Stockport has officially been crowned Greater Manchester Town of Culture for 2023.
It’s no secret now that in recent years, Stockport has been celebrated as an emerging hub of culture and creative activity in Greater Manchester, with the area producing some big-name stars in the arts, entertainment, and sporting spheres, as well as seeing significant new residential and commercial developments popping up, a food, drink, hospitality, and nightlife scene that continues to prove popular, and even being named as one of the best areas to invest in 2022.
But now, the town has got itself a fancy title to prove it – and along with that, a £50,000 grant to support arts and creativity in the wider borough.
Stockport will officially take on the title of Greater Manchester’s Town of Culture for 2023! Take a look at the photos from our fantastic launch event at the Hat Works this afternoon 📸👇 pic.twitter.com/Kt7Zc1VA0f
— Stockport Town Of Culture (@SKTownOfCulture) May 23, 2023
Up against several other Greater Manchester areas all vying for the crown, Stockport’s bid was centred around the ‘One Stockport’ vision, which Stockport Council says sets out to support the local economy, connect communities, and promote health and wellbeing.
According to the Council, ‘One Stockport’ will be underpinned by four elements that “celebrate arts and creativity in the broadest sense”, as well as the town’s diverse cultural heritage.
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These elements are Stockport Makes, Stockport Moves, Stockport Sounds, and Stockport Tastes.
Stockport has been named Greater Manchester’s ‘Town of Culture’ for 2023 / Credit: Stockport Market | Stockport Foodie Friday
Stockport’s year as Town of Culture also coincides with a number of major public redevelopments and investment in the town.
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These include the Town Centre West regeneration, the refurbishment of the legendary Hat Works museum, “cutting-edge” digital arts opportunities to be opened up through the £2.6m Stockport Creative Campus Cultural Fund, and the development of the £14m Future High Street Stockroom discovery centre.
The town’s new title was announced at a presentation yesterday attended by famous faces such as local indie band Blossoms, and Stockport County defender Macauley Southam-Hales, as well as Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham, Stockport Council Leader Cllr Mark Hunter, and representatives from across the town’s cultural scene.
It’s third town in the region to claim the coveted crown / Credit: Stockport Council
“It’s a real pleasure to be able to announce Stockport as our third ever Town of Culture for 2023,” Andy Burnham said at the presentation yesterday.
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“The town put forward a strong case for the accolade, backed up by some really exciting plans for events and activities that celebrate Stockport’s identity, its history, but also shine a spotlight on everything that’s happening right now.”
Stockport follows in the footsteps of Stalybridge, which held the title in 2022.
Bury was announced as Greater Manchester’s inaugural Town of Culture for 2020, and held onto it into 2021 after the pandemic put a number of events and activities on hold.
Featured Image – Stockport Foodie Friday (via Facebook)
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Oldham Athletic’s next game postponed amid red weather warnings
Danny Jones
Oldham Athletic FC’s next game has been postponed amid red weather warnings, with a frozen pitch having already set in.
We suspect they won’t be the only ones either…
Oldham Athletic were set to take on Notts County FC at home this weekend, with the upcoming fixture set for a 3pm kick-off on Saturday, 10 January, but the state of the Boundary Park stadium’s playing surface has already been declared unfit for use.
Informing the fans of the unfortunate decision, the rescheduled date and time for the match remain yet to be confirmed.
Saturday's home fixture against Notts County has been postponed due to a frozen pitch. #oafc
Addressing supporters online, OAFC wrote: “An inspection took place on Thursday afternoon with the pitch frozen following persistent freezing temperatures since our last home game on New Year’s Day and further adverse weather forecast.
“The inspection was called due to persistent freezing temperatures and in anticipation of further adverse weather between now and kick-off. Tickets will remain valid for the rearranged date, and refunds can be claimed after the new date is confirmed.”
As for Notts County, they have also updated their fans on social media.
They have assured that “tickets purchased for this fixture will [also] be valid for the rearranged date” and that “supporters who require a refund will be able to do so after the date for the rearranged fixture is announced.”
Postponement comes amid parts of Oldham, Greater Manchester and other areas across the country being hit with severe weather warnings, which have now been upgraded from an initial yellow rating.
2026’s first named storm, the weather event dubbed by Goretti by the French meteorological service, is set to bring further frosty conditions and blustery winds to us Brits.
The UK received its first snowfall of the year earlier this month, but this next pattern of cold air is set to see even more arrive, with the forecast potentially running into next week.
As for the Latics, the 15th-placed League Two team will have to wait until their ground thaws out to try and make up ground between them and the play-off spots.
Worth keeping an eye on the Met Office if you were planning a trip to the footy over the next few days.
Greater Manchester urged to ‘check before you travel’ as Storm Goretti sets in tonight
Emily Sergeant
People in Greater Manchester are being urged to check before they travel as Storm Goretti prepares to bring chaos this evening.
In case you weren’t aware, yellow weather warnings for snow have been put in place for parts of Greater Manchester – including Rochdale, Oldham, Tameside, and Stockport – from 5pm this evening until around midday tomorrow, and additional amber warnings are even in place from 8pm tonight for some neighbouring areas like Derbyshire and Yorkshire.
As a result, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), is understandably warning locals that there could be disruption to journeys this evening, including by rail, trams, buses, and on the roads.
Trams on the Oldham, Rochdale, and Ashton lines are most likely to be disrupted by the weather, as are buses in the north and east of the region, TfGM has warned, and due to the expected impact, no trains will run on the following routes from 6pm this evening:
New Mills Central – Sheffield (no trains between Manchester & Sheffield)
Hazel Grove – Buxton
Guide Bridge – Glossop/Hadfield
🌨️ Storm Goretti will hit parts of Greater Manchester from 5pm tonight to midday tomorrow [8 and 9 January].
If you're making a journey, please check before you travel to see if your route is impacted and take extra care when travelling.
Train ticket acceptance will be in place on the 237 and 341 bus services tonight and tomorrow to help passengers get to where they need to be, although disruption could be on the cards here too, once again.
All train routes are planned to reopen after midnight on Saturday morning.
Interchanges, platforms, and crossings across the region are being treated with grit and anti-icing measures to make sure they are safe to use, and TfGM has confirmed that ‘ice breaker’ trams are also ready to be deployed to keep overhead lines clear of ice so trams can keep moving.
For those driving this evening, TfGM is also urging people to take extra time and make sure you are driving ‘appropriately’ for the conditions.
Greater Manchester is urged to check ‘before you travel’ as Storm Goretti sets in / Credit: rawpixel
Speaking ahead of Storm Goretti’s arrival, Danny Vaughan, who is TfGM’s Chief Network Officer, said: “We are expecting Storm Goretti to hit Greater Manchester as we head into the evening peak travel time and we are urging everyone to check their plans before they travel, leave extra time and if possible to consider if they can make their journey before 5pm before the storm hits.
“Working with our partners and operators we are ready to respond to the storm and help to keep Greater Manchester moving.”
He also warned commuters that there may also ‘be an impact on journeys’ tomorrow morning, so if you are planning to travel, then it’s advised to check before you do so.
Emily Sergeant -
24th May 2023 
