THING OF THE WEEK
BASKING… When you have been in politics as long as Stockport Council leader Mark Hunter, you learn to roll with the punches. It is important to enjoy the good times, he said at the recent topping out of Capital&Centric’s Weir Mill, because they do not last forever. This is something he has been telling his fellow members as Stockport enjoys its time as the feel-good capital of Greater Manchester.
A heady cocktail containing a glug of regeneration, a squeeze of culture, and a liberal dash of excellent transport links has people fawning over Stockport. Hunter is a Manchester City season ticket holder so knows first-hand how sweet success can taste following a period in the doldrums. “I remember when we were playing Grimsby and Plymouth Argyle,” he said with a shudder.
The key for Stockport, much like Hunter’s beloved blues after last season’s treble-winning heroics, is maintaining the positive momentum and avoiding complacency.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year. (AKA the month I can break out my 30 year old advent calendar, and build a Christmas village) (my professional self now understands the first property being a toy shop is classic meanwhile strategy in action) pic.twitter.com/rAYko9WPan
— Nicola Rigby (@nicolahrigby) December 1, 2023
ADVENT TRADITIONS… Even if your advent calendar has a puppy hiding behind every window it will not top the one Nicola Rigby wheels out every year. Today, people across the country are enjoying the first of 24 advent treats as the countdown to Christmas commences in earnest. For Rigby, principal at Avison Young, this is a particularly special time of year, because she gets to dust off her 30-year-old advent calendar and enjoy some festive development.
Wrexham councillors have been criticised for their actions. Credit: Leon S on Unsplash
DRAGON DEFEATED… Wrexham County Council’s blazing fire of a refusal to adopt its local plan turned into a few puffs of smoke after a judge ordered the local authority to reverse its stance within hours of the case starting. No one even came to make the council’s case to the judge on Wednesday. One cannot help but wonder at the point of the whole endeavour – political grandstanding will now lead to the same result (approval of the local plan), but just months delayed and with a £100,000 bill attached. Of course, the dragon may not have breathed its last – the county council could still vote to ignore the judge – a decision that is unlikely to end well for the authority.
Waymarking has started!
Behind the scenes we’ve been working to get approval to mark the GM Ringway.
This month we tackled our first stage, Bury to Bromley Cross, and marked the 18km route in 7 hours using more than 100 roundels!#GMRingway #GreaterManchester #GMWalks pic.twitter.com/N87ChFS3jv
— GM Ringway (@GmRingway) November 28, 2023
SIGNPOSTING… The GM Ringway, a 300km walking route that takes in all 10 boroughs and some of their most famous landmarks is nothing new to keen ramblers. The 20-stage route was officially launched earlier this year but with minimal wayfinding, making it tricky to navigate for novices. However, the GM Ringway is about to get a whole lot more accessible. Throughout November, the organisation that manages the route has been working hard to make sure people who want to enjoy the sights and sounds of Greater Manchester’s great outdoors can do so without getting lost, by adding helpful stickers along the route. So far 18km has been signposted. Just another 278km to go.
Credit: via Appeal PR
UNDER THE HAMMER… A historic former radar training station in the Lancashire fishing town of Fleetwood is set to go to auction in January. Built in 1961 by Lancashire County Council, the grade two-listed observatory was once used to instruct naval troops in the latest radar technology. Some may say it is priceless, but it could be yours at a guide price of £50,000. The structure’s naval days might be over but redevelopment proposals could soon appear on the radar – subject to securing the relevant planning consent, of course.
