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Manchester residents share experiences of lockdown life in new arts project

The project hopes to tackle loneliness and mental health issues as a result of lockdown.

Hannah Starkie Hannah Starkie - 20th November 2020
Georg Arthur/Unsplash

Tameside Council has commissioned Mossley-based GW Theatre Group to carry out a new multi-sensory project based on life in lockdown – combining film, music, poetry, live performance and art. 

The Ripple Project is asking Tameside residents to send in their lockdown stories – no matter how big or small – for a scheme that brings people together and raises awareness of isolation and mental health issues amid the pandemic. 

Part of the project – titled Building Intergenerational Bridges – will involve secondary schools teaming up with care homes and elderly people in their own homes to draw together snippets of pandemic experiences. 

All contributions will help to form a digital story archive titled The Story of Lockdown, which will feature in the final installation and exhibition event on 23 March 2021 – marking one full year of quarantine. 

GW Theatre Group

Tameside Council Executive Member for Lifelong learning, Councillor Leanne Feeley, said: “This year has been a challenging time for everyone but I’m really proud of the resilience and sense of community shared by Tameside people, which is helping to get us through. 

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“The Ripple project is a great way of capturing these unique times as well as the fantastic sense of community spirit and belonging we share in the borough.

“It is also a safe and exciting way of bringing us together to help tackle the isolation and anxiety that so many of us are feeling during these unprecedented times. I encourage everyone to take part.”

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The Ripple Project

There is hope that the project will strengthen the community, prevent loneliness and encourage new friendships in unexpected places.

To find out more, visit their website here. Sample stories can also be viewed online. 

Share your stories and help #spreadtheripple.

Audio

Aitch’s brief statement as Moston rapper heads into the I’m A Celebrity jungle

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Aitch's brief statement as Moston rapper heads into the I'm A Celebrity jungle

Manchester rapper Aitch is officially taking party in this year’s series of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here.

The rumoured line-up had been swirling for days as stars were spotted touching down in Australia ahead of the ITV series restarting for 2025.

And now I’m A Celebrity has officially revealed its line-up, which includes MOBO and Brit Award-winning Aitch, Ruby Wax, Martin Kemp, and Jack Osbourne, to name a few.

Aitch has said on his final post on Instagram before he disappears into the Australian bush that he’s ’bout to go f*ck up the jungle the Manchester way’.

He wrote: “I’ve made songs with most people I grew up listening to, now I’m going on the show I grew up watching.

“Mam this one’s for you. bout to go f*ck up the jungle the Manchester way. Cinnabit.”

Aitch, real name Harrison Armstong, hopes to raise awareness about Down Syndrome while he has the platform of the I’m A Celebrity camp – a genetic disorder his beloved sister Gracie has.

He said: “I feel like I have got this calling to raise awareness for Down syndrome and I feel that’s the perfect place.

“Also, you don’t always want to be stuck in the same world forever. You can branch out and do other things. You don’t have to stick to the code (rap world), because you think that’s cool.

“I did have to cancel some gigs for it. But you are never going to branch out if you do the same thing all the time.”

Joining Aitch in the I’m A Celebrity jungle will be presenter, author and comedian Ruby Wax, who wants the public to see that she’s not as ‘aggressive and pushy’ as her TV persona sometimes seems.

The full I'm A Celebrity 2025 line-up, including Manchester rapper Aitch. Credit: ITV
The full I’m A Celebrity 2025 line-up, including Manchester rapper Aitch. Credit: ITV

Also heading in will be Martin Kemp, whose presenter son Roman finished in third place on a previous series.

Martin said: “I’ve had to cancel some jobs, but when Roman was on I’m A Celebrity, I was addicted. I watched it every day and enjoyed it so much. I felt it was now time in my life for an adventure.”

DJ and model Kelly Brook said that she has surprised herself in several ways since being with her husband, including starring on Race Across The World and running the London marathon – now it’s time to see if she can be queen of the jungle.

Jack Osbourne, son of the late, great Ozzy Osbourne, will be starring on I’m A Celebrity and said the hardest thing for him will be being away fro his ‘lots of kids, my wife, and my family still int he wake of my dad passing’.

Also on this year’s I’m A Celeb line-up is former Lionness Alex Scott MBE, who said her partner Jess Glynne thinks she’s ‘absolutely mental’ for signing up for the reality show.

Social media sensation Angry Ginge will be appearing in the Australian jungle this year, saying he’s interested to see how he’ll cope without a phone, having only ever spent a week away from it before.

Joining him is Eastenders star and West End actor Shona McGarty, who is a ‘massive fan’ of the show and is excited for audiences to see what she’s like when she’s ‘completely myself’.

Comedian and radio host Eddie Kadi says he’s been prepping for his stint in the I’m A Celebrity jungle by doing intermittent fasting, but doesn’t know ‘how he will survive’ without flavour.

The final campmate joining Aitch in the I’m A Celebrity jungle is Emmerdale’s Lisa Riley, who finally said yes to ITV ahead of her milestone 50th birthday next year.

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I’m A Celebrity starts Sunday at 9pm on ITV1, ITVX, STV & STV Player.

The full I’m A Celebrity 2025 line-up

  • Aitch – Rapper
  • Ruby Wax OBE – Presenter, author and comedian
  • Martin Kemp – Actor and pop star
  • Kelly Brook – DJ and model
  • Jack Osbourne – TV Personality
  • Alex Scott MBE – Sports broadcaster and former Lioness
  • Angry Ginge – Content creator
  • Shona McGarty – Eastenders actor
  • Eddie Kadi – Comedian
  • Lisa Riley – Emmerdale actor

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Featured image: ITV

Audio

Example announces new headline tour with just a handful of UK shows

Danny Jones Danny Jones Example Manchester gig tickets Victoria Warehouse

British rapper Example is back for another headline tour and just a handful of UK dates, including what is sure to be a bouncing gig right here in Manchester.

We’re going to say it: it’s the perfect venue for him, too.

The UK rap, dance and pop musician (real name Elliot John Gleave) was a regular chart-topper throughout the 2010s and has still been plenty busy in the time since then.

Although he has gradually pivoted more towards the production side of the music industry in recent years, he’s not lost any energy when it comes to performing – as seen by his most recent run of festival appearances. With that in mind, we can’t wait to see Example back playing live in Manchester.

The 43-year-old is known for his high-octane live shows, and has always had a particular flair for anything EDM-related, smashing sets at pretty much every major music event in Europe, from Glastonbury, Reading and Leeds, Creamfields, Bestival, Latitude, Benicassim, TRNSMT and many more.

Announcing his aptly-titled ‘Hits & Bits’ tour for 2026, Example wrote on Instagram: “If the last tour is anything to go by, these shows will sell out.

“I’m playing every single one of my songs that charted in the Top 20 (that’s 14 hits), plus some album favourites and a few new bits; plus huge unique visuals, laser and FX show, which will level up once again, as we always do. Things are about to get very ravey. Don’t sleep on this. El x”

In terms of the ‘bits’ side of things, we reckon he’ll include a little more of his newer material, the most recent of which is his collab with Local, having also worked with the likes of YouTube cult favourite Elro and fellow digital garage, grime, bassline artist, as well as TikTok personality, Window Kid, of late.

You can hear his newest crossover, ‘Head’s Gone’, in full down below.

Bit of a banger, to be fair; hope it’s on the selist.

Here are all the shows he has confirmed for next year, including that sure-to-be-electric gig at Victoria Warehouse in Manchester next spring:

Example UK tour dates 2026

  • Wed 13 May 2026 – Newcastle NX
  • Fri 15 May 2026 – Birmingham O2 Academy
  • Sat 16 May 2026 – London O2 Academy Brixton
  • Fri 22 May 2026 – Nottingham Rock City
  • Sun 24 May 2026 – Manchester O2 Victoria Warehouse

Pre-sale is set to go live this Wednesday, 12 November, and general admission for the Example Hits & Bits UK Tour will be available on the following Friday (14 Nov) at 10am; you can get ready to grab your tickets for his Manchester gig right HERE.

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Featured Images — MRCZMT/Press shot (supplied via SJM Concerts)

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