For devoting her life to protecting young people in Manchester, and improving their lives, Professor Erinma Bell is our worthy winner of the May instalment of Manc of the Month.
In a week where the headlines have again been dominated by a gun-related atrocity, with 21 people including 19 children killed at an elementary school in Texas, we’re taking time to give thanks to a woman who has worked to keep similar tragedies away from our city.
Professor Erinma Bell MBE helped to strip away the gun crime that used to dangerously affect Moss Side and the surrounding area, allowing Manchester to shed its nickname of ‘Gunchester’.
Her life as a peace activist started two decades ago, when she tragically witnessed a close friend being gunned down in front of her.
Credit: Facebook, Erinma Bell
Erinma and her husband Raymond set about creating CARISMA (Community Alliance for Renewal, Inner South Manchester Area), with a mission to give young people positive alternatives to crime.
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She told the Manchester Evening News: “A friend of mine was shot and shot right in front of me. From that night I thought enough is enough, because I didn’t want to have to go through that ever again. We needed to get local people to own the problem and concrete action.”
Her work with CARISMA, along with the effort of police and other community groups, was so impactful that there was a drastic reduction in gun crime by 2012.
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Wow it's now official. I am now Councillor Bell for Moss Side! Thankyou to the returning Deputy Officer, to all the counters for counting, 're counting and 're counting again. Thankyou to my Agent and my election team, and all the residents of Moss Side who voted for me. pic.twitter.com/VN6h1YhGjj
— Professor Erinma Bell MBE DL (@ErinmaBell) May 6, 2022
In 2007, Prime Minister at the time Gordon Brown praised Erinma in his book Britain’s Everyday Heroes.
Three years later, in 2010, the inspiring peace campaigner travelled to Buckingham Palace, where she was awarded an MBE by Queen Elizabeth II – who apparently complimented her hard work as well as her outfit.
The accolades continued in 2017, when a bust of Erinma was unveiled at the Manchester Town Hall.
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Erinma Bell with her statue at Manchester Town Hall. Credit: Twitter, Erinma Bell
The artwork is legendary for several reasons – she was the first woman in history to have a statue in the landmark building, and the piece was created using confiscated guns, which were melted down into her likeness.
Most recently, the public showed their support in the polling booths, electing her as Labour councillor for Moss Side with an absolute landslide victory.
Prof Erinma Bell with Andy Burnham and Mel C receiving her Pride of Manchester Award. Credit: Facebook, Erinma Bell
Erinma is also involved in Chrysalis, a brilliant family centre and registered charity that supports African and migrant families as well as asylum seekers and refugees.
The centre in Moss Side provides language classes, workshops and seminars, parenting help and advice, referrals for immigration and housing, advice, support, job clubs, and computer classes.
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No matter the project, this inspirational woman is always working to provide access to a better life for everyone.
And that’s why she’s a very worthy winner of Manc of the Month for May 2022.
About Manc of the Month
We all know that Manchester is home to some special people, some born here and others drawn here, and after a bumpy two years that effectively amounted to one big lockdown, it’s these special people that have inspired and led us through the tough times – so we decided to start a series that shines a light on those who should be celebrated.
Following on from our ‘The Mancs of the Year’ feature towards the end of 2020, Manc of the Month officially kicked off in July 2021, with Marcus Rashford MBE, Manchester’s mural king Akse P-19, the local chef feeding the region’s vulnerable families Mary-Ellen McTague, and Manchester’s groundbreaking new Council leader Bev Craig among previous honourees.
Feature
‘If only he was here’: Peter Hook reflects on Ian Curtis as Joy Division join Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Danny Jones
We were lucky enough to play a part in a bit of music history (albeit only a small one) this week, as we had the privilege of chatting with the one and only Peter Hook of Joy Division and New Order, as the pair were finally admitted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
A long overdue bit of recognition, if you ask, but a momentous day nonetheless.
Chatting with Hooky and a long-time friend, collaborator, and beloved Manchester-based DJ, Graeme Park, in the aftermath of being named in the ‘Class of 2026’, he was visibly moved and honoured by the announcement. Here’s what he had to say…
Joking from the off by repeating Graeme’s initial question, “How does it feel?” (an absolute tap-in, that one), the 70-year-old bassist and co-founder of both iconic Greater Manchester groups admitted that they “had a couple of false starts”, to put it mildly, but went on to add: “we can only thank our fans.”
Confessing there has been somewhat of a mixed reaction about “what it means” to them and/or in the industry these days, he made it clear that on a personal level, it’s still a huge moment.
Put simply, he said: “Without the fans, we’d all be nothing.”
He also went on to praise the sort of no-nonsense, DIY and unapologetic approach of the Manc music scene, quipping: “You know, what would Simon Cowell have said about Ian Curtis, Bez, Shaun [Ryder] – Ian Brown, for god’s sake?!”
Acknowledging that while no one was necessarily an “accomplished singer” (often the case when you start early and just pursue a passion), his caveat was that “they had heart and soul” and “they embody something deep within us all that has lasted and will continue to last.”
Noting a de facto ‘Renaissance’ that a few names have enjoyed – especially following the passing of certain notable figures – he believes, rather, that they never went anywhere and that Northern crowds and beyond have helped those songs stretch to three, four, even five different generations.”
He’s not wrong: they’ve never stopped connecting with audiences, and they NEVER will.
Once more, it was an absolute joy (again, pardon the pun) to chat with Peter and Parky, who clearly haven’t lost their love for each other, nor this business – even after all these decades.
Congratulations to both bands, Hooky, Bernard Sumner, Stephen Morris, Gillian Gilbert, Tom Chapman, Phil Cunningham, as well as every session musician who’s ever played these tunes and kept them alive.
Last but not least: forever and always, rest in peace, Ian Curtis.
Inside Soho House Manchester as rooftop pool finally opens
Daisy Jackson
Soho House Manchester finally opened its doors to members late last year – but there’s still more to come.
The exclusive members’ club, which costs from £2,400 per year to access, faced several years’ worth of unavoidable delays as it transformed the old Granada Studios.
And even now that members can finally visit the space for networking, dinner and drinks, events, and working, Soho House isn’t actually finished.
Instead, the hotly-anticipated venue is opening in phases – the latest of which is that beautiful rooftop pool, with views overlooking the city from the top of the former television studio.
New images taken inside Soho House Manchester show several of the completed spaces, from lounges with beautiful natural light flooding through skylights, to stylish candlelit dining rooms, to gorgeous bedrooms.
In keeping with the building’s history, the Soho House design team have stuck with a premium mid-century interior, including terrazzo flooring and warm wood details, muted green and orange colour palettes, and chrome furniture.
Have a look inside Soho House Manchester:
Soho House Manchester is now open. Credit: SuppliedBeautiful interiors. Credit: SuppliedA bar space. Credit: Edvina BruzasRestaurant spaces. Credit: Edvina BruzasDetails of Soho House Manchester. Credit: Edvina BruzasMid-century details at Soho House Manchester. Credit: Edvina BruzasInside Soho House in Manchester. Credit: Edvinas BruzasNew spaces are still opening. Credit: Edvinas BruzasThere are 22 bedrooms inside. Credit: Harry Crowder
There are now 22 beautiful bedrooms up on the sixth floor, exclusively available to Soho House Members, which carry on the 1950s heritage design.
As the build continues, members will soon have access to a Soho Health Club with a gym, reformer Pilates studio, smoothie bar, and infrared sauna and steam room.
Every Soho House has a strict no-photos policy to protect to privacy of members – which means unless you fancy forking out £333.33 a month, you might never see inside it beyond the club’s official photography.
Daisy Jackson -
27th May 2022 
