Stockport has officially been crowned Greater Manchester Town of Culture for 2023.
It’s no secret now that in recent years, Stockport has been celebrated as an emerging hub of culture and creative activity in Greater Manchester, with the area producing some big-name stars in the arts, entertainment, and sporting spheres, as well as seeing significant new residential and commercial developments popping up, a food, drink, hospitality, and nightlife scene that continues to prove popular, and even being named as one of the best areas to invest in 2022.
But now, the town has got itself a fancy title to prove it – and along with that, a £50,000 grant to support arts and creativity in the wider borough.
Stockport will officially take on the title of Greater Manchester’s Town of Culture for 2023! Take a look at the photos from our fantastic launch event at the Hat Works this afternoon 📸👇 pic.twitter.com/Kt7Zc1VA0f
— Stockport Town Of Culture (@SKTownOfCulture) May 23, 2023
Up against several other Greater Manchester areas all vying for the crown, Stockport’s bid was centred around the ‘One Stockport’ vision, which Stockport Council says sets out to support the local economy, connect communities, and promote health and wellbeing.
According to the Council, ‘One Stockport’ will be underpinned by four elements that “celebrate arts and creativity in the broadest sense”, as well as the town’s diverse cultural heritage.
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These elements are Stockport Makes, Stockport Moves, Stockport Sounds, and Stockport Tastes.
Stockport has been named Greater Manchester’s ‘Town of Culture’ for 2023 / Credit: Stockport Market | Stockport Foodie Friday
Stockport’s year as Town of Culture also coincides with a number of major public redevelopments and investment in the town.
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These include the Town Centre West regeneration, the refurbishment of the legendary Hat Works museum, “cutting-edge” digital arts opportunities to be opened up through the £2.6m Stockport Creative Campus Cultural Fund, and the development of the £14m Future High Street Stockroom discovery centre.
The town’s new title was announced at a presentation yesterday attended by famous faces such as local indie band Blossoms, and Stockport County defender Macauley Southam-Hales, as well as Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham, Stockport Council Leader Cllr Mark Hunter, and representatives from across the town’s cultural scene.
It’s third town in the region to claim the coveted crown / Credit: Stockport Council
“It’s a real pleasure to be able to announce Stockport as our third ever Town of Culture for 2023,” Andy Burnham said at the presentation yesterday.
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“The town put forward a strong case for the accolade, backed up by some really exciting plans for events and activities that celebrate Stockport’s identity, its history, but also shine a spotlight on everything that’s happening right now.”
Stockport follows in the footsteps of Stalybridge, which held the title in 2022.
Bury was announced as Greater Manchester’s inaugural Town of Culture for 2020, and held onto it into 2021 after the pandemic put a number of events and activities on hold.
Featured Image – Stockport Foodie Friday (via Facebook)
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Body of missing 15-year-old boy recovered from water at Salford country park
Emily Sergeant
The body of a missing 15-year-old boy has sadly been recovered from the water at a country park in Salford.
Officers from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) were called to reports of a teenager getting in to difficulty in the water at Clifton Country Park in Salford at around 4:51pm this past Saturday (27 June).
Since then, emergency services – including partners from Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service (GMFRS) and North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) – have been working together to locate the missing boy.
But despite their best efforts, a body was, unfortunately, located in the water yesterday (29 June).
The body was recovered from the water by specialists at North West Under Water Search and Marine Unit, GMP confirmed.
Formal identification is yet to take place, but police are supporting the family of the missing boy in the meantime.
“Saturday’s incident is truly heartbreaking,” commented Detective Inspector Dave Ogden, from the Salford CID.
“My thoughts remain with the family and loved ones of the young boy who has so tragically lost his life. While we are satisfied there are no suspicious circumstances, this incident is an incredibly upsetting reminder of the serious risks associated with open water.
“We understand people want to make the most of the warm weather, but we would urge everyone to stay safe and avoid entering reservoirs, rivers, canals or ponds.
“Please take care and enjoy the weather in a safe way.”
Featured Image – David Dixon (via Geograph)
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Man named and charged with ‘brutal’ murder at Peak District stone circle on summer solstice
Emily Sergeant
A man has been formally named as he’s charged with murder after a man’s life was taken in ‘the most brutal way’ following a summer solstice event.
He has been named as Szymon Babynko – a 23-year-old Polish national who now lives in London.
Babynko was named as part of an ongoing investigation, which was launched after Derbyshire Police were called to reports of a man’s body being found at Nine Ladies Stone Circle in the Peak District at 1:38pm on Monday 22 June, and when emergency services attended the scene, a 26-year-old man was found and pronounced dead.
The man was identified as Isaac Clare-Watts, from Nottingham, with police assuring his family are being supported by specialist officers.
Babynko was arrested on Thursday 25 June in connection with the incident, before being charged with murder today (29 June).
He has also been charged with attempted murder in relation to another incident on Hady Lane in Chesterfield on Thursday 25 June, the same day he was arrested.
Investigators say they still remain ‘keen’ to hear from anyone who was at the stone circle site over the weekend – which was notably the weekend of the summer solstice – as well as anyone with video footage from the event, and dashcam footage of vehicles arriving and leaving over the weekend.
A Major Incident Public Portal (MIPP) has been set up where members of the public can send information to police directly.
Emily Sergeant -
24th May 2023 
