Hundreds of women will march through the centre of Manchester to mark International Women’s Day on Sunday 6 March.
The march will bring together women and their allies from across Greater Manchester, with those taking part banging and clanging their way through town in the name of equality.
It will progress through the city in a celebration of the huge economic, political and social achievements women have made since first winning the right to vote just over 100 years ago.
It will also serve as a reminder that parity between the sexes has not yet been achieved and there is still more work to be done to reach true equality.
Image: Supplied
There will be women-led chants and singing, with participants encouraged to bring along instruments to make some noise as they go.
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The walk will start at 12.30pm on Liverpool Road outside the Castlefield Urban Heritage Park, before progressing down Deansgate towards Manchester Cathedral where it will end.
Whilst the suffrage movement was nationalised in London, it first began in Manchester in 1903 when Moss Side local Emmeline Pankhurst founded the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU) with the motto ‘Deeds not words’.
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To that end, it seems only fitting that after a two-year hiatus hundreds of women and their supporters will be able to demonstrate their support for IWD as they proudly walk through the city.
“Whether you’re a lone ranger or part of a group, we’d love to see you walking with us- we cannot wait to rise, roar and represent women.”
Councillor Becky Chambers, Lead Elected Member for Women, added: “International Women’s Day is an important date marking the economic, political and social achievements of women.
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“However, as we all know there is still inequality and women have not reached parity just yet. When we celebrate the wonderful women who have fought for us, we should also be conscious of the steps we need to take in the future to aid women and future generations.”
Large groups, businesses and organisations are encouraged to get involved and register for an official place in the Walk for Women. As part of Our Year, young women will be encouraged and supported to attend this.
For more information about the Walk for Women, to register a group to take part in the official parade or to learn more about other events taking place visit the council website here.
Man City fan jailed after causing £10k damage to a police vehicle following Champions League victory
Emily Sergeant
A Manchester City fan has been jailed for his part in large-scale disorder following the club’s Champions League victory.
The court heard how, following Manchester City’s Champions League Final win over Inter Milan in Istanbul in Turkey on Saturday 10 June 2023, jubilant fans flocked to the streets of Manchester city centre for late-night celebrations.
The large influx of fans in high spirits prompted a police response to ‘ensure public safety’ and ‘prevent any public disorder’, according to Greater Manchester Police (GMP).
However, the disorder did begin to escalate despite police presence.
A number of fans, including 22-year-old Leon Blackett, scaled a police vehicle and proceeded to jump up and down on it, which subsequently caused more than £10,000 worth of damage, and resulted in the vehicle having to be written off.
#JAILED | Leon Blackett (14/01/2003) of Craigmore Avenue, has been been handed a three-month jail term for causing £10k worth of damage to a police vehicle following the club's Champions League win in 2023, along with 41 months for other offences.
Following the disorder, an investigation was launched by GMP’s City Centre policing, with officers obtaining social media and CCTV footage that helped them to identify those responsible.
Blackett admitted to the offence, after he was arrested on Thursday 19 October 2023.
Following admitting to the offence, Blackett was sentenced to 44 months in prison – a three-month jail term for this football-related offence, along with 41 months for possession of a bladed article and a domestic related communications offence.
He has also been given a seven-year Football Banning Order, commencing on the day Blackett received his sentence.
“The actions by Blackett in the wake of Manchester City’s historic Champions League Final victory were completely unacceptable,” commented PC Matt Ford, from GMP’s Specialist Operations Planning Unit.
“This is a timely reminder to those who commit crimes while following the football in another country, we will seek prosecutions for unacceptable behaviour.”
Featured Image – GMP
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Stevie Wonder to play landmark Manchester gig as part of UK tour this year
Thomas Melia
Living legend Stevie Wonder is heading on a UK tour and stopping off in Manchester for the first time in 15 years.
Manchester has been blessed by the music gods yet again, and this time, it comes in the form of funk pioneer Stevie Wonder.
The 74-year-old musician will be bringing his extraordinary grand piano, exceptional live band, and, of course, his groovy tunes like ‘Superstition’, ‘Isn’t She Lovely’, and ‘I Just Called To Say I Love You’ to our city later this year.
Wonder last visited Manchester in 2010, gracing the AO Arena with his presence, but now he’s visiting Manchester’s newest live music entertainment venue, Co-op Live.
Stevie Wonder will be visiting Co-op Live in Manchester this year / Publicity Picture (via Supplied)
The American-Ghanaian icon has an undisputed legacy.
He became the youngest solo artist ever to top the Billboard Hot 100 with his 1963 single ‘Fingertips’ at age 13, and has also won the prestigious Album of the Year category at the Grammys three times, as well as taking home 25 awards in total throughout his career.
His 1976 project Songs in the Key of Life was also featured in Apple Music’s 100 Best Albums at number six by esteemed critics and the public alike – a claim that not many have to their name.
With this 2025 UK tour titled ‘Love, Light & Song’, the Michigan native will be heading to two arenas, Manchester and Birmingham, and taking on various festival performances along the way – including Lytham Festival.
The crowds will be roaring when Stevie Wonder takes to the stage, and rightly so, as this artist has racked up almost 300 weeks in the UK Top 40, with an impressive 39 singles featuring on our charts throughout his career.
He’s an undeniable force, and this show in Manchester is set to be monumental, so ‘Don’t You Worry ’bout a Thing’, as you’ll be in for a night of jazz, funk, soul, and everything in between.
Georgina Pellant -
28th February 2022 
