A completely free-to-attend soapbox derby is coming to Stockport this May and those going along will even get to see a rare flyover by a legendary Lancaster Bomber.
With Totally Stockport’s Krazy Races returning to town, promising more fun and fast-paced action, the popular annual event is also taking part in the 2023 Battle of Britain Memorial Flights, nearly 83 years on from the historic World War Two date.
The Battle of Britain Memorial Flights take place between May and September every year, choosing to hover over events that meet the values and principles of the RAF, so community events like this are a no-brainer.
That being said, the people of Stockport will be fortunate enough to see one of only two remaining Lancaster Bombers from the original fleet of 7,377, giving locals a rare opportunity to witness the most successful RAF heavy bomber of WWII
More than 10,000 people are expected to rock up to town for the event and cheer on the 40+ local teams set to take part in this year’s Stockport soapbox derby.
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Starting at St Peter’s Square, the racers will launch themselves down the steep hill onto Mersey Square, slaloming through chicanes before hitting a tight right-hand turn onto Chestergate, past the town’s famous Air Raid Shelters and navigating 350 metres of track, obstacles, water and more.
The top 10 teams will make it through to the finals where they’ll battle to take home the trophy but this day is all about taking part and having fun, with plenty turning up in whacky costumes and really committing to bringing their soapbox themes to life.
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There’ll also be plenty of music and entertainment throughout the day, not to mention plenty of places for food and drink around the town centre. It’s going to be a great day.
As founder and director of Krazy Races, Sarah Belcher, said: “Competition for a flyover is very tough with the majority being over massive, well-established airshows.
“To be able to share this extra, added treat with the families of Stockport is a real pleasure. The motto of the Royal Air Force Memorial Flight is ‘Lest We Forget’ and we are sure that this special honour will help give the people who attend our event, memories that will last a lifetime.”
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The best part is this as well as being treated to a Lancaster Bomber flyover, the entire soapbox event is completely free to attend and is sure to live up to its name — Wacky Races step aside.
The Totally Stockport Krazy Races soapbox derby takes place on Sunday, 28 May and you don’t need to grab a ticket, just turn up and enjoy the comedy-filled karting chaos. You can find out more information HERE.
Andy Burnham introduces new rules to tackle ‘rip-off’ parking charges
Daisy Jackson
City centre parking is at a premium, especially in a city like Manchester – but we’ve surely all made honest mistakes when paying and been slapped with eye-watering fines as a result.
Well now, Andy Burnham has announced a new Private Parking Code of Practice, which will clamp down on ‘rip-off’ private parking charges.
It will also make it easier for drivers to challenge unfair charges, capping charges for ‘smaller slip-ups’ at £20, and scrapping charges altogether on appeal for ‘honest mistakes’.
The new Code will get drivers a guaranteed five minutes to decide whether to park and 10 minutes to leave once their session ends.
Under the new Private Parking Code of Practice laid in Parliament today, you’ll be able to appeal to have all charges scrapped for honest mistakes like stopping briefly to check directions, and for situations like a medical emergency, breakdown or broken ticket machine.
Then charges will be capped at £20 for other mistakes such as forgetting a parking permit, entering the wrong vehicle’s registration or forgetting to confirm it in the machine when parking.
The Code also freezes the maximum parking charge at £100. Operators who don’t comply risk losing access to DVLA data, meaning that even if they issue a charge, it will be far more difficult to identify the registered owner to pursue payment.
Data shows just under 17 million private parking charges were issued in the UK last year alone.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said: “Being a few minutes late back to your car or typing one digit of your numberplate wrong shouldn’t end with a hefty fine landing on your doormat.
“These charges leave people feeling ripped off and out of pocket, so I’m putting a stop to them.
Andy Burnham introduces new rules to tackle ‘rip-off’ parking charges. Credit: Unsplash, Samuel Isaacs
“We are introducing clearer rules, longer grace periods and lower charges for genuine mistakes, while going after the deliberate scams that rip drivers off.”
Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government Angela Rayner said: “Parking should be straightforward, not another everyday hassle. These changes mean drivers get a fairer deal, protected time to park and leave without fear of being unfairly charged, and confidence that private parking providers are held to a higher standard.
“It’s yet another step forward in this government’s plan to take the stress out of everyday life and ease the pressure on people’s pockets.”
Minister for Consumer Action, Kate Dearden, said: “Nobody works hard for their money just to be deceived by a dodgy trader, and this is exactly the kind of everyday rip-off this government is going after.
“By making it easier to take action against car clocking, we are protecting consumers’ hard-earned money and supporting businesses that play by the rules.”
A Greater Manchester neighbourhood has been named one of the ‘coolest’ in the UK
Clementine Hall
A neighbourhood in Great Manchester has been crowned one of the coolest in the country – and this time, it’s not Ancoats.
Every year, we wait with bated breath to see which UK neighbourhoods have made the cut in Time Out’s annual ranking of the coolest places in the world.
But, as it turns out, Britain is just so damn cool that we’ve earned a list of our own.
In its latest guide, ’11 Coolest Neighbourhoods in the UK’, Time Out has rounded up the places across the country that are really making a name for themselves.
Images: The Manc
And one neighbourhood here in Greater Manchester has made the cut, and although you’d immediately think of Ancoats that has made its way to similar lists before, this time there’s a newbie on the block.
Coming in at a very respectable fourth place, Stockport and the Underbanks received a glowing report in the coveted list.
Images: The Manc
Are we surprised? Not one bit.
We love Stockport for its flourishing food scene, cool community vibe and ever-growing roster of independent businesses – not to mention its brilliant mix of old-school charm and new-school cool.
It’s a place that feels like it’s constantly evolving, without losing the character that made people fall in love with it in the first place. And clearly, Time Out agrees.
Images: The Manc
Kyle MacNeill, contributing writer, said: “If you live anywhere near Manchester, you may have heard this one on the rumour mill: ‘Stockport is The New Berlin’. It’s a gag, alright: the humble market town hasn’t got a club, let alone the most hedonistic nightlife scene in the world. But it is true that SK is rapidly becoming the place-to-move-to for the Second City’s creatives, thanks to cheaper rent and some serious suburban tenacity.
“The Underbanks, a cobbled high street once home to hat-makers and hosiers, has been transformed into a bustling hub of forward-thinking vendors, while various local institutions have embraced Euro-style cafe culture, midcentury decor, sustainable fine-dining, small plates snacking and chic drinking dens. All of which, actually, come to think of it, is very Berlin… “
High praise indeed, you can read the full list of the UK’s coolest neighbourhoods here.
Danny Jones -
14th April 2023 
