On Wednesday, I had the pleasure of visiting the Castlefield Viaduct ahead of its reopening next weekend.
It’s a lovely space and provides some of the best views of the second city - which I was able to show M.E.N. readers through the magic of live broadcast on Facebook. Ours is a skyline which is changing more than most — as was evident again when 24 hours later I was stood on top of the Town Hall.
“I love Manchester but it is turning into another London,” wrote one commenter. “Such a shame,” she added.
READ MORE: Best free things to do in Manchester in 2023
I saw the comment, carried on, and wrapped up the video. Later that day, I spoke to a Sheffield uni student who is writing a dissertation on the Northern Quarter.
That conversation again meant I reflected on how Manchester is changing. I had to ask myself: Is it becoming London 2?
Certainly the collection of steel-and-glass towers at one end of Deansgate, home to high-powered German cars, footballers, and pristine white trainers, make it feel like Manchester is becoming a slimmed-down version of the capital. Rents and house prices also add to that feeling — and so does the price of a pint in town.
But, there are two key differences between here and London, both of which came to me as wise words.
“Everything just works in London,” a pal, who had moved down south, told me a few weekends ago. He’s right - the Metrolink is brilliant, but it’s not nearly as frequent and widespread as the Tube — and don’t get me started on the differences between our buses, even if they’re set to undergo an overhaul soon.
The other line is from a few years ago. “Manchester is like a prize fighter, it’s battered and bruised — but it’s still here,” a relative said as we drove along Princess Parkway past the Heineken plant.
And that’s the secret to this city: it will reinvent itself, but will always be fiercely proud of its roots. The bee might be an all-too-common symbol, but it makes a real difference seeing civic pride.
There’s also a belief in this city that it can — and will — do things its own way. Sometimes, that’s out of necessity, but often it’s because Mancunians have a devilish streak inside them — they want to do things the Mancunian way.
So I don’t think Manchester is becoming ‘another London’, I just think it’s becoming a larger and more important city on the world stage. In Britain, we associate that with London, as it’s the UK’s only mega-city. That’s not copying the capital, though.
Far from it. There are absolutely issues with Manchester, and the other nine boroughs: Housing, health, and how to get around are just three which spring to mind starting with ‘H’.
But it’s got a lot — and I mean a lot — going for it. So, the M.E.N.’s message to you this Valentine’s weekend is thus: go and celebrate your love of Manchester, if you have it.
We’ve selected three stories which show off the weird, wonderful, and wholesome side of Greater Manchester — so kick back with a brew and enjoy.
'I ditched my bar job to follow my passion - now I talk to pets beyond the grave'
This first story is certainly weird and wonderful — but there is a wholesome touch, too. Lizzy Adams was stuck in a bar job she wasn’t too happy with, and in her early-30s, had ‘a breakdown’ after her mental health took a turn for the worse.
She took up the Japanese practice of reiki, which is designed to reduce stress and anxiety. It involves gently placing hands all over the body — but can also be applied to animals, too.
She started off reiki-ing with her dog, before trying it out on her pal’s horse. The results were transformative, writes Paige Oldfield.
“I heard someone say, ‘Well you wouldn’t like it if you were touched there would you?’,” Lizzy explained. “I turned around to see if anyone was there. It was like someone was speaking in my ear. I asked my friend, ‘Does she not like physio near her bum?’ and the owner told me she hates it. She asked me how I knew.
“I said, ‘This is going to sound really bizarre, but I think she just told me!’ the more I was going out and seeing animals, the more I was hearing what they had to say and having visions.”
That sparked a journey of discovery for Lizzy, who now has a Animal Psychic & Meditation Coach. You can read the full, incredible story, here.
Life in Greater Manchester's isolated terraced houses where it feels like 'the Famous Five'
Dovestones Reservoir is a well-known, much-adored beauty spot in Oldham — but few are able to call it home. Some of those who are live on Hey Top, which has a row of terraced houses affixed to dramatic, lush greenery.
Damon Wilkinson, one of the M.E.N’.s most experienced reporters (sorry, Damon) has been out on the street which feels ‘like the Famous Five’. There, he found a community of neighbours that embody the spirit of the street’s origins — co-operation.
Mike Buckley, from Saddleworth Historical Society, said the row is one of the earliest examples of workers' housing in Saddleworth, Damon writes. "The big boom in workers' housing came in the late Victorian period," Mike said. "It was the beginning of the factory system. Until there were small mills and people worked from home. When Greenfield mill opened the workers came down from the hills to work there."
Now, it’s an ideal place to raise a family, said Louise Donnelly. She explained: “I've never lived anywhere where you feel safe to let the kids play out. But here it's like the Famous Five.
"The kids are all out on the front riding their bikes and playing on pogo sticks, or they're out in the woods and the grown-ups are sat out front having a glass of wine or a beer. It's like growing up in the 70s. The other day we counted there were 22 children in just our half of the row. It's brilliant."
The super-rich village home to footballers and millionaires where you can get cut-price designer clothes
It’s Valentine’s Day on Tuesday, and if you’re fancying a slice of country culture with a loved one, Dianne Bourne might have just the place for you. Prestbury, in Cheshire’s Golden Triangle, might be home to footballers and million-pound-mansions, but it’s got more going for it than that.
"I've lived here 26 years now and I think Prestbury has found a new lease of life. A few years it was a bit tumbleweed - but now it’s come back into its own,” said mum-of-one Christine.
"It’s a real destination, because we’ve got everything here - independent shops and great restaurants and famous pubs. We have people travel for miles just to visit the shop - because they know they can make a break of it and stay at The Legh Arms or The Bridge."
Alongside those boutique B&Bs are historic pubs like Ye Olde Admiral Rodney, cuisine from around the world, and a smattering of nature walks along the River Bollin.
Enjoy your weekend, everyone.
Read more of today's top stories here.
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