Manchester is a lot of things, but one cardinal sin it can never be accused of is throwing a boring party. Whether it’s celebrating the Lionesses’ Euros win in style in a sun-soaked city centre last year, or ringing in a birthday or New Year with a funky Friday in Mint Lounge - thousands flock to our city safe in the knowledge they’ll have a good time.
Greater Manchester, just like the rest of the country, has been gearing up this week for one very remarkable event - the first coronation in just shy of 70 years.
It promises to be a national spectacle, the likes of which the vast majority of us have never seen - apart from my 92-year-old, Ancoats-born grandma who amusingly declared that she would not be watching the ceremony as, in her words, ‘I have seen one before’. She has, instead, arranged to get her Covid spring booster jab on this most momentous day.
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Now, not many of us can so impressively lay claim to having already witnessed this ceremony. And for those wanting to dodge the pomp entirely, this might be the last thing you’re wanting to read about yet again as you sip your morning coffee in your hard won, Windsor-free peace. I respect your efforts - but stick with me, there’s something for you at the end.
For all the grandeur and pageantry, the coronation has reminded me of one very simple thing about Manchester. This city - the home of THE Coronation Street - is made up of regular folks who help us mark the moments that mean the world to each of us every single day, without fail.
They are running our familiar watering holes where we shake off the week with colleagues, cocktail-shaking at favourite hidden gems which will reliably impress a promising date, and pouring the coffee at comforting spots to catch up with far-flung friends.
They often go uncelebrated and, even more frequently, completely unnoticed. Yet, they are the real kings and queens of Manchester that keep our city ticking and allow us to gather together this weekend, however that looks to you and yours.
Whether that’s shining under the neon and haze of Chinatown karaoke bars on a rain-soaked Saturday night, sleepily exchanging post-night out scandals sipping a hot chocolate at a cosy cafe the next morning, commiserating football scores over a Sunday roast, or, along with my sweet grandma, even getting a Covid jab.
This morning might be playing host to a global event, but it comes as a stirring reminder that I believe in the power of our own city to make us feel special each and every day - and that I believe in its people even more…
'We could make Manchester better in 24 hours. If we don't, no-one else will'
For this week’s I work in town feature, city centre reporter Ethan Davies caught up with one of Manchester’s unsung bunch. Naomi Self runs the bookshop side of the ornate House of Books and Friends on King Street.
Part-coffee shop, part-bookshop, the House might be smack bang in the middle of the city, but makes for a serene hideaway. And I’m speaking from experience here, it serves up a banging brownie that doesn’t especially help this health reporter, well, stay healthy.
But not only is Naomi bonding Greater Mancunians over a love of literature, she’s also asking what we all can do to keep this place worth living in.
“Just for the day, I’d get everyone involved to help tidy up a bit. We could pick up some litter, dust off some messy areas and see what we could do in 24 hours,” she thoughtfully said.
“We will make things better, a little bit. If I don’t do it then who else will?”
Read the full chat here.
Poverty in the shadow of the King's Coronation
In the shadow of all the splendour today, the difficulties that many families find themselves in across the country are inescapable and must be acknowledged. Downing Street and Buckingham Palace are not disclosing the figures, but estimates put the bill for this coronation anywhere between £100m and £250m.
The eye-watering cost to taxpayers is despite the King's wishes for a slimmed-down, cost-effective monarchy. Greater Manchester residents are no strangers to the danger unfolding as the cost of living crisis wears on and steals livelihoods.
Reporter Damon Wilkinson has been out in Wigan, where the number of emergency food parcels being delivered has rocketed. William Anders was among the residents he spoke to - he will be watching the coronation on Saturday morning, but will probably have more pressing matters on his mind.
Those worries form a sinister backdrop to the starkly different scenes which will soon play out on our screens. Since losing his job as a mechanic eight months ago, the longest he's ever been out of work, the 56-year-old has fallen more than £1,000 behind on his rent and electricity bills.
"I'm in arrears on the rent, I'm in arrears on the electricity. I'm terrified that this time next year we won't have anywhere to live," said William, as the cost-of-living crisis shows no signs of abating. "There's no chance of taking the family out anywhere, there's no chance of any enjoyment.
"I'm frightened to death of going shopping. One week something's gone up 50p, then it's gone up another 25p the week after. Fish fingers, chips and beans is not my ideal tea, but that's what we're eating a lot of at the minute."
Read more of this vital report on the crushing reality of coronation day here.
'Viking' village of hidden beaches and stone cottages 90 minutes from Manchester
Woah, hold up there. I know you thought I’d forgotten but for all who want to get as far from the sight of a British flag or the wag of a corgi’s tail as possible, this one's for you. Ever the weekend saviour, M.E.N. tourism writer Liv Clarke is sharing the secret to fleeing the Corribob festivities - and before you demand it, no, I will not apologise.
Complete with directions, here is a ticket out of town to the village of Heysham, dripping in quintessential coastal charm, nestled on the edge of Morecambe Bay a few miles west of Lancaster.
“From Formby Beach to Blackpool, the North West is packed full of destinations if you fancy a day at the seaside,” writes our Liv. But this tiny village offers something a bit different.
As well as natural beauty, Heysham is a place rich in history and myth. On the grassy headland are the ruins of the ancient St Patrick’s Chapel which, according to legend, was built by St Patrick when he was shipwrecked off the coast in the fifth century.
Next to the ruins are graves cut out from the rock, which were probably used for burying high status people and date back to the 11th century - and in later years, interestingly featured on a Black Sabbath record cover. It's an atmospheric location, especially in the setting sun, to get away from (I write this generally gesticulating at the television) all of that.
You can plan your escape by reading more here.
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