Legendary Salford poet and musician Dr John Cooper Clarke has been awarded the freedom of his home city.
With a stellar and multi-award-winning career spanning nearly four decades, and after firmly cementing his place as a true local legend within Greater Manchester culture, it was only right that the 74-year-old Salfordian be given the prestigious honour of the Freedom of the City of Salford.
Cooper Clarke has been chosen for the honour in recognition of “his contributions to the world of poetry” and for his “unwavering commitment to the arts”.
If you’re unfamiliar with his work, Cooper Clarke was born in Salford and grew up in the Higher Broughton area, where he became interested in poetry after being inspired by his English teacher, and eventually went on to become an affectionately-named ‘punk poet’ in the late 1970s.
Legendary Salford poet John Cooper Clarke awarded freedom of his home city / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Since then, he has toured with major musical artists throughout his career – including Sex Pistols, The Fall, Joy Division, and New Order – and has undoubtedly captivated audiences worldwide with his distinct vocal style, wit, and social commentary.
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Sir Paul McCartney, Peter Hook, and Alex Turner from the Arctic Monkeys – who notably covered one of his most famous pieces, I Wanna Be Yours, on their 2013 album AM – are just some of the famous names Cooper Clarke is able to name as fans and admirers of his work.
Great day today as we proudly honoured Salford born punk poet and all round legend Dr John Cooper Clarke @official_jcc with the Freedom of the City of Salford. A well deserved accolade for a man who truly embodies the #SpiritofSalford. pic.twitter.com/HxdC5TzKqY
— Salford City Council (@SalfordCouncil) July 19, 2023
Cooper Clarke was presented with the honour of the Freedom of the city of Salford during a meeting with Ceremonial Mayor of Salford, Cllr Gina Reynolds, and other members of Salford City Council yesterday (19 July) in the council chamber.
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It was also attended by local councillors and officers, and of course, Cooper Clarke’s friends and family.
The legendary poet described his latest honour as “wonderful”, adding in his acceptance speech: “I’ve circumnavigated the globe 10, count em 10 times, reciting poetry all the way and coming back here to my home town of Salford is always a treat…
“But this one, wow – thank you everyone.”
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He was chosen for the honour in recognition of his contributions to the world of poetry / Credit: Salford City Council
Ceremonial Mayor Gina Reynolds described Cooper Clarke as “an icon not only in Salford but throughout the country”.
She added: “His remarkable literary contributions, infused with his unique Salfordian charm, have made a lasting impact on the world of poetry and beyond [and] he has inspired countless artists, musicians and writers with his incredible talent and has given a voice to the working-class spirit within his verses.
“John’s words have inspired us, challenged us and been a motivator for change.”
Cooper Clarke joins an impressive notable figures who have been honoured with Freedom of the City of Salford for their “outstanding achievements and contributions to society” – including Nelson Mandela, Harold Riley, LS Lowry, and Alan Henning.
Featured Image – Salford City Council
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Oasis release trailer for Don’t Look Back In Anger documentary – watch it here
Daisy Jackson
A new trailer for the upcoming Oasis documentary, ‘Oasis: Don’t Look Back In Anger’, has been released today.
The highly anticipated documentary follows the iconic Manchester rock band as they reunited for a series of epic comeback gigs last summer.
The Gallagher brothers broke up the band 15 years prior to the Live ’25 shows, then returned in spectacular fashion for gigs including five sold-out nights at Heaton Park in Manchester.
The band were followed throughout their triumphant comeback tour by film crews, for the documentary film ‘Oasis: Don’t Look Back In Anger’.
Fans will see never-before-seen snippets of rehearsal, backstage, and onstage, as well as the first joint interview with Liam and Noel in more than 20 years.
It will also explores the profound impact that the reunion had on fans, and chart the global phenomenon that was Oasis Live ’25.
One of the people behind the new documentary is Steven Knight, of Peaky Blinders fame.
Oasis: Don’t Look Back In Anger will be released in the UK on Wednesday 9 September and you can book tickets HERE.
Watch the full trailer for Oasis: Don’t Look Back In Anger below:
Elbow get behind campaign to save Jodrell Bank from closure
Danny Jones
Manc band Elbow are among the latest to get behind the campaign to save Jodrell Bank Observatory from closing permanently.
The Greater Manchester natives famously played a sold-out gig at the important scientific and cultural landmark for a very special live album recording well over a decade ago, and know all too well the site’s national and, indeed, global heritage.
Choosing the Observatory and the rare chance to perform a show in the shadow of the world-renowned James Lovell Telescope, it probably remains one of their most significant standalone UK date ever.
With that in mind, the local lads have been left just as worried by the news of its impending closure as everyone else, and have therefore issued a fresh appeal to help keep it open.
Posting a timely statement on social media, the group wrote: “Jodrell Bank has long been close to elbow’s heart. In 2012, the band played beneath the Lovell Telescope for one of the most memorable shows in our history.
“The recent news that funding for the e-MERLIN radio telescope network is set to end in 2028 puts the future of the scientific work at Jodrell Bank under serious threat. It is a remarkable place, with an extraordinary history, and one that continues to play an important role in science, culture and education.”
In addition to reliving clips and images from the historic live set all the years later, they also pointed people towards their ‘elbow – Live at Jodrell Bank‘ album documentary, which has now been made available online for the very first time as part of wider efforts to raise awareness around the cause.
Directing people to key online resources shared by the institution and astrophysics centre itself following their unfortunate update late last month, the push to not only find the funding but sustain support for the facility continues to ramp up throughout the world of science, arts and industry.
For anyone who somehow missed the news – 2028 being the current deadline handed down as per budget cuts across the sector – concerned parties here in the North West and all over the country have since started petitioning to save Jodrell Bank Observatory from shutting down for good.
In addition to being described as a “huge blow” to the field by the Royal Astronomical Society (RAS), some have even gone so far as to describe the decision as a form of “vandalism” when it comes to research and British culture as a whole.
Having also served as the host venue for the annual bluedot Festival since 2016, the multi-genre science and arts celebration could soon be forced to find a new home.
The battle is far from over yet, and the community has time to rescue Jodrell Bank Observatory from its fate, but it will take lots of money and more notable public figures to make it happen.
Once again, you can do your bit by signing the petition mentioned above right HERE.
Emily Sergeant -
20th July 2023 
