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
Roman kitchen Bar Caput replaces Stockport’s only Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant
Daisy Jackson
Stockport’s only Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant, Cantaloupe, has closed its doors – but the team have quickly pivoted to launch a brand-new concept in its place.
If Cantaloupe was simple Mediterranean small plates and great wine, Bar Caput is all cocktails, pizza… and still great wine.
The new concept from the same team behind the original restaurant is inspired by ‘the drinking and aperitivi culture of Rome’.
The intention is that while Cantaloupe was a real destination restaurant – especially after earning a Michelin Bib Gourmand earlier this year – Bar Caput will be a more return-to-time-and-time-again neighbourhood haunt.
On the menu, you’ll find brilliant, bright cocktails, like the ‘Bicycle Thief’ made with gin, Campari and grapefruit, and the refreshing ‘Calindri’ (named after the legendary Italian actor).
Then for the food, the bulk of the menu centres around Roman-style pizzas, with thin, crispy bases and fantastic quality toppings.
Roman pizzas, snacks, and frittiCantaloupe has become Bar CaputChocolate sorbet at Bar Caput
There’s currently one with zucchini flowers, and thick anchovy fillets, finished with fior di latter.
If you don’t like the punchy salty flavour of anchovy, give that one a swerve and instead grab a Friggitelli, which has crispy guanciale and vibrant green peppers on it.
There are also plenty of nibbles and snacks if you’re not coming in for a full meal, from house-pickled market veggies to a cacio e pepe fritto which is, as the name suggests, cheesy, peppery, and fried.
Cantaloupe’s sort-of closure was a sad blow for Stockport, particularly after the restaurant had earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand earlier this year and a place in the Good Food Guide’s Top 100.
The team said at the time that they were proud of everything they had achieved at Cantaloupe, from filling tables with industry names to ‘doing it all from a kitchen measuring just 75cm by 3m 15cm, with subpar equipment’.
The tiny kitchen at Bar CaputIt’s taken over the Cantaloupe site
But they were equally keen to thank the people who had supported them along the way.
“We’re so grateful for the support we’ve received from Stockport and the wider community,” they said. “We’ve been blessed with great guests, many of whom have become regulars.”
They also thanked their suppliers and the staff who had helped make Cantaloupe what it was.
And while saying goodbye to Cantaloupe might have been a blow, Bar Caput feels like a pretty exciting replacement.
With Roman-inspired pizza, aperitivi and cocktails now taking over the space, the team are keeping their place in Stockport’s food scene – just with a slightly different flavour.
Tiny Stockport restaurant shares plea after 36 people fail to turn up for reservation
Daisy Jackson
Another local business has had to issue a plea to customers, after an enormous group booking failed to turn up for their reservation.
Casa De Casa in Heaton Moor has shared that a reservation for a whopping 36 guests no-showed over the August bank holiday weekend.
For this tapas bar and Mediterranean restaurant, that’s pretty much the capacity of the entire venue, left empty on what should be one of the busiest weekends of the year.
Casa De Casa said that they had spent time preparing food, sorting staffing, and making sure the restaurant was ready for the large group of 36.
But when ‘nobody showed up’, it left them with a ‘significant loss’.
They said: “We understand that plans can change, but please let us know if you can’t make your booking.
“A simple message can make a big difference.
“Thank you to everyone who continues to support us.”
Casa De Casa took to their Facebook page to share the tale of the ‘difficult night’, and have been flooded with messages of support since.
One person wrote: “That’s actually disgusting. You have a brilliant restaurant – fabulous food every time & top service. I’d happily pay a deposit & not be offended if asked for one.”
Another said: “Absolutely diabolical – I hope they’re reading comments on here and contact you to not only apologise but to pay you at least for the cost of the food. Shocking!”
And someone else posted: “Absolutely awful !!!! …. At least if there is a legit reason they ring and tell you !!!! Awful that you will have to ask now for a deposit on a big booking !!! Why are people so nasty ???? We love it here so keep on being fab xxx”
Danny Jones -
14th April 2025 
