Now that we’re 12 weeks into lockdown, it can be hard to imagine a life before COVID-19.
A time before self isolation, social distancing, 20-second hand washing and two metre rules. A time when popping round for a brew at your Grandparents’ house, or having a few drinks in the pub with your mates on a Saturday night was the norm. A time when supermarket aisles didn’t have one-way systems and wearing facemasks on public transport would never have entered our heads.
There’s no denying it’s brought a new way of life, but it’s one we’ve adapted to as the months have gone on.
When we cast our minds back to these unprecedented times in years to come, not only will the triumphant work of our NHS health heroes, critical carers and key workers have a place etched in our hearts, but we’ll also remember the importance of community.
Yes, the pandemic may have altered every aspect of the reality we once knew, but community spirit is stronger than ever and this collective of sewers from Stockport is showing the power of pulling together at crucial times.
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Meet the Stockport Sewing Collective.
High Lane Scrubbers
A community-lead project of seven local sewing groups, or ‘scrubbers’, dotted in and around the South Manchester borough with over 100 contributing members, sewers and volunteers. Together, this team of hard-working individuals have gone on to generously make and provide thousands of scrubs to those in need across Greater Manchester and the North West since the crisis hit hard back in March.
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From trousers, tunics and facemasks, to scrubs bags, gowns, hats and headbands, the collective has been using this new-found time on their hands during lockdown to offer vital support to an industry that so desperately requires it.
Either via donations, or by tailor-made orders, the Stockport Sewing Collective and each local sewing group has provided scrubs for individuals, care/nursing homes, health centres, GP practices, dentist surgeries, prisons and hospitals including North Manchester General, Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, Salford Royal Hospital, Wythenshawe Hospital and Withington Hospital.
High Lane Scrubbers
One of the largest-contributing groups of the collective is the High Lane Scrubbers – a 35-strong team of sewers and volunteers of all ages. Lead by Sara Armstrong, a currently furloughed Project Engagement Officer at the National Trust, this group alone have made 236 scrubs sets during lockdown.
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Sara started the High Lane Scrubbers as a response to her local community.
Speaking to The Manc about why the Stockport Sewing Collective is so special, Sara said: “What makes us unique is that we are community based, but working as a large ‘team’, which allows us to provide to both individual NHS workers and [then also] with the ability to fulfil large orders for hospitals across Manchester.”
“It also means we have been able to tap into our communities and ask for donations of fabric [either] pre-loved (like children’s duvets), new fabric bought by supporters and donated fabric from companies”.
“We’ve received donations of masses of thread, buttons, elastic and cord for waist tape and scrub bags”.
“Without these donations from people of all ages in our communities, we could not have provided as we have for the past few months for the NHS and care givers.”
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High Lane ScrubbersHigh Lane ScrubbersHigh Lane Scrubbers
She continued: “It’s really important to acknowledge that the volunteer sewers have been supported by a [wider] team”.
“Drivers who have done pickups and deliveries to hospitals, surgeries and individual NHS staff across Greater Manchester, pattern cutters, and also family members who helped at home during lockdown to wash and prep the fabric for sewing.”
How brilliant is this?
After 12 weeks of exemplary hard work, the Stockport Sewing Collective accepted their final orders for scrubs last Friday. They will now continue to allocate stock and donate leftover fabric to worthy causes across Greater Manchester over the next few weeks.
If you would like to keep up to date with the Stockport Sewing Collective, you can find them on Facebook here.
Orders and allocation requests can be made via dedicated email –[email protected]
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.
Emily Sergeant -
11th June 2020 
