Wythenshawe Hall is to reopen to the public this week after a highly-anticipated restoration project has officially been completed.
The long-awaited repairs to the Grade II-listed 16th-century timber-framed historic house – which stands proud in the heart of Wythenshawe Park – come after it was forced to close due to an arson attack back in 2016, but Manchester City Council and Conlon Construction have since undertaken “extensive refurbishment works” costing over £6.7 million to “consolidate the damage”.
Work was carried out to ensure the building is “brought back to its former glory”, and so future generations and residents can enjoy the Hall once again.
As part of the restoration works, the entire roof of the hall has been replaced.
The main hall has seen refurbishment of the ceiling and conservation of the timber panelling, which have both been delicately-cleaned and repaired to ensure the “unique and historic” designs were protected.
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The stained-glass windows have also been replaced and the artistry has been mimicked to best represent the original windows on the building.
📣 The long-anticipated repairs to the Grade II listed @WythenshaweHall are now complete and it will reopen next week. We've been behind-the-scenes to get a peek of the restoration works. We're looking forward to welcoming visitors back 💚
The Hall will reopen to the public on Saturday 10 September to celebrate the Friends of Wythenshawe Park’s 10-year anniversary.
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The completion of the repair works coincides with the Manchester City Council’s wider ambition to improve the facilities within Wythenshawe Park. In recent months there has been investment into a Cycle Hub in the park and other sporting facilities.
And if all of that didn’t sound brilliant enough as it is, the restoration project even won a Civic Trust Architects Accredited in Building Conservation (AABC) Award in 2021, making it just one of two to receive the accolade – which recognises projects that demonstrate the highest standards of historic building conservation, and make an outstanding contribution to the quality and appearance of the built environment – at national level.
The restoration project also scooped a RIBA North West Conservation Award in 2021 too.
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Wythenshawe Hall to reopen this week after major £6 million restoration project / Credit: Buttress Architects
“Wythenshawe Hall is a beautiful building that harbours lots of local history and cultural value and I am pleased we have repaired the damage that was done,” explained Cllr Lee Ann Igbon – Executive Member for Vibrant Neighbourhoods.
“Despite the gruelling and long repair process, we have been able to preserve many of the building’s original features and characteristics – which is a wonderful achievement.”
Featured Image – Wythenshawe Hall
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Half of Mancs don’t know how to cook Christmas dinner, new survey reveals
Emily Sergeant
Christmas dinner is one of the key parts of any festive celebration.
No matter whether you choose to tuck into a traditional roast with all the trimmings and lashings of gravy, or you prefer to go for something a little different like a curry or a Chinese instead, your Christmas dinner is a chance to gather round with your loved ones and enjoy one of the heartiest meals you’ll likely have all year.
However, some shocking new figures have revealed that half of Manchester residents have no clue how to even cook a Christmas dinner.
Through a major study by the UK’s leading electrical retailer, AO.com, it was revealed that the majority of our city’s residents are “losing confidence” in preparing even the simplest of British dishes – with a traditional roast or Christmas dinner being one of them.
A new survey has revealed that half of Mancs don’t know how to cook Christmas dinner / Credit: Freepik | GoodFon
As part of its new campaign to get Brits back into the kitchen, AO found that just 57% of respondents reckon they would be able to make a roast dinner, 52% could whip up a classic shepherd’s pie, 58% could cook bangers and mash, merely 61% could prepare a full English breakfast, and again, only 57% could tackle fish and chips.
Classic desserts are clearly a struggle for us Mancs too, according to the survey, as only 19% of respondents said they’d feel confident cooking a Christmas pudding.
The survey also found that nationwide, it was Gen Z – those between the age of 16 and 27 – that are the least confident in their ability to cook great British classics, while on the other end of the spectrum, Baby Boomers are the most capable, proving that culinary confidence increases with age.
Our region’s residents are apparently ‘losing confidence’ at cooking simple British classics / Credit: Freepik
Commenting on the results, Jay Lockton, oven expert at AO.com, said: “Kitchens should be a place of creativity and joy, but our data shows that a lot of people in Manchester are losing confidence in preparing even the simplest of British dishes.
“Based on our findings, many younger people may be opting for convenience foods or takeaways due to their busy schedules and the perception that cooking from scratch is time-consuming or difficult.
“But with simple guidance and the right tools, we believe everyone can rediscover the joy and simplicity of homemade meals.”
Featured Image – gpointstudio (via Freepik)
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New Hairy Bikers documentary to take viewers on ’emotional journey’ in tribute to Dave Myers
Emily Sergeant
A new documentary paying an emotional tribute to late Hairy Biker Dave Myers is set to air on the BBC in the run up to Christmas.
Dave Myers – who was most well-known for being one half of the famous Hairy Bikers duo that starred in the BBC cookery and travel show of the same name, alongside Si King – died earlier this year (28 February 2024) after revealing back in May 2022 that he had been diagnosed with cancer, and was undergoing chemotherapy treatment.
The final Hairy Bikers episode aired on 19 March following Dave’s passing, and viewers tuned in in their tens of thousands to watch the beloved show that had been entertaining the masses for close to two decades.
🏍️ Si King celebrates the life of fellow Hairy Biker and best friend Dave Myers in a special one-off BBC documentary
Si picks out key moments from the past 25 years of the pair's TV careers in The Hairy Bikers: You’ll Never Ride Alone
But despite that being the final episode with Dave involved, there’s still one last chapter left to tell.
Set to air on BBC Two on Monday 23 December, viewers will be invited on an “emotional journey” through the Hairy Bikers story with Si King, as he celebrates the life of his best mate and former TV partner.
The documentary follows Si as he leads a motorcycle convoy to Dave’s hometown of Barrow-in-Furness, while archive material, new interviews, and previously-unseen footage is shown to help celebrate Dave’s life.
A new Hairy Bikers documentary will take viewers on an ’emotional journey’ in tribute to Dave Myers / Credit: BBC / South Shore Productions
You can relive the journey that took Dave around the world while cooking up a storm as one of television’s greatest-ever double acts.
“I’m incredibly proud of the programme because it’s a tribute to my best mate,” Si King said.
“It was an amazing experience, I didn’t quite know what to expect. That was the whole thing, none of us did. We thought at the most we’d get 10,000 bikes, we didn’t dream it would be 46,000 motorcycles and a 30-mile tail, it was just insane. I just felt enormously privileged.”
Emily Sergeant -
5th September 2022 
