Iconic lyrics from songs by some of Manchester’s most famous bands and artists are to appear in the city centre this weekend for a very “heartwarming” reason.
It’s all part of a newly-launched campaign by North West Cancer Research – an independent charity dedicated to putting the region’s cancer needs first, and funding lifesaving research and education to tackle the cause, improve the care, and find the cure for cancer – which is called #OurRegionOurWords, and is committed to raising awareness of its life saving work across the North West of England and North Wales.
It comes after a recent study highlighted by the charity in its 2021 North West Regional Report found that residents living in the region are 25% more likely to be diagnosed with cancer than in the rest of the UK.
The campaign will feature messages of hope in the form of lyrics made famous by high profile local artists and bands.
The words have been chosen to reflect the experiences facing those affected by cancer.
Our latest campaign #OurRegionOurWords is about raising awareness of the charity and the work we do in this region.
Inspired by our region’s love for music and passion for its home-grown heroes.
Manchester-based rock band, New Order, and Liverpool’s The Farm – two of several artists whose renowned work has inspired some of the words featured throughout the activation – have pledged their support for the charity’s campaign, which kicked-off with an event at Liverpool One this past weekend and saw a prominent walkway branded with lyrics made famous by Liverpool-based musicians.
A similar crossing takeover will take place at Spinningfields this weekend.
As well as the two launch events, the charity’s wider campaign will also feature many lyrics displayed across billboards, buses, and street hubs, as well as digitally and across social media until mid-April.
Those living in Chester, Blackpool, Wigan, Preston, and Llandudno will also have the chance to spot lyrics inspired by the work of local bands in their area.
The campaign will feature messages of hope in the form of lyrics made famous by high profile local artists and bands / Credit: North West Cancer Research
Speaking on the important campaign ahead of its arrival in Manchester city centre this weekend, Alastair Richards – CEO at North West Cancer Research – said: “For over 70 years, North West Cancer Research has been independently funding life-saving research and strategies designed to support those living with and beyond cancer in the North West of England and North Wales.
“Tackling the challenge of cancer requires a localised approach that understands the unique nature of each region, and this is especially pertinent for our work, given the increased likelihood of developing cancer if you live here.
“Inspired by our region’s love for music and passion for its homegrown heroes, we hope this campaign will resonate with people far and wide.”
Featured Image – Visit North West | New Order
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Hit theatre production set at a house party to visit Manchester on UK tour
Daisy Jackson
Alright then, 24 hour party people, we’ve found a theatre production you might like the sound of – it’s called The House Party, and it’s set in (you guessed it) a house party.
This smash hit production by pioneering theatre company Headlong is set to land at HOME in March as part of the arts venue’s 2025 theatre season.
It tells the tale of a wild 18th birthday party, where Christine is trying to pick up the pieces of her best friend, a newly-dumped Julie (who happens to be the birthday girl).
Themes of class, power and privilege are all explored with a raw intensity as the cast on stage plough through shots and dive head-first into a night that will change everything they know.
The House Party, which has received glowing reviews from previous showings, is filled with ‘privilege, desire and destruction’.
When it stops off in Manchester, its cast will include Bridgerton’s Sesley Hope as Christine, Synnøve Karlsen (Miss Austen, Last Night in Soho) as Julie, and Tom Lewis (Gentleman Jack, Patience) as Jon.
The ensemble of Frantic Assembly performers includes Ines Aresti, Oliver Baines, Cal Connor, Micah Corbin-Powell, Rachael Leonce, Jaheem Pinder and Jamie Randall.
The House Party is written by Laura Lomas and is a reimagining of August Strindberg’s Miss Julie for today’s generation.
It’s directed by Headlong’s artistic director Holly Race Roughan, who directed the Royal Shakespeare Company’s world premiere of David Edgar’s major new political play The New Real.
The House Party. Credit: Ikin YumThe production will be at HOME. Credit: Supplied
Movement direction will come from Frantic Assembly’s Scott Graham.
Prior to the UK tour of The House Party, Headlong celebrated its 50 year anniversary, including the hit production of A Raisin in the Sun which played nationwide.
The House Party will be at HOME in Manchester between 25 and 29 March, 2025 – you can get your tickets HERE.
Greater Manchester’s annual Repair Week is back to make you fall back in love with your stuff
Daisy Jackson
If you’re not a handy person, when something breaks, the temptation is often to abandon or bin it straight away.
But that’s just not how we’re gonna do it here in Greater Manchester any more, with the return of the annual Repair Week to help you learn valuable repair skills and save money at the same time.
Whether it’s tinkering with your bicycle, fixing up your small tech items, or having your furniture re-varnished and upcycled, there are so many places and people who are on a mission to help you fall back in love with your belongings.
There are even workshops to help you put flat-pack furniture together.
Taking place between 3 and 9 March, Repair Week will be the chance to learn skills, fix your stuff, gain repair confidence and find local fixers.
Events throughout the week (and beyond) will be hosted by community groups, businesses and plenty more.
You can sharpen knives, fix zips, and un-wobble chairs with a little hand from local repair heroes.
JillyGDesign Jewellery in Heaton Moor will fix up your sentimental and special jewellery items, while Rag Revival will help you turn unusable textiles into new creations with basic sewing skills.
There are repair cafes popping up all over Greater Manchester where you can take your belongings.
Greater Manchester’s annual Repair Week is back to make you fall back in love with your stuff. Credit: Supplied
Repair Week will highlight schemes like the Manchester Library of Things, where you can borrow the tools and equipment you need for those repair jobs at home.
During the week you’ll also be able to take a behind-the-scenes tour of the incredible Renew Hub, the UK’s biggest reuse hub, where donated items are brought back to life.
Similarly, you’ll be able to get inside the textile recycling centre run by homelessness charity Emmaus Bolton, where you can choose your own fabric from the scrap store and turn it into a very handy draught excluder to keep costs down and your heat in.
Recycle for Greater Manchester’s Repair Week will take place between 3 and 9 March, with workshops, events and resources to help you revive your belongings.
Emily Sergeant -
22nd February 2022 
