A brand new mosaic mural inspired by Manchester‘s iconic music, sporting, and architectural heritage has just been unveiled.
Ahead of the return of cricket’s newest and most entertaining tournament, The Hundred, later this week, the new mural has been unveiled just outside of the Emirates Old Trafford cricket ground and it pays homage to the city’s very-own team, Manchester Originals.
The new mosaic mural – which is described as being a “legacy artwork” – not only brings to life the Manchester Originals’ striking monochrome branding that fans will know well, but it also draws inspiration from the architecture, music, and sporting heritage that the Greater Manchester region is world-famous for.
It also features the city’s emblem, the Manchester worker bee, The Stone Roses’ lemon, and also a clever nod to “the Mancunian Way of doing things”.
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The Manchester Originals mural has been unveiled outside of Emirates Old Trafford / Credit: Nathan Whittaker (@Manc_Wanderer) via Manchester Originals
The new mural is the impressive work of renowned local mosaic artist, Mark Kennedy – who’s recognisable creations adorn the streets of Manchester, and have become synonymous with the city for over 20 years now.
Mark was as at Emirates Old Trafford himself to help unveil the mosaic yesterday.
“Manchester has been my canvas for nearly 30 years, I can’t imagine being from, or based, anywhere else,” Mark said on the unveiling of the new mural.
“We wanted this piece to be modern, but with references that will stand the test of time.”
The new mural is the work of renowned local mosaic artist, Mark Kennedy / Credit: Nathan Whittaker (@Manc_Wanderer) via Manchester Originals
A handful of local residents and cricket fans were also invited down to Emirates Old Trafford to place the final pieces into the mosaic ahead of Manchester Originals’ first home game of the tournament against the Northern Superchargers this Friday.
The mural also depicts Manchester Originals’ Women’s captain, Kate Cross.
Speaking on the mural’s unveiling, Kate explained: “Manchester is more than our name, it’s our home, so to be part of a piece of art that captures that iconic Manchester spirit is a real honour… and I hope to see plenty of photos [of our fans] stood next to the mosaic.”
A Manchester Originals mosaic has been revealed at Emirates Old Trafford ahead of the return of The Hundred this week. 🐝#TheHundred
Now in its second season and already proving popular with people of all ages, it’s cricket’s newest one-day 100-ball tournament that runs for four-weeks and gives spectators the chance to enjoy a mix of fast-paced world class cricket, along with music, entertainment, and street food off the pitch.
“This concept of cricket is radical – and Manchester is a radical city,” Mark Kennedy added.
Featured Image – Nathan Whittaker (@Manc_Wanderer) via Manchester Originals
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New stations appear across Manchester for city’s rentable ‘Burnham bike’ scheme
Daisy Jackson
The roll-out of Greater Manchester’s Bee Bike cycle hire scheme has stepped up a gear, with new docking stations appearing across the city centre.
The scheme, nicknamed the ‘Burnham bikes’ as a nod to London’s ‘Boris bikes’, initially launched in Salford and along the Oxford Road corridor.
Several new yellow stations have appeared around Manchester now, with plenty more on the way.
The next phase of the roll-out of the Bee Bikes has seen stations installed around St Peter’s Square and Manchester Central.
‘Burnham Bike’ cycle hire stations near St Peter’s Square. Credit: The Manc Group
By the time the scheme is complete, bike numbers will increase to 1,500, which will include 300 e-bikes.
It’s all part of the vision for a Bee Network – a joined-up, integrated public transport network across the region.
And it’s certainly off to a more successful start than Mobike, which famously withdrew from Manchester due to high levels of vandalism and theft.
The Bee Bikes are funded by TgGM and operated by Beryl, which runs similar schemes in London, Watford and Bournemouth.
Here you go – your new “Bee Bikes” which will be on our streets from November. 👇🏻
Many will be e-bikes and, in time, part of a single integrated payment system across bikes, buses and trams.
Richard Nickson, programme director, Cycling and Walking at Transport for Greater Manchester, said: “The cycle hire scheme has really taken off in Greater Manchester since it was first introduced, and we are seeing significant numbers of riders and distances travelled by on the bikes- which is fantastic, particularly as we are still in the early days of the scheme’s roll out.
“The next phase of the roll-out has now started in Manchester city centre, with new stations installed at key locations including Manchester Central Library, Manchester Central Convention Centre and St Peter’s Square.
“More stations are due to be installed in Manchester city centre over the coming weeks, before the scheme continues to expand its footprint to new locations in Salford and Trafford.
“Once complete the scheme will see bike numbers increase to 1,500 – including 300 e-bikes – and over 150 new stations in operation.”
Manchester is OFFICIALLY in the running to host Eurovision
Daisy Jackson
The potential host cities for Eurovision 2023 have been announced this morning – and Manchester is officially in with a chance.
The UK has stepped in to host the global singing contest in place of this year’s winners, Ukraine.
As our nation was runner-up this year with Sam Ryder’s Spaceman giving us our biggest success in years, it’s over to the UK to welcome all the countries taking part.
Cities have been announcing their bids for several weeks, with 20 expressions of interest to host sent in.
Sam Ryder came second in last year’s Eurovision. Credit: BBC
But it’s a complicated event, so those who wish to host need to actually have a suitable venue and the financial contribution too, and demonstrate that they will celebrate and honour Ukrainian culture and artists.
The shortlist of seven cities has just been announced live on BBC Radio Two, on Zoe Ball’s breakfast show.
“We have a large and proud Ukrainian community in Manchester. It would be our privilege to host this iconic celebration on their behalf and we will do everything we can to honour them throughout.”
“We’re exceptionally grateful that the BBC has accepted to stage the Eurovision Song Contest in the UK in 2023,” said Martin Österdahl, the Eurovision Song Contest’s Executive Supervisor.
“The BBC has taken on hosting duties for other winning countries on four previous occasions. Continuing in this tradition of solidarity, we know that next year’s Contest will showcase the creativity and skill of one of Europe’s most experienced public broadcasters whilst ensuring this year’s winners, Ukraine, are celebrated and represented throughout the event.”
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The final decision will be based on scoring criteria from the BBC and the EBU.
It’s expected that the host city will officially be announced in the autumn.
Emily Sergeant -
4th August 2022 
