An award-winning street photographer has captured images of the ‘new normal’ as the streets of Manchester reopened for the first time in over three months on Saturday.
These images illustrate a rather stark contrast to previous years too.
Each year, one of the UK’s best-known street photographers – Mark Waugh – was joined by hundreds of amateur photographers between 2017-2019 in a unique social experiment to capture the spirit of some of the country’s biggest cities in just 24 hours.
The A Day In The Life experiment compiled thousands of images of the people and places that made those bustling cities tick.
From buskers to office workers, students, skateboarders, OAPs, tourists, and many more, the experiment went on to build one of the most distinctive visual libraries showing what a number of prominent UK cities, including Manchester, looked like on that day in history.
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Pre-Lockdown Manchester
Captured by Mark Waugh in April 2017.
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As we entered 2020 though, life as we knew it was about to change.
As the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic swept across the world and the UK officially entered lockdown back on 23rd March 23rd, millions of people were now working from home, furloughed from jobs or made redundant; non-essential businesses were forced to close their doors to customers, and public travel was limited.
Our cities and streets had become ghost towns.
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This posed the question of what type of ‘new normal’ awaited us as lockdown measures were relaxed on Saturday 4th July?
So, Mark once again took to the streets of Manchester, on what was dubbed as ‘Super Saturday’, to capture the people of the city enjoying the reopening of their favourite venues as restrictions were eased nationwide, and in contrast with the eerie photographs taken during the peak of lockdown, these images show the lively scenes of pubs, restaurants and hairdressers welcoming customers again.
The photographs were collected as part of Cartridge Save’s A Day In The Life 2020 experiment, to show how the city has adjusted in line with lockdown restrictions being lifted.
Event organiser, Ian Cowley of Cartridge Save, said: “The images from Saturday highlight the stark contrast between Manchester before and after lockdown. We worked closely with Mark to ensure we captured a moment of history as pubs, bars and hairdressers reopened for the first time in more than three months.”
“These images captured by Mark are a perfect example of Manchester adapting to a new way of living after months of solitude.”
The Manc is helping local businesses and venues get back on their feet after lockdown with our #BuzzingToBeBack campaign – offering as much support and exposure for Manchester hospitality as possible.
Read more about what we’re doing for the industry here.
Feature
Gaping Gill – the record-breaking waterfall you can only see twice a year
Daisy Jackson
There are a lot of incredible waterfalls in the UK – but did you know that the highest unbroken waterfall in England is right here in the north?
Gaping Gill is a record-breaking spot in the Yorkshire Dales, about an hour and a half from Greater Manchester.
Despite the Fell Beck waterfall being a massive 110-metres tall, it’s actually pretty difficult to see.
Unusually, the waterfall is underground in a huge cave system – and even more unusually, it’s only accessible to the public twice a year.
Those lucky enough to visit are lowered down into the massive chamber on a winch by a local pothole club.
It’s not for the faint-hearted, or much fun for people who are scared of heights, but once your feet are on the solid ground at the bottom of the cave you’ll be in one of the most awe-inspiring settings in the country.
The Gaping Gill cave chamber is 129m long, 31m high, and 25m wide – so large you can fit an entire cathedral inside it.
Its cave system is connected to the famous Ingleborough Cave.
The first person to make it all the way inside was Frenchman Edouard Martel in 1895, who used a rope ladder to climb down and kept in touch with those on the surface using a telephone.
The Craven Pothole Club helps people to visit every August and the Bradford Pothole Club every May.
The rest of the time, all you can see from above ground is the cave’s opening on the slopes of Ingleborough.
Local photographer Tatiana Hepplewhite said after her visit: “Twice a year, England’s highest unbroken waterfall is open to the public.
“The catch? The waterfall, named aptly Gaping Gill, actually falls into the ground.
“Very helpful Bradford and Craven pothole clubs put a winch and take lucky members of the public, such as myself, all 100 meters down. How was it? In one word – awesome!”
The next trip down into the chasm will between the 25 May and 31 May for £20 per person.
The northern village, caves, and medieval street named among the most beautiful places in the UK
Daisy Jackson
The most beautiful places in the UK have been named, with several spots up north elbowing their way onto the list.
From mystical caves in the Lake District to the Mediterranean-style architecture in… Wales… there are so many stunning places to explore on our doorstep.
Time Out’s list of the 15 most beautiful places in the UK, compiled by travel writers, has picked out ‘pinch-me’ destinations across the nation.
Several of the places chosen are within a couple of hours’ drive of Manchester, too, so you really don’t have far to go to seek out the very best of the British isles.
One spot that was well-deserving of a mention is Portmeirion, a popular village in North Wales that’s famous for its colourful architecture.
The village is the brainchild of Sir Clough Williams-Ellis and was inspired by the Mediterranean, which is plain to see in the colourful buildings and palm trees jutting out from an otherwise very British scene,
The tourist hotspot completed in 1975 and Time Out says it’s ‘like something out of a dream’.
The guide said: “This unique tourist village has established itself as the most romantic spot in north Wales.
“Of course, it certainly helps if it comes with Italianate architecture, colourful facades and an unforgettable sense of romance. How could you not fall for Portmeirion?”
Another spot in the north of England that has been named one of the most beautiful places in the UK is Rydal Caves, tucked in the heart of the Lake District.
Now us Mancs know that nowhere in the country can compare to the majestic scenes right across the national park, but there is something really special about the dramatic cave system.
Located right between Grasmere and Ambleside, they’re accessible in just a 15 minute walk from the nearest car park.
Rydal Caves in the Lake District made Time Out’s list of the Most Beautiful Places. Credit: Unsplash, Jonny Gios
You can leap across stepping stones all the way to the back of the cave, then look back out at the surrounding woodland through the cave’s huge entrance.
This spot was chosen by Netflix for scenes of the second season of The Witcher – told you it was magical.
Over in Yorkshire (and it’s a surprise to no one to see this on the list), is The Shambles in York.
The well-preserved medieval street features ramshackle buildings, cobbled street, and quaint little shops, and again looks like something straight out of a storybook.
Skipping over its gory past, Time Out said: “There are few easier, more atmospheric ways to transport yourself back hundreds of years (without the iffy smells and sights) than a stroll down Shambles.”