In the last fifty years, Greater Manchester’s bus stations have changed dramatically. More recent trends favour single terminals and improved connections with other modes of transport. In smaller towns, they form part of a focal piazza, as seen at Radcliffe’s bus station.
Continue reading “The Three Ages of Greater Manchester’s Bus Stations”
Forget John Terry’s substitution and the farcical Guard of Honour. Once more, The Highlight of the Weekend was closer to Stalybridge than Stamford Bridge. This was marked by Elland Silver Band’s second gig over the last year at The World Famous Boarshurst Band Club®. With fifteen great pieces, including three memorable solo performances, it was another night to remember.
Continue reading “Elland Silver Band: Sunday Brass at the Boarshurst Band Club (21 May 2017)”
Please forgive me for taking a well trodden part for this introduction. In my formative years, the supermarket café seemed fairly exotic. Supermarkets, when I was young, were small, in town centre locations, and a bit chaotic. The edge of town supermarket with its vast car parking seemed otherworldly. Back then, the Fine Fare hypermarket in Hyde, Ashton’s original ASDA, and the Shopping Giant stores in Droylsden and Denton were notable exceptions. Continue reading “Eatymology: A Tea Potted History of the Superstore Café”
Hard to believe we are three weeks away from either getting Strong and Stable Government®, or government for many and not the few.
Right, never mind that, it is also three weeks away to The World’s Greatest Free Show on Earth. Ladies and gentlemen, we at East of the M60 mean… Whit Friday. Hence our preview of the contests taking place in the Tameside area. Continue reading “Tameside: Stand By for Whitsuntide 2017”
Littleborough Band’s first 2017 visit to Boarshurst Band Club was met with a good turnout, in spite of the soggy conditions. With an easy going yet pleasing programme, it was a case of ‘easy like Sunday evening’. We revisited some old favourites and we had – not one, but two – duets, and a trio.
Continue reading “Littleborough Band: Sunday Brass at the Boarshurst Band Club, May 2017”
Some of the best laid plans are never planned at all. Some of them are made on the hoof, or they just fall into place. Serendipity and spontaneity can make for the greatest of journeys as we lose ourselves in another town, village, open space, or on a bus you never thought of catching.
My first circumnavigation of 2017 was a classic example. I left Chez Vall thinking “my first work day of 2017”. So I caught the 220 to Stalybridge bus station for the 0746 train to Salford Central. Continue reading “An Accidental Circumnavigation: South Lancashire by Bus, 03 January 2017”
…And now, the headlines from the East of the M60 newsdesk:
In the age of Twitter, Facebook, and countless news sites (some truthful, and some you wouldn’t trust with your car), television news still plays a part in our media diet. Though more people timeshift their viewing, TV news programmes and channels command a good audience once an important story breaks through. Continue reading “Britain’s Greatest Television News Themes: The Not So Perfect Ten”
Boarshurst Band Club’s first concert of May 2017 was well and truly one to remember. It was an enjoyable programme that was testing and entertaining in equal measure for the band. With the return of Alan Widdop, Marsden Silver Band are returning to the Championship section. Going off last night’s concert, they could be in the top flight for a lengthy stint.
Continue reading “Marsden Silver Prize Band: Sunday Brass at Boarshurst Band Club”
Over the last month, there has been more retail movements of existing stores moving to new sites.
Continue reading “Retail Comings and Goings in Tameside, May 2017: The Ashton Review of Shops”
