It’s set to be a big day for Manchester-based rapper Aitch, who will be making his first headline performance at Parklife festival this evening.
The Moston-born star will be heading up the Parklife stage in front of close to 70,000 fans in what is set to be a proud homecoming moment for him.
But, he’s not the only superstar in his family making a headline appearance today as his grandma Pauline was a special guest at the Plantlife festival, held at the Lakeside Cafe at Boggart Hole Clough in Blackley this afternoon.
Join our WhatsApp Top Stories and Breaking News group by clicking this link.
Posters promoting the event, which were created by @DanTheCools, teased ‘Aitch’s gran might pop along’ alongside sunflower potting tables, painting pot classes and DJ sessions.
“It was a great day, it was roasting,” Lakeside CIC secretary Jenna Willis told the M.E.N. “It went really well and it was just a really good vibe all day.
“It was just a cheeky spin on Parklife. We’re also based in north Manchester, so I guess it’s a good alternative to Heaton Park.”
Aitch’s nan Pauline, who is also based in Moston, is a regular at the cafe and organisers said she was pleased to make her presence at the event, which was held for the first time ever today.
“She’s a regular at the cafe in the park and she lives locally - she comes in all the time and orders a latte,” Jenna said. “When I first saw the poster, I wasn’t sure if she would make an appearance - there was no commitment to.
“When one of the workers at the cafe last spoke to her a few days ago, Pauline said she might make an appearance and asked what the dress code was.”
Whilst Jenna said Pauline explained she had no plans to attend Parklife this evening to watch her grandson perform, she would be supporting him and listening at her house.
“She did say she’ll be able to hear Parklife from where she lives,” Jenna said. “She mentioned that she’s asked him to give her a shoutout and she’ll be able to hear it.
“It’s nice for him to be taking part in such a big event on his home turf. We’re all very proud of his success.”
Now that Plantlife has been a success, staff and volunteers at Lakeside will be continuing their efforts to improve Boggart Hole Clough with the help of the community.
“We help reduce social isolation and encouraging the use of green spaces,” Jenna explained. “We do a lot of stuff in the park and at the cafe, we’ve replaced benches in the memorial park, we’ve just installed boat planters around the lake, and we’ve also just put in a heron wood sculpture that was a dead tree.
“We also run menopause support groups and we’re just about to launch our community allotment on the grounds of FC United. So we’re all very busy at the moment!
“But Plantlife has been a big success for us, considering it’s the first time we’ve held it. We’ll definitely be looking at holding it again next year!”
You can follow Lakeside CIC on their social channels here.
READ NEXT:
