THING OF THE WEEK
FRANKLY SPEAKING… It’s difficult not to love Frank Rothwell, the charismatic owner of Oldham Athletic FC who three years after rescuing his hometown club saw them return to the Football League last weekend. Already in the record books as the oldest man to row the Atlantic solo, Rothwell’s latest slightly madcap scheme is to bring a giant steel gear wheel, signifying Oldham’s history, to a site close to the M60 in Hollinwood. Think the Angel of the North, but at 50m tall, more than twice the height. There’s a working scale model, and letters have been sent to Oldham councillors requesting support. As to how the £2m project might be funded, Rothwell admits that’s still to be worked out. But if anyone can, Flat Cap Frank can.
Credit: via MCC public livestream
FASHION… Those in attendance at the most recent Manchester City Council planning committee meeting will have been struck by the sartorial exuberance of the city’s deputy head of planning Dave Roscoe. Known as being a straight-talking pragmatist, Roscoe is less studied for his fashion sense. However, the leopard-print spectacles and bold striped tie he wore at last week’s meeting was proof enough that there is more to the man than SRFs and Section 106 agreements.
Credit: Google Earth
PUB… As a result of years of neglect, one pub in Preston is now as unsteady as many of its former punters. The Tithebarn in Preston, which has been vacant for almost a decade, needs to be pulled down urgently. A structural report conducted last month makes for alarming reading, stating that “the slender walls…together with the effects of roof spread, water ingress, and flimsy internal timber stud walls combine to form a building which is unstable and unsafe”.
To make matters worse, the pub is located in an area of high footfall. The report adds “it would be difficult to find a busier location anywhere else in Preston”. Yikes, best get the wrecking ball out.
WANDERWALK… Remember during Covid when Euan Kellie, founder of the eponymous Manchester-based planning consultancy, did a marathon in his back garden? Well, five years on, he is back to his old tricks. However, as we are now allowed beyond the confines of our own homes, Kellie is broadening his horizons for his next endurance challenge. In a bid to raise money for Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity’s A Bed Every Night scheme, Kellie is going on a 62-mile walking tour around Greater Manchester. Starting in Wigan and ending in Salford, he plans to walk the 62 miles over two days taking in all 10 GM boroughs, a feat he has dubbed Wanderwalk.
“I’ve wanted to complete this walk for a very long time and was finally convinced to bite the bullet when all 10 boroughs went to MIPIM and UKREiiF for the first time ever this year,” he said. “My thoughts were, if they can come together to represent the collective strength of the 10 authorities, then I can do this for them. Needless to say, thanks to Greater Manchester’s historic back catalogue when it comes to music, there will be plenty of brilliant music to keep me going!” The walk will take place on the 4th and 5th of July. Go well Euan. Donate to the cause.
WHP has taken space in Capital&Centric’s Neptune Mill. Credit: via Font Comms
WAREHOUSE… Warehouse Project, the company that puts on late-night/early morning DJ shows in atmospheric historic spaces, has signed up to occupy a floor in Capital&Centric’s atmospheric and historic Neptune Mill. It feels like a good fit – can you imagine hip WHP staff using speed gates? Let us hope they keep the noise down for the sake of their neighbours.
