The Great Manchester cycle on the last day of June

June has gone by so soon, too soon I would say. Personally I was impressed by the amount of outdoor activity and sunshine in the north-west. We had a glorious two weeks of sun for, the past week has had some lovely days too- and the long, light June nights are simply wonderful.

The Great Manchester cycle takes place today. It's billed as a "unique urban-based mass participation cycle event. The event offers three different distances for cyclists of all abilities, using a 13 mile city-based circuit within Manchester and Trafford which is completely closed to all other vehicles."

Maybe these cyclists I snapped last week near Dunham were practising for it?  Personally I'd prefer a quieter route than the mass participation events, be they urban or rural (but as I can't ride a bike so I would be walking anyway!).

Wimbledon at Spinningfields

It's not quite Henman Hill or Murrary Mound but sitting on a deckchair in the sunshine at Spinningfields is always a good place to catch some live tennis from Wimbledon on the big sceen. It's been a blissful way to spend some post-work downtime most evenings this past week.

Skywatch Friday: charity walk

Love for all, hatred for none is the slogan, a mantra maybe at the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association mosque in Hulme. On Sunday they are holding their annual charity walk for peace. 

I stopped by to take a photo and two friendly men at the mosque invited me in, offered me a drink and told me all about the good community work they do in the area. They tried to get me to join in on Sunday too ;-) 

The mosque only opened in April 2012 although the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association was established in India in 1889. The charity walks have raised around £1 million for 80 UK charities and many international ones too.

See this week's other Skywatch Friday posts.

Benefits - A new Manchester based film

Benefits is a gritty action drama short film which will be filmed around inner city Manchester. Rehearsals for the film are underway (as shown in the picture), and they expect to start filming near the end of July.

The story introduces Danny, a careless teenager who lives alone in his grimy flat situated in the heart of Manchester. An expected arrival of a briefcase full of money brings back an unforeseen appearance from his past, and leaves him in a moral dilemma about what to do.

For more updates on this project, and a link to the final film when complete, you can like the Facebook page. Your support is much appreciated.

ABC Wednesday: X is for eXodus in a Manchester alphabet

Once upon a time, an eon ago in 1906, artist Roger Oldham drew a Manchester alphabet which was published in book form. At the City Art gallery there are (of course) 26 postcards to collect in the series. Tragically the talented Roger was killed on active service in World War I.

Taking part in ABC Wednesday.

Recruitment agencies

It’s rarely been more difficult to get into the job market or to move up the career ladder. There are thousands of graduates out there competing for the few jobs in offer. So how do you match your skills and experience to a position in a company?  

The short answer is that you need to make contact and network with a local recruitment agency that is established and trustworthy and who are not afraid to take an innovative approach.

Recruitment agencies make a stressful time easier, and the benefits are far reaching; you upload your CV and they can match you with the perfect job. Sign up for job alerts and the latest opportunities land in your inbox. Their values are strong in that they appreciate how recruitment should be about far more than matching CVs to a job spec.

It’s about understanding people’s aspirations, objectives and attitudes. Looking at it from the side of an employer, they also offer a services for companies looking to recruit new staff, and carefully evaluate every applicant to match the most suitable candidates to the job specification. They know the region, the markets and their clients, and once you have met with them you can be confident that they will be looking out to place you in a position you both want.

Simple top tips for applying for a job would be:

• Don’t just apply for anything and everything. Recruiters have seen too many CVs from applicants who must submit dozens of letters and weak applications. Instead, concentrate on making fewer but stronger applications.
• Check your spellings and grammar, and ensure you give your contact details. (Sounds obvious but you’d be surprised…)
• Keep the format simple and effective, avoiding graphics, and elaborate fonts
• Be concise- a prospective employer will have many candidates to review and if you’re overlong the salient points may not be spotted.
• Do inject a little of your enthusiasm and personality into a CV and covering letter, so it stands out in a positive way.

      There are many other online CV sites who claim they can tailor and polish your credentials so that you can stride confidently and comfortably into the dream job, but I have my doubts that it is as straight forward as they might say.

Work can be rewarding, in many senses. You owe it to yourself to maximise your chances of getting the job you deserve by contacting a local recruitment agency.  Whether you are looking to recruit or looking to be recruited. Get in touch with Forward Role Recruitment – the industry experts if you are looking for marketing jobs in Manchester. 

Monday Mural: Hope lost under the arches

The sad and desperate faces on the art here under the arches is very telling of the many real lives of the oppressed, homeless or vulnerable that need and deserve a better life. I can feel their pain in this non-commissioned piece of street art and social commentary.

Linked to Monday Murals at the Oakland Daily Photo blog.

Refugee week, Testimony & #MIRO @comartsnw

Some wonderful music was performed last night at the RNCM under the umbrella of Exodus Live. It was presented by Community Arts North West to celebrate Refugee Week.

Testimony played some sparkling African Gospel, Afro Jazz and Congolese dance music. The Manchester International Roots Orchestra (MIRO) played a selection of traditional and jazzed up pieces with an eastern European influence. 

Both ensembles were magnificent and one of my tasks today is to see what music they have recorded that I can buy online.

Weekend reflections: John Rylands' afternoon glow @theJohnRylands

The reflections in the late afternoon and early evening summer sunshine provide a magical glow to the wonderful John Rylands Library on Deansgate. The Grade I listed building library always looks much older than its 1890 date to me, but that's neo-gothic architecture for you! 

It was founded by Enriqueta Augustina Rylands in memory of her husband, John Rylands and is one of Manchester's gems. I cannot believe I haven't posted about it before in my 26 months of blogging here at Mancunian Wave. I did name it as one of my favourite Manchester buildings in an interview at Manhattanchester a few days ago.

Taking part in the Weekend Reflections postings.

Skywatch Friday: Old Co-op Warehouse

Near the yet to be developed areas around Bentinck Street in the part of town between Hulme and Castlefield, or the Southern Gateway as Estate Agents have been known to refer to it. This lovely old Cooperative Wholesale Society Building, formerly an early 20th century warehouse. 

The longest day of the year has arrived...enjoy it with Skywatch Friday. 

A north-west English summer's day, buttercups ... & llamas

Near Dutton last Sunday we passed a field of donkeys and buttercups, a quintessentially English scene... but lovely llamas?! Taking part in Rural blog hop Thursday.

ABC Wednesday: "W" is for Wing Yip

The contrast between the Wing Yip's pagoda, shop and restaurant and the grand old apartment block opposite it (Victoria Square, you can read a fascinating article here) on the Oldham Road in Ancoats is a clash of two cultures - but it works for me. Linked to ABC Wednesday.

Our World Tuesday: Garage door blues

I've got them underneath the arches, closed up for the evening, garage door blues...

A slightly abstract offering from the heart of Manchester today for Our World Tuesday.

~Fame at last. I'm featured on Greg Thorpe's lovely Manhattanchester blog, in the latest Manchester in Residents feature.

Monday Murals: From little acorns on Oak Street

Flowers and guns and an appropriate "Big brother is watching you" theme on this well-worn patch just off the beaten track on Oak Street. Clever how the effect of layers is deliberately given here and underneath it all the powers that be are always surveying you...

Linked to Monday Murals at the Oakland Daily Photo blog. 

City Daily Photo Festival of the Solstice

The City Daily Photo mid-month theme is the Festival of the Solstice, where entrants have to respond to one of the five classical elements of Earth, Air, Fire, Water and Spirit.

For me, this sunset photo snapped on my Sony smartphone with Instagram sums up a lot of my feelings to the elements at this time of year. (My Instagram account is http://instagram.com/chrissycurlz). The beauty of the sunset after a warm and satisfying day amongst the elements- a walk in local countryside appreciating nature for what it is. You don’t have to venture out to a mountain range or a mighty ocean in order to appreciate nature at its best.

Breathing in the late spring and early summer air, appreciating the trickle of a river or stream and the reflections on the canals bring out the earth goddess in me- which is never far from the surface anyway.

On a sunny afternoon, my just chilling in the garden, reading a good book, listening to birdsong, watching the vegetable patch grow, the excited shouts of neighbourhood children, the stretching of a lazy dog on a sunny patch of lawn; family having some down time; all of these put me into a spiritually good place.

Thanks to Julie for running the theme days so efficiently and with such interesting follow up reports too. There is also a City Daily Photo Instagram feed, just use the #citydailyphoto to post your photos to it ;-)

Weekend Reflections: spinning around Spinningfields

Spinningfields still has a handful of older buildings on its periphery but is dominated by glass and steel. Some of it is a little soulless but some is effective and pleasing to the eye. It makes for the occasional good reflection too... 

I got rather excited when I saw the letters "JMWW", thinking that the impressive JMWW flash fiction, art and poetry publication may now have its own Mancunian branch but, alas, it is actually JMW solicitors, with the reflection adding a second "W". 

Taking part in Weekend Reflections.

Skywatch Friday: 200 river sign

This stone sign by the River Weaver is a mystery to me. I am not sure what such signs designate. From a distance I thought it said "zoo" but obviously not... Click for other Skywatch Friday posts. 

Rurality Blog Hop: Last of the bluebells

On a lovely walk early last Sunday morning at Alderley Edge, it was a pleasant surprise to still see some bluebells hanging on. While beyond the bushes a field is a mass of yellow buttercups.

This is the latest I have ever seen bluebells bloom, so slow a starter was the spring of 2013. I have known springs when whey are all over by the first week of May or peaking in April.

Taking part in this week's Rurality Blog Hop.

ABC Wednesday "V" is for vinyl & vegan @vrevolutionyeah

The top end of Oldham Street is where you will find the wonderfully retro-styled V Revolution, home to vinyl records and vegan food - you can't get much better than that in my book! It ticks all the boxes for ABC Wednesday's "V" day too.

Tie dye guy, Sketch for a Manchester Summer

I'm always pleased to see the spirit of the first summer of love in '67 and the tie dye of that era live on in fashion for the young and young at heart. Audio accompaniment for this burst of colour finds me going back to 1989 and the Durutti Column's wonderful track called Sketch for a Manchester Summer. It's my contribution to this week's Our World Tuesday.

This was just a quick snap as I spotted the subject ahead of me. I only had time for one effort and with a little tweaking it was an occasion where it all seemed to work out quite well ;-)

Monday Mural: the making of a mural #citydailyphoto

This mural is a work-in-progress taking place at Altrincham Interchange- the tram, train and bus station. I imagine it has more to do with the latest incarnation of one of the station shops and cafe rather than being a commission by GMPTE ( they struggle enough keeping the trams on time- I have had to ask for three refunds from them in the past 4 days for their delayed services...).

Anyway, this mural is still being completed. The top left photo was of the artist at work last Wednesday evening, then I took a photo on Thursday and Friday evenings, and one this morning. What way do you think the tree is growing? Will the trunk be another shade of orange, will there be greenery, will there be fruit or birds on and in the tree? I don't know either, so watch this space!

Taking part in the Monday Murals meme run from Oakland in lovely California.

Long bar laughter @TheLongBarMCR

The Long Bar at Spinningfields is one of this year's pop-up bars and there has been a call for it this past week. Just right for an after work pick-me up.

Weekend Reflections: when a bus reflects history...

Piccadilly Gardens has plenty of buses but is surrounded by some beautiful buildings including the Brown and Son Warehouse built in 1851. Taking part in Weekend Reflections.

Skywatch Friday Chorlton Mill #citydailyphoto

Chorlton Mill was once a hive of industry and was built in 1814 as a cotton spinning mill. It later was used as a rubber processing works but about 15 years or so ago became one of the more groovy places for loft living in the city centre (in my view). I prefer the renovated, revitalised and characterful apartment builds like this than some of the more soulless glass and steel blocks, but each to their own.

Click for other Skywatch Friday posts. If you use Instagram you can follow me at http://instagram.com/chrissycurlz. There is also a City Daily Photo Instagram feed, just use the #citydailyphoto to post your photos to it- it's the same for the CDP twitter feed.

Buttercups and Mellor

Fields of buttercups as the hills near Mellor slowly transform into the Peak District. Such lovely countryside to explore just 20 miles in all directions from Manchester city centre. Linking with Rural blog hop #17.  

ABC Wednesday: "U" is for utterly united by upbeat music...

We arrive, undaunted and unified by the letter "U", for another ABC Wednesday. 

Piccadilly Gardens is an unlikely centre for kora music and other wonderful sounds from West Africa. I think it's amusing that the kora player has painted the name of his instrument on the base- so tired is he of being asked what it is!

My friend and colleague Holly Marland is one of the few female kora players on this little ol' planet. Check her out: the kora queen of Manchester. She is playing four gigs at three  venues around the city this month on 14, 15, 22 and 30 June. That link gives the details.

For those out of towners who enquired about Sunday's Manchester Day Festival that I'd mentioned, there are photos at The Manchester Evening News.

Emily Wilding Davison: events 100 years on

Doves of Peace outside the People’s History Museum.

It is 100 years ago today that suffragette Emily Davison fell under a king’s horse at the Epsom Derby and later died as a result of her injuries. There are various events being held nationally to mark her sacrifice to the cause of equal rights for women.

To raise awareness of this remarkable woman a cloth petition made up of 100 sewn signatures (coordinated by textile artist Lynn Setterington of Manchester Metropolitan University) has been made as part of the 100 Deeds event. It's featured in the People’s History Museum, 4th – 14th June 2013 as part of Wonder Women: Radical Manchester, alongside the memorial of Emily Wilding Davison, and the Wilding Festival, with Soundcastle London.

Emily Davison is also the subject of an opera, "Emily" (2013), by the British composer Tim Benjamin who also performs in Manchester under the name of Kauppe.

Monday Murals. Eurocultured Festival i

Today's Mancunian contribution to the worldwide Monday Murals meme.  I am not quite sure what I think of this mural, personally.

Artwork from the 2012 Eurocultured festival, which took place under the arches on and around New Wakefield Street. Eurocultured is usually held during the Whitsun public holidays at the end of May. 

Sadly the 2013 event was cancelled due to the ongoing recession causing difficulties in getting funding, plus the fact the tunnel where much of it is held being closed for repairs.

They plan to be back in 2014 so in the meantime here's part of what was created last year.

Weekend Reflections: A light opera?...

Taking part in Weekend Reflections. Manchester Opera House is viewed from the window of a smart side street, with a grand table lamp in the window place.

City Daily Photo: the beauty of decay, Regina's rack and ruin

The City Daily Photo theme day for June is The beauty of decay. 

A local example of this, to my eyes,  is the Employment Exchange building  in the city centre. Designed in the 1930s, World War II stopped work on it until the late 1940s. The royal crest reads "GRVI 1951" which was the last full year of King George VI's reign.  I doubt he ever went near the place though...

It fulfilled its function as an employment exchange for many years but it seems to have been inexplicably (to me) deserted since the 1990s, and has gone to rack and ruin. It is in a prime city centre location too. Strange... 

More details of it are at Our Manchester.