TfGM is asking Manchester communities to transform its old yellow school buses
Schools and groups are being encouraged to submit their ideas for a chance to win a free decommissioned yellow school bus to transform into something new.
Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) is giving away decommissioned yellow school buses to the local community for free this summer.
The transport group is encouraging individuals, schools, societies, sports teams and volunteer organisations from across the region to submit their ideas for a chance to transform an old bus into something new – whether it’s for reading spaces, quiet places or somewhere to meet new faces.
All entries will be judged on several criteria – including originality, creativity and benefit to the community.
Yellow School Buses are a service provided by TfGM for secondary school children in Greater Manchester, and are said to be “easy to spot” as a way of alerting road users that children will be getting on and off.
This new competition has been set up to run once again following the success of similar schemes in summer 2018 and 2019, where six buses were donated to various bidders.
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Individuals and organisations can now bid to #WIN one of several yellow school buses that will be decommissioned in July ✨
Check out @RedLaneSch awesome #wellbeing bus, created using a vehicle donated in 2019!
— Transport for Greater Manchester 🚲🚶🏾♀️ (@OfficialTfGM) May 17, 2021
In 2018, the first decommissioned bus was delivered to Greswell Primary School in Denton, who used lottery funding to transform the bus into an outdoor library that is used by both students and the wider community.
The following year, Red Lane Primary School in Bolton turned their donated vehicle into a ‘Wellbeing bus’ and currently use it as a dedicated space to provide social and emotional intervention for their pupils.
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Similarly, St. Stephen’s RC Primary School – another 2019 recipient – turned their bus into a reading area and tutoring place that has proven to be incredibly popular with pupils.
“Our yellow school buses are a fantastic service that allow children to get to school cheaply, safely and securely,” said Councillor Mark Aldred, Committee Chair at Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM).
“But even when their life as a school service comes to an end, they can still be incredibly useful to communities.
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“This scheme has been hugely successful when we have run it previously and I’ve been impressed with not just the creativity, but also the impact that previous projects have had on crucial issues such as child literacy and mental wellbeing.
“I’m really excited to see what community-spirited and thoughtful schemes people come up with this year as we hopefully continue to emerge from the pandemic and return to normality”.
TfGM
Fancy winning your own yellow school bus? Interested groups have until Friday 18 Juneto submit their proposal online before the applications are considered and the winning entries announced.
New 44-storey skyscraper proposed that could change one of Manchester’s most famous views
Emily Sergeant
Plans for a massive new 44-storey residential skyscraper in the heart of the city centre have been revealed.
But does this mean it could change one Manchester‘s most famous views?
Located on what has been referred to as a “prominent site” adjacent to Deansgate train station and Deansgate-Castlefield tram stop at Whitworth Street West, these dramatic proposals would see the development of 364 apartments set over 44 storeys – with more 7,750 sq ft of active space on the ground, first, and second floor levels.
Developers Glenbrook say the building has been designed to “respond to the city’s heritage”, most-notably through its three-storey arched terracotta colonnade at street level.
Well-lit new green spaces, the enhancing of existing pedestrian routes, and seamless integration with the surrounding communities, all form part of the landscaping proposals for the bold new project.
“As a Manchester-based developer, we are excited about the prospect of embarking on a landmark development in the heart of our city, admitted Daniel Roberts, who is the Development Director at Glenbrook, as the proposals were unveiled this week.
“Whitworth Street West is undergoing a period of revitalisation, and Glenbrook are incredibly proud to be playing such an integral part in its future.”
A CGI of a proposed skyscraper on Whitworth Street West in Manchester / Credit: Glenbrook
A public consultation on the plans has now been launched, and will be live up until 28 October, as well as a dedicated in-person event, where representatives from Glenbrook and the design team will be on hand to answer questions and gather feedback, scheduled to take place at HOME MCR on First Street from 3:30-7:30pm on 15 October.
Residents, businesses, and interested stakeholders will have the opportunity to view the plans in detail, and provide their thoughts on the proposals.
The view of what Whitworth Street West currently looks like in October 2024 / Credit: The Manc Group
According to developers, the feedback gathered during the consultation will play a key role in shaping the final planning application – which will be submitted to the Manchester City Council in the coming months, and ultimately ensure the development meets the needs of the community.
But if you’d consider yourself to be a pro pumpkin carver, and reckon you’ve got what it takes to beat the Manchester masses, then you might want to get yourself down to GRUB to put those bold claims to the test.
There’s a big pumpkin carving competition happening in Manchester this Halloween / Credit: GRUB | Concetta Huffa (via Unpslash)
With both adults-only and family-friendly competitions, the popular Manchester venue – which is based down at the Red Bank Project, just outside the city centre – is inviting everyone to pick your pumpkin from the pile, and compete with other carvers across a range of different categories.
Awards will be handed out for the spookiest face, the most original design, best all-rounder, and so much more.
Tickets for both the adults-only event, which is happening on Friday 25 October at 7:30pm, and the family-friendly event on Sunday 27 October at 2pm, are now on sale and will set you back just £5 per person.
A pumpkin, and everything you need for carving is included in the ticket price.
There’s a chance to take home some fantastic prizes if you win too, including cinema tickets, free food and drink at GRUB, Halloween-themed cocktails, and tickets to an event of your choice.
Emily Sergeant -
21st May 2021 
