A mural of Joy Division legend Ian Curtis has been unveiled in Macclesfield.
His former bandmate Peter Hook has said that he’s waited ‘a long time’ to see a tribute to his late friend in his hometown.
The mural has been created by street art legend Akse-P19, who was also behind the Marcus Rashford mural in Withington and Sir Captain Tom Moore in the Northern Quarter.
The hyper-realistic black and white art piece has been painstakingly painted onto the side of a building on Mill Street in the town centre.
It’s been fully funded by Cheshire East Council, who say it’s been ‘worth the wait’.
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Councillor Nick Mannion, chair of Cheshire East Council’s economy and growth committee, said: “Before today, I spoke about how perhaps this beautiful mural has been somewhat overdue but now that I’m here seeing it for myself for the first time, I can say without any doubt that it has truly been worth the wait.
“As I’ve said previously, I am a huge fan of Joy Division – the cultural significance of the band and Ian stretches well beyond my home town of Macclesfield. This is such a proud moment, I’m feeling very emotional about it right now.”
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Ian Curtis was the frontman of Joy Division, who were behind the huge song Love Will Tear Us Apart.
The Macclesfield-raised musician tragically took his own life at just 23 years of age.
There’s another mural of him in Manchester, on Port Street, which promotes the mental health charity Shout.
On completion of his latest project, Akse said: “Although I’ve been working on murals most of my life, it’s still always an incredible feeling to get to the end of the journey – well the end of my journey at least. Now it’s time for the people of Macclesfield to enjoy the mural, as I know how much Ian meant to so many of them.”
Peter Hook wrote on Twitter: “Great to visit this wonderful new mural of Ian today by @Akse_P19, now almost finished on Mill St in Macclesfield.
“I’ve been waiting for a long time to see a tribute to Ian in his hometown.”
Featured image: Cheshire East Council
Cheshire
The prettiest walks around Greater Manchester and the north west to try this spring
Daisy Jackson
The weather is FINALLY warming up a little and it’s beginning to feel like we might finally have made it through winter – it’s time for a walk.
There’s nothing quite like the arrival of spring to (so sorry) put a spring in your step, especially after such a dreary few months post-Christmas.
Some of the green spaces that wrap around Greater Manchester are in their prime right now, and that’s saying something, as they’re pretty spectacular all year round – perfect for a spring walk.
We’re talking fields full of daffodils and bluebells and trees dripping with blossom.
Here are some of the prettiest walks to tackle this season around Greater Manchester to make the most of the north west in spring.
Loughrigg Fell, Lake District
It may be a bit of a schlep up the road, but Manchester’s relative proximity to the Lake District is something we should all be taking advantage of.
Although Cumbria is known for its big hills, you don’t have to climb high to get the best spring experiences at Loughrigg Fell.
The lower slopes are often ablaze with beautiful bluebells at this time of year.
Countryfile has pulled together a lovely walking route here.
Salthill Quarry, Clitheroe
This spot in Lancashire actually once lay at the bottom of the ocean, but it’s now a shining example of a northern nature reserve.
It’s home to an incredible array of wildlife and plant life, including masses of wildflowers in the spring and summer that makes for a dream walk for nature lovers.
All those blooms bring loads of birds and butterflies to the area too.
The Geology Trail is a circular walk that will show you all the best bits, with QR codes to scan for extra information on your way round.
Monsal Dale, Peak District
Surrounded by dales scenery, hiring a few bikes to cycle the Monsal Trail is an absolute Peak District must-do.
But for wildflower lovers, you want to duck off the former railway line and explore Monsal Dale instead.
This handy walking route from Countryfile includes viaduct views as well as encounters with all the new-season blooms.
Brockholes Nature Reserve, Preston
The Brockholes Nature Reserve spans a massive 250 acres and actually only opened around 10 years ago.
It’s drawn in more than one million human visitors and even more feathered and furry ones, including different species of deer, badgers, hares, osprey and red kites.
Tegg’s Nose Country Park really comes into its own in spring, when clambering around the rocky landscape isn’t such sweaty (or slippery) work.
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From May, the meadows around this corner of Cheshire will be a blanket of yellow when the pansies bloom.
It’s not too far to travel from Greater Manchester either, so makes for a great spring walk.
This AllTrails loop around Tegg’s Nose and Macclesfield Forest is a real winner.
Quarry Bank, Cheshire
Ahead of the National Trust’s annual BlossomWatch event, the charity has pulled together a list of where to see the best blossom trees across the country.
In the north west it’s Dunham Massey, Speke Hall, Rufford Old Hall and Little Moreton Hall, as well as the grounds around the old mill at Quarry Bank.
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The National Trust says: “The walled garden bursts into life in April with the blooming of the apricot tree, followed by the arrival of apple, pear, nectarine and peach blossom. The Apprentice House Garden is home to apple, plum and pears trees, making it the perfect place to enjoy a picnic under a canopy of blossom.”
Bloomtown Blossom Trail, Manchester city centre
Manchester never looks better than it does in the spring, so if you don’t fancy heading out in the countryside, there’s plenty of nature to admire with a walk in town itself.
The National Trust and Castlefield Viaduct have created a walking trail around Manchester that’s all about celebrating the blossom.
It loops from the Viaduct down Canal Street, through Ancoats, and back again, taking in landmarks like the Central Library, Parsonage Gardens, and the Rochdale Canal.
Stockport Council secure in funding £1.6 million to help fix the roof of historic Bramall Hall
Danny Jones
Stockport Council has secured approximately £1.6 million in funding to help fix the roof of Bramall Hall, one of Stockport and Greater Manchester’s most historic buildings.
The iconic Tudor hall and old vestige of Stopfordian village’s Cheshire roots has been described as a national treasure and attracts over 36,000 visitors every year.
However, the condition of the Grade I-listed structure and its roof in particular has been gradually worsening over the years and the Council warned it would be left at “urgent risk” if repairs were not made soon.
With that in mind, local authorities have acquired sufficient funds through the Arts Council England’s Museum Estates and Development (MEND) fund, making it one of 70 museums and libraries across the country set to benefit from £33m through the government’s wider Cultural Investment project.
Dating as far back as the Middle Ages before being rebuilt in the 16th, the regular tourist destination for Bramhall locals is SK residents it’s just one of the oldest buildings you’ll find in the town but anywhere in Greater Manchester.
Sitting as the crown jewel atop the picturesque Bramhall Park and having been used as a filming location for various TV shows and films over the years, not to mention hosting school trips and tours for decades, it has also played a key role in local culture.
All that being said, beyond maintenance and the money going directly towards fixing the roof, the MEND funding will also go towards “preserving invaluable historic objects and architectural features, such as internationally significant Tudor paintings, a rare surviving example of an Elizabethan pendant plaster ceiling and the work of arts and crafts architect George Faulkner Armitage.”
As per an official statement from the council, work is slated to start this winter and is expected to take up to two years to complete, but the Hall will be kept open around renovation works as Stockport Museums look to build a new programme of special events and activities.
Councillor Mark Hunter, Leader of Stockport Council, said: “Stockport Council is proud to own, operate, and care for Bramall Hall. Not only is it a jewel in Stockport’s crown, but it’s also a national treasure, and we must preserve this first-class historic house and its enviable collections for generations to come.
“It is great news that we have been awarded this funding, which will support us in doing this.”
He went on to add, “It’s fitting that this major renovation work is announced during Stockport’s year as Town of Culture, showcasing our amazing facility to people yet to visit or who want to re-discover it.
“The Hall and Stockport museums are keen to get people actively engaged with the renovation works, feeding into this year’s cultural programme celebrating Stockport’s people, places and stories.”