Have you noticed that a handful of colourful new benches have popped up across Salford over the past couple of days?
Been wondering where they’ve come from? Keen to know what the story is behind them?
Of course, benches are not something the residents and locals of Salford would usually bat an eyelid at considering there are so many dotted all around the borough, but it’s fair to say that these 20 colourful new additions that have been cleverly-designed to resemble the shape of a book, and are inspired by a range of different themes, are worth stopping to take a closer look at.
The new ‘BookBench’ sculptures are actually part of the first-ever Salford Literacy Trail – which began last week and will be running up until 9 September 2022.
The new art trail – which is in partnership with the National Literacy Trust and BUPA Foundation – has been described as a “unique collaboration” between local school children and artists, and features 20 eye-catching sculptures created by global public art producers Wild in Art.
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Wild in Art famously brought the popular Bee in the City art trail to Manchester back in 2018, and has a number of other award-winning art trails to its name.
The 20 new ‘BookBench’ sculptures are part of the first-ever Salford Literacy Trail / Credit: Wild in Art
Artists worked with children from 20 different primary schools across Salford to design benches that capture how their favourite books inspire make them feel.
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The BookBenches have placed at key locations across Salford, including near the Blue Peter Garden, around MediaCity, and at Salford Cathedral, Salford Museum and Art Gallery, RHS Bridgewater, and Salford Shopping Centre, for families to explore their local area, discover the benefits and joys of reading, and engage with stories together.
As you make your way around the trail, you will been able to find inspiration from the children’s favourite books, inlcuding The Boy Who Grew Dragons, Macbeth, The Memory Tree, and the absolute classic that is The Very Hungry Caterpillar.
The project is said to have been designed to “inspire a love of reading”, with each BookBench providing “a blank canvas for children’s creativity”, according to trail organisers.
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The trail has been described as a “unique collaboration” between local school children and artists / Credit: Wild in ArtArtists worked with children from 20 different primary schools across Salford to design benches / Credit: Wild in Art
The trail also aims to raise awareness of the positive links between reading and mental wellbeing, as research from the National Literacy Trust shows that children who are the most engaged with literacy are three-times more likely to have higher levels of mental wellbeing than their least engaged peers.
“We want to create an environment where every child in Salford has the opportunity to engage with stories and books that reflect their lives, offer them comfort, or an exciting escape,” said Mike Leyland – the National Literacy Trust’s Programme Manager for Salford Literacy Trail.
“We hope that the Salford Literacy Trail starts conversations in families, at schools and in communities about stories that have affected them, or that have shown them a different view on life, and encourages an even greater love of reading in everyone who takes part.”
Each BookBench has been individually-sponsored by local businesses.
These sponsorships, alongside the BookBench auction in the autumn, will raise vital funds for the National Literacy Trust to help it “champion reading” with local disadvantaged children.
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There is a downloadable map available online, along with fun activities for kids to inspire them with the magic of stories, and you can find out more about the Salford Literacy Trail 2022 on the trail’s website here.
Police still searching for answers six months after remains of baby girl found in Little Hulton park
Emily Sergeant
Six months on after the remains of a baby girl were found in a park in Little Hulton, police are still searching for answers.
It was on 20 November 2024 that Greater Manchester Police (GMP) received a call from a member of the public reporting the discovery of what appeared to be human remains in a park in the Little Hulton area of Salford – but it was only when officers and detectives attended the scene that they determinted the remains to be that of a baby girl.
At the time, police referred to the baby simply as ‘Baby A’, but it’s now be confirmed that they chose to name her Ava.
Since that day, a dedicated team from GMP’s Major Incident Team has worked ‘tirelessly’ to uncover the truth about who Baby Ava was and what led to her being left alone.
Detectives have followed up on hundreds of public tips, conducted thousands of hours of house-to-house enquiries, reviewed extensive CCTV footage, and collaborated with police forces and agencies across the country in pursuit of identifying who baby Ava was and securing justice for her… but as of yet, there are no answers.
Police are still searching for answers six months after the remains of a baby girl found in a Little Hulton park / Credit: Google Maps
Information from the public also led police to speak with potential witnesses nationwide, and time was also spent trawling the national missing person database, focusing on cases involving females who were potentially pregnant and reported missing, yet these were unsuccessful.
To this day, police continue to work closely with a range of experts.
Currently, a botanist is helping detectives determine how long Ava may have been at the discovery site, and work is continuing with an anthropologist, archaeologist, and specialists in dental and bone analysis to establish Ava’s age and ethnicity.
As investigations continue at a rapid pace, police have reissued their appeal to the public for information.
Police have since named the baby Ava as their search for answers continues / Credit: GMP
“We will never forget Baby Ava, and despite the challenges in the investigation, we’re committed to uncovering the truth,” commented Detective Chief Inspector Charlotte Whalley, from GMP’s Major Incident Team. “We are more determined than ever to find who Ava is, who her parents are, and all of the possible scenarios and circumstances which have led Ava to being separated from them.
“I know how heartbreaking this case has been for the communities of Greater Manchester and beyond. The support and compassion we’ve received has been unwavering, and we share the sadness felt for Ava as we continue our search for answers so that we can lay her to rest.
“If you are baby Ava’s mum, please know that you are not alone. You can contact us directly or ask someone you trust to reach out on your behalf. We want to help you.”
Anyone with any information that may be of assistance is asked to contact police on 101, quoting log 1319 of 20/11/24, or by heading to the Major Incident Public Portal here.
Featured Image – GMP
Salford
There’s a new summer terrace in town with a weekend spritz happy hour
Daisy Jackson
There’s a new summer terrace in Greater Manchester that’s the ideal spot to soak in some rays – and enjoy a few discounted spritzes while you’re there.
Over on Chapel Street – just across the river from Manchester Cathedral – you’ll find Embankment Kitchen, which has opened up its terrace for the season.
This stylish spot is part of the CitySuites aparthotel, and has a menu rooted in the warm spirit of Northern hospitality.
It’s worth a visit all year round for their seasonally-focused, local-as-possible menus, but the summer terrace at Embankment Kitchen is a real added bonus in spring and summer.
And following that spell of absolutely glorious weather, they’re opening up two hours earlier every day too for maximum sun-soaking from 2pm.
At Embankment Kitchen you can tuck into a drinks and nibbles menu from 2pm until 5pm, and Happy Hour drinks deals from 4pm until 7pm.
That means two-for-one cocktails, plus discounted wines, prosecco and beers – an ideal post-work haunt.
Cocktails at Embankment Kitchen in Manchester. Credit: The Manc GroupSmall plates on the Embankment Kitchen terrace. Credit: The Manc Group
It’s usually almost impossible to find a happy hour in Manchester at weekends, but these guys are doing two-for-£12 spritzes every Saturday and Sunday between 12pm and 4pm, with flavours including Aperol, Hugo, and limoncello.
Drinks on the menu include signature cocktails that are inspired by the city’s industrial roots, like The Emmeline, Manchester Exchange (a take on an old fashioned), and the Atomic Zombie, as well as classic cocktails such as an espresso martini, limoncello negroni, amaretto sour, and strawberry daiquiri.
As for nibbles, tuck into treats like garlic bread, edamame beans with smoked salt, garlic and parmesan fries, salt and pepper tater tots, and halloumi fries.
Surrounded by lush plants and gigantic parasols, it’s hard to believe you’re just across the river in Salford when you’re soaking up the sun at Embankment Kitchen. To find out more, head HERE.
Emily Sergeant -
18th July 2022 
