Burnage Councillor Bev Craig was elected as the new leader of Manchester Council’s Labour Group and would become the new council leader in December. Originally from Belfast, Craig graduated from Manchester University in 2007 with a degree in politics and modern history.
England international footballer Marcus Rashford MBE received his honorary doctorate from The University of Manchester at a special ceremony which took place at Old Trafford. The initial award announcement was made in July last year, but due to the pandemic, an official in-person ceremony and celebration has been unable to take place until October.
Serial sex offenders and former Rochdale MP Cyril Smith along with Jimmy Savile would have been stripped of their knighthoods had their predatory behaviour been exposed in their lifetimes, the Honours Forfeiture Committee said.
The BBC would broadcast a documentary featuring exclusive access to the policing team responsible for the successful conviction of serial rapist Reynhard Sinaga. Catching a Predator told the inside story of GMP’s Operation Island – which culminated in Sinaga being sentenced to 40 years in jail.
A plaque commemorating a London and North Western Railway police officer (now British Transport Police) who was killed in the line of duty exactly 126 years ago was unveiled at Wigan North Western station.
The world’s most visited multi-sensory experience Van Gogh Alive, opened at Salford’s MediaCity. Created by Grande Experiences, the spectacular, immersive gallery which runs from 22nd October 2021 to 23rd January 2022, exhibits the life and work of the seminal Dutch artist. Housed in a 17,500ft2 purpose-built venue in the MediaCity, the experience is a feast of sight, sound and even scent. More than eight million people have flocked to see Van Gogh Alive across 75 countries.
A massive monster party hit the city’s streets including a giant rooftop monster invasion, a monster parade to welcome monsters descending on the city centre, a mad scientist’s exploded castle and pop-up lab, fairground fun at the Carnival of Monsters, spooky specials from CBeebies and CBBC, a monstrous photo trail across the city centre plus lots, lots more.
Manchester poet Tony Walsh penned a new poem to honour the spirit of Salford and commemorated a new era of housing and regeneration in the city. The critically acclaimed wordsmith, also known as Longfella, teamed up with developer Step Places and housing association Salix Homes to write the poem to celebrate their new Neighbourhood development in Seedley South.
The boss of Manchester Airport said that the UK travel industry has been down on its knees as she said changes to the travel rules, which came into place early in October, were “without doubt an improvement”.
Heaton Park and Alexandra Park along with Gorton, Philips Park, Southern and Blackley cemeteries were awarded the Green Flag Award and Heaton Park has also achieved the much-coveted Green Heritage Site Accreditation, supported by Historic England for the management of its historic features.
MindsEye signalled its move into feature films with the announcement of Champion, which would chart the true story of black British boxing sensation Len Johnson, whose destiny to become British Champion was blocked by the boxing authorities simply because of his race but which ultimately led him to an even greater triumph.
For the first time in the UK it was revealed that you would be able to get Sky TV over WiFi, with no satellite dish, no box and no fuss as Sky announced the launch of Sky Glass.
