Even though the essence of the city, the heart of the people who inhabit it, and the unique buzz it possesses will always remain relatively unchanged at its core, we cannot exactly say the same for the landscape around us. Whether its a new high rise building added to the skyline, streets becoming pedestrianised one by one, or new green spaces cropping up, Manchester is not what it once was over 40 years ago.
Perhaps nothing illustrates this more than two photographs by a prominent Manchester photographer taken a total of 41 years apart.
Kevin Cummins – an award-winning and highly revered photographer born and raised in Manchester, who is best known for his work with the NME, on the Madchester and Cool Brittania music scenes, and for photographing famous musicians such as Joy Division, Oasis, The Smiths, The Stone Roses, Mick Jagger, David Bowie and more in the 1970s onward – snapped a photo of the Manchester skyline whilst on a job last week and noticed it look remarkably different to a photo he took in the same place in 1979.
He posted the two comparison photos on his social media platforms this week and residents cannot believe their eyes.
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Kevin said: “When I was in Manchester last week to shoot [Manchester band Blossoms] for [Manchester City and Puma], I took a photo of the view from the Joy Division (Epping Walk) bridge to match my shot of it during the Joy Division shoot in 1979.
The two photos – which have thousands of likes, comments and shares across each of Kevin’s social platforms – have understandably got a lot of people talking about what has changed in the city over time, both the good ans the bad, and sharing their own personal anecdotes too.
A post showcasing the two photos on the r/manchester Reddit has also garnered attention this week as well, with one person saying: “Love this city. It’s constantly improving all the time. Okay we lost some gems, but I get a feeling more will be created.”
Another echoed Kevin’s comment saying: “I visited Manchester after 28 years away. I used to go by train every weekend, shop, play laser tag, generally hang out as a teenager. I was completely lost. I had to put my back to Manchester Piccadilly and walk for about 10 mins before I got my bearings.
The famous “Joy Division Bridge” mentioned in his post is also Kevin’s own bit of history in itself.
The Epping Walk Bridge – which is located over Princess Street in Hulme – is famously known for the iconic Joy Division image taken by Kevin in 1979 and is now branded as “a must visit [attraction] for music lovers” by the city’s tourism board to attempt to recreate the famous photograph.
It’s 40 years ago today since Joy Division graced the Epping Walk Bridge in Hulme, Manchester.
What Manchester will look like another 40 years then?
We’ll just have to wait and see.
You can find more of Kevin Cummins’ work via his photography portfolio website here, and you can find him on Twitter and Instagram too. You can also pre-order Kevin’s upcoming photography collection book titled ‘While We Were Getting High: Britpop and the ’90s’from the Rough Trade website here.
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‘Hairy men’ needed to play soldiers in returning major fantasy TV series
Thomas Melia
A huge TV series has issued an urgent casting call for, very specifically, ‘hairy men’ to play soldiers.
The exact show hasn’t been named in the casting call, but it’s definitely a major returning fantasy, and is reportedly House of the Dragon, the hit Game of Thrones spin-off.
This big on demand show is set to start filming in just two months’ time, meaning anyone considering shouldn’t wait to apply.
There are a list of key characteristics candidates should have if hoping for this role, including a great work ethic and a professional attitude, something all Mancs like to think we have.
The job description states that no prior acting experience is required, one of the only other things you need to be good at is waking up early (well that’s me out).
Most importantly, headhunters are looking for individuals to take on that have one big factor in common… lots of hair.
On the official website where you can submit your headshots and photos, you will find a mood board filled with ranging hairstyles that fit the desired look the show is going for.
Just one example of a long-haired man who fits the criteria for the returning series.Another similar hair style choice to the guide from the casting call.Credit via Unsplash
Most of the pictures on the site range from long curly locks to big bushy beards – it’s a shame Santa will be back in the North Pole by now.
All candidates must have grown-out hair, ‘overgrown scruff to longer beards’, this means no short, back and sides, or any ‘modern fades’ as stated by the casting team.
If the rumours are true and this turns out to be a shoot for House Of The Dragon, it would be great to see even more Northern talent feature in this show.
It wasn’t too long ago that fans and Mancs alike realised that actor Olivia Cooke, who plays Lady Alicent Hightower, was a local lass herself, born not too far away in Oldham.
One final and important note is that anyone who is likely to apply must make sure they’re 18+ and have a right to work in the UK.
Filming will take place across North Wales and the South East from March onwards, with rate of pay roughly £140-£300+ per day (depending on hours worked).
To apply for a chance to feature in the returning major fantasy series, you can do so by visiting the site HERE.
Greater Manchester set to be battered by ‘impactful’ heavy rain and wind this week
Emily Sergeant
Greater Manchester is set to be battered by some heavy rain and wind this week, according to the Met Office.
While things have seemed surprisingly more settled for the time of year over the last week or so, with clearer skies and chilly winter mornings being fairly commonplace, all that will change very soon, as the Met Office has forecasted that the UK is set to be battered by some ‘impactful’ heavy rain and strong winds as the week goes on.
Low pressure systems will bring a more ‘unsettled’ spell of weather, with a severe weather warning for wind issued for certain parts of the UK.
Today is expected to be filled with grey skies and light rain here in Greater Manchester, with cloud covering much of the rest of the country, and other outbreaks of rain elsewhere, whereas on Wednesday, the focus of rain will shift to southern England instead.
The weather looks set to turn more unsettled during the forthcoming week 🌧️ 🌬️
Thursday is where it’s set to take the biggest downturn though, as a front bringing heavy rain moves eastwards through the day, and it’s us here in North West England that are expected to see the highest accumulations too, with 20-30mm could falling over the hills, and some hill snow even possible over the Scottish mountains too.
A deep area of low pressure will also have ‘deepened rapidly’ by Thursday, bringing ‘strengthening winds’ to western parts of the UK along with it overnight, followed by more heavy rainfall.
Greater Manchester is set to be battered by ‘impactful’ heavy rain and wind this week / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
“A very deep area of low pressure will bring a very unsettled, potentially disruptive, spell of weather to the UK through Friday and into Saturday,” explained Chris Almond, who is the Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist.
“Winds will begin to strengthen on Thursday night, with the peak gusts forecast through Friday in Northern Ireland and western Scotland. The wind will also be accompanied by heavy rain bringing some unpleasant conditions to end the week.
“We have issued a Yellow weather warning for wind, and with several days before the impactful weather, the forecast details are likely to be fine-tuned during the week, so stay tuned to your local forecast and keep up to date with Met Office warnings.”
Emily Sergeant -
4th September 2020 
