Pictures from around the city, people, places, moons, flowers and ear wax
New Lord Mayor robes up
Councillor Yasmine Dar became Manchester’s first female Asian Lord Mayor and was welcomed as the new Lord Mayor of Manchester in a full council meeting on Wednesday 17 May.
Burnham prefers it here
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham spoke at an Institute for Government event at the People's History Museum on Monday 15 May. On the podium with him were Debbie Abrahams, MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth, Jennifer Williams, the Northern Correspondent for the Financial Times and Andy Westwood, Professor of Government Practice and Vice Dean of Humanities at The University of Manchester. The theme was Levelling up and while Burnham and Westwood were generally upbeat at how Whitehall is now encouraging more devolved powers, both Abrahams and Williams cautioned against too much optimism.
Burnham has a fractious and difficult relationship with Labour party boss, Sir Keir Starmer. During the meeting Burnham said: "I much prefer this level of politics. You can break down the Whitehall silos."
So he prefers being the mayor of a city region: how will that stand up if he's offered a senior post in a future government or even the Labour party leadership...umm...we'll see.
We think this Sleuth from 2017 is still hilarious by the way.
Puddle blue tits
This remarkable picture from Newton Street in the Northern Quarter appeared on Milica Tripunovic's Twitter feed this week. It's worth taking a look at some of her other images at Through My Lens TM.
Two more in a tree
Meanwhile in a silver birch on Culvercliff Walk, Castlefield, two more blue tits were feeding, although it looked more like playing. This is one of those 'can you spot' games.
The Piccadilly plan that never made it
It's a shame this late nineteenth century plan to create extra room at Manchester Royal Infirmary where Piccadilly Gardens presently sit wasn't adopted. This realisation is from Ste Allan. You can read our story about the plans that never came to fruition here.
Up on the hills
A dramatic night picture from the moors above Littleborough with the Greater Manchester lights away to the left and the moon turned into fractals by clouds.
Rogue Studio gymnastics
Rogue Studios, located in a former primary school in Openshaw, is a fabulous space for a whole group of artists. It's definitely worth a weekend trip: all the details are here.
In this picture artist and co-director at Rogue Studios, David Gledhill, on the right, is engaged in high jinks with one of Manchester and Salford's chief art horders and collectors, Matthew Frost, on the left.
There's something of Henry Raeburn's skating minister painting from the 1790s about this titled The Reverend Robert Walker Skating on Duddingston Loch.
Pride of Manchester awards' young heroes
Child of Courage winner Taylor Dignan and Young Fundraiser Hannah Miah, both 11, won awards with their fundraising for the Children’s Eye Hospital and the Muslim Charity, respectively. While a little shy and obviously delighted at the recognition, their almost gallic shrugs at the good they’d done showed that kindness towards others need not be some personal PR campaign. The rest of our article is here.
Heaton Hall exploration
Here are guests having completed a tour of Heaton Hall in Heaton Park. They've discoved the whole building is a love story in stone, brick, plaster and glass.
Instagramers, saying it with flowers
Speaking of love...is this sweet or sickening: camellia flower arranging at St John's Gardens
Steel and flowers
More flowers this time up on the National Trust's Castlefield viaduct where it's all looking good.
Eyesore site to get high
It's good news the ugly and vacant lot between the Waldorf pub and the empty Union Bank is to be developed. The plans include a full renovation of the excellent 1911 building by Percy Scott Worthington. The new plans are very tall, 31 storeys, there will be whinging. A consultation about the plans is currently under way.
Waxing lyrical in a park
This Aspire Hospital manual was left on a bin in St John's Gardens (can't get away from this place this fortnight). It was left open on the page describing how to deal with ear wax. Do you hear, ear wax. EAR WAX.
Transpennine Express derailed
In an article for us by Graham Stringer MP he eloquently outlined the need for the re-nationalisation of the rail system following the government relieving Transpennine Express of their management responsibilities.
Amazing performance, amazing night for Manchester City fans
In an astonishing performance Manchester City swatted aside Real Madrid 4-1 in the semi-final of the Champions League. The skill on the pitch was matched by the enthusiasm of the crowd and their appreciation of a magnificent team performance by a magnificent team. Read more on football writer Dr Gary James' website.
Doing it in Styal
A ramble around Styal mill and woods can be its own reward. Here, an azalea for forward and argument in red.
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