to neighbouring Blackburn, is making a bid for freedom. A petition to break free has garnered more than 2,000 signatures since it was launched. According to the petition, set up by local resident Izzy Ahmed, the people of Darwen want more control of their own affairs and are “sick and tired of being second best and waiting for dribs and drabs” from Blackburn with Darwen Council. Darwen has a population of around 30,000 and was its own borough before joining forces with Blackburn in 1974, the year of after another ill-fated union. I wonder if the Leave campaign will hire a bus to push their message… 


SGG Apparel

Stevie G in a particularly daring number

FOOTY FASHION…Not to be outdone by project manager Steven Gerard, who last week slammed the idea of a zip wire in Liverpool, the other Steven Gerrard (him that played footy) has wormed his way into the news and snatched back the limelight. The former Reds captain has opened a clothes store at Liverpool One. SGG Apparel features a range of the midfielder’s favourite clobber, including shin pads and football boots, probably. According to the company’s website, SGG Apparel “offers you the chance to become the best version of yourself”. The power of fashion, eh? 


Castle Irwell Streetscene

Calderpeel is the architect for Salboy’s Castle Irwell development

CALD-APPEAL…With networking and face-to-face meetings off the table for now, Manchester-based architect Calderpeel has reported an uptick in instructions via Instagram. Ewen Miller, managing director of Calderpeel, said the firm had spent time and effort boosting its social media offering over the last two years and this is starting to pay off. “It is a good seam for us to continue to explore,” he said. 


Manchester Arena Redevelopment Bird's Eye View

Lynch was hoping for a relaxing weekend away from the arena

TEED OFF…Spare a thought for Tom Lynch, business development director at Manchester Arena operator ASM Global. Not only is he working around the clock on the arena’s impending redevelopment and tussling with the prospect of a second arena arriving in the city, he has also been dealt a blow in his social life. Due to head off to Aberdeen for a few rounds of golf with friends this weekend, his plans were scuppered when the Scottish Government announced it would be placing the granite city into lockdown – putting paid to Lynch’s hopes of relaxing in the pub after a solid 18 holes. 


KARNAGE…Next time you take aim at a politician it is probably worth remembering the plight of Manchester Labour councillor Pat Karney. He was put in the unenviable position of having to explain the reasons behind the ban on “Manc-y panky”: the latest pandemic restrictions placed on Greater Manchester. Nookie with someone outside your support bubble across the 10 boroughs is currently banned and Karney described the interview on BBC Radio Manchester as “the most awkward I have ever done”. Poor bloke. 


Heaton Moor Cyclops

Cyclops are popping up everywhere

CYCL-OPPS…Cyclops are no longer to be feared thanks to the advent of the active travel boom, we can’t get enough of them. After the success of the Cyclops – Cycle Optimised Protected Signals junction – on Royce Road, intended to help cyclists negotiate the junction more easily, there have been clamours for more. Blackfriars at the end of Deansgate in Manchester has been mooted as a suitable location and work to create a Cyclops at Newport Street and Trinity Street in Bolton is already underway. Now, the Four Heatons wants in on the action. Walk Ride Heatons has mocked up what the junction of Wellington Road North and the B5169 to Heaton Moor would look like if it, too, became home to half-blind Greek monster. 

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