The memorial is a living garden that has been built beside Manchester Cathedral, featuring a marble halo engraved with the names of the victims of the Manchester Arena attack.
The cathedral itself will hold prayers that include acts of remembrance at 8.45am, 10.30am, and 5.30pm, with the names of all 22 people killed read out.
Manchester Cathedral will be open all day for people to light candles or take a moment of quiet reflection.
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Its bells will toll at 10.31pm, marking the exact time of the attack on 22 May 2017.
The Lord Mayor of Manchester will attend the 5.30pm prayers and will lay flowers on the Glade of Light afterwards on behalf of the city.
Floral tributes in previous years at Manchester Victoria. Credit: Wikimedia Commons
At nearby Victoria Station, which stands directly beneath the foyer where the atrocity took place, silences will be held at noon and at 10.31pm.
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The station announcer will read out the names of those who lost their lives, and the railway chaplain will read prayers.
Floral tributes will be laid in the station and a memory book will be available for people to leave thoughts and reflections on the anniversary of the Manchester Arena attack.
The 22 May will also see the return of the Great Manchester Run, with thousands taking on 10km and half-marathon races through the city’s streets.
A minute’s applause will be held ahead of The Great Manchester Run. Credit: Supplied
A one minute’s applause has been arranged at each starting wave of the run, to ‘honour the memory of those who lost their lives, acknowledge the courage of everyone affected and recognise the remarkable spirit shown by the city in the aftermath of the attack’.
The Great Manchester Run 2017 took place just six days after the attack and was a powerful showcase of Manchester’s resilience.
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Councillor Bev Craig, leader of Manchester City Council, said: “22 May 2017 is one of the darkest days in this city’s history. It’s hard to believe that five years has passed since those terrible events.
“We will never forget those whose lives were so cruelly taken, or those whose lives were changed forever that day.
“But nor should we forget the remarkable spirit shown in the aftermath of the attack as the city came together in solidarity, compassion and a refusal to give in to hatred and fear. Love proved stronger.
“The fifth anniversary of the attack will have a personal meaning for every one of us. Our thoughts remain with all those who were impacted by that evil act. But however they wish to do so I would encourage everyone in the city to take some time out during the day to remember and reflect.”
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Those who have been impacted by the tragedy and need support are able to access the Greater Manchester Resilience Hub on 0333 0095071 or by email to [email protected]. The hub is open 9am to 5pm on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays; 9am to 7pm on Wednesdays and 9am to 3pm on Fridays.
Work on Greater Manchester’s very own ‘Tebay-style’ motorway service station is finally underway
Danny Jones
You heard us right: the time has come for Greater Manchester to level up its service station game, as work on the long-talked-about Tebay-style venue over in Trafford has finally begun.
Those motorway trips are about to get even better.
We first heard about the vision to provide a brand-new Tatton Services back in March 2022, with the Westmorland Family – known not only for Tebay but the similarly popular Gloucester and Cairns Lodge equivalents – promising to deliver a new top-quality stop-off point in the region.
It’s one that people across the North West have been keeping a keen eye on ever since, and now the dial is finally moving on the major project. You can see more detailed images here:
With the Westmorlands and the official Tatton Estate agreeing a partnership that weighs heavily in the former’s favour, the new services will be located around the M56 near the Bowdon Roundabout in Altrincham.
Bordering the electoral ward of Trafford and Cheshire, it is set to be located between junctions seven and eight of the M6 motorway near neighbouring Millington and Rostherne.
It’s estimated to cost more than £65 million and will be one of the most expensive developments of its kind the country has ever seen, with only the pending Chalfont St Peter station by Extra Motorway Services Group set to be more expensive (approximately £90m).
As per Forecourt Trader, the blueprints include a dedicated 100-room hotel, one of their trademark farm shops that those travelling rave about so much, a petrol station, as well as 40 charging bays for electric vehicles. Service station facilities have come a long way since 1972, when Tebay first opened.
However, while plans are at long last getting underway, it will be arriving much later than expected, with the initial opening date slated for some time later this year; instead, it is now they are now aiming for spring 2028, meaning you’ll just have to make do with the OG for now.
We promise this was purely a coincidence on our way back from Kendal Calling 2026, by the way…
Speaking on behalf of family, the Tatton Services Proposal team, and members of the estate, Westmorland chair Sarah Dunning said in a recent statement on the update: “We’re very excited to bring our proper food offer and ethos to Cheshire.
“From day one, this is about creating something rooted in the local landscape and community. We have committed to working with at least 70 producers within 30 miles of the site – and we hope that number will grow as relationships flourish.
“We’re also creating over 400 skilled jobs for local people, alongside apprenticeships and training programmes designed to build meaningful, long-term careers in the food industry. Our ambition is not only to serve travellers but to create opportunities and lasting value for the communities around us.”
What do you make of the proposed plans for the ‘next Tebay‘?
The unassuming £2.5m Chorlton semi packed with period features AND a ‘spectacular’ indoor swimming pool
Emily Sergeant
Fancy a look inside a somewhat unassuming semi in Chorlton that’s packed with period features and even has an indoor swimming pool?
The only thing is, you’ll just need the small matter of £2.5 million before you can call it yours.
Of course, it goes without saying that the vast majority of people reading this article won’t have £2.5 million just sitting in their bank accounts right now, but if like us, you love looking at houses you can’t afford in places you’ll probably never live, then allow us to introduce you to this absolute beauty.
Take a look behind the front door of what is, by far, one of the finest properties the Greater Manchester housing market has to offer at the moment, even it if doesn’t appear that way from the front.
This unassuming £2.5m Chorlton semi is packed with period features / Credit: Gascoigne Halman
Described as being ‘incredibly impressive’ by estate agents, this five-bedroom period semi on High Lane in the ever-popular Manchester suburb of Chorlton – loved for its eclectic mix of cafes, bars, restaurants, and shops, as well as good local schooling options and connections to the city centre – boasts 5,000 sq ft of immaculately presented living space, blending timeless elegance with modern luxury.
The property has retained ‘superb’ period features throughout, with everything from stained-glass windows and featured fireplaces worth shouting about.
While character and charm is a huge part of what makes this property so special, the current owners have also done a brilliant job in making sure the home is perfect for modern-day living too – with an open-plan dining kitchen installed with high-specification appliances, an entertainment/cinema room, office space, and even a steam room.
The accommodations are immaculately presented throughout / Credit: Gascoigne Halman
Upstairs, there are five good-sized bedrooms, each having been thoughtfully decorated, and two stylish bathroom suites finished to an ‘exceptional’ standard.
One of the bedrooms on the first floor features a contemporary three piece shower, utility room, and an impressive balcony that overlooks the rear garden.
But, one of the property’s standout features, by far, is the spectacular indoor swimming pool that comes complete with a shower and W/C.
Stepping outside you’ll find the property is just as impressive as it is inside / Credit: Gascoigne Halman
Once you take a step outside, you’ll find the property is just as impressive as it is inside.
The generous landscaped garden is beautifully maintained, with two separate patio areas and a high degree of privacy, and there’s also a secure gated driveway that provides ample off-road parking space for multiple vehicles, as well as a garage at the rear.
Like what you see then? The property is currently on the market with the Disbury branch of local independent estate agents, Gascoigne Halman, for £2.5 million and if you fancy taking a closer look, then you can contact the property company to arrange a viewing.
Or you could just take the cheaper route instead and have a nosy on Rightmove here.
Daisy Jackson -
17th May 2022 
