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A rare Lowry painting is going on public display for the first time in nearly 60 years

You can catch a glimpse of it before it goes to auction next month.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 22nd February 2024

A rare L.S. Lowry painting that hasn’t been seen in public for close to 60 years is set to go on display next month.

Talk about a monumental occasion, right?

The artwork in question, which is titled ‘Sunday Afternoon’, was thought to have been painted by Greater Manchester‘s most-famous artist all the way back in 1957, and pays resemblance to a lot of the other well-known works in his expansive and massively-celebrated portfolio.

As you’d expect from L.S. Lowry, ‘Sunday Afternoon’ depicts a densely-populated industrial landscape, which the Stretford-born figure often described as the “battle of life”.

‘Sunday Afternoon’ was previously sold at auction in 1967 for a “record price” after being obtained from the collection of Keith Showering – who was a former chief executive officer of Europe’s biggest drinks business, Allied Breweries.

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A rare Lowry painting is going on public display for the first time in nearly 60 years / Credit: Smabs Sputzer (via Flickr)

And now, it’s set to go to auction once again in a couple of weeks time with auction house, Christie’s – which was founded in 1766, and was actually the auctioneers to sell the painting the first time round in the mid-60s – down in London as part of the Modern British and Irish Art Evening Sale on Wednesday 20 March.

The auction house said the painting is expected to fetch somewhere between £4-6 million when it goes up for sale.

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But not before it gets publicly displayed for the first time in 57 years, that is.

Speaking ahead of the highly-anticipated auction next month, Phillip Harley – who is the Senior Director at Christie’s, commented: “Sunday Afternoon by LS Lowry will return to the public eye at Christie’s for the first time since it was last seen here 57 years ago.

‘Sunday Afternoon’ can be seen by the public before it goes to auction next month / Credit: The Lowry Gallery

“This important painting has remained in the collection of Sir Keith and Lady Showering since 1967, offering a once-in-a-generation opportunity to acquire a work of this magnitude and scale. The composition represents the wonder the artist felt as he recorded his many observations of the evolving society around him.

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“We are thrilled to bring Sunday Afternoon back to auction.”

Clients and visitors, alike, are invited to view ‘Sunday Afternoon’ when it goes on free display in London from 13 – 20 March.

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So, if you fancy a trip down to the capital, a rare art piece is ready and waiting for you.

Featured Image – Christie’s Images LTD 2024

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2024 Manchester Marathon raises £29 million for local economy and over £3.7m for charity

Danny Jones Danny Jones Manchester Marathon raises millions for city economy and local charity

Just under a fortnight on from the 2024 Manchester Marathon and the numbers are finally, with the annual race generating nearly £30 million for the local economy and raising over £3.7m for charity.

This year’s Adidas Manchester Marathon saw record numbers of runners and spectators as over 30,000 took part in the popular race, up by roughly 6,000 from 2023, and more than 125k turned up to line the streets of Greater Manchester.

As a result, these huge crowds spent upwards of £29.2 million at business around the city centre and around the 10 boroughs last weekend, serving as one of the most significant contributions to the local economy on the annual calendar.

Not only was this an approximately £8m increase on last year’s tally but, most importantly, a sizeable chunk of that went straight into both regional and national charities.

The 2024 adidas Manchester Marathon was a spectacular day for the city and its economy.

Beyond the boost to local vendors, the hospitality sector and retail businesses, over £3.7 million were allocated to charities such as Alzheimer’s Charity, Cancer Research UK, British Heart Foundation and The Christie. 

Over £32,000 was also raised for the Trafford Active Fund, with £1 from every paid entry to the Adidas Manchester Marathon and Manchester Half donated directly to the initiative that benefits local sports clubs and organisations through Trafford Council.

Better still, with City of Trees selected as the chosen ‘Green Runner’ charity, the eco-friendly drive saw roughly 7% of participants opt out of receiving either a finisher t-shirt, medal or both.

The money saved in production goes towards maintaining woodlands and wildlife across Greater Manchester.

Fundraising from the Manchester Marathon is one of it’s biggest upshots.

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This year’s Manchester Marathon also helped produce some of the highest number of passengers on public transport in the city’s history, with a over 175,000 journeys made on Metrolink alone – the highest number of journeys ever recorded on a single day.

This was a 20% increase on 2023’s race day (145k), spotlighting how the event continues to be more environmentally conscious as years go by.

With the 2025 adidas Manchester Marathon confirmed to be taking place on Sunday, 27 April next year – and over 12,000 places already sold – the city can already look forward to reaping the economic and social benefits of hosting one of Europe’s largest, flattest, friendliest and most-loved marathons. 

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Adidas Manchester Marathon/The Manc Group

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Manchester firefighter surprises partner with proposal during new recruits parade

Danny Jones Danny Jones Manchester firefighter surprise proposal recruit passing out parade

We’re a sucker for a wholesome little video as we know you are, which is exactly why we thought of you lot when we came across this video of a newly graduated Manchester firefighter surprising his partner with a heartwarming proposal.

Just the kind of heartwarming that usually sets us off after a long week at work.

The clip shared by Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) on Thursday, 25 April, shows Manc fireman James popping the question to his girlfriend sat unassumingly in the audience at a recent passing out ceremony.

Pass out ceremonies are when trainees go from recruits to fully qualified firefighters after completing their intensive operational training. It’s a long-standing tradition in the emergency services where friends and family gather to celebrate their achievements – it’s almost like it’s the perfect opportunity…

Watch as a Manc firefighter turns his passing out ceremony into a surprise proposal.

As you can see, since the graduates are usually the centre of attention, James couldn’t help but size his moment and instead of walking and lining up normally like everyone else, he decided to head straight over to his wife-to-be and get down on one knee.

You already know the rest.

Welling up immediately and barely able to remove her hands from her face, Melissa nods and says yes as the crowd cheers and the pair share a smooch.

You just love to see it.

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Writing on social media, the GMFRS said: “We managed to capture a VERY special moment at our new recruits pass out parade today… Congratulations to James and Melissa!”, adding, “Certainly one way to start your new career”.

If we don’t see all the groomsmen dressed as firefighters on a random viral video sometime soon we’re going to be gutted.

All the best to the happy couple and if you’ve got any more lovely clips like this to send in so we can make ourselves cry (in a good way), you know what to do.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service

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