ABC Wednesday: "S" is for Strawberry Studios Stockport

Stockport's Strawberry Recording Studios (photo P.Wadsworth)

Although Greater Manchester has sometimes been described as a musical desert from the late 1960s to mid 1970s, one small Stockport building of the time embodied much of the spirit and attitude associated with later generations of Manchester musicians and the development of a Manchester music scene. From 1967 until 1992, Strawberry Studios provided recording facilities for a wide variety of artists from the Syd Lawrence Orchestra, through Neil Sedaka to The Smiths and New Order. Some of pop's greatest moments were created in Stockport - such as 10cc's classic Number 1 single "I'm Not In Love" and one of the greatest albums of all time, Joy Division's "Unknown Pleasures".

Peter Wadsworth of the University of Manchester is an expert on what made Strawberry such a success and how its history leads us to a revision of the conventional historical narrative of Manchester music, challenging the notion of a 'musical desert".

There is a dedicated Facebook page for Strawberry too, full of evocative photographs of the studio's heyday. With grateful thanks to Peter Wadsworth for today's post and for his permission to use both photos on today's Mancunian Wave. 

Taking part in ABC Wednesday.

Ruby Tuesday: On your bike, on your boat...

A scene from another lovely walk along the canal near Dutton. A bright sky, colour-changing forest and moored boats all combine to give an uplifting experience. After a stressful week at work clearing the head with a crisp walk can work wonders for the soul...

A contribution to Ruby Tuesday.

Monday Mural: Back to the '60s with Dougal and Twiggy

A late afternoon on Thomas Street where, along with the long shadows, there's currently a 1960's theme going down with these recently painted murals by Lispencie: Dougal from the Magic Roundabout and, perhaps the world's first supermodel, Londoner Lesley Lawson -  better known as Twiggy (now aged 64!). Some of the doves I featured a few weeks back can be seen against the wall in the background on the right. Taking part in this week's Monday Mural.

Inspired Sunday: The Friary in Lancaster

The Friary is, alas, a friary no more but the largest pub in Lancaster. It's a Grade II listed, 18th century converted church on St Leonard's Gate. Taking part in the Inspired Sunday meme.

Weekend Reflections: Sunny Side Up

Sunny Side Up is the name of the narrow boat moored here on the Trent and Mersey canal at the section which breached a year ago. 

I probably go on about 130 walks in the countryside each year and although many are memorable, some- like this one last Sunday- are absolute gems: when the weather, the scenery, the season, the conversation with my walking companion and the overall mood all come together to make me positively buzz and spark with inspiration and happiness at being in the great outdoors appreciating the local landscape. 

We may not have canyons or mountains in Cheshire but the reclaiming of the canal networks from the industrial past is something to shout about.

Taking part in another round of worldwide Weekend Reflections.

Cooperative viewing on Angel Square

A treated view of the Co-op HQ and northwards to the hills. The main building to the right on Angel Square was officially opened yesterday  by two über wealthy pensioners. It claims, according to various radio reports I heard last night, to be the most environmentally friendly building in the world. A shame that the Co-op Bank is likely to be losing its independence - and possibly its ethical stance too- after all these years...

Poll Fest at the People's History Museum @PHMMcr #PHMPollFest

Some diverse but solid symbols of Manchester: the green and socialist political movements, the Hacienda and Manchester Central station.

The People’s History Museum in Manchester is holding a politics festival - POLLfest. Visitors are invited to join in from Friday 15 to Thursday 21 November to mark Parliament Week with a series of events, activities and unfamiliar goings on to explore this year’s theme of Women in Democracy.

The festival kicks off on Friday 15 November with a special tour of the main galleries celebrating women’s contribution to UK democratic life.

On Saturday 16 November, MP for Manchester Central, Lucy Powell, will give her views on what it’s like to be a female MP in parliament today. In a Q&A with the museum’s Director, Katy Archer, Lucy will chart her journey from joining the Labour Party, to becoming the first ever female Labour MP in Manchester, to taking up her new role as shadow minister for childcare. 

Lucy commented: ‘I'm really glad to be taking part in this festival as part of Parliament Week in Manchester. I want to make sure that parliament doesn't seem remote to people and so it's good to have the chance to discuss parliament's work in my constituency and to hear some of the questions which people have. I am very keen to talk to people about politics and I'm pleased to have the chance to talk to people about some of my own experiences.’

In the evening, there's Pecha Kucha, an informal presentation event where people are invited to talk about politics with a maximum of 20 slides for up to 20 seconds each. This allows for quick, straight to the point presentations which both engage and educate.

The Working Class Movement Library will be holding a Women in Democracy event, highlighting the lack of women MPs which is often a complaint about parliament. With women making up over half of the population it goes that they should make up half of parliament. Visitors can see collections relating to those pioneering women who fought against this inequality, from the first female councillor in Eccles, to the women in the Co-operative movement, explore how women have fought for an equal say.

On Sunday 17 November the funny side of politics is aired in Comedy Spectacular! Do Not Adjust Your Stage will improvise scenes and stories inspired by the museum’s story.Gráinne Maguire will be bringing her One Hour All Night Election Special to the museum. Gráinne condenses all the fun of staying up late to watch democracy in process. Expect needlessly complicated graphics, politicians dancing awkwardly and humiliated grown ups trying not to cry in public. There will be Swingometers…

Throughout the festival groups can book guided tours, Living History workshops or pARTicipate sessions to find out more about the history of democracy in the UK. The festival is suitable for young people and adults and The Left Bank cafe bar will be offering 15% off to all visitors attending any of the events. See you there!

ABC Wednesday "R" is for Rehearsals, Research & RNCM new Concert Hall

Mancunian Wave is taking part in this week's ABC Wednesday meme, where "R" is for the above rehearsal at The Royal Northern College of Music. 

The RNCM is raising funds for a new Concert Hall to update the one that has been in place since the building opened 40 years ago. Alison Balsom, international mezzo-soprano Sarah Connolly, Professor Brian Cox and Classic FM's John Suchet are among the supporters of Your RNCM; a £3 million campaign to transform the RNCM’s Concert Hall into a state-of-the-art venue.

As well as being a conservatoire (i.e. a college for the study of music) RNCM is a research institution and an arts centre, with music of all genres researched into and performed here; classical (and all that entails), new music, electronica, World, folk, rock, pop, jazz, opera... The events speak for themselves. 

‘The RNCM is at the very heart of the heady cultural mix that makes Manchester such a dynamic and vibrant city. It is one of my favourite places in town to enjoy great music and mix with fellow music lovers and students in a landmark venue that will only be improved by the renovation programme. I look forward to spending many more exciting evenings in the transformed RNCM Concert Hall.’             - Stuart Maconie, BBC and a Campaign Champion.

 -

Too early for the "C" word... @mcrsanta

Guess who I stumbled upon, looking all forlorn and in pieces, back on 30 October? Horribly and annoyingly early, Manchester's Zippy Father Christmas was about to be assembled and hoisted into  place for the lights switch-on last Friday (8th November). It's far too early for anyone to feel remotely festive, but on this isle of poverty and inequality perhaps we all need any excuse to have fun?...  Ready or not, the many city centre Manchester Christmas Markets commence this Friday and will run for six weeks. Rest assured that I will hold off until December to go- and to blog about them.

Meanwhile, my monthly guest post for Smitten by Britain takes us to medieval Newark in Notts.

A post for the Ruby Tuesday Too meme.

Monday Mural: blank spaces on Stevenson Square!

Last week while passing Stevenson Square I noticed the summer murals had finally all been painted over in white. Potentially there are a dozen available spaces, so we now eagerly await the next round of murals to adorn them. Will there be a wintry theme like this time last year or the year before, 2011?

I like the way that some green Northern Quarter resident has reclaimed the top space here and cleverly built a little wild flower garden on top of the wall that, once upon a time, was the ceiling of an underground public convenience! 

Don't worry, I haven't run out of Manchester murals and am still taking part in the Monday Mural meme at the Oakland Daily Photo blog.  I simply wanted to share a photo of this creative space in transition. Watch this space!