Old Trafford Match Bus Reinstated

Temporary restoration of 255F route in time for Manchester United versus Aston Villa

Though players and managers may come and go, the same can seldom be said with bus routes. On Sunday, the 255F match bus from Piccadilly Gardens to Old Trafford will be reinstated on a trial basis.

East of the M60 Presents… Another Brass Band Advent Calendar

A preview of this year’s East of the M60 Advent Calendar

Dear Readers, following the success of last year’s advent calendar, we have decided to stick to the same theme. Before you could say Mephistopheles after a few mulled wines, never mind spell it, it gives us great pleasure to stick with brass bands.

Ten Good Reasons to Love Lancashire: The Not So Perfect Ten

Ten things that make Lancashire stand out from many other English counties

Where is Lancashire? Is it the present-day county that has been chipped away by the 1974 Local Government Act and the later creation of Unitary Authorities? Or, if you go to the Friends of Real Lancashire website, is it the historic county that covers Barrow-in-Furness, Ashton-under-Lyne and Liverpool as well as Morecambe?

St. John’s Band (Mossley): Sunday Brass at the Boarshurst Band Club, 24 November 2019

Another superb concert from Paul Towle and Co.

Was it really thirteen months ago since Paul Towle made his début as Musical Director for St. John’s Band (Mossley)? During his first visit as M.D., the Roughtown band were drafted in at short notice to replace Stalybridge Old Band. Last October’s concert was a cracking one. Could he do it again in late November?

25 Years a Celt: Why I Would Still Want to See The Mighty Stalybridge Celtic in 2044

After six weeks without a home game, Stalybridge Celtic need your support more than ever

On Saturday 23 November 2019, Stalybridge Celtic will end a six-week gap without a home game. Since the 2019 – 2020 season began, the ‘Bridge have only played seven home games in the Northern Premier League Premier Division. Of those seven, four of which were on Tuesday nights. The four Saturday league fixtures were against teams from Lancashire, and an hour’s drive away from Bower Fold.

Eagley Band: Sunday Brass at the Boarshurst Band Club (17 November 2019)

A most entertaining night of brass band music from Christopher Wormald and Co.

Last night, Eagley Band made what was their first visit to Boarshurst Band Club since records began. For Christopher Wormald, his previous visit to The Mecca of Brass Banding was with Hoover Bolton band. Apart from a nineteen-year hiatus, he has been part of the furniture with the Bolton band.

Before 1971, Eagley Band were effectively the house band for Eagley Mills, and used part of the premises for rehearsals. Since then, they have rehearsed in schools and has, for several years, been linked with Smithills School. As well as having a brass band, Smithills School is also where Eagley Band hold rehearsals. Some members of the school’s Senior Band may join Eagley Band or other bands in Bolton and surrounding area.

Christmas Spirit Sees Stalybridge Civic Hall at its Best

Two go mad and sell cards and books at a packed artisan market in Victoria Market Hall, Stalybridge

“…But London is out of comparison quite with Stalybridge Market on a Saturday night…”

– Stalybridge Market, The Fivepenny Piece (1973).

Much of the disappointment of some readers or visitors, there were no cockles and mussels for sale. Nor black pudding sausages, cowheels and tripe. There was vegan-friendly bath bombs and hand-crafted pens that you couldn’t get in 1973, let alone 1873. There was probably a good fish stall in 1973 – maybe the same one that yours truly remembers in his formative years in the 1980s.

Twenty years ago today, Stalybridge was in a period of transition. Work had yet to begin on the Armentieres Square section of the Huddersfield Narrow Canal. CTP James, the landowners of the former Aerialite/Delta Crompton works at the time, had yet to begin demolishing the site for TESCO. Stalybridge Market, we would later find, was weeks away from closing after attempts to find a third party operator failed.

Boarshurst Silver Band’s Remembrance Day Concert (10 November 2019)

Another powerful performance from Boarshurst Silver Band in this year’s Remembrance Day concert

Remembrance Day: a time for contemplation, a time to remember the fallen, whether our siblings or ancestors served in the armed forces. A cathartic time, where we remember them in front of hundred or more people. Whether at Pots and Pans, Werneth Low, Parliament Square or St. Peter’s Square, we pay our respects.

How Stagecoach Manchester is Supporting the 2019 British Legion Poppy Appeal

Free travel for armed forces personnel on Stagecoach buses

Stagecoach Manchester will commemorate Remembrance Sunday by offering free travel to all armed forces personnel and veterans across the city. Since the start of this month, the company’s vehicles have carried commemorative poppies below the windscreen. These will be seen on buses till the 14 November.

North Manchester Bus Fare Changes: Why Three is a Tragic Number

First/Diamond/Go North West ticketing agreement ends in New Year

For Greater Mancunian bus, train, and tram passengers, there is nothing peculiar about the 02 January 2020. As it is the first working day of 2020, it is at that point of the year when our bus, train and tram fares go up.