Tributes have poured in after the death of Star and Garter’s beloved doorman Ian ‘Strawboss’ Garner following his tragic death.
The much-loved bouncer passed away on Monday 22 May after suffering a stroke in November last year, leaving friends, musicians and regulars devastated by the loss.
Described as being “from a generation of people who didn’t want to retire and put his feet up”, although Ian may not have looked a day over 65 he would have turned 80 in June of next year. As a result, he could – by all accounts – “tell you a story about every pub in the centre of Manchester.”
According to Star and Garter manager Andy Martin Ian was “the most selfless, generous, caring, intelligent, healthy man you could ever wish to meet”.
He told The Manc: “Ian Garner could tell you a story about every pub in the centre of Manchester, sometimes because he had worked there (The Swan With Two Necks) or because he’d fixed or improved the building (The Bulls Head).
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“Whatever the case, he has seen almost all of them close, more so in recent years, but the Star and Garter was always special to him, primarily because it was his local when he was the live-in manager of Arthur Donnelly’s yard at what is now the kids play area of Mayfield Park.
“The Star and Garter closed in 1987 and reopened under new ownership in 1991. In order to obtain a late licence as part of the plan to turn it into a live music venue, a fire escape had to be fitted to the building. Ian happened to have one going spare from a demolition job he had worked on and was happy to let the new owner buy it.
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Image: The Star and Garter
Image: The Star and Garter
“It was during the construction of said fire escape that Ian was nicknamed ‘Strawboss’ which has a few definitions but in Ian’s case was very fitting – “a member of a group of workers who supervises the work of the others in addition to doing his or her own job”.
“Ian Strawboss was from a generation of people who didn’t want to retire and put his feet up. Ian was only happy when he had a project or two on the go.
“The Star and Garter owes the ability to carry on trading to Ian for fixing everything from damp in the cellar to the roof and gutters. His knowledge of local history was equal to his knowledge of world history.
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“He could fix anything or work out a plan to fix a problem – we would describe him as The Oracle to strangers. Ian was the most selfless, generous, caring, intelligent, healthy man you could ever wish to meet and one Sunday in November 2022 it was all switched off by a stroke.
“We hoped he would recover enough to return home and have us help to look after him but although he may not have looked a day over 65, (he would have turned 80 in June 2024) his age counted against his recovery and despite making progress with his speech and movement it became too big an ask of him. In the end his health deteriorated to the point where he could barely move or speak.
Image: The Star and Garter
Image: The Star and Garter
“He wasn’t happy, he described himself as a bed blocker and thought he was a burden. He longed to go home and drive his beloved classic MG soft top (his pride and joy since the early 80s). He had a list of things to fix at the Star and Garter and wanted to finish them.
“He was in a lot of pain, bedridden and just a shell of the man people remembered. In his final weeks he became quite the celebrity at his care home due to the number of visitors he had every day and everyone who visited shared the opinion that he really didn’t deserve any of what had happened to him.
“During one of his final visits he told us he was ready to go and asked us to never forget him, he then told us the care home would be discharging him within a fortnight. Even at the end he kept his dry wit. He wasn’t immortal like we thought he was and he wasn’t aware of how high a regard people literally worldwide held him in.
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“The Facebook posts are testament to that. He. Strawboss won’t be forgotten – there will always be reminders of how important he was in every room on every floor of the Star and Garter.”
Many people have taken to social media to pay tribute to Ian, remembering his ‘beautiful’ and ‘welcoming’ nature after The Star and Garter announced his death on its Facebook page at the start of the week.
In a post that has been liked over 700 times and received more than 150 comments, each tribute tells the tale of a man who was well-loved by the community.
Ian Jones, Editor at local publisher Creative Tourist, wrote: “One of the most likeable and generous people I met out of the many amazing people I knew through the S&G. He was everyone’s grandad and always kept a watchful eye out for us, in the best possible way. He was an ever-present, vital part of my favourite place, and the outpouring of emotion here says everything. RIP big man.”
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Music producer and DJ Andy Woods wrote: “It really is with mixed emotions that I write this – so very sad Ian’s gone but also grateful he’s no longer in a state I know would’ve frustrated him, being the vigorous character he was. He’d often come up and ask me what a particular song was or tell me he’d found himself singing it in the week between Smile’s. His particular favourite was the German language version of Kraftwerk’s The Model, Das Model, as Vicky Walker states, and I remember making him a copy of it after he asked me one night.
“He’ll NEVER be forgotten by anyone who ever had a conversation with him and his range of knowledge was astounding as can be seen from the comments here – his subjects for me were the grand prix, his Sunday afternoon’s out in town, railway tunnels plus other engineering wonders and of course Denton ! And as the main post reflects, his contribution to the physical preservation of the building is an amazing legacy to leave behind. Condolences to family, friends and all those customers that will never forget his gigantic presence …….a big, big love xxxx ”
A precious jewel left this world today. I hope he knew the beautiful impact he had on every one of us. Rest In Peace Ian ❤️ greatest doorman that ever was. We will never forget you, of that I promise. Until I see you again, I’ll wear that badge you got me. Your Julie x pic.twitter.com/OGknPQFzSp
Following his death, the award-winning writer and broadcaster Julie Hamill took to Twitter to describe Ian as a ‘precious jewel’, writing: “A precious jewel left this world today. I hope he knew the beautiful impact he had on every one of us. Rest In Peace Ian. Greatest doorman that ever was. We will never forget you, of that I promise. Until I see you again, I’ll wear that badge you got me. Your Julie x”
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Manchester music promoter Sophie Bea took to Facebook to say she would always remember Ian’s lovely stories, writing that she was ‘heartbroken’ by the news of his passing and that ‘he was always so pleased to see us’.
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Music collector and devotee Stefan Kris wrote on Twitter: “That’s very sad news, Rest in peace Ian and thanks for always making me feel welcomed.”
Featured image – The Star and Garter
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Tributes pour in for chairman of Manchester City’s ‘Cheadle Blues’ supporters club, Tommy Muir
Danny Jones
Tributes are pouring in following the death of Tommy Muir, the long-standing chairman of Manchester City’s ‘Cheadle Blues’ supporters club, at the age of 71.
News of Muir’s death broke on Thursday, 21 November, with countless Man City fans learning of his tragic passing online and proceeding to pay their respects.
The Cheadle Branch boss, lifelong supporter and well-known club figure is said to have died following a significant period of illness, with one person on the popular Bluemoon Forum claiming he suffered from the progressive disease pulmonary fibrosis for some time.
Numerous messages of sadness, love and support have been shared on social media already.
Sad to hear the news that Tommy Muir has died. A wonderful person who first helped me with my research decades ago. A dedicated MCFC fan. My thoughts are with his family and friends. https://t.co/8rLcL10N2Ipic.twitter.com/dkEmCSU1vl
Just heard a top blue Tommy Muir has passed away. Met Tommy years ago, he helped me out with tickets down the years, we shared a few laughs and pints. He gave me this plaque after he rescued it from Maine Road and is something I'll always treasure. RIP Tommy #trueblue 💙⚽ pic.twitter.com/jfbFLfZCKS
By all accounts, Muir will be remembered as a much-loved leader of City’s Cheadle Branch, as well as a generous character with a great sense of humour.
There are countless messages from people who know him from the local area or through helping sort spare tickets for matchdays and as the familiar face around Maine Road back in the day and on the bus to the Etihad Stadium for many years.
Tommy was also one of the official supporters group members who were treated to a visit by Man City themselves, naming him honorary Life Vice President of the Official Supporters Club and bringing the Treble trophies to his doorstep back in July 2023.
Muir, an ex-Royal Mail worker, also served as the landlord of The Kenilworth pub back in Cheadle, Stockport, where fans would regularly meet pre-match before heading to watch the game.
Local author and historian of Manchester sport, Gary James, wrote on Facebook: “I’ve just seen this news… Sad to hear the news that Tommy Muir has died. A wonderful person who first helped me with my research decades ago. A dedicated MCFC fan. My thoughts are with his family and friends.”
Known to so many throughout the fan base, even supporters who never met him personally have been sharing their condolences on various platforms. Those who knew him well have nothing but heartwarming memories to share.
Fan forums like Bluemoon have been awash with people mourning Muir’s passing. One person told the story of meeting him at the age of 17 and following him when moved to The George and Dragon pub – another popular City haunt before games.
Another wrote: “I got to know Tommy when I joined the Cheadle Supporters branch. Tommy loved being branch secretary. He was absolutely dedicated to his position as branch secretary […] The branch meetings were serious affairs, getting through what had to be discussed, but in between was humour and laughter brought about by Tommy.
“Tommy had a huge sense of humour, and his one-liners were famous amongst the branch members, which would have everyone laughing throughout the meetings. The coach trips to the away games were never dull. They were always full of cheer, drinking, laughter, and City songs.”
“Keep on watching your beloved City from above. Rest in peace, Tommy.”
Losses like this within a fan base are always tough to take. Our thoughts go out to his family, friends, the Cheadle Branch and all the Blues whose lives he touched. RIP Tommy Muir.
A look at Embassy Village as construction on Manchester’s homeless housing project begins
Danny Jones
Work has officially begun on Manchester’s long-rumoured Embassy Village, a new living quarters designed specifically to house the local homeless community.
Set to be the largest purpose-built village of its kind in the UK, the hope is to provide short to medium-term housing for up to 40 rough sleepers in the Greater Manchester area.
Planning permission for the £4 million project proposed by the Embassy Charity was handed down back in 2021 and enabling works have been gradually taking place, with the land now fully prepped for construction to begin.
Officially breaking ground on Tuesday, 19 November, developers and regeneration specialists Peel Waters shared the first images from the site as well as concept artwork for what the district will look like once completed.
Construction begins to build the UK’s largest purpose-built village for rough sleepers @EmbassyVillage 🏗️🏡 Over 50 organisations are working together to transform our site below 22 railway arches into high-quality homes for 40 homeless men Full story herehttps://t.co/xoXfURTLGkpic.twitter.com/fn8GixYsxR
The 4.5-acre brownfield site sits beneath 22 railway arches just off the Egerton Street Bridge near Castlefield and the bustling Regent Road which heads towards Salford.
Designed to house homeless and vulnerable people living in and around Manchester within individual units, Embassy Village is a joint non-profit venture by both Peel Waters and well-known property company Capital&Centric.
Contractor Vermont Group will be taking on the construction for free, with around 50 organisations offering their services pro bono, including AEW Architects, Planit and Jon Matthews Architects, who helped design the living quarters and wider communal space from the ground up.
Aiming to create a genuinely beneficial community environment, with those staying there able to access green spaces, mini-allotment plots, sports facilities; counselling services, laundry rooms, computer spaces and tonnes more, they’ve come a long way from offering tour bus beds to the homeless.
Residents will also start off on the right path towards getting back on their feet and those staying there will be required to carry out six hours of training per week in things like shopping, cooking, budgeting and other key life skills.
Substance abuse was only mentioned as a contributing cause by 22% of respondents, highlighting the reality that homelessness trauma exacerbates addiction for many. In fact, homelessness is a major contributing factor to substance abuse. pic.twitter.com/DeEB7VhAiC
Speaking on the first day of proper construction, Peel Waters‘ director James Whittaker said: “Today’s launch event is an important milestone, marking years of hard work and collaboration to deliver the UK’s first purpose-built community village…”
He went on to thank all of those who have backed the plans so far, including Greater Manchester’s Mayor Andy Burnham, who has already applauded it as a “fantastic idea.”
With several local organisations either offering their help for free or contribute by donating to the project, the speed at which work can now move is increasing and it is expected that the 24 homes, as well as the central ‘village hall’ space, will be finished within the next 10 months.
The aim is for Embassy Village to be completed in its entirety by the end of 2025 and with more and more businesses being invited to help with the development along the way, the amount of resources and manpower is only looking like it will increase with approximately £1m still needed to fully bring it to life.
Cooperating with the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity, which specialises in helping the homeless through its ‘A Bed Every Night’ scheme, Embassy are now working on finding long-term funding for the village’s operational costs once it is up and running.
Another key benefactor is The Moulding Foundation, an organisation dedicated to alleviating social inequalities, who donated £3.5m to support the village’s construction.
Co-founder, Jodie Moulding, told Prolific North: “For most people, access to housing, healthcare, and education is a given – but for others, it is a privilege…
“It has taken an unbelievable amount of time, effort, and energy to get to this point, so finally breaking ground is a huge milestone for everyone involved in bringing Embassy Village to life.”
As for Embassy themselves the charity’s director, Sid Williams, added: “Special thanks go to Matt and Jodie Moulding for their financial backing and the teams at Peel Waters, Capital&Centric, the Mayor’s Charity and Manchester City Council for making this happen.”
Georgina Pellant -
24th May 2023 
