Manchester’s annual Remembrance Sunday commemorations will look very different this year due to the ongoing impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Manchester City Council has revealed changes to this year’s proceedings ahead of the weekend.
While there will be no usual parade or public service at the Cenotaph in the city centre, people will still be able to watch a pre-recorded service at 11am on Remembrance Sunday (8th November) which will be available via the council’s Facebook page here.
Residents wishing to pay their respects on the day are instead being urged to undertake their own acts of remembrance at home.
This could be done through observing the two minute silence and displaying an image of a poppy in your window – which can be downloaded from the Royal British Legion website – to remember those who died, as well as watching the pre-recorded service.
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You can also donate to the poppy appeal as a one-off donation or a regular gift should you wish.
People will also be asked to share their wartime memories, photos or videos using hashtag #RemembranceSunday, or by following @ManCityCouncil.
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This year's Remembrance Sunday will be different due to the ongoing Covid-19 restrictions.
Manchester Central Library will also be lit up red from 8th-11th November to pay tribute to those who died while serving their country.
People who wish to lay a wreath are encouraged to do so at home, or a local war memorial.
Given that this will be the first weekend under new national lockdown restrictions – which are expected to come into force at 00:01 GMT on Thursday 5th November – Manchester City Council is urging people not to come to the city centre this Remembrance Sunday.
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In accordance to government guidelines, all unnecessary travel should be avoided.
Councillor Tommy Judge – Manchester’s Lord Mayor – said: “It is very sad we are unable to gather together for the city’s annual Remembrance Sunday, but I am sure you will understand that the safety of all those who would usually have taken part or supported the event is our highest priority.
“I would like to encourage the people of Manchester to take the time to remember, from the safety of their own homes, the ultimate sacrifice paid by those to whom we owe so much.
“Whilst we can’t gather as a community, we can still remember as a community.
“We will remember them, wherever we are.”
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Royal British Legion
Alison Bunn – Royal British Legion Area Manager for Greater Manchester – added: “Whilst it is deeply disappointing that Remembrance events in Manchester will not take place this year, we understand that the decision has been taken to protect the health and wellbeing of all involved.
“The public can all still play a part in ensuring Remembrance Sunday is appropriately marked and the Royal British Legion are encouraging people to participate in their own personal moment of Remembrance, whether that be watching the national Service of Remembrance on television or pausing for the two minute silence at home or on their doorsteps.”
You can find more information via the Manchester City Council website here.
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Tickets officially go on sale for rare 70mm IMAX screenings of Dune: Part Three in Manchester
Emily Sergeant
Tickets have now officially gone on sale for rare 70mm IMAX screenings of Dune: Part Three in Manchester.
Arriving on screens from 18 December and gearing up to be one of the most anticipated films of the year, Dune: Part Three – which is the third and final instalment in director Denis Villeneuve’s Dune franchise – will be screening in IMAX 70mm at Vue Manchester Printworks, one of only three venues to show it in this format nationwide.
There are only 40 other venues across the globe showing the film in IMAX 70mm, and Manchester is the only city outside of London to screen the blockbuster this way too.
Based on the novels of Frank Herbert and set nearly two decades after the previous film, Dune: Part Three features an ensemble cast of all-star names led by Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya.
Alongside them will be Jason Momoa, Florence Pugh, Anya Taylor-Joy, Rebecca Ferguson, Robert Pattinson, Charlotte Rampling, Javier Bardem, and Josh Brolin.
After seats for a special early screening of the film in IMAX sold out in less than 30 minutes last month, the IMAX 70mm showings – which officially went live today (20 October) – are expected to be snapped up fast by film fans in Manchester.
“A decade in the making, Denis Villeneuve’s epic Dune trilogy is reaching its dramatic conclusion this December,” explained Dean Cross, who is the Senior Screen Content Manager at Vue.
“As the only venue outside of London to be screening Dune: Part Three in IMAX 70mm, it’s a privilege for us to offer this unique way to experience the film.”
Dune: Part Three is coming to Vue Manchester Printworks on 18 December, and you can book your tickets here.
Featured Image – Warner Bros.
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Free pints and live craft experiences coming to a Manchester pub for one night only
Daisy Jackson
A pop-up pub takeover is opening its doors in Manchester, where you can get your hands on a free pint as well as some amazing craft experiences.
The Uncommon Inn is being operated by premium Italian lager brand Poretti, who want to help us Brits break out of our daily routines.
Matt & Phreds on Tib Street will welcome The Uncommon Inn on Thursday 22 October, from 4pm to 8pm, giving visitors the chance to discover unusual creative skills and watch artisans at work, with a free pint in hand.
It comes after research commissioned by Poretti found that 61% of UK adults feel they are living on autopilot, while a quarter have not tried a new creative pursuit in five years or more.
Free pints and live craft experiences are coming to a Manchester pub for one night only / Credit: Supplied
The study also found that adults have an average of just 90 minutes of genuine personal time each day, with 58% spending that time watching television and 35% scrolling through social media.
Exhaustion and financial constraints came out as the main barriers preventing people from trying new things.
The Uncommon Inn has been designed to offer an alternative, bringing together a collective of specialist makers to showcase their skills in a familiar pub setting.
Visitors to the Manchester event can watch Giulio Miglietta embroidering personalised beer mats, using a vintage Singer sewing machine dating back to the early 1900s, alongside live hand-engraving and bespoke jewellery-style crafting using recycled silver.
The Uncommon Inn is being operated by premium Italian lager brand Poretti / Credit: Supplied
Other demonstrations include 3D body-casting by sculptor Ami of Angelcasts and personalised, hand-engraved glassware from Leigh Calligraphy. Sabira of Sken Studios will also demonstrate how recycled silver can be turned into bespoke bottle openers.
Guests will be able to enjoy complimentary pints of Poretti while watching the makers at work.
Caitlin Maley, Senior Brand Manager at Poretti, said: “Modern life moves at an overwhelming pace, and it’s all too easy to fall into autopilot mode where routine replaces curiosity.
“We believe in celebrating intentional craft, rare skills, and authentic human connection – values that are at the core of our brewing heritage.
“We created The Uncommon Inn to turn an ordinary pub visit into an inspiring journey. By bringing together our Masters of Crafts, from chainstitch embroiderers to live engravers and musicians, we’re inviting pubgoers to slow down, pick up a new skill, and enjoy a pint crafted with genuine passion.”
The Uncommon Inn is at Matt & Phreds in Manchester on Thursday 22 October, from 4pm until 8pm.
Emily Sergeant -
2nd November 2020 
