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
Stockport bar that took a chance on Underbanks announces shock closure
Daisy Jackson
A bar owner who was called ‘mad’ for opening his business at The Underbanks in Stockport has announced he’s closing down for good.
The Cracked Actor was launched by actor Joe Patten back in 2019, long before the Underbanks was considered one of the coolest districts in Greater Manchester.
Joe said he ‘saw the beauty in those bricks’ and took a chance on the unit on Little Underbank, transforming it into a Victorian-inspired blues bar.
And although other operators told him he was ‘mad for opening anything on that street’, Joe proved everyone wrong, and The Cracked Actor became a real Stockport favourite.
Sadly, he has now announced that The Cracked Actor will be closing its doors in just a few weeks’ time.
Joe said that he wants the business to ‘go out at its height’, stressing that ‘it’s not a sad note we are closing The Cracked Actor – it’s more of a thank you for getting me all I had dreamed of’.
He wants to focus his attention on other projects, like The Banshee and Holy Diver.
His full statement reads: “So Stockport, its taken a long old time to make this decision. But some things have to end on a high. And boy its been a whirlwind.
“The Cracked Actor was my first bar in Stockport and has always weathered the storm. Sadly, these days I have a lot going on. And some things take away from the attention I can pay to my little bar. I want to call time on The Cracked Actor and go out at its height. It’s odd as I have always defended this bar against everything it came up against in this climate. I thought I would always pass this bar down to my kids.
“But it feels the right time to call time. This bar got me on the map and its opened the doors to soo much more that came afterwards. We now have The Bansbee and Holy Diver and exciting opportunities are always pulling me away from where I started.
“I want to focus on whats next and make sure what I’m doing has my full attention. So it’s not a sad note we are closing The Cracked Actor, it’s more of a thank you for getting me all I had dreamed of the day it opened.
“When I opened the bar 7 years ago every bar owner called me mad for opening anything on that street. Now its booming with bars that have come after wards. Some times you just gotta see the beauty in those bricks.
“I want to pay a massive thank you to my fiance Amy, whome without this bar would have closed 4 years ago. She took to it and saw how much it meant to me. And her Aiden and Oliver bought it back from a slump. Shes bought it back to all its glory and made it better than I ever could have,working endless hours.
“I want to thank all my customers many of of them who have been coming since day one Gary. TeJ & Gary, Boby Dylan, Simon and Ash, to name a few.
“We will be open for the next Two weeks to have a massive send of. And our final day to public will be Saturday 11th July. With a private send of on 12th.”
New pie shop with Indian-inspired fillings opens at Greater Manchester train station
Emily Sergeant
At long last, Patel’s Pies – the proper pie shop with Indian-inspired fillings – has got its very own site, and we couldn’t be happier about it.
The business is already a familiar name (to the blue half of the city, of course) thanks to its matchday spot outside the Etihad Stadium, but now, Patel’s Pies will be serving its delicious savoury bakes to the people of the Heatons too – with its brand-new pie shop now opene at Heaton Chapel train station.
Here you’ll find their legendary curry pies with homemade pastry – filled with the likes of keema, butter chicken, and beef madras.
You can grab hot and cold pies to take away, all setting you back an affordable £5.95 each.
Patel’s Pies is now open at Heaton Chapel train station / Credit: The Manc Group
From 11am-2pm, you can also get your hands on the lunch deal, which is any pie, masala mash, spiced mushy peas, and gunpowder gravy.
Patel’s Pies has teamed up with Manc legends Gooey, so you can grab the bakery’s famous cookies and doughnuts here too.
There’ll also be local beers and canned drinks up for grabs.
All pies will set you back an affordable £5.95 each / Credit: The Manc Group
Inside, the shop keeps things traditional, complete with classic pie warmers on the counter and hand-painted signage by Cactus Sign Painting, giving the space the feel of a proper old-school pie shop with a modern twist.
Announcing the new venture, Steve, the owner of Patel’s Pies has said: “We’d love for you to come down, say hello, and support our new venture. It’s our very first day, so please bear with us as we get settled in, we can’t wait to serve you all.”
Danny Jones -
14th April 2025 
