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31 October 2006

The Printworks, Manchester: more a 23 hour thing

Click to see ‘The Printworks, Manchester: more a 23 hour thing’ in a variety of different sizesThe Printworks, Manchester, with fifteen of the tackiest bars and restaurants under one roof, is quite a magnet for scantily clad teens, premiership footballers (there’s even a player’s lounge in Pure) and Coronation Street stars: a 24 hour thing boasts the blurb.

This pic was taken at 6.52am. I feel a letter to Trading Standards coming on: where’s the party?

Read the small print and you’ll learn that while Pure closes at 5am, Holmes Place doesn’t open until 6am. What to do for that missing hour?
This posted via mobile via Flickr and so not so closely proofread. Click the pic to see it large (there’s an ‘all-sizes’ tab for really large).

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27 October 2006

As Manchester bus wars rage: ‘Bollards to public transport!’

‘I’m too stupid to read road signs… they had no theory test in my day!’

Hanging around Chorlton Bus Station, you could easily miss the bus wars that have brought Manchester city centre to a halt. Dispersed among the suburbs the busses continue to meander slowly, taking their time over delivering commuters from A to B. You’d think a bus war would bring – albeit temporarily – a wealth of busses providing a suddenly frequent low cost service. But no.

And while the latest farce proves deregulation has failed, the city centre’s inability to cope with the busses required for this infrequent service would seem to prove that we will never have a decent bus service.

Meanwhile YouTube is packed with CCTV footage of stupid people trying to jump the automatic bollards that keep Corporation Street semi-pedestrian. Many indignant fools claim to be victims, but all drivers have a responsibility to read road signs.

The video evidence shows many are well aware of the three foot telescopic bollards that have wrecked their vehicles. I’ve spliced my favourite two incidents together. We have the woman in the white coat who seems to appeal to passers-by: ‘I’m too stupid to read road signs… they had no theory test in my day!’

She than backs out for a bus and wrecks her car trying to tailgate. (Note too how the evil bus driver moves off as the punter alights.) Then there’s the 4X4 driver who hits the gas to dramatic effect.

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26 October 2006

Greg Barker MP: old fashioned Tory hypocrite

EXCLUSIVE: TOP TORY DUMPS WIFE FOR MAN

‘This is obviously a personal tragedy for Mrs Barker and her two children. That is the most important aspect of this news.’
ConservativeHome

Conservatives have a breathtaking ability to demand privacy when scandal breaks, despite a track record in legislating for others’ lifestyles. That Tory MP and shadow environment secretary Greg Barker has left his wife for another man is indeed a personal tragedy, but more important is Barker’s hypocrisy. As the Mirror pointed out as it broke the news: ‘Barker has voted against gay-friendly legislation’ (though, to be fair, not civil partnerships).

It is a personal tragedy that Greg Barker has taken the line he has against the background of a losing battle with his own sexuality. But more importantly, that his public homophobia may be an extension of this private battle is a civic tragedy.

If Conservatives had to live by the morality they seek to impose on others, there would be far fewer Conservatives.

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25 October 2006

Sainsbury’s Try something new today

Click to see ‘Sainsbury's Try something new today’ in a variety of different sizesLooks like Sainsbury’s may be taking this ‘try something new today’ thing a bit far. Look what they’re proposing for the humble egg. Omelettes come frozen in packets or maybe in some powder form (just add water). Worse, I notice McCain oven chips now come with a ‘potato promise’ which goes on about how passionate McCain are about using ‘real food’ in their products, like making chips with potato. The world’s gone mad. It’s time to clip that Jamie Oliver’s wings. As Boris Johnson says: ‘let them eat junk’.

As if that’s not enough, I notice Arthur’s Felix Crisp has been repackaged. In a retrograde step it no longer comes with a handy indicator thingy to let you know when to buy more. And rather suspiciously it’s now a crispy topping ‘With Delicious Meat’ rather than a crunchy topping ‘With Tasty Meat’. I guess tasty need not be delicious. The little feller’s taking no chances: he’s left it in the bowl.
This posted via mobile via Flickr and so not so closely proofread. Click the pic to see it large (there’s an ‘all-sizes’ tab for really large).

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24 October 2006

Chorlton Green Chip Shop: prime restaurant site

Click to see ‘Chorlton Green Chip Shop: prime restaurant site’ in a variety of different sizesFrame it right and Chorlton Green Chip Shop looks like a country pub in need of a little TLC. Sadly it never was much of a chippy, but does benefit from a sit-down restaurant area. And I reckon that this is the best site in Manchester (bar the city centre) on which to open a restaurant of any description.

We’re on the end of Beech Road, with its already thriving bar and restaurant scene to guarantee a passing trade of people who will notice. And add to that, we’re actually on the Green and that must beat even Marmalade’s Michelin listing. Some up-market New British cuisine would do exceptionally well here and I’m sure it’s only a matter of time before someone seizes the opportunity, puts the kitchen upstairs to expand the dining room, gives it a lick of paint and hey presto!
This posted via mobile via Flickr and so not so closely proofread. Click the pic to see it large (there’s an ‘all-sizes’ tab for really large).

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23 October 2006

Manchester Arndale Wintergarden… apparently

Click to see ‘Manchester Arndale Wintergarden... apparently’ in a variety of different sizesI remember a small campaign to save Cannon Street, over which the new Arndale Wintergarden has been built, despite all its undoubted scruffiness. And the good people of Manchester were promised something rather special, I’m sure, something more than just another mall. I’m certain there was talk of Palm Trees and the like. A quiet oasis to which weary shoppers could escape. Oh well.
This posted via mobile via Flickr and so not so closely proofread. Click the pic to see it large (there’s an ‘all-sizes’ tab for really large).

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www Sabi Rock man revealed

Manchester’s favourite cult figure the www Sabi Rock Man has finally revealed himself. Some of us have been looking out for him for months: I’ve posted pics from under railway bridges and near Strangeways both of which increased my email, without explanation.

Mancubist has mashed up this Google map for Sabi Rock stalkers… and it was from here that I discovered www.sabirock.co.uk has gone live. Turns out he’s a competent folk type singer… I like the bit when he goes ‘drum break’.
See also: Sabi Rock Man Flickr Group

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20 October 2006

LiBEARty & a boiled egg for the King of Spain

Like his counterpart, the future king of England it looks like King Juan Carlos of Spain enjoys the hunt, but he isn’t so adept. The best he can do is pick on a tamed bear drunk on vodka.

Bears are treated particularly badly – imprisoned for their bile; made to dance; forced from their natural habitat – perhaps it’s being so big and hulking that makes little people feel that big bigger when they humble them.

So don’t be a Charlie, get over the WSPA and support LiBEARty 2006.

Or maybe we should be sending an egg boiler to King Juan Carlos.

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The History Boys: films in 50 words-ish

A delightfully funny intellectual fantasy, The History Boys is the antidote to Deads Poets Society. Boys overdosed on inspirational teaching that’s left them far too clever need gently bringing down to Earth. One niggle: the 80s soundtrack starts promisingly but soon feels contrived as this is a film from a time that never was or will be.
A recommended 8 out of 10.
Writer: Alan Bennett……Director: Nicholas Hytner……Starring: Richard Griffiths…… Frances de la Tour
Brothers of the Head……The Prestige

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19 October 2006

NUJ saves Express Newspapers from fatwa… shame!

Daily Express: Bombers are all spongeing asylum seekersIt seems that only the last minute intervention of the National Union of Journalists has saved Express Newspapers from destruction at the hands of a baying mob.

The Express is unafraid to lie in the pursuit of hate and its sister paper, the Daily Star, was hoping to boost circulation with a daily fatwa feature likely, say the NUJ journalists who should know, to breach the union’s code of conduct by ‘encourag[ing] discrimination and hatred in our society’. NUJ members have indeed acted well on this occasion, understandably fearing ‘violent and dangerous reprisals from religious fanatics’.

Nevertheless, had they gone ahead it would have been hard to regret the burning out of Express Newspapers and it’s sad that only when faced with the threat of violence do some journalists remember their ethics.

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