Salford Quays will be lit up tonight with the launch of Lightwaves 2017, the UK’s only digital light festival

Some familiar faces and places will take pride of place alongside the ultra modern skyline.

Collaborating with lighting legends of the North, Blackpool Illuminations, a suspended structure will light up the area, portraying 100 faces and places of Greater Manchester.

Quays Culture, The people behind the light show sought the help of people from each of the county’s boroughs, including Manchester, Bolton, Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford and Wigan to capture images meaningful images of a face or a place.

And here are just some of the stories behind those pictures…

One of the photos is of husband and wife, Kenneth and Alice Westcott, and was submitted by their proud son, Philip. Kenneth and Alice met at the Burton’s Biscuit factory in Salford, where they worked, but they spent most of their time working with the with the Salford community to help make a difference.

The pair held executive positions with the Weaste allotments and Salford District Scouts, where they raised funds for the headquarters in Broughton.

Kenneth will also be remembered for this work in the parachute regiment where he was flown in behind enemy lines to prepare the way for D Day.

Joseph and Beryl Schofield will also feature in the commission; their daughter submitted their photograph.

The couple were born in Salford and continued to live the rest of their life in the borough as proud Salfordians. Growing up, Joseph competed in football and gymnastics as part of the Salford Lads’ Club.

Locals may remember Joe and Beryl as the owners of the Stapleton Street corner shop. Joe still resides in Salford and member of the Salle Club, as a keen darts player and widely respected amongst his neighbours.

Beth Bower, 20 from Bolton, is known in the Bolton community for her constant charity fundraisers across Greater Manchester.

Working full-time Monday to Friday as a teaching assistant, Beth uses her spare time to raise money for a range of charities. After winning the title of Miss Community Bolton and Bury for 2017/18, she has continued to be active in helping out regional causes.

Beth raised £3,000 for Variety Children’s Charity, as well as funds for Manchester Children’s Hospital intensive care and high dependency ward.

Michelle Sheree has submitted images of George Whenlock age 20; a non-verbal student she has been working with at Bolton Smart Enterprises.

The group is committed to the delivery of high quality Art and Drama programmes for young people and young adults with disabilities.

The image is a self-portrait overlaid by a drawing of Bolton Town Hall using digital SLR photography, digital editing software, pen and ink, collage and pencil crayon. George is currently unable to seek and apply for appropriate opportunities himself because he is on the Autistic Scale, so Bolton Smart Enterprise supported his application to be considered as an artist for Lightwaves 2017.

Riley was born on the 26th November 2016, and his older brother Kaden was stillborn in June 2015.

Riley was born with a rare liver condition called Biliry atresia, as well as a hole in his heart and single kidney. As result of this, he had to undergo a nine-hour liver operation at six weeks old, followed by open-heart surgery. Recently, he celebrated his 1st birthday.

The photograph was submitted by his parents as they say “he is our light from the darkness and brings us so much joy, he never stops smiling.”

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