Ciara Leeming is used to telling stories. It’s what she’s done for years; talking to all kinds of people from right around the world.
But one of the most fascinating tales of her career actually materialised right on her doorstep just a few short weeks ago.
When COVID-19 struck Manchester in March and the region swiftly shuttered up, Ciara, a freelance journalist and photographer, was one of thousands left without any work on the table.
Craving a creative outlet, she opted to use her permitted hour of daily exercise a little differently.
Instead of simply going for a stroll around the block, Ciara decided she would scoop up her camera and snap the street during lockdown – curious to see how her fellow neighbours were coping.
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As spring turned unseasonably warm, Ciara boarded her bike – sometimes with her two young sons in tow – and headed out to record the residents of Levenshulme; all of whom stood behind glass away from the district’s sun-dappled streets.
It began as little more than a personal project; an anthology of photos that Ciara could look back on later down the line when life finally returned to normal.
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But within days of the first picture being taken, it snowballed into something much bigger.
Ciara ended up shooting more than 260 portraits of her neighbours over six weeks between April and May – capturing a collection of images that showed an entire community calibrating itself to a quarantine lifestyle.
Her ‘Levy Lockdown’ photos offer an illuminating snapshot of joyful defiance in truly testing times – and now the collection is set to feature in print.
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More than a hundred backers have already raised over £3,600 to cover publication costs – with Ciara’s book set to feature an introductory text followed by frame after frame of wide smiles beaming out from within windows.
“The photos were quite organic; I definitely didn’t set out to do 260 portraits!” Ciara tells The Manc.
“I just started on my street; it began just as a little project for me, really.
“But soon I saw that people liked it, and I branched out to tell others and shared it on the Facebook group.
“Then people started coming to me.
“It really grew after that. I was amazed it got so big.”
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Rainbows, flowers and heartwarming messages of hope have adorned the windows across Levenshulme throughout lockdown, and in order to make the project as representative of the local community as possible, Ciara attempted to reach further by doing some door-knocking.
This, she anticipated, might be tricky.
In Britain, we’re hardwired to shudder at the sound of an unknown visitor. Most of us will admit to feeling a mini jolt of panic in the seconds that follow the rat-tat-tat of the front door or jingle of the bell.
But when Ciara popped up to ask if her neighbours fancied taking part in the portraits, 90 per cent leapt at the chance.
Many didn’t even rush upstairs to fix their hair or makeup. They simply stood and smiled as Ciara clicked away.
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“I was taken aback by how people were so keen,” Ciara chuckles.
“That was really nice and refreshing. It was amazing to see how enthusiastic people were.
“Boredom might have played a part to be honest! Lockdown had been going on for a while by this point, and at least this was something a bit different and interesting.”
If the enthusiasm for the photos came as something of a surprise, the overall impact of the portraits – which exude positivity and togetherness – was not.
Levenshulme has changed a lot since Ciara settled in the region in 2004, experiencing the type of gentrification that has seen it dubbed “the new Chorlton”.
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Buildings have budged, streets have shifted and paths have parted. For better and for worse.
But the united spirit of Levenshulme hasn’t wavered an inch. And it’s there to see in every single one of these lockdown photos.
“It’s a very diverse community here in terms of class and ethnicity – it’s a super friendly and engaged community,” Ciara tells us.
“A lot of people here have a real passion for the area.
“We know all our neighbours, the kids play out on the street.
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“It’s really tight-knit here and I value that very much.”
Having lived in the area for more than a decade, Ciara already knew many of her neighbours before the shoot began.
But now it seems like she’s being recognised by half of Levenshulme.
“Lots of other people are saying hi to me now!” Ciara laughs.
There might be a few more greetings coming her way when the book is released later this year…
You can pre-order a copy of the amazing Levy Lockdown portraits book, learn more about the project, and/or make a donation by visiting Ciara’s kickstarter page here.
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.
The Manc -
14th July 2020 
