Stanley Chow's giant inflatable artworks, inspired by his famous portrait illustrations, have taken over Manchester Arndale as part of the free MCR Made exhibition. The 13 artworks depict some of the city's best-known figures, including Noel Gallagher, Emmeline Pankhurst, and Alan Turing.
Chow told What's On editor Jenna Campbell that selecting the famous names was the toughest part of the project. "Art doesn't necessarily need to be in a gallery," he said. "Art should be an everyday thing and people come here, and even if they don't instantly find inspiration, they'll find it subconsciously. I feel we should have art everywhere."
Bev Craig Wins Mayoral By-Election
Manchester council leader Bev Craig swept to power in the Greater Manchester mayoral by-election on Friday, securing 66 per cent of first and second preference votes. Turnout was historically low at 25.14 per cent, with one source claiming people were voting in single figures in some Manchester wards.
Colleagues Iram Ramzan and Declan Carey covered the count at Co-op Live, arriving before 9am and seeing the result declared just after 11pm. Iram witnessed surreal moments during the tedious process, including a counter pulling out her knitting and another reading a John Grisham novel. Lib Dem activists watched The Chase in the foyer, while Green Party Deputy Mothin Ali handed out Soleros.
Victory Rally and Number 10 North
At her victory rally, attended by the Prime Minister, Andy Burnham joked, "I can't believe there's going to be a mayor who does more on buses than I did." He set Ms Craig a challenge of bettering the three per cent growth he oversaw in the region over 10 years. Ms Craig promised to build on Greater Manchester's legacy "that we've created together," adding, "Come Monday morning, I'll be at that desk, rising to the challenge, with even more power."
However, several senior figures have left the Greater Manchester Combined Authority for the newly-established Number 10 North, sparking fears the organisation may be "hollowed out." One insider told Charlotte Hall, "If I was the incoming mayor I'd be very annoyed with Andy." Henri Murison, chief executive of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, said, "Whether people have come from GMCA or other places I think it's really healthy these people are coming into government."
Jodrell Bank Closure Fears
An open letter to Andy Burnham to save science at Jodrell Bank observatory has been signed by celebrities including Sir Brian May, Peter Hook, Johnny Marr, Christopher Eccleston, and Jarvis Cocker, alongside astronauts Tim Peake and Chris Hadfield and scientists such as Professor Brian Cox and Professor Jim Al-Khalili. The observatory, dubbed the 'receiving station for the universe', was launched by Dr Bernard Lovell in 1945. Visitors expressed sadness at the prospect of research ending, and the patron of The Space Invader has commissioned a mural of the Lovell Telescope for his pub.
Stockport Bin Collection Controversy
Stockport residents are upset after the council told staff not to collect wheelie bins if the lid is open. Recent enforcement has left hundreds with uncollected bins, leading one resident to brand the council "childish and woke."
The Fed Named 'Gold Standard'
Heathlands Village, with origins in the 1860s, can now accommodate more than 100 people in residential, nursing, and end-of-life care. The Federation of Jewish Services that runs it has hundreds of volunteers, reaching approximately one in seven Jewish households in Greater Manchester. Andy Burnham name-checked The Fed as the "gold standard" of social care, promising to improve pay and standards.
