Stockport is set for an exciting spring celebration later this month as a whole horde of Morris dancers will be taking over the town centre – and by a horde, we mean 1,000+.
More than enough to dance a massive jig, put it that way.
As part of the Joint Morris Organisation’s annual ‘Day of Dance’ event, set up by the official Morris Federation years ago, Morris dancers from all over the country unite in dancing their socks off across various regions, including Greater Manchester.
With literally over a thousand experts set to descend on Stockport and even more spectators expected to line the streets as they soak up the song and springtime spirit, it’ll be a great day for the borough.
Taking place most of the day from 10am until 5pm on Saturday, 26 April, Stopfordians will be able to enjoy the fun of a mini-folk festival right on their doosteps, with a huge parade and Morris dancers making their way around various part of the town.
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If you live in the area, prepare for a chorus of bells and folk music, as well as a sea of clashing sticks, swirling ribbons, spiralling hula hoops and more.
Hosted by Adlington Morris Men on behalf of the Morris Ring and funded by Totally Stockport BID (Business Improvement District) with support from the local Council and Merseyway Stockport, it promises to be a lively, loud and unforgettable event.
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It won’t be confirmed until the day itself has passed, but it could quite possibly become a record-breaking celebration of Morris and folk dance not just in the North West but in the UK as a whole.
You can see the full programme and event map down below:
Covering the Underbank, Merseyway, Princess Street, Suffragette Square, the Old Town’s Market Place and more, you quite literally couldn’t miss it if you tried.
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Better yet, rounding off the day in true folk-style, there’ll be a completely free Ceilidh dance and party at St Mary’s Church, featuring a live folk band, pop-up craft beer bar and delicious local street food.
There’ll be activities to keep all ages occupied when the dancers aren’t in sight too, with family-friendly craft workshops, shire horses, fun giveaways and other fringe events to make the most of. including thousands of Morris-themed stickers and leather badges.
Shaun Freeman Jones, Totally Stockport BID Manager, said: “This is a huge win for Stockport. To have a massive, national celebration of Morris and folk dance right in the heart of the town is truly special, and a huge opportunity for Stockport to showcase its vibrancy, community spirit and rich cultural scene.
“The festival will not only bring an incredible spectacle, but also boost footfall and support local businesses. We can’t wait to welcome dancers from all over the country – it’s going to be an unforgettable day!”
As for Stockport Council, Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture and Sport Helen Foster Grime added: “It’s a real honour for Stockport to host this national celebration of Morris dancing, welcoming groups from all over the country to our town.
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“It’s going to be a fantastic celebration of tradition, community and fun. It’s events like this that bring our communities together, fill our streets with joy, and make Stockport such a fantastic place. We can’t wait to see everyone dancing and enjoying this unforgettable day!”
Featured Images — Supplied (via Stockport Council)/Donald Judge (via Flickr)
Stockport
A sports bar dedicated to women’s sports is opening in Stockport
Daisy Jackson
A brand-new women’s-led sports bar is opening in Stockport, marking a first for the North.
Rita Ray’s will be joining the line-up at Weir Mill, the new neighbourhood from Capital & Centric on the banks of the River Mersey.
While women’s sport has grown in popularity in recent years, Rita Ray’s founder says that ‘the spaces to watch it haven’t caught up’.
And so, this new sports bar concept has been born, with all the buzz of a classic sports bar but with women’s sport on the big screens.
The venue will be family-friendly by day, before shifting into a lively social hangout with great drinks, music, and post-matchday energy by night.
It plans to become a community cornerstone too, hosting things like run clubs, classes, quiz nights, book clubs, pop-ups, and community meet-ups.
Founder of Rita Ray’s, Becky Brown, has named the bar after her grandparents Rita and Ray, who loved life, games, golf, and good company.
She says there’s ‘nothing like this in the North at the moment’.
Rita Ray’s sports bar is the second independent venture announced for Weir Mill this month alone – Italian restaurant The Social Trattoria is also heading to Stockport this year.
Becky said: “Women’s sport has grown massively, but the spaces to watch it haven’t caught up.
“There’s nothing like this in the North at the moment, and Stockport and the Weir Mill neighbourhood felt like the perfect spot – creative, independent, and full of character. Rita Ray’s is about sport, community, and inclusion.”
Tom Wilmot, joint managing director at Capital&Centric, said: “Rita Ray’s is exactly the kind of bold, indie concept we love bringing into our neighbourhoods. It’s a brilliant addition to Weir Mill and a great example of the independent operators helping shape this new part of Stockport.”
Cllr Micheala Meikle, Cabinet Member for regeneration, skills and economy, said: “Seeing the North’s first independent bar dedicated to women’s sport choose Weir Mill is a fantastic vote of confidence in Stockport.
“This kind of bold, community‑minded business will add to the growing sense of place we’re creating here – an inclusive space where everyone can come together to enjoy sport, meet friends, and feel part of something special.
“This is exactly what regeneration should deliver: new jobs, strong independents and more reasons for people to spend time in our town centre, while keeping the character that makes Stockport what it is.
“Investment of this quality shows the direction we’re heading and the momentum we’re building, ensuring Stockport remains a vibrant, welcoming and thriving place for residents, visitors and businesses alike.”
Rita Ray’s is all set to open this summer at Weir Mill in Stockport, just in time to roar on the Three Lions.
Stockport County defender Brad Hills ruled out for the rest of the season
Danny Jones
In a big blow to their promotion push, Stockport County have been hit with a major injury and loss to their first-team squad, as defender Brad Hills has been ruled out for what looks to be the remainder of the season and then some.
Not what Hatters will want to hear with crunch-time in and around the playoffs now well underway.
Having emerged as even more of a starring centre-back this year, following his initial loan spell with the club during the previous campaign, Brad Hills has arguably been one of Stockport’s best and most reliable players in 2025/26 thus far – but not County will have to do without him.
Although the exact severity is yet to be fully revealed, the former Norwich City youth academy graduate is said to have hurt his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).
Confirming the news on social media, the Greater Manchester side stated: “We regret to inform supporters that Brad Hills sustained an ACL injury in Saturday’s draw at Luton Town that will rule him out for the foreseeable future.
“Our full focus is on supporting Brad throughout his recovery – we know he’ll come back stronger”
For anyone unaware, ACL tears/ruptures are among some of the worst injuries in football, and depending on the extent of the damage, it can take anywhere between six months and a full year to bounce back.
Safe to say, therefore, that supporters have been left gutted by the update, with one commenting, “Awful, awful news”; another simply wrote, “FFS”.
After typing a very long expletive following the show news, fan podcast The Scarf Bergara Wore wrote: “Wishing Bradley Hills a speedy recovery – come back stronger!
Since becoming a permanent signing back in August, he’s earned multiple man-of-the-match awards in blue and white, not to mention contributed to a decent number of clean sheets. He’ll be a big miss in their backline.
While it’s no doubt a big setback as the League One team looks to get promoted into the Championship, the absence could see manager Dave Challinor reshuffle the pack and perhaps even the formation for the remaining fixtures.
One option is Louie Barry, who – depending on the setup – could finally be set for a return to the pitch after he was signed on a third loan deal this past January, but is still continuing his own rehab following a knee operation.
Put it this way, with not many games left, lots of County fans are probably wishing that the pending and potential further changes in the EFL could have come sooner…
Danny Jones -
14th April 2025 
