Sleuth is a sideways glance at the city every week, it's the truth, but Sleuth's truth. He's several people all at once. We give £25 for every story/rumour and piece of absurdity you find for us to publish. Sleuth sometimes even gets serious. We ask for the money back if any legal action follows. Follow Sleuth on twitter @Sleuth
John Leech, MP, To Be Sold Off - up to 50p may boost Council coffers
Thursday this week and John Leech, Liberal Democrat MP for Withington, (pictured above) told the MEN that thousands of artworks presently in Manchester Art Gallery storage might be sold off. The Art Gallery is owned by the City Council. The works include some by Turner, Rembrandt, Pissarro and Hockney.
"People can ask to view them," said Leech, "but I wasn't aware that they had millions of pounds worth of art not on display. The council needs to look at all the options including selling some so the people of Manchester can benefit through improved services."
Now, Sleuth can reveal, John Leech MP, may be sold to offset council cuts.
A Liberal Dumbdownocrat spokesman said, "We're thinking of selling Mr Leech and donating the proceeds to Manchester City Council. Mr Leech is seldom seen, especially in Manchester's art galleries and while he can be viewed by people nobody is presently asking to do so.
"Because of his tiny majority of 1,800 which means he'll get voted out next election, and his propensity for speaking before thinking, we would like to put him on the market."
The National Audit Office have confirmed that Mr John Leech, MP, might make up to 50p for the city.
Leech sucks blood from Gallery
Sleuth's Flower Bed Miracle
Sleuth always knows when the Britain in Bloom judges are about to descend on Manchester - apparently 25 July this year. He knows because he has the Lincoln Square barometer. This is when that drab brick flower bed in Lincoln Square receives a bit of love. For most of the year it lies ugly and forgotten right next to one of the most photographed statues in central Manchester, that of Abraham Lincoln. Then as judging time comes round, it blossoms. Sleuth isn’t sure making it pretty for visiting judges rather than year round for the people of Manchester is in the spirit of things. Do the judges know?
Usually a right mess, but hey presto! The Britain in Bloom people are coming
Sleuth's Opportunism Of The Year - Part Two
Following the story above, Sleuth appreciates more opportunism. An operator at The Trafford Centre has created the largest bowl of strawberries and cream in the Universe. It costs £450 but you get to keep the bowl. There's vintage champagne mousse, mandarin ice cream, a brandy snap basket and strawberries handpicked from Cheshire. Gordon McKinnon, director of operations at The Trafford Centre said, “I was lucky enough to try this extra special dish and it is amazing! The perfect excuse to come and watch the Wimbledon finals here on the big screen.” Ah that's the reason for all this thinks Sleuth, who has no doubt that not a single one of these £450 bowls will be sold.
You get to keep the bowl
Ashley Cole Leads Way On Great Bridgewater Street
Sleuth is pleased to note that Great Bridgewater Street has re-opened meaning that people can once again traverse east and west under Beetham Tower. This may not last for long. As soon as weather permits the much delayed big crane to replace 21 windows at £30k a pop in Manchester’s tallest building will be arriving. So enjoy the access while you can, as Ashley Cole did here - or rather the man modelling his England kit.
Cole's shirt accesses Great Bridgewater Street
Tourism Hit By Birds
There are many crazy reasons why guided tours can't go ahead. But problems with the fastest birds on the planet isn't normally one. Recently a lady-guide of this parish was on track to take people on a tour of Manchester Town Hall clock tower and spire. But she fell prey to a bird of prey and its right to a family life. Brooding peregrine falcons are nesting up there, and while clearly not disturbed by the Town Hall bells, can't face humans with cameras billing and cooing over the views.
Can you spot the peregrine chicks?
Sleuth Finds Himself Under A Viaduct With David Starkey
So Sleuth was walking down the Bridgewater Canal close to Britannia Mills when he came across some graffiti under one of the bridges. Amongst the various scrawls one stuck out. It read 'Make David Starkey History'. Starkey is the very conservative historian famous for his TV series about The Tudors but also for controversial comments following last summer's riots. Sleuth has never seen anti-historian and anti-scholar spraywork before. He's pleased that we seem to be getting a better standard of graffiti in the city.
Scholarly anti-scholarly behaviour
Sleuth's 21st Century Comment Of The Week
Lynda Moyo, Body Confidential editor, said: "My nails are so long I can't use an iPad anymore." Tamar Smith, our Marple Confidential correspondent replied: "That's a proper 21st century problem."
