Greater Manchester bus operators join forces in offering free travel for armed forces personnel
Today, Armed Forces Day is a chance for the public to show support for the men and women who make up the Armed Forces community. From currently serving troops to Service families, veterans and cadets. In Greater Manchester, three of the combined authority’s bus operators will be offering free travel for armed forces personnel.
Tameside MBC decides on demolition instead of restoration of iconic conservatory
Here’s a poser for you: what have Dukinfield Hall, Stalybridge Town Hall and the Stamford Park boating lake café got in common? If you guessed historic buildings in Tameside, well done. If you guessed historic buildings in Tameside that have been demolished after the Second World War, award yourself a gold star.
Reorganisation of First Greater Manchester to leave Oldham as its only depot
In the continuing saga of First Greater Manchester’s contraction, FirstGroup have announced the sale of their Bolton depot to Rotala plc. The transfer of its Weston Street garage, over 500 staff and 18 bus routes is expected to be completed within months.
Why Andy Burnham has moved one step closer to bus franchising and how this affects Tameside
Greater Manchester is one step closer to seeing off Nicholas Ridley’s free market experiment. A free market experiment that has seen a 45% drop in bus patronage in Greater Manchester. An experiment which has seen swingeing cuts to the city region’s bus routes and the shotgun divorce of GM Buses in 1994.
Mossley Band impress in glorious concert with lively atmosphere
In the last three years, The Mecca of Brass Banding has played host to more appearances from St. John’s (Mossley) Band than other two Mossley bands. Long overdue was the Mossley Band’s visit to Boarshurst Band Club. Being as it had been several years since their last concert at the Greenbridge Lane venue, it was well worth the wait.
Stagecoach Manchester marks ten years of fundraising with the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital charity
You could say that the book and the service bus were made for each other. Some operators have a library on their services where a small selection of books can be borrowed from a luggage hold. Before on-board WiFi became the rule, there was nothing better than a good book on the 219 out of work. Or your favourite newspaper. Some schools have acquired old buses for their own libraries.
East of the M60’s classified check on the Oldham and Saddleworth Area Whit Friday Brass Band Contest Results.
Brighouse and Rastrick Band maintain top spot in Saddleworth
Whereas Foden’s Band continue their stunning run in Tameside, Brighouse and Rastrick Band remain top dog in the Saddleworth contests. This year there was some stiff competition from Oldham Band (Lees).
East of the M60’s classified check on Tameside’s Whit Friday Brass Band Contests
Yes, this is the same image as last year’s entry, but they did win the Tameside Whit Friday Championships again. Foden’s Band seen at the Albion Hotel contest in 2018.
The showery weather threatened to spoil Whit Friday 2019, but it was a case of ‘business as usual’ for Tameside’s Whit Friday contests. Both Dukinfield contests had the highest number of bands with 48 at Tame Valley and 44 at the Albion Hotel.
The Top Mossley contest’s move to Seel Park proved to be a good move. Over a thousand people descended on Mossley A.F.C’s ground. Just in time for The Greatest Free Show on Earth, Donkeystone Brewing Company launched a special house beer for the Lilywhites. Could this masterstroke help to boost Mossley A.F.C’s home attendances which have eaten into gates at Bower Fold and Ewen Fields?
With the torpor from Whit Friday kicking in, the first thing many brass band players would need is a lie-in. Whether you’ve travelled from Road End or Pound Lane for your brass banding fix, the Saturday afterwards is a time to chill out. For well over two decades, the post-Whit Friday concert has become a permanent fixture in Saddleworth. On Saturday afternoon at 3pm, Bodmin Town Band came to the Boarshurst Band Club.
Over a year on from Matt Ryan’s arrival, another superb concert
There was a slightly familiar air to last night’s concert. One, most obviously was the band. The other was last night’s weather: colder and wetter than a typical June for Saddleworth. Back then, Matt Ryan made his concert debut as Musical Director for Flixton Band at the Boarshurst Band Club.
They say a week is a long time in politics. A year is a long, busy time in brass banding. Last night’s concert showed us how Flixton Band have come on in the last 12 months and the results were amazing.
East of the M60 