A new warning has been issued reminding people of the dangers of swimming in Salford Quays – even with such warm weather.
Salford City Council issued a warning over the late May bank holiday weekend urging people to stay out of the water.
It comes just two weeks after two people were rescued from the water and rushed to hospital with hypothermia.
And last summer, tragedy struck in Salford Quays when 16-year-old Kalen Waugh – who was last seen struggling in the water while swimming with friends – was found dead in the water.
People are now being reminded that the warm weather doesn’t mean that bodies of water like rivers, lakes and reservoirs are warm enough to swim in.
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Salford City Council said: “Even in a heatwave open water in Salford Quays, rivers, lakes and reservoirs is always cold.
“The risk of drowning through cold water shock is real. Please stay out of the water unless taking part in an organised activity and stay safe.”
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The Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS) says there are three stages that your body will go through if you experience cold water shock.
The first is a gasp for breath followed by rapid breathing (hyperventilation).
They then say: “At the same time as your breathing goes out of control, your blood pressure shoots up as your body tries to keep your blood warm by moving it towards the middle of your body (this is why you go pale when you’re cold).
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“Once your breathing is back under control, this is your window to get out of the water before the further effects of cold water shock kick in.
“As your muscles cool, your strength, endurance and muscle control reduces to the point when you can’t swim any longer so can’t rescue yourself. The point at which you can’t swim any more is called ‘swim failure’, and if you haven’t got out of the water or managed to get hold of a buoyancy aid (like a lifejacket) by this time, you will drown.”
The RLSS issues the following advice if you do fall into cold water.
First, keep your mouth away from the water until you have your breathing back under control, you can do this by rolling onto your back and floating or paddling to stay at the surface.
Then, don’t waste any time and swim towards an exit before your muscles start to cool, or swim towards something that will help you to stay afloat whilst you are calling for help.
Finally, once you are out of the water re-warm yourself as soon as you can to avoid hypothermia.
Temperatures across Greater Manchester are set to hit highs of 22 degrees this week as we head into yet more days of sunshine and warm weather.
Featured image: Unsplash
Salford
Salford Pride’s popular Pink Picnic returns this summer with ‘iconic’ headliners
Emily Sergeant
Boney M, The Cheeky Girls, and Ru Paul’s Drag Race UK stars are all on the lineup at Salford Pride’s popular Pink Picnic this summer.
As this summer marks 15 years of Pride in Salford, Salford Pride has announced a whole host of exciting events to celebrate – including the return of The Pink Picnic, its biggest family-friendly celebration yet, with headliners like 90s and 00s music icons, community talent, and even a ‘bigger and bolder’ Youth Zone for 2026.
Returning to Peel Park once again, The Pink Picnic brings together LGBTQ+ community, allies, families and friends for a day built around community, joy, and belonging.
For 2026, Salford Pride is expanding the experience further with even more to do across the park than ever before.
The Pink Picnic has been part of Salford’s Pride story since 2011, but this year’s 15th anniversary addition is set to be one for the history books, as alongside a headline lineup featuring Boney M, RuPaul’s Drag Race UK’s Kyran Thrax and Paige Three, The Cheeky Girls, Big Brovaz, Booty Luv, and Baby D, a strong programme of community acts will also be spotlighted.
Some of the exceptional community acts already named on the lineup so far include Tallulah Guard, Fear of Marko, and John Tucker.
Across the day, visitors can also shop from dozens of community stalls and market traders, take part in or watch the much-loved annual dog show, and visit the ‘bigger and bolder’ Youth Zone that’s designed to help young people feel seen and celebrated.
“Celebrating 15 years of Pride in Salford feels really special, and we wanted 2026 to feel like a proper thank you to the community that’s built this with us” said Scott Turzański, who is the Head of Marketing and Brand at Salford Pride.
“The Pink Picnic is a family event – it’s welcoming, it’s joyful, and it’s about making space for everyone.”
The Pink Picnic returns to Peel Park in Salford next month on Saturday 13 June, and you can find out more and book tickets online here.
Featured Image – Salford Pride (via Facebook)
Salford
Major events programme announced as part of the Salford 100 centenary celebrations
Daisy Jackson
A raft of exciting new events have been announced as part of the upcoming Salford 100 celebrations, marking the city’s 100th anniversary.
The city-wide events programme will take place throughout the year, featuring everything from art commissions to community events – with many free to attend.
Salford City Council is putting together the cultural programme across Salford’s eight neighbourhoods, supported using public funding by Arts Council England, and it’ll feature major events from the likes of Walk the Plank and From The Other.
Everything will be created to explore the past, celebrate the present, and imagine the future of Salford.
At the heart of the upcoming celebrations are three flagship commissions: a travelling pop-up festival called The Wagon Train, a large-scale multimedia artwork titled Salford Everywhere, and Songs of Salford, a new concept record aiming to create a modern anthem for the city.
Speaking about the cultural commissions announced today, Paul Dennett, Salford City Mayor, said: “As we mark 100 years of Salford as a city, it’s only right that we celebrate in a way that reflects who we really are – proud, creative and rooted in our communities.
“This cultural programme puts our residents at the heart of everything, recognising the people, places and stories that have shaped Salford and continue to define it today.
“From neighbourhood parks and green spaces to city‑wide moments of collective pride, these celebrations are taking place right across Salford.
“Whether it’s families coming together at The Wagon Train, musicians creating the next chapter of Salford’s soundtrack through Songs of Salford, or residents seeing themselves reflected in the extraordinary Salford Everywhere project, this is culture made with the people of Salford, not just for them.
“I’m also incredibly proud of the local residents, artists and community groups who are driving community events and celebrations at grassroots level. Their ideas, energy and care for their neighbourhoods are a powerful reminder of the strength of our communities – and Salford 100 is about recognising that strength, amplifying those voices and sharing them with the world as we look confidently to our next 100 years.”
The first events begin later this month with The Wagon Train, a touring programme created by outdoor arts specialists Walk the Plank.
The free family-friendly events will pop up in parks and green spaces across Salford, featuring live music, poetry, workshops, games, performances and community celebrations.
The Wagon Train
Walk The Plank’s The Wagon Train will be part of the Salford 100
The celebrations begin on Saturday 23 May at Buile Hill Park in Seedley, where a launch event marking the park’s 150th anniversary will bring performances from local musicians and the Seedley Salford Strummers ukulele band, alongside badge-making workshops and a community croquet tournament.
The following day, Albert Park in Broughton hosts an afternoon of activities including recycling-themed art workshops from Just Junkies’ Trash Panda project and food from the Doosti Friendship Group.
On Monday 25 May, Ordsall Park celebrates its own 150th anniversary with a parade, live music and performances.
The month’s events conclude on Saturday 30 May with a Whit Walk-inspired procession travelling from Little Hulton to Parr Fold Park in Worsley, featuring brass bands, choirs and stilt walkers, leading into an afternoon of performances and family activities at the park.
Speaking about the Wagon Train, Liz Pugh, Co-Founder and Creative Producer of Walk the
Plank said: “Our cultural programme will uncover talent and bring communities together at local events throughout the summer, and our finale this autumn when the Wagon Train’s journey reaches its climax with a major celebration, in classic Walk the Plank style, at Buile Hill.”
Looking back on how Salford has shaped her own path, Liz added: “When Walk the Plank first sailed up the Ship Canal back in 1992, I didn’t think we’d still be here 34 years later! The City of Salford has made us welcome and I’m glad we can repay that warm welcome by creating some amazing events this summer.”
There’ll be loads more events to come throughout the summer as part of Salford 100, with a grand finale scheduled for October – head HEREto find out more.
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Salford Everywhere: A Living Monument to the People of Salford
Previews of Salford Everywhere
One of the most ambitious commissions in the programme is Salford Everywhere, a multimedia public artwork created by artist Matthew Rosier.
The project will transform some of Salford’s buildings into giant moving portraits of local residents and community groups, celebrating the people who shape the city today.
Groups taking part include sports clubs, youth organisations, choirs, women’s groups and charities from neighbourhoods across Salford.
The project also features music direction from AFRODEUTSCHE, movement direction from Company Chameleon and videography by Izzy Pie.
The artwork will culminate in a two-day gathering at Peel Park this autumn, where the film will be projected onto buildings alongside a specially created live soundtrack celebrating Salford’s musical heritage.
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Mark Carlin, Co-Director, From The Other, said: “We’re delighted to be including communities from so many of Salford’s distinct neighbourhoods in this project, capturing the essence of those who live, work and play here.
“Combining film capture, music, choreography and mass, grassroots participation makes this project truly special and I’m really proud to be a part of it.”
Songs of Salford: Creating Salford’s Next Album
Artists involved in Songs of Salford. Credit: Daniel Johnson
Songs of Salford is aiming to create a fresh musical identity for the city – a modern response to the long association with Dirty Old Town.
The project is being led by creative producers From The Other in partnership with the University of Salford.
Music producer and songwriter Charlie Deakin-Davies – whose previous collaborators include RAYE, Kate Nash and Gary Barlow – is currently working with six Salford-connected artists to create a new body of music inspired by the city in 2026.
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The line-up includes rappers Strategy and Che3kz, vocalist Salo, songwriter & poet, Meduulla ,spoken word performer Matt Concannon and singer-songwriter Sam Seth, with young people from Salford Youth Zone and members of Age Friendly Salford also contributing stories and memories to the songwriting process.
The completed record is expected to be released later in 2026.
Tim France, Director, Performance, Music, English & Dance at the University of Salford, said: “Songs of Salford is a powerful example of what can happen when a city’s creative community, its institutions and its people come together.
“It’s especially inspiring to see one of our star alumni, Sam Seth, returning to Salford as a songwriter, collaborator and performer, exemplifying the talent that grows here and continues to shape our cultural landscape.”
Emma Thompson, Co-Director, From the Other, who is leading on the project, said: “Music drives everything From the Other does. To celebrate Salford’s 100th anniversary, we’ve brought together a group of musicians to create a concept record dedicated to our city.
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“This project isn’t just about history; it’s about the people who make Salford home today; from the born-and-bred to the newly arrived, the students to the teachers.
“By blending genres and perspectives, these musicians are capturing the spirit of Salford in 2026, through a collection of songs that will mark this centenary and create a lasting legacy that will resonate in the unique, timeless way that only music can.”
Other key events in the Salford 100
Salford 100 events will take place throughout 2026
Big Sing – 30 June, Salford Community Stadium – Primary schools across Salford will come together for a large-scale singing event with a special Salford twist.
Paper Party – 10,000 young people across Salford will take part in creating artworks in the form of birthday gifts for the city, which will be exhibited at a takeover event at Salford Museum and Art Gallery on the 18 and 19 July.
BBC Philharmonic – will perform at Swinton Palais in September for schools and the public, with more details to follow.
Contains Strong Language – 24-27 September – the BBC’s national poetry and spoken word festival celebrates its 10th year in Salford as part of the centenary celebrations. Expect four days of performances, poetry and live recordings across the BBC.
RHS Garden Bridgewater, Brick Explorers – 18 July – 31 August – invites visitors to discover and learn through incredible wildlife sculptures, created from hundreds of thousands of bricks, set throughout the garden this summer, with a special centenary addition to look out for.
Grit Studios and The Writing Squad – working with community groups across Salford to create murals across the city – look out for these over the summer.
Special centenary themed editions of uniquely Salford events such as Pink Picnic, UK Chinese Dragon Boat Race, and We Invented the Weekend.
Also added is a range of events firmly rooted in communities across the city, such as Weaste Fest, the Summer Centenary Celebration at Light Oaks Park, Print Lives Here at Islington Mill, Irlam Live and the Then and Now Photography Exhibition at Height Library.
And as well as all that, there’ll be The Pink Picnic, Greater Manchester’s largest voluntary-led LGBTQ+ pride event, which will return to Peel Park next year for its 15th year on Saturday 13t June 2026.
The city wide celebrations started on 21 April – which coincided with the date Salford was granted city status in 1926 – and will run throughout the year, culminating in a spectacular finale moment in Autumn.
From The Other and Walk the Plank are working together with Salford City Council to produce all the art commissions which will form the cultural programme, weaving in the true character of Salford throughout and celebrating the communities that make Salford so special.
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For more information about the programme and the individual commissions, visit HERE.
Daisy Jackson -
29th May 2023 
