A famous cat known for making friends with Metrolink passengers in Chorlton now has his own mural outside his local tram stop.
Batman, who is affectionately known as the ‘Chorlton tram cat’, is an undeniable local legend in the sought-after Manchester suburb, and has been watching over his local tram stop and making friends with countless commuters now for several years.
Brightening the days of everyone he meets at Chorlton Metrolink stop, Batman even has his own Facebook and Instagram pages with thousands of fans, and regularly features in viral social media posts too.
And like all good Greater Manchester icons, Batman has now been immortalised in mural form and features prominently on a colourful artwork – commissioned by the civic society, Chorlton Voice – outside Chorlton tram stop, which was formally unveiled yesterday.
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Fame for Batman the Tram Cat!
If you've ever been to Chorlton tram stop, you'll probably have seen our favourite feline patrolling the platform, and he's finally been immortalised by Manchester artist @missdalys to celebrate Chorlton Arts Festival. We love to see it. 🐱
After what Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) admits has been “several years of planning”, the design of the mural was chosen by members of Chorlton Voice, in collaboration with a group of local community groups, traders, councillors, and council officers, and has been painted by Manchester-based artist Caroline Daly to coincide with the Chorlton Arts Festival.
As well as Batman’s feline silhouette, the mural also features scenic green spaces and birds to reflect the area’s local biodiversity.
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As mentioned, the bright and colourful mural was officially unveiled yesterday – with Withington MP Jeff Smith doing the honours, alongside TfGM’s Head of Metrolink Danny Vaughn, Chorlton Voice chair Carolyn Kagan, and other local councillors Eve Holt, Joanna Midgley, and Matthew Benham.
Chorlton’s legendary ‘tram cat’ Batman now has a mural outside his local Metrolink stop / Credit: TfGM
Carolyn Kagan explained that Chorlton Voice first raised the possibility of a Batman mural with Metrolink all the way back in 2014, and the group is “thrilled” to have had that vision finally realised.
“The mural will be a focal point for Chorlton and contribute to a strong sense of community, and we hope there will be many more Metrolink lift shaft murals,” Carolyn added.
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Danny Vaughn, TfGM’s Head of Metrolink, says he is also “delighted” to see this “brilliant artwork finally come to fruition”, adding that TfGM knows Batman has become “quite the Metrolink celebrity in recent years”.
“It’s great to see him taking centre stage on a piece of art, which I’m sure will be enjoyed by passengers,” Danny concluded.
Featured Image – TfGM
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Noel Gallagher reveals his and Liam’s children are now ‘best friends’ after the Oasis reunion
Emily Sergeant
Noel Gallagher has revealed that his and Liam’s sons had never met each other before the Oasis reunion last year.
But now? Well now they’re ‘best friends’, apparently.
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, then I’m sure you’ll know by now that Oasis reunited last year for the first time since they disbanded back in 2009 to bring the world the long-awaited Oasis Live ’25 reunion tour – including five nostalgia-drenched gigs here in Manchester at Heaton Park, which saw more than 300,000 people descend on our city.
It was undeniably one of the biggest cultural events of the 21st century so far, given the fact most fans presumed the Gallagher brothers‘ feud meant they would never meet each other again.
Now though, it’s been revealed that some Gallaghers actually hadn’t met before last year.
According to those lucky fans who have already had the chance to see the Oasis: Don’t Look Back In Anger documentary concert film – which premiered first at the 2026 Venice Film Festival this past weekend, and then had its world premiere in London last night (7 September) – Noel Gallagher shares a story about how his two sons, Donovan and Sonny, had never met Liam’s sons Lennon and Gene prior to the reunion tour.
Noel Gallagher reveals that his and Liam’s sons had never met before the Oasis reunion:
Noel has three children – 26-year-old daughter Anaïs from his first marriage to Meg Matthews, and then two sons, 18-year-old Donovan and 16-year-old Sonny from his second marriage to Sara MacDonald.
Liam, on the other hand, has four children – daughter Molly, 28, two sons Lennon and Gene, aged 26 and 25 respectively, as well as a 13-year-old daughter named Gemma, who he is yet to meet.
Speaking on the relationship between his kids and their cousins, Noel said: “When my kids met his kids they didn’t know each other.
“Donovan and Sonny had never met Gene and Lennon. Lo and behold they’re best friends now.”
Oasis: Don’t Look Back In Anger is set to show the meteoric rise of Oasis through rare footage and untold stories as the band reunites for Oasis Live ’25, chronicling their journey from Manchester streets to global rock stardom.
It releases in cinemas nationwide, including in IMAX, this Friday 11 September.
Greater Manchester’s spooky steam trains are returning this Halloween
Emily Sergeant
Spooky season is right around the corner, and one of Greater Manchester’s most-popular Halloween events is returning.
What’s Halloween without East Lancashire Railway‘s (ELR) eerie ghost trains at this point? Generally selling out each year, the heritage railway’s Halloween Trains always prove to be top of the Halloween bucket list for people looking for some ‘spooktacular fun’ once the scariest time of year rolls around.
And 2026 is expected to be no different… in fact, it’ll be even creepier than normal, because the scream train has had a spooky makeover.
You can expect flickering lights, eerie sounds, creepy surprises, and perhaps a very unwelcome visitor climbing aboard.
Those brave enough at lending the Monster Squad a helping hand at banishing ghosts and ghouls will be whisked away on a haunted steam engine through the atmospheric Greater Manchester countryside.
Before you join them though, you’ll need to prove you have what it takes by making it through the Halloween Walkthrough on the footbridge with a fair few jump scares.
Once you reach the platform, you’ll be greeted by Halloween favourites, Vampire Brian and Veronica the Witch, who’ll prepare you for your terrifying train trip with a song, a dance, and probably a scream or two.
Spooky steam train rides through Greater Manchester are returning this Halloween / Credit: ELR
As you take in the autumn sights and delights of the local countryside out the historic steam train’s windows on your journey, there’ll be lots of spooky entertainment and music along the way, and as always, screaming and singalongs are to be expected – and encouraged – as this is all part of the experience.
Families are also encouraged to ‘show off your spookiest fancy dress’ on the day too, and if you make it to the end, then a goody bag for every child ‘full of tricks and treats’ awaits.
Emily Sergeant -
31st May 2023 
