Did you see that Stockport is getting ready to leap back into action this summer?
With an “irreversible” roadmap for lifting lockdown now in place, it was revealed last month that the fan-favourite gigantic colourful frogs are set to hop to the town centre once again to help see in the post-pandemic era and welcome visitors back.
The town first welcomed the amphibious attractions two years ago.
Organised by Stockport’s Business Improvement District (BID) – branded as Totally Stockport – the Giant Leap Frog Art Trail attracted thousands of visitors from across the region, and children of all ages had great fun seeking out all 19 giant frogs.
This year though, as Stockport looks to “build back better”, there will be even more of them.
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This summer’s Gigantic Leap Frog Art Trail will not only see 21 brand-new gigantic frogs hopping into the town centre, but they’ll also be supported by another 17 frog buddies in various locations throughout the whole borough.
The 17 giant frog sculptures will “celebrate each area’s uniqueness” and Stockport Borough Council is calling on residents to give them a hand in designing a frog for your area.
A message on Stockport Borough Council’s website reads: “Your ideas or designs will be brought to life by local artists from ARC (Arts for Recovery in the Community) – a leading arts and mental health charitable organisation – [and] it could feature everything from places you like to visit and explore locally, significant landmarks, or characteristics that make your area special”.
The council has also listed a few questions to help “get those creative juices flowing”:
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What has been your favourite place locally that you’ve enjoyed exploring during the last 12 months?
What three positive words would you use to describe your local area to someone who has not visited before?
If you had to pick your favourite local landmark or attraction – e.g: building, sculpture, venue or green space – what would it be?
What did you miss most about your local area during the last 12 months? (This could be a favourite shop, place to have a bite to eat or drink, leisure venue or perhaps a club or society that haven’t been able to host get togethers or activities).
You can send your written answers by completing and returning the form available here, or if you’d prefer to draw your answers / have children who would like to share their ideas, you can download the frog template here instead.
Residents can also send in images that they feel best represents their local area.
“It will all help to create a unique frog design that reflects where you live,” Stockport Borough Council says.
Your ideas, pictures and designs can be emailed to [email protected] and you must include your name and postcode.
All entries must be sent in by Sunday 25th April 2021.
First trailer released for Netflix’s new Harlan Coben series filmed in Manchester
Emily Sergeant
The first trailer for a highly-anticipated new Netflix mystery series has been released, and we’ve already stuck it on our watch lists.
Fresh off the back of the undeniable success of Fool Me Once – which aired globally on Netflix at the start of this year, and shot to the top of the most-streamed charts in the days after it was released – you may remember that it was announced not long after that two new Harlen Coben series had been commissioned and were in the works.
Missing You follows the story of Detective Kat Donovan, who’s fiancé Josh disappeared 11 years ago and she has never heard from him since – but now, when swiping profiles on a dating app, she suddenly sees his face and her world explodes all over again.
Josh’s reappearance will force her to dive back into the mystery surrounding her father’s murder, and uncover long-buried secrets from her past.
The new series stars Rosalind Eleazar as Kat Donovan and Ashley Walters as Josh, alongside an ensemble cast including Jessica Plummer, Richard Armitage – who also starred in Fool Me Once – Steve Pemberton, and even Sir Lenny Henry.
Coben’s novel takes place in New York City, but the series adaptation of Missing You is set to relocate the story to the UK.
Filming took place in and around Manchester and the North West of England.
Just like its predecessor, Missing You is set to be released on Netflix worldwide on New Year’s Day (1 January 2025).
Featured Image – Vishal Sharma / Netflix
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‘Selling pics of my arse is fun’ – Kate Nash defends using OnlyFans to pay for her UK tour
Thomas Melia
London-born singer Kate Nash has released a statement addressing those who have been commenting on her selling photos of her bum online to fund her new live shows.
Nash, who’s certified her position in UK pop culture with her timeless hit ‘Foundations’, has taken to social media to explain her situation in more detail.
“Don’t be ‘sad’ I started OnlyFans to fund my tours”, the 37-year-old opens in her statement before following up with, “It’s very empowering”.
2008’s winner of Best Female Artist at the BRITs has never been shy of speaking up about issues while in the limelight. Recently, she let her drummer Maxie reveal their top surgery in front of thousands of people onstage at Glastonbury.
In 2013, Kate Nash became the global ambassador for the ‘Because I Am A Girl’ movement which is set up to address the issue of gender discrimination across the world.
She has also been open about her mental health struggles and doesn’t hide the fact she struggles with anxiety and mild OCD, the latter initiated by her extensive touring schedule in 2008.
Her currentlive shows, which she is currently in the middle of, even reinforce her current OnlyFans jolt titled the ‘Butts For Buses Tour’ – cheeky!
The star isn’t taking herself too seriously either, posting to social media in a neon pink lingerie, writing ‘Bum’s gone viral lol, goin on stage now bit busy soz xoxo’.
Many artists have spoken out about this issue including indie pop-rocker Rachel Chinouriri and breakthrough rapper Little Simz, who both cancelled their US string of live shows due to the overwhelming costs of touring.
Nash, who is performing in Manchester tonight (Tuesday, 26 November), also wrote: “My arse is shining a light on the problem”, as tour expenses are growing more and more every day.
Fair play. Anyone who sees their arse – pun very much intended – over this clearly eats too many lemons because they’re just so bitter.
The UK singer’s latest album 9 Sad Symphonies released this summer and marks the fifth studio album for the indie-pop staple, fans and concertgoers alike can expect to hear these songs among all the hits on her current setlist.
Kate Nash is performing at New Century Hall in Manchester tonight and if you’re a fan of the British noughties favourites, there are still a few tickets.