THING OF THE WEEK
PARK LARKS… Manchester’s first new public park in 100 years is finally open. After much hype and build-up, the 6.5-acre Mayfield green space has welcomed its first visitors. We have seen plenty of press and politicians receive tours of the park during its creation, so it is great to see some real people enjoying what it has to offer. Now for some buildings!
Credit: via planning docs
ASPIRATION STATION… CGIs of emerging developments are designed to sell a dream. They show families pushing babies in prams and walking well-behaved dogs along tree-lined boulevards. The leaves are always just the right shade of auburn and the sun invariably shines. But CGIs sometimes give us unrealistic expectations. For example, if you move into this residential development in Bowden – designed by Ollier Smurthwaite for Hollins Murray Group – you would surely develop a haughty desire to play croquet with my neighbours every Sunday before whizzing around town in my classic sports car.
Credit: Place North West
OLD WORDS… Place North West took a peak around Northstone’s Glisk development this week. ‘Glisk’ is an old English word meaning a gleam of sunshine, which is lovely. All of Northstone’s schemes are given old-school one-word names; in Westhoughton, for example, the housebuilder is on site delivering Silkash, which means flakes of fine grey ash that gather around wood embers.
Credit: via Planit-IE
SWIFT UPDATE… You’re all probably wondering how Pete Swift is getting on as he makes his way from Liverpool to Norway by bike. The Planit-IE founder, who is on his way to the opening of the world’s most sustainable furniture factory on two wheels, is currently peddling his way towards Sweden having already negotiated the Netherlands, Germany and most of Denmark. Today marks day 8 of a 10-day ride, not long to go now!
Introducing you to some new Greater Manchester icons … our #BeeNetwork buses.👇🏻
50 will hit the streets in a year’s time as buses return to public control.
They’re all being built in the North of England.👊🏻 pic.twitter.com/0WNxmM7BcS
— Andy Burnham (@AndyBurnhamGM) September 22, 2022
BUZZING ABOUT… The designs for the new Bee Network buses, trams and cycles have been unveiled. Part of Transport for Greater Manchester, the Bee Network buses will be built in the North, according to Metro Mayor Andy Burnham. Those who feel like Manchester has leaned too much into the whole bee thing will likely be displeased by the designs, but for the rest of us, the new look will be more honey than sting. As it is said, beauty is in the eye of the bee-holder.
Is this much vaunted 100 years since the last park correct? Hulme Park, St John Gardens all more recent than 1922.
By Manc
Re Manc – I believe the “city centre” modification on the first park in 100 years may be the key when it comes to why Hulme Park would meet this criteria. St John Gardens though poses a very interesting question. Will approach Mayfield to see what they have to say. – Julia
By Julia Hatmaker
Mayfield Park is nice but very isolated. It is surrounded by dereliction and a motorway. I went on a nice day and it was well patronised with what appeared to be a nice group of people. However the skateboard gestapo were already in town, clanking about and I had to dodge two clowns on electric scooters going too fast.
By Elephant