Media in Manchester [Archive] - Page 6

flange

November 4th, 2011, 05:32 PM

Reborn Cosgrove Hall could create 'at least 75' Manchester jobs

Friday 04 November 2011

The resurrected Cosgrove Hall could employ "at least 75" animators in Manchester.

That's according to Irish entrepreneur Francis Fitzpatrick, who has teamed up Brian Cosgrove and Mark Hall to launch Cosgrove Hall Fitzpatrick (CHF Entertainment).

He told How-Do their ambition is to establish the new business in the city to produce a "world-beating" show called Pip!.

Cosgrove Hall was responsible for children's classics such as Dangermouse, Jamie and the Magic Torch, Wind in the Willows and Count Duckula.

Its shows made a big impression on a generation of children and its staff have gone on to lead companies such as Chapman Entertainment and Mackinnon & Saunders in Altrincham and Manchester's Kilogramme.

But the business, which was based in south Manchester, was shut down by owner ITV two years ago.

The new incarnation has two programmes in the pipeline - HeroGliffix and Pip! - that were showcased at last month's Mipcom TV market in Cannes.

HeroGliffix, a comedy aimed at six to nine-year-olds has been pre-sold to CITV and will go into production in Canada next year where the company can take advantage of tax credits.

But Fitzpatrick said they want to make the pre-school series Pip! in Manchester by benefiting from the Enterprise Investment Scheme, which encourages investment by offering income and capital gains tax relief. CHF plans to attract £2m from investors by March and a total of £6.5m by 2013.

"Pip! has been crafted and we think it's a world-beating show," said Fitzpatrick.

"We've already spoken to all the UK broadcasters and all of them are interested."

Fitzpatrick, a Dublin-based intellectual property lawyer who acquired the Emmy-award winning animated series 'Jakers the Adventures of Piggley Winks', got involved with Cosgrove and Hall through Mark Hall's son Simon who now works at the Manchester post-production house 422.

He said 442 had a "strong relationship" with CHF and Simon Hall is the new firm's managing director with Brian Cosgrove and Mark Hall working as chief creatives.

"My area of expertise is putting financial packages together," said Fitzpatrick. "I'm a lawyer by profession specialising in monetising intellectual property - putting finance packages together for kids TV.

"Animation has been their [Cosgrove and Hall] life and they still live for it. We thought we could create a new company that would bring together the best of Cosgrove Hall and maybe I could add a little bit because of my success in US and global markets.

"It depends on these investment targets but we'll probably succeed anyway because of the reaction of the TV market which has been very strong, but we'd love to control our own destiny rather than being impoverished producers. Our aim is to control quality animation out of Manchester."

He said the business would create "at least 75 jobs" in Manchester, but "could create more".

"We're committed to Manchester - there's 40 years of tradition that's been forged in Manchester by Hall and Cosgrove."

http://www.how-do.co.uk/north-west-media-news/north-west-broadcasting/reborn-cosgrove-hall-could-create-%27at-least-75%27-manchester-jobs-20111104100955838

LNGCats

November 6th, 2011, 07:31 PM

skit_uk

November 7th, 2011, 03:45 AM

flange

November 7th, 2011, 09:26 AM

BBC Audience Opportunity: Celebrate Sport

Audiences wanted for major BBC spectaculars at MediaCityUK

BBC Audience Opportunity: Celebrate SportCelebrate Sport with the BBC is two-weeks of shows, events and interactive sessions taking place at MediaCityUK and surrounding venues from 8 - 22 December. During this time, some of the BBC’s biggest sport brands are inviting in live studio audiences and recording special shows for broadcast.

The ticket ballot opens today, with the first seven of the main audience shows announced:

Dan Walker chairs a special Audience with Question of Sport with Sue Barker, Matt Dawson and Phil Tufnell bringing an evening of Question of Sport (13 Dec)

The BBC Philharmonic will give a Christmas Concert featuring the Manchester United Foundation Youth Choir on 15 December, which will be recorded for broadcast on BBC Radio Manchester at 1pm on Christmas Eve, and again on Christmas Day at 2pm (15 Dec)

BBC Radio 5 live’s Fighting Talk live with Colin Murray who will act as judge and jury to a panel of special guests (17 Dec)

BBC Radio 5 live’s football phone-in 606 with regular co-host Jason Roberts in front of live studio audience for the first time (17 Dec)

5 live’s The Monday Night Club with Mark Chapman and guests including football legend John Motson, for an evening of football conversation and a look at the week's biggest sporting stories (19 Dec)

Plus on 22 Dec:BBC Sports Personality of the Year a limited number of tickets are available for this prestigious show - join Sue Barker, Gary Lineker and Jake Humphrey and the sporting great and good to celebrate the year.The BBC Radio 5 live Sports Personality backstage show with John Inverdale and guests including Michael Vaughan and Matt Dawson. They will be looking back on the sporting year and listening and reacting to Sports Personality of the Year from the live television show next door, with some of the big winners of the night dropping in to meet the panel and the audience

To apply for free Celebrate Sport with the BBC tickets and get more information on the shows go to bbc.co.uk/showsandtours. The ballot closes at 4pm on Friday 18 November.

In residence at MediaCityUK for the two weeks will be The National Football Museum, showing a preview of some of the exhibits that visitors will be able to see when the museum opens next year in Urbis in the city centre. All those with tickets to shows at MediaCityUK will have free access to the exhibition.

Plus - as well as offering the opportunity to be in the audience for special editions of some of the BBC’s flagship shows, Celebrate Sport with the BBC will also feature a full daytime programme throughout the two weeks of events and interactive sessions.As part of this the National Football Museum’s learning staff will be offering schools the opportunity to work with their poets, playwrights and artists. These daytime sessions will be open to school and community groups, as well as the general public.

http://www.manchesterconfidential.co.uk/News/BBC-Audience-Opportunity

LNGCats

November 8th, 2011, 05:29 PM

FWIW - I notice a trend on 5Live presenters.

Initially, I presume under instruction from those in charge of the move, they refered to their new home as being in Salford with passing reference to Manchester.

As time is progressing they are using Salford less and less and Manchester more and more. I suspect as the presenters get more used to the area they are starting to see the place in the same manner as many others and not differentiating between the two.

Not necessarily a good or bad thing, simply an obseration that I suspect will continue.

WingTips

November 8th, 2011, 07:19 PM

LNGCats

November 8th, 2011, 07:22 PM

skit_uk

November 8th, 2011, 08:23 PM

Lets be honest the majority of people in the UK prob don't know where Salford is, hence a lot of "In the middle of nowhere" comments.

LNGCats

November 8th, 2011, 08:25 PM

Indeed.

I suspect many think that they work in an out of town business park in Manchester whether the top bods say they are in Salford or not.

Give it a year and I'm sure it will have settled down.

WingTips

November 8th, 2011, 08:35 PM

LNGCats

November 8th, 2011, 08:45 PM

It won't what?

Be being ignored?

If there is a policy it certainly is being ignored. Re-listen to Drive today from 5Live. On numerous occassions Peter Allen refered to not being a London centric radio station now that they are based in Manchester.

Likewise, others are also refereing to Manc and not Salford - don't know why, but it is happening.

iheartthenew

November 8th, 2011, 10:05 PM

Don't know what program it was but I just caught the end of the credits and it said BBC Productions Salford

Was on BBC 3 and ended at 9pm

LNGCats

November 8th, 2011, 10:06 PM

Many do.

Question of Sport does.

MOTD is just BBC though with no location.

heatonparkincakes

November 8th, 2011, 10:44 PM

They were filming for ITV's Scott and Bailey up the road from here on Hamilton Road, Whitefield tonight.

heatonparkincakes

November 8th, 2011, 10:52 PM

I am not saying there has been a change in policy, there will not have been one.

However, it is very clear that the presenters are not sticking to whatever polciies there may have been on this matter.

Repeatedly this afternoon they were talking about broadcasting from Manchester, in fact, over the last week or so I have heard them refer to their Manchester offices more often than the Salford offices.

As I say, I do not think there is a policy change, rather, it'll be being ignored.

I am going to guess but perhaps you are right, but maybe also internal polling on one of their Service user forums or what ever they are called is telling them that Manchester chimes well, but Salford is a bit of a mystery to your average BBC radio five live listener.

WatcherZero

November 9th, 2011, 12:02 AM

I think they know of Salford but remember it as something out of a Lowry painting, in my experience its reputation hasnt kept with the times.

IndieCindy

November 9th, 2011, 02:29 AM

http://www.manchesterconfidential.co.uk/Culture/Arts/Manchester-And-Salford-Illustrated

Manchester And Salford Illustrated

New exhibition in support of Wood Street Mission pictures the city

Published on Tuesday, October 25th.

A NEW exhibition in central Manchester will showcase the talents of local professional illustrators, as they respond to the brief ‘What does Manchester mean to you?’

As an illustrator I’m interested in shapes, patterns and textures so I decided to focus on those that portray the city’s innovations and architecture
Manchester and Salford Illustrated will run from 28 October - 10 November at 52 Princess Street, and features work by the crème de la crème of Greater Manchester’s creative community.

It has been organised by a group of creative professionals working as Wood Street’s Creative Friends, to raise awareness and funds for the Manchester family support charity Wood Street Mission (click here).

Following an open call for entries 30 professional illustrators’ ideas on Manchester and Salford have been selected for MASI’s exhibition and online gallery, which aims to attract design professionals, creatives and the general public.

Each successful entry will be accompanied by a written rationale by its creator and reproduced as a limited edition £25 print, to be sold online and at the exhibition’s launch on 27 October with all proceeds going to Wood Street Mission.

Works chosen for the exhibition include Stanley Chow’s pop art take on Affleck’s and Barney Ibbotson’s stylised representation of his city’s heritage (main picture above).

Ibbotson said: “Manchester’s story is deeply intertwined with industry and scientific innovation, and this is evident in the buildings, bridges, railways and canals that permeate the city. As an illustrator I’m interested in shapes, patterns and textures so I decided to focus on those that portray the city’s innovations and architecture, combining cotton, warehouse windows, cogs and wheels, railway tracks, early chemical symbols and a new version of Lancashire’s red rose to create what could be called a modern Manchester coat of arms.”

A parallel student competition - the MASI Student Award - has invited trainee illustrators to respond to the same brief, to be judged by a panel of leading local designers and illustrators. The results will be revealed at the exhibition’s launch when the winner will be awarded a two week placement at design agency Creative Lynx, as well as having their prize-winning work exhibited and reproduced as a print.

Wood Street Mission was established in central Manchester in 1869 by Alfred Alsop who was appalled at the poverty they saw on their doorstep. Last year it helped almost 14,000 local people in need, including 8,900 local children affected by poverty. It provides excellent quality second-hand clothing, bedding, toys and baby equipment, as well as new school uniforms and children’s book clubs. It also runs major projects at Easter and Christmas, distributing Easter eggs, new toys and food.

Manchester and Salford Illustrated runs from 28 October to 10 November at 52 Princess Street, Manchester

WingTips

November 9th, 2011, 10:16 AM

I think they know of Salford but remember it as something out of a Lowry painting, in my experience its reputation hasnt kept with the times.

Interesting point, I wonder how many millions are googleling MC to find out more about it?

LNGCats

November 9th, 2011, 10:18 AM

A hell of a lot fewer than millions.

When was the last time you were interested in where anything you are watching was broadcast from? Other than the stuff that has moved close to where you live for example?

I can honestly say I have never, ever, looked to see where ITV, CH4, BBC, Sky or anyone in London have their offices.

Also, I would put some serious money on most 5Live listeners not being aware of the term 'MediaCity'. I listen to 5Live a very lot and cannot think of that term being used. It is either Salford or Manchester.

WingTips

November 9th, 2011, 10:35 AM

LNGCats

November 9th, 2011, 10:38 AM

I suspect that you are only aware of the 'hype in the press' given you live locally.

I would imagine that awareness of the term 'MediaCity' outside of the region and outside of people who are interested in such items.

In fact, I'm almost certain my mother who lives in Sale, who is 60 years old, will have no idea what MediaCity is.

LNGCats

November 9th, 2011, 11:00 AM

FWIW - Victoria Derbyshire is now from MC.

She is the one that is commuting daily from London.

Edit - maybe not. Although the web cam is live in MC and there are people in the studio, VD is not one of them.

WingTips

November 9th, 2011, 12:47 PM

One would alomost percieve you want MC to fail.

LNGCats

November 9th, 2011, 12:52 PM

One would alomost percieve you want MC to fail.

eh?

How on earth have you got that impression?

Because I don't think that normal people are obsessed with some radio stations and TV programs, that they probably do not watch and they almost certainly don't give a toss where it is broadcast from.

I want MC to be a great success, I want as many people as possible to work there in rewarding jobs.

I personally don't give a shit what anyone thinks of MC so long as that is achieved.

WingTips

November 9th, 2011, 01:25 PM

I agree, ironically I watch very little TV, but like yourself I want MC to be a success, its probably one of the best things in many years to happen to Salford, its given the area a world class Co-the BBC, many many other cities, regions would dearly loved to have been given this.

GShutty

November 9th, 2011, 05:05 PM

ManCon Article about 'Yippee' moving in to the Greenhouse, with a really cracking photo set within the article: http://www.manchesterconfidential.co.uk/Property/Yippee-Arrives-On-MediaCityUK

GShutty

November 9th, 2011, 05:17 PM

Didn't realise a prestigious radio awards ceromony took place in Manc last week...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/5live/2011/11/peter-allen-the-radio-academy.shtml

Also, more new on 5Live's transfer...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/5live/2011/10/the-salford-move-and-the-lates.shtml

Must....not.....read....comments. :bash:

Another good MC photo, aerial this time, within a ManCon article.

I wish those commentators, who skit_uk refers to ^^ had actually seen the architecture, rather just giving it the old... "RIBA says". Of course RIBA are something of an authority in the area, but IMO can be picky and even snobbish at times.

If more had been spent on the buildings, there would have been even more whinging about 'waste of licence payers money', so it seems as though the Beeb would have struggled to win and for me have found a decent balance.

Bearing in mind you have the views of the IWMN and Lowry across the water, the large public square and the two bridges.... Well for me the comments look ill-conceived.

hulmeman2

November 10th, 2011, 03:59 PM

http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/101111the-fuse.html

BBC Media Centre

Dervla Kirwan and Ewen Bremner among cast confirmed to join Christopher Eccleston in new BBC One psychological thriller, The Fuse

Date: 10.11.2011Last updated: 10.11.2011 at 14.54
Category: BBC One; Drama
Dervla Kirwan (Injustice, The Silence) and Ewen Bremner (Page Eight, Perfect Sense) join Christopher Eccleston in this original four-part drama for BBC One, written by Bill Gallagher (Lark Rise To Candleford, The Prisoner) and produced by Red Production Company (Exile, Single Father).

Also confirmed are Andrew Scott (The Hour, Sherlock), Lyndsey Marshal (Garrow’s Law, Being Human), Rebecca Callard (32 Brinkburn Street, Robin Hood), MyAnna Buring (The Twilight Saga, Any Human Heart) and Branka Katic (The Jury II, Big Love).

The Fuse follows Daniel Demoys (Eccleston), a stranger in his own life. Over the years he has gone from being an idealistic young man with a burning desire to make the world a better place, to a disillusioned and corrupt council official. His alcoholism has driven a wedge between him and wife, Alex (Kirwan), and their three children. The fallout from his alcohol-fuelled actions prove agonising for all around him.

When Daniel wakes up after another drunken night, he realises that he might be responsible for a murder. A dramatic act of redemption buys him public adoration, so much so that he has become a candidate in the race for Mayor, persuaded by council official Jerry Durrans (Bremner), and lawyer sister Lucy (Marshal).

The public’s opinion of Daniel as a straight-talking everyday hero couldn’t be higher. They are enthralled by his no nonsense determination not to treat the electorate like fools and by his openness about his personal problems and struggle with addiction.

As his public star rises ever higher and he tries to repair the damage done to his private life, he is painfully aware that it could all come crashing down at any moment. With Detective Dalien Bevan (Scott) hot on his trail and determined to gain respect in the force, he could be just the person to do this.

Daniel’s deepening relationships with Bevan’s ex-wife Sylvie (Buring), hospital nurse Donna (Katic), and the murdered man’s daughter Ruth (Callard), means he finds himself in even more of a tangled web than he could ever have imagined.

Christopher Eccleston says: “Bill Gallagher has written a fantastic four episode drama about obsession, addiction and redemption. I’m very excited about the role of Daniel Demoys and to be working with Red Production Company and BBC One”.

Bill Gallagher, Writer and Executive Producer, says: “I liked the idea of starting a story with a man who finds himself in a self-induced hell, and following him as he tries to make amends for the harm he has done. He happens to be a politician, so he has a chance to pay for his sins in his community”.

“I am extremely excited to be working on another Bill Gallagher script,” says Nicola Shindler, Executive Producer, Red Production Company. “He has written an incredibly compelling, morally complex thriller with a very recognisable family at its core. We are going to make an accessible, very honest and stylish drama for BBC One”.

Filming has started and will take place on location in Liverpool and Manchester, for a Spring 2012 transmission.

The Fuse was commissioned by Ben Stephenson, Controller, Drama Commissioning, and Danny Cohen, Controller, BBC One. The producer is Matthew Bird (Death In Paradise, The Street) and director is Tom Green (Misfits, Kid). Executive Producers are Christopher Aird for BBC, Nicola Shindler for Red Production Company, and Bill Gallagher.

Irish Blood English Heart

November 10th, 2011, 08:04 PM

Sounds good.

macc

November 11th, 2011, 05:32 PM

http://www.manchesterconfidential.co.uk/News/Confidential

CONFIDENTIAL online magazines – including Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds and London – has announced a merger with the media industries website How-Do and the commercial property website Place North West.

The merger came into effect on Friday 11 November 2011.

Staff across all the titles will be based at Quay House in central Manchester. Total staff headcount will be 32 with several further contracted freelance writers.

The publisher of Confidential, Mark Garner, and the publisher of How-Do and Place North West, Nick Jaspan, both believe there are numerous opportunities to be gained by combining resources and assets offering a broader range of services to both B2B and B2C markets.

The Confidential titles attract 188,000 unique readers a month , Place North West just over 40,000 and How-Do almost 50,000.

In addition, Confidential titles currently have 156,000 subscribers to their various email lists. How-Do has over 18,000 and Place North West circa 11,000.

Garner said of the merger: “Coming together will allow us to enhance our existing titles and also develop new opportunities. Our readers will see the fruits of these new initiatives in the coming weeks and months.

“We believe that the combined group will be the North West’s leading digital publisher and our B2B/B2C offering will offer even greater opportunities for our commercial partners. We also intend to exploit Confidential’s broader geographical reach”.

Manclad83

November 14th, 2011, 03:11 AM

I personally think it should be referred to as Manchester. I'm not a Manc, though I live here and I have my own views on the Manchester/Salford rivalry but don't wish to open that can of worms.

However, Salford is more of a suburb in many ways and it's not nearly aswell known and so when the border with Manchester is within spitting distance I believe that Manchester is the best term. Let's face it, Salford doesn't conjour up the type of image that springs to mind when Manchester is mentioned. Plus, Radio Manchester is still going to be known as just that.

Finally, with regards to the old rivalry......the strong Salfordian views will eventually die off. Manchester (as a whole-including Salford) has so much to be proud about and the borough borders are becoming ever blurred, even with Oldham and Bolton, and people want to be part of that success. The generic term for that success is Manchester.

jrb

November 14th, 2011, 12:15 PM

How Do.

ITV 'on track' with MediaCity

Monday 14 November 2011

ITV said today it remained "on track" with its move to MediaCityUK and it is spreading the cost of the relocation.

In an interim management statement it said it had revised down the group's rate of capital expenditure for 2011 from £80m to £50m, "primarily due to phasing in the payment schedule relating to our move to MediaCity, which remains on track".

In the summer ITV warned that capital expenditure would leap from £28m to £80m due to IT spend and the MediaCityUK move.

ITV is relocating from the old Granada headquarters on Quay Street in Manchester and building a new Coronation Street set on the Trafford Park side of the ship canal, which is due for completion in 2013.

In the nine months to September 30 the group said revenues increased by 4% to £1.5bn, but it expects a tough Christmas and start to 2012.

Across ITV 1, 2, 3 and 4 net advertising revenue was down 2% in July, down 3% in August and up 7% in September.

Overall in the third quarter ad revenue was up by 1%, ahead of expectations. ITV said this was also ahead of the wider TV advertising market.

But the group is pessimistic about ad income in the final quarter, expecting a 2% fall. It predicts a decline of 10% in December.

The X-Factor and Downton Abbey helped ITV's family of channels grow their share of viewing by 2% to 23% but ITV 1's share was flat at 15%. The digital channels grew strongly with ITV 2 up 8% and 3 and 4 both growing by 10%.

Revenue from ITV Studios grew 9% to £224m during the period, driven by international sales.

"We remain cautious on the outlook for 2012 - quarterly revenue trends are likely to follow a different pattern to 2011 with tough comparatives continuing into the first quarter before easing from the second quarter onwards, helped by Euro 2012," said chief executive Adam Crozier.

flange

November 14th, 2011, 03:38 PM

BBC 6 Music moves to MediaCityUK

Monday 14 November 2011

Mark Radcliffe and Stuart Maconie are the latest high profile BBC presenters to start broadcasting from new studios at MediaCityUK.

The pair hosted their live BBC 6 Music show from the new BBC North headquarters in Salford today.

They have moved from the BBC's Oxford Road studios along with Radcliffe's former sidekick Marc Riley, who presents an evening show on the digital station.

Craig Charles' funk show and the production team for Guy Garvey's finest hour have also moved over to Salford.

The 6 Music staff will be based at Dock House along with Radio 4 programmes including You and Yours, Woman’s Hour and Front Row. BBC Radio Manchester and 5 Live are based at Quay House.

Radcliffe and Maconie compered the Radio Festival at the Lowry Theatre earlier in the month. They welcomed delegates by telling them the theatre was, "in the shadow of the Lowry Outlet Mall, named after the great painter LS Outlet Mall".

The 6 Music staff are among 115 people moving to the new centre this week.

http://www.how-do.co.uk/north-west-media-news/north-west-broadcasting/bbc-6-music-moves-to-mediacityuk-20111114100955902

jrb

November 17th, 2011, 06:47 PM

How Do.

BBC bids goodbye to Oxford Road with Our Favourites From The North

As the BBC departs its Oxford Road home for its spanking new home at MediaCity, on Saturday 26 November BBC Two will air a special ‘TV Greats: Our Favourites From The North’, a nostalgic look back at some of the classic television programmes that have come out of the North West of England over the last 50 years, presented by Tess Daly.

The current studios on Oxford Road in Manchester were opened by the then Prime Minister James Callaghan in June 1976.

One of the programme’s highlights includes Sir Jimmy Savile in his last BBC TV interview before his death, talking about the beginnings of Top Of The Pops.

For the first three years, the iconic show was filmed at a disused church in Rusholme, Manchester, and it was here that The Supremes made their world television debut.

Like Top Of The Pops, It’s A Knockout was also broadcast from Manchester before the BBC moved into the studios on Oxford Road. Presenter Stuart Hall, who describes It’s A Knockout as “the Olympic Games with custard pies”, reminisces about the early days. He recalls the quick work of the set and costume designers. Other stars, including Stuart Maconie, Debbie McGee and Juliet Morris give their take on the show’s huge impact as they remember the giant costumes, the famous Penguin Game and Stuart Hall’s infectious laugh.

Some of the nation’s most popular comedians started out in the North West, from Peter Kay to Johnny Vegas, John Bishop to Steve Coogan. Caroline Aherne used to be a secretary at BBC Manchester, but her hidden talents came to the fore with the role of spoof chat show hostess Mrs Merton.

The Mrs Merton Show ran on BBC Two from 1995 and the first guest was Debbie McGee, wife of magician Paul Daniels. McGee recalls the moment when she was disarmed by Mrs Merton’s opening question: “What ever first attracted you to the millionaire Paul Daniels?”

Some of the programmes made in Manchester have revolutionised the way television is made. In 1987, Janet Street Porter moved from Channel 4 to the BBC in Manchester. She was tasked with revamping BBC Two to appeal to 16–24 year olds. She talks about how she wanted everything to look radically different to the way programmes had been made before when she created the programming strand DEF II, including Reportage and Rough Guide.

BBC Manchester is home to some of the most popular long-running entertainment programmes on TV. Last year A Question Of Sport celebrated its 40th anniversary. Mastermind was brought back to our screens in 2003 when it was revived by the entertainment team in Manchester and John Humphrys became the host.

Humphrys recalls how when he was approached to host the show, he thought the producers were asking him to be a contender, an offer he was sure he didn’t want to take up! Of the Mastermind contenders, he says: “However experienced at quizzes they are and however clever they are, you know they’re scared!”

Stuart Maconie is one broadcaster who has experienced that terrifying walk to the black chair first hand, when he appeared on Celebrity Mastermind. “When he says our next contender please, you feel a band of steel around your stomach,” he says.

BBC Manchester has also been home to the production team behind Songs Of Praise, which this year celebrated its 50th anniversary. Aled Jones talks about his own childhood memories of the series which has had such long-lasting appeal.

Tess Daly looks back at North West dramas including Life On Mars, Accused and The Street. Paul Abbott pays tribute to John Simm’s performance in the BBC One thriller Exile. Salford-born actor Christopher Eccleston gives his take on why the North West has produced so many great dramas.

“We all think we’re comedians don’t we?” he says. “There’s a great love of language in and around Manchester and Liverpool pubs… a great joy in language and a great joy in storytelling, in conversation actually, in the sense of a community and I think writers have tapped into that and brought it to a national audience.”

jrb

November 17th, 2011, 07:01 PM

How Do.

BBC Radio 2's Folk Awards moving to Manchester

The BBC announced last night that the annual BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards would be held at the Lowry in Salford next year. The awards aim to celebrate the best in folk music over the preceding year.

This will be the first time the awards ceremony has been staged outside London.

The event will take place on Wednesday 8 February 2012 and will be broadcast live on BBC Radio 2 and also online at bbc.co.uk/radio2. The awards are produced by the independent production company Smooth Operations.

Mike Harding, who presents a weekly folk show on Radio 2 (with a weekly audience of over 900,000), will be one of the two comperes on the night.

The Lowry event will also be the first time that Radio 2 listeners will be able to attend the awards and tickets have now gone on sale.

Head of music for BBC Radio 2 and 6 Music, Jeff Smith, said: "Folk is an important component of the network’s specialist music offering, and Radio 2 is looking forward to welcoming hundreds of our listeners to the 13th Radio 2 Folk Awards.”

LNGCats

November 17th, 2011, 07:21 PM

BBC north move deemed a success...

http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/business/media/s/1465393_bbc-now-open-for-business-at-mediacity-in-salford-says-peter-salmon

neil

November 17th, 2011, 09:54 PM

Children in need rocks MANCHESTER live on BBC now!!

aek-94

November 17th, 2011, 09:56 PM

Children in need rocks MANCHESTER live on BBC now!!

It's good so far :D
:dance:

hulmeman2

November 18th, 2011, 04:47 PM

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-15792282

Danger Mouse co-creator Mark Hall dies

Animator Mark Hall, co-founder of Cosgrove Hall - responsible for cartoons including Chorlton and the Wheelies, Dangermouse and The Wind in the Willows - has died of cancer.

He died in the early hours of Friday at his home in Manchester surrounded by his family, his company Cosgrove Hall Fitzpatrick Entertainment said.

Operations director Adrian Wilkins hailed "a lifetime of achievement" in the world of animation.

"He is one of life's gentlemen."

Hall, together with Brian Cosgrove, set up production company Stop Frame in the late 1960s before forming Cosgrave Hall Films.

They enjoyed international success with their productions which also included Danger Mouse spin-off Count Duckula, Jamie and the Magic Torch and Cockleshell Bay.

Danger Mouse - voiced by Only Fools and Horses actor David Jason - was joined in his quest to defeat the evil Baron Greenback by bumbling sidekick Penfold, voiced by Terry and June star Terry Scott.

In 2006, the 25th anniversary year of Danger Mouse, Hall told the BBC that the programme had succeeded because of the strange scenarios the pair found themselves in.

"The adults watched because of that kind of anarchy," he said.

"The kids watched it because they just loved the stories and the absolutely stupid gags."

He praised Jason's "fantastic" voicing of Danger Mouse as well as Scott's "wonderful" Penfold.

He said that Dangermouse, who lived inside a postbox in London's Baker Street, was "a sort of cross between Bond and all sorts of things".

"He was supposed to be suave but he was a mouse with big ears."

The show, produced by Cosgrove Hall for Thames TV, attracted an average audience of 3.5 million when it was first shown in the UK on ITV.

It has since been seen in more than 80 countries.

Manc Guy

November 18th, 2011, 06:22 PM

Children in need rocks MANCHESTER live on BBC now!!

But what about all these stars not wanting to travel 'oop north?

I thought this kind of thing only happened in London?

hulmeman2

November 21st, 2011, 01:01 PM

Docudrama on C4, 9pm tonight about Alan Turing, looks worth watching!

http://www.channel4.com/programmes/britains-greatest-codebreaker/episode-guide/series-1/episode-1

http://www.channel4.com/assets/programmes/images/britains-greatest-codebreaker/1528bdeb-1e62-4df8-88c7-b68ece86f65b_200x113.jpg

Britain's Greatest Codebreaker

Alan Turing is the genius British mathematician who was instrumental in breaking the German Naval Enigma Code during World War II, arguably saving millions of lives. He was also the visionary scientist who gave birth to the computer age, pioneered artificial intelligence, and was the first to investigate the mathematical underpinnings of the living world.

Turing is one of the great original thinkers of the 20th century, who foresaw the digital world in which we now live. In the eyes of many scientists today Turing sits alongside Isaac Newton, Albert Einstein and Charles Darwin at the table of scientific greats.

Turing's achievements went unrecognised during his lifetime. Instead he ended up being treated as a common criminal, for being homosexual at a time when homosexual acts were a crime.

In 1952, he was convicted of 'gross indecency' with another man and was forced to undergo so-called 'organo-therapy' or chemical castration.

Two years later, he killed himself with cyanide, aged just 41. Alan Turing was driven to a terrible despair and early death by the nation he'd done so much to save.

In the last 18 months of his short life, Turing visited a psychiatrist, Dr Franz Greenbaum, who tried to help him. This film brings Turing's ideas to life by dramatising this relationship and these sessions, based on historical records, Turing's writings, and accounts of those who knew him.

The film includes the testimony of people who knew and remember Turing.

Plus, contemporary experts from the world of technology and high science, including Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, bring Turing's exciting impact up to the present day, explaining why, in many ways, modern technology has only just begun to explore the potential of Turing's ideas.

ashley b

November 21st, 2011, 02:36 PM

And Newsround is now broadcast from Salford, as of 7.40 this morning. Here's the new set:
http://www.thisisfive.co.uk/presbits/bbc/stuff/newsround01.jpg

kids

November 22nd, 2011, 01:15 AM

Infinite Monkey Cage Feat. Brian Cox, Robin Ince and Jon Culshaw came from Manchester today which was the theme of the show.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b017cb0w/The_Infinite_Monkey_Cage_Series_5_Whats_the_North_Ever_Done_for_Us/

Cringe factor - 6/10

LNGCats

November 22nd, 2011, 05:54 PM

Excellent article by David Ottewell (Mr Parks :) ) in BBC Ariel...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/ariel/15836354

Marksy_1

November 22nd, 2011, 06:57 PM

Excellent article by David Ottewell (Mr Parks :) ) in BBC Ariel...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/ariel/15836354

Yes one of the best articles i've read about MC

skit_uk

November 22nd, 2011, 08:41 PM

This was on the same site as well.

A fond farewell to BBC Manchester

http://www.bbc.co.uk/ariel/15822162

heatonparkincakes

November 22nd, 2011, 08:56 PM

Excellent article by David Ottewell (Mr Parks :) ) in BBC Ariel...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/ariel/15836354

!?

LNGCats

November 22nd, 2011, 09:08 PM

Still denying it? ;)

LNGCats

November 23rd, 2011, 12:09 AM

From Twitter...

@NickyAACampbellNicky Campbell

Travelling home to salford after hosting Guardian publicsector awards in london. Amazimg winners

Marksy_1

November 23rd, 2011, 10:31 AM

Another good article on Manchester and the BBC

http://www.insidermedia.com/insider/north-west/62314-talking-point-bbc-2021-regional-and-global

Talking Point: The BBC in 2021 - Regional and Global
Last updated: 22nd Nov 2011 at 11:36am | |
Entrepreneur Alex Connock, the founder of digital content business Pretend and co-founder of Ten Alps with Bob Geldof, gives his arguments for Manchester being a legitimate place to locate a global brand.

I would bet a pure gold BAFTA statue that everyone reading this has been on Google today. Or that half of you have a Mac or an iPhone. And those that don't - Microsoft Windows. Has anyone been on a Boeing jet this month? If not – it was an Airbus.

Driven a Toyota? Audi ? BMW ? Drunk Coke? Worn Gucci? Watched Man United or Barcelona? Why am I listing all these brands? Because they are world class and universal. And they are all based in a region, not a capital city.

Google is the most successful start-up in the history of the world, founded Menlo Park Califiornia - population 32,000, five times smaller than Harrogate. Facebook – Palo Alto, smaller than Grimsby. Microsoft and Amazon - both around Seattle, a quarter the size of Manchester. You can fit Cupertino, California, into Manchester 40 times– yet it's home to Apple. I could go on.

In fact, of the world's top 30 brands, guess how many are based in their country's capital city? Just four - 13 per cent.

The "world class brand" argument was used last year by critics of the move of a few BBC departments to Salford. The Daily Mail said shifting "gold standard" TV shows from the capital like Match of the Day could "inflict harm" on programmes.

Yet from the global evidence, it's not demonstrably the case quality equals capital city at all. So let's look at where we can go with that.

The BBC's initial move of 1,600 jobs to MediaCity in Salford is a success - a creative renewal. It's inspiring to go there. My suggestion for the next decade is to build on that excitement. And in a way that can actually protect the BBC's quality and range - this in the context of an at-best flatlining licence fee.

Two elements are linked to the plan. First, cut costs long term - by moving almost the whole corporation to the regions, and basing it in Manchester. The second is to grow revenues by building the BBC as a more global producer of content. To make that possible, use BBC Worldwide in Manchester to underpin even more of the output.

So the BBC in Ten Years time is this: "BBC North and Global". And as the lessons of Google, Intel, ebaY and Apple show us, going regional to go global is no contradiction at all. So, the first step is to cut long term costs by actually moving the BBC HQ to Salford which is cheaper. The capital cost of MediaCity was £189m. The new Broadcasting House building in London was over a billion. Factor the numbers moving in – and London looks twice the price per desk.

Staff are cheaper in the North too. Yet even today, about two-thirds of BBC people are still in London. That really must drop, simply to save the public money. Meanwhile moving North helps move Britain's economic focus too.

A PwC report this month said the North-South divide has widened in recession. Business distress in the North West is up by 12 per cent. It's dropped 6 per cent in London. Moving assets North is good for British society. So that's step one – cutting costs.

Step two is growing income. We should make the BBC much more global than it already is because exporting is good for the BBC and good for Britain.

Here's why - media content is one of our best exports - £17.3bn in 2008, 4.1 per cent of the total. We're the world#s number one TV formats exporter, with six out of 12 of the biggest of the last four years. The BBC already has the perfect export platform - BBC Worldwide - delivering £160m profit last year. So let's get the ball rolling.

Let's move Worldwide to Manchester, give it more input into what's produced, and more opportunities to sell BBC content overseas. Worldwide had revenue of £1.1bn last year, £600m of it overseas. BBC licence fee revenue was about £3bn. So about 15% per cent of total BBC revenues came from overseas sales. These are rough figures– but it's certainly far lower than at some other world-class UK media firms. Advertising group WPP got a massive 90 per cent of its revenue overseas. So it's 90 per cent versus 15 per cent.

That difference in emphasis is not a critique of BBC Worldwide – it's an opportunity for us all. Every new pound earned overseas by BBC Worldwide is a pound the licence fee payer does not have to pay for the services they want. So let's grow global revenue. I’ve discussed cutting costs by moving North, and building the BBC revenues overseas.

Finally, why is Manchester the right place to base the BBC?

Manchester isn't a provincial town – it's an export town. In the 19th century, it exported capitalism, when Cobden pioneered the free trade challenge to mercantilism. It invented communism too – in 1848 when Marx and Engels probably wrote the manifesto there. Today, Manchester has a big airport – which actually works. It exports football to Asia, Africa and Latin America. Manchester United has 20 million Facebook fans – which is 100 times more than BBC News.

Manchester has a talent base - 90,000 students, cheap offices etc. It's THE perfect place to create a cost-efficient BBC driven by export of British content. So let's get on with it.

* Keep up the incredible BBC programme of quality and cut no service, whilst not increasing the licence fee.

* Exploit its inventions ruthlessly – like actually selling iPlayer globally as an exasperated Eric Schmidt of Google recommended at the Edinburgh TV Festival.

* Prioritise output in programme commissioning that can capture the global audience. If Linkedin can add two new users per second, most of them in India, with content that is wafer-thin compared to your average BBC channel, then that’s where we can compete and win.

Let's take a quick step back. Some people might like to live in a kind of Countryfile version of Britain, listening to the Archers and reading the Daily Mail. But the real 21st century is a GLOBAL economic battle. It's do or die for countries, never mind companies. We need winning industries.

As it happens, we all own one as licence fee payers - the BBC. To sustain it for our own use, we must cut its costs and increase its global revenues. The global experience is – we can do that best from a region.

If you don’t believe me, just ask Disney, Nissan, Nike, Amazon, Universal or Intel.

Inventor James Dyson wrote a 2010 government report titled Ingenious Britain, about how to power up Britain's high tech exports.

He said: "We just need fuel, perhaps a bit of tuning, and most of all, a sense of direction."

The direction is M1, M6, M6 Toll Road if you think it's worth £5.10 to avoid the traffic, M6…..Manchester…. the world.

Alex Connock's thoughts were adapted from a keynote speech he gave to Bafta. You can follow him on Twitter @mralexconnock to offer feedback. Connock is also the chairman of the Royal Television Society North West and recently launched Pretend.

WingTips

November 23rd, 2011, 05:41 PM

You cant really argue with this, superbly written factual article...and its all taking place in Salford

madferret

November 23rd, 2011, 05:49 PM

You cant really argue with this, superbly written factual article...and its all taking place in SalfordDid you actually read the article? He's talking about the region, i.e. Manchester, not the locality.

VoldemortBlack

November 23rd, 2011, 06:35 PM

LNGCats

November 23rd, 2011, 07:45 PM

You cant really argue with this, superbly written factual article...and its all taking place in Salford

Indeed, I agree with you.

Seems this is the first time you've said Salford is part of the Manchester region.

WingTips

November 23rd, 2011, 08:17 PM

WingTips PLEASE stop with the Salford crap, it's making me embarrassed about being from Salford. Salford is a mere grimy suburb of Manchester, and the Quays is but a district of the City of Manchester in all but name.

sorry vold I do not agree, you have no reason what so ever about being from Salford, and the Quays belong to Salford, after all they are called Salford Quays not Manchsr Quays, be proud of whats happening here dozens of other Cities would love to have all this.

VoldemortBlack

November 23rd, 2011, 08:21 PM

sorry vold I do not agree, you have no reason what so ever about being from Salford, and the Quays belong to Salford, after all they are called Salford Quays not Manchsr Quays, be proud of whats happening here dozens of other Cities would love to have all this.

The only reason we're getting it is because we're right up close to Manchester don't kid yourself.

If Salford didn't have Manchester right next to it we'd be some shitty little post-industrial Lancashire former mill town.

LNGCats

November 23rd, 2011, 08:23 PM

sorry vold I do not agree, you have no reason what so ever about being from Salford, and the Quays belong to Salford, after all they are called Salford Quays not Manchsr Quays, be proud of whats happening here dozens of other Cities would love to have all this.

As someone who lives in Trafford I am very happy to be seeing what is happening in Salford Quays (I am not sure proud is the right term tbh) as it adds much more oppurtunity to those of us who live in Manchester.

Is that a statement you'd agree with Tipsy?

iheartthenew

November 23rd, 2011, 09:04 PM

Salford is a mere grimy suburb of Manchester... .

This isn't aimed at you Volde mate, so don't take it personally, your post just triggered me to write a little rant I've had brewing for a bit.

Yes Salford is little more than a component part of Greater Manchester or 'Manchester' but its not all 'grimey'. I agree Salford owes a lot to its success to being next to Manchester and being in GM but it has, and always has had 'non-grimey' parts too and I think its more than OK for WingTips to counter the misconception that Salford is 'grimey' by promoting the fact that SQ is in Salford.

But there seems to be some sort of reverse snobbery here, it seems quite a few people want to keep perpetuating the stereotype that Salford is all 'grimey' soot-covered terraces, home to the good ol' working class and quite a few ne'er do wells etc etc. Don't anyone dare promote the fact the Salford has nice, successful, happening, modern (and dare I say it, POSH) parts!

The thing is Salford has not and never has been entirely like that (all 'grimey' terraces). There are many parts of 'proper' Salford that are not like that. When I say 'proper' I am excluding the likes or Worsley etc that now happen to fall under SCC. Not too long ago (in the grand scheme of things), say just over 100 years ago, land either side of Eccles Old Rd had huge mansions all down it! There are still quite big houses all around that area, I drive past them every day and being M6 its certainly Salford!

I'm going to take some photos of the 'nicer' parts of Salford. Happily celebrating Salford and its diverse areas, including SQ and MC.

WingTips

November 23rd, 2011, 09:26 PM

LNG and iheart have both are both spot on, Salford is evolving, its becoming a great place to live Schools are being built, Hope Hospital is one of the best in the Country, jobs are being created , this is what this is all about, MediaCity is a World Class facility,vold of course you are entitled to your opinion, but this is becoming a new Salford and whats wrong with that? new schools ,jobs, health facilties, its time vold you moved on.

VoldemortBlack

November 23rd, 2011, 09:44 PM

I just have a thing with people who believe that towns within Greater Manchester are somehow "separate" from Manchester, and a little bit of that comes across in your "This IS Salford" signature, WingTips. Of course it's not an attack on you, I just question your motive.

I'm aware Salford has some gorgeous parts, Worsley is but a 15 minute walk away from my front door. Not wanting to sound snobby, but I live in Broadoak Park, an area which is probably one of the richest, if not THE richest area in Salford and one of the richest areas, again if not THE richest area in North/North-West Manchester. Monton has a lovely high street and if I choose to take the Met to Salford Quays or town then I have a very nice walk through Worsley golf club, onto Monton with all its lovely houses on the green, and then past Monton and into that area of large victorian terraces and small hotels. It's great!

Personally I think the "grimy-coronation-st style" suburb is something that Salford should be proud of and actually aim to promote to be different, but not everyone would share that view.

As I said, I just have a thing with people who claim that Bolton/Salford/Stockport are "completely separate" from Manchester, because they absolutely 100% are not (ESPECIALLY Salford)

LNGCats

November 23rd, 2011, 09:46 PM

You are projecting your predujices onto tipsy's posts, reading something that really is not there.

kids

November 23rd, 2011, 10:10 PM

Marksy_1

November 24th, 2011, 10:02 AM

You cant really argue with this, superbly written factual article...and its all taking place in Salford

Yes I agree it is great for Salford and Manchester! Salford is is currently getting some good press for once which is good and is a nice change from all of the negative stereotypes some of the press like to keep pushing!

The article author does mention Manchester a fair few times though - which is becasue most people rightly or wrongly with the exception of a few older Salford residents do still think of Salford as an area of Manchester because of its very close proximity.

I am a Salfordian foremost and I am proud of what the city is doing, but I have to agree with Volde, without Manchester being right next door Salford wouldn't be doing such as grand job!

Anyway I think the councils have to keep working together to create a even better City* / Conurbation* / County*.......* denontes whatever you see it as!

Caiman

November 24th, 2011, 02:58 PM

I am a Salfordian foremost and I am proud of what the city is doing, but I have to agree with Volde, without Manchester being right next door Salford wouldn't be doing such as grand job!
Same. I live in Salford, went to Salford University and work in Salford so I don’t have anything against the place, but let’s not pretend for one moment that any of this would be happening if we weren’t squashed right up next to Manchester.

TheGrand

November 24th, 2011, 03:29 PM

Bloody hell, some people really do need to give their heads a wobble.

golden66

November 26th, 2011, 09:47 AM

The BBC has no presence in Manchester. We will never again hear "This is the BBC broadcasting from Manchester". Well done Salford! You are your own city, you are not Manchester.You got Media City because you have got assets that Manchester hasn't got , a large undeveloped water system with super fast broadbrand. Being a neighbour to Manchester had nothing to do with this decision.

I see Manchester Airport is losing international business. So according to LNGCats, who likes giving places incorrect place names(or maybe he just means everything should be called Manchester), why not just call it London Manchester International Airport to generate extra business? Or internationally, Liverpool has a more famous brand name than Manchester, so according to LNGCats it could be rebranded Liverpool Manchester International Airport.

LNGCats

November 26th, 2011, 10:40 AM

He is back again :)

VoldemortBlack

November 26th, 2011, 10:48 AM

Chogmook

November 26th, 2011, 10:50 AM

:rofl:

LNGCats

November 26th, 2011, 10:53 AM

He is still upset that IBM, Debenhams, the DVLA, loads of schools and a whole heap of other companies etc are all saying that they are in Manchester when they are outside the local authority bounraries :D

All 'breaking the law' :lol:

P.S. He has a funny way of describing 'falling' internation' air passengers as well. Still when has reality got in his way of a good old rant.

http://www.manchesterairport.co.uk/manweb.nsf/alldocs/635FD5FFF30D890A8025793E00333631/$File/October+11.pdf

Up 13% by all accounts, still, he clearly has no idea what he is talking about so why let some reality get in the way of his strange world.

P.S. I am yet to speak to anyone, and I mean anyone, who cares that the BBC are no longer broadcasting from within the local authority of Manchester. The only people who seem to care about this fact are from miles away.

LNGCats

November 26th, 2011, 10:55 AM

I tell you what, I was looking at the hotels in MediaCity, for some reason the Holiday Inn and the PremierInn (the two main ones) are both 'Manchester' hotels, i.e. Holiday Inn - Manchester (Salford Quays), just like the airport ones are 'Holiday Inn - Manchester (airport).

Get onto your barrister Golden. All sorts of laws being broken here :lol:

P.S. Great fun for a Saturday morning.

Caiman

November 26th, 2011, 07:46 PM

Being a neighbour to Manchester had nothing to do with this decision.
:lol:

a whole heap of other companies etc are all saying that they are in Manchester

Indeed...

http://www.salfordstar.com/images/l/University%20of%20Salford%20Manchester%20(5)(1).JPG

LNGCats

November 26th, 2011, 08:00 PM

Or, as the MediaCity web site states...

http://www.mediacityuk.co.uk/destination

MediaCityUK is a destination in its own right, adding to the existing Salford Quays visitor offer, which includes The Lowry arts centre (Manchester’s most popular cultural tourist attraction), Manchester United Football Club, Lancashire Cricket Club and Imperial War Museum North.

:lol:

Even Peel, the developers of MediaCity are at it now.

LNGCats

November 26th, 2011, 08:04 PM

In fact, the MediaCity web site is full of it...

http://www.mediacityuk.co.uk/destination/the-quays

The Quays.

MediaCityUK’s Salford Quays location places it at the heart of Manchester’s iconic waterfront, historically a symbol of industrial enterprise.

Opened in 1894 by Queen Victoria, the former docks were fundamental to the economic prowess of the region. More than a century later, and in the midst of the digital revolution, MediaCityUK is helping The Quays to reinvent itself once again. Extensive regeneration and investment has made the area a magnet for tourists, with venues such as Imperial War Museum North and The Lowry arts centre helping to attract millions of visitors each year.

Manchester United Football Club, and Lancashire County Cricket Club are both on the doorstep, while The Quays’ waterways play host to regular triathlon events and were a key venue for the 2002 Commonwealth Games.

Golden - get onto them immediately. Breaking the law like that :lol:

Marksy_1

November 26th, 2011, 09:55 PM

Saying media city is in Manchester is nearly as bad as saying the grand national is in Liverpool!!

LNGCats

November 26th, 2011, 10:01 PM

As he is now one of ours, I think someone has hacked NickyAACampbells twitter.

Normally one of the most mellow thooughtful of people, the hacker has gone on a swear feast using the Twitter account :lol:

golden66

November 27th, 2011, 12:11 AM

Seasonedbest

November 27th, 2011, 12:36 AM

^^Three old buildings and a lot of serious shite forms Liverpool’s waterfront. I wouldn't be surprised if all investors wish they could back out of their commitments promised after seeing some of the travesties that have already constructed.

StanP

November 27th, 2011, 12:40 AM

That's a laugh! "Manchester's iconic waterfront". It's obvious that this is just an envious attempt to compete with Liverpool's truly iconic waterfront.

This is total nonsense! It's not in Manchester,it's not an iconic waterfront.

It's just advertising and commercial vested interest gone mad. It's how power obsessed politicians, greedy capitalists, propaganda journalists and, in your case, fanatical or deluded locals operate. Say a lie loud and often and the ignorant and uneducated will fall in line.

Fools like this make me embarrassed that I am from Liverpool. Liverpool has great history, some wonderful buildings, and for the most part, great people.

It was once the greatest city outside London, however it has long since lost that crown. Most people from Liverpool know this, however some are fooling themselves that those times will return. Golden seem to make every effort to deride the achievements of Manchester, in the vain hope that it somehow increases the importance of Liverpool.

It is not those that reside in Manchester that are "fanatical and deluded locals", that label is well and truly pinned to your lapel.

hulmeman2

November 27th, 2011, 12:41 AM

Marksy_1

November 27th, 2011, 12:43 AM

LNGCats

November 27th, 2011, 01:30 AM

LNGCats

November 27th, 2011, 02:08 AM

Oh, we do know you read all and every single post in this thread golden, we also realise you don't have the intelligence to respond to the vast majority either :lol:

Awayo

November 27th, 2011, 02:22 AM

Fools like this make me embarrassed that I am from Liverpool. Liverpool has great history, some wonderful buildings, and for the most part, great people.

It was once the greatest city outside London, however it has long since lost that crown. Most people from Liverpool know this, however some are fooling themselves that those times will return. Golden seem to make every effort to deride the achievements of Manchester, in the vain hope that it somehow increases the importance of Liverpool.

It is not those that reside in Manchester that are "fanatical and deluded locals", that label is well and truly pinned to your lapel.

Speak for yourself, you meff. Golden66 is evidently insane and representing nothing aside from his own curious nature.

You, however, are clearly something different. Hanging out with scum like hulmeman2, bigging up Manchester ffs. There are reasons why a man may have to leave Liverpool for work opportunties. But once one does, and the whole world is out there, and you go to Manchester? Jesus Christ.

I'm not sure if it is that you are more abject if you are from Liverpool and are full of a confused self-loathing or that you're a saddo Lancashire type pretending to be Liverpudlian to make a pathetic point. Either way, I'd kill myself if I were you. And I'm being kind.

heatonparkincakes

November 27th, 2011, 02:46 AM

Good grief.

We haven't had another Skaus v. Mancoid conflict on here for a while.

This is possibly the most ridiculous one I can recall, through I am sure Hauptmanns Kurt und Nerd may recall older more odder battles in days long gone.

I was at the gym this morning and in that break of silence on my mp3 player between Arcade Fire and Rammstein, I overheard the bollix radio station chirping away over the speakers.

Heat radio.

hits and celebrities.

The presenter. Some mockney with a tobacco gravel voice snarls "this week's biggest story. Sinita leaving Jungle."

Yeah this week's big story.

Really.

Really?

So don't mind me if I can't enthuse about some radio bod mixing Manchester with Salford. Or even if someone rings me from outside Westminster abbey and says they are in London.

It doesn't matter. But hey let the battle begin.

Elizabeth Kinoke

November 27th, 2011, 04:00 AM

Here's how I see it.

BBC wanks off Manchester over many years... they're gonna expect something back.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LO3mQp-Y_JY/S_Z82VPvqQI/AAAAAAAABVg/gbk2csX3COE/s1600/liam_gallagher.jpg

Elizabeth Kinoke

November 27th, 2011, 04:04 AM

And so is the rest of the licence fee payer. ;)

kids

November 27th, 2011, 04:24 AM

I know Awayo is only joking to provoke a reaction to confirm the preconceptions he's fashioned about Mancunians in envy, but Stan makes fair points. There are a set of Scousers who rant about Manc "wools" as if Liverpool is in someway an innately more urbane place because it was for about 100 years larger than Manchester (with Manchester being larger and more important at every other turn in history). They argue this despite the fact that Manchester is many, many times more multi-cultural/globalised/cosmopolitan/vibrant now than Liverpool ever was at its peak.

Then there are Scousers who are just normal people, like the couple who live next to me, to whom it makes sense to live near home but in a place which simply has more opportunities for them atm.

Aaronj09

November 27th, 2011, 05:27 AM

^^ Talk about provoking comments. :lol:

LNGCats

November 27th, 2011, 10:42 AM

Arf, the scousers and the Brummies are having an argurment amongst themselves.

On a Manc thread.

Ain't it funny how cities or hundreds of thousands of people, tens of thousands of businesses and scores of public sector agencies are described on here as if they are a single person with a single simple view, a single simple history, a single simple position on every matter. :lol:

Probably quite telling that the posters were posting very late on a Saturday night, no doubt following a couple of shandies.

LNGCats

November 27th, 2011, 02:24 PM

Just seen Colin Murry of 5Live and MOTD2 fame on his way from Booths back to the BBC studios. Presumably getting ready for MOTD2 this evening.

iamafreeman

November 27th, 2011, 04:00 PM

Fools like this make me embarrassed that I am from Liverpool. Liverpool has great history, some wonderful buildings, and for the most part, great people.

It was once the greatest city outside London, however it has long since lost that crown. Most people from Liverpool know this, however some are fooling themselves that those times will return. Golden seem to make every effort to deride the achievements of Manchester, in the vain hope that it somehow increases the importance of Liverpool.

It is not those that reside in Manchester that are "fanatical and deluded locals", that label is well and truly pinned to your lapel.

Sorry StanP but if you really are from Liverpool I'm afraid you are a marked man the local mafia will be coming for you!

Just ask Aek94 (I think it was) he dared to apply for a place at Manchester University and was roundly condemned for it.

Anyway as for the rest of your post I agree with you Liverpool's architecture is well worth praising and few would deny it.

Remember this Stan don't let the bastards grind you down. :)

iamafreeman

November 27th, 2011, 04:02 PM

Just seen Colin Murry of 5Live and MOTD2 fame on his way from Booths back to the BBC studios. Presumably getting ready for MOTD2 this evening.

Are you becoming a groupie? Standing on street corners with your autograph book. :)

LNGCats

November 27th, 2011, 04:52 PM

Are you becoming a groupie? Standing on street corners with your autograph book. :)

Booths sell a flavour of Kopaberg cider you cannot get elsewhere that the Mrs likes.

Nathan Dawz

November 27th, 2011, 06:53 PM

heatonparkincakes

November 27th, 2011, 07:39 PM

Booths sell a flavour of Kopaberg cider you cannot get elsewhere that the Mrs likes.

That boys.

Is something Missing on here lately.

Love.

A trip across town to get your main squeeze some cider.

Love.

StanP

November 27th, 2011, 08:52 PM

Speak for yourself, you meff. Golden66 is evidently insane and representing nothing aside from his own curious nature.

You, however, are clearly something different. Hanging out with scum like hulmeman2, bigging up Manchester ffs. There are reasons why a man may have to leave Liverpool for work opportunties. But once one does, and the whole world is out there, and you go to Manchester? Jesus Christ.

I'm not sure if it is that you are more abject if you are from Liverpool and are full of a confused self-loathing or that you're a saddo Lancashire type pretending to be Liverpudlian to make a pathetic point. Either way, I'd kill myself if I were you. And I'm being kind.

I do speak for myself, thank you. I have never in any of my posts tried to represent anything other than my own opinions. By the way I am not a meff; childish insults just invalidate anything you have written, or anything you write in the future.

I do not "hang out" with scum, and never have. Again I am not sure what you are trying to say, as I have never stated I align myself with the views of anyone on this forum. I have never "bigged up" Manchester, in fact I am very careful not to "big up" anywhere.

I did not leave Liverpool just for work, though the poor opportunities in Liverpool in the late 70's when I graduated were a factor. I have also lived in many cities across the world, Sydney, Hong Kong, Madrid and Berlin to name 4. The reasons why I settled in Manchester are personal, and quite frankly it's none of your business.

If you have ever read any of my previous posts, I am from Toxteth, not full of self loathing; actually I think I am rather great, fantastic in fact. I am definitely not a "saddo Lancashire type" and have never pretended to be from Liverpool, why would I, to make a point or otherwise, when I was born there!!! Whether you think I am more abject either way is of little importance to me, your opinion of me is irrelevant, you don't know me.

To state that you would kill yourself if you were me, when all you know of me is a couple of quickly written posts in a forum on Skyscrapers seems a little drastic!! It also shows the level of your discussion ability.

Sir Miles Platting

November 27th, 2011, 11:51 PM

This, coming from a Professional Scouser who hasn't lived on Merseyside for donkey's years!
Asamatterofact he just happens to be a "saddo Lancashire type pretending to be a Liverpudlian" (Formby) :devil:

Joydivison82

November 28th, 2011, 12:15 AM

Talking of scousers, I saw Craig Charles outside one of the Media city buildings on Saturday having a fag.

Also thought I saw Ian Mcellelen (sp) in the lower canteen but wasn't 100% certain it was him, and is probably just Mr Smith from the loony asylum.

this_city

November 28th, 2011, 12:26 AM

Just seen Colin Murry of 5Live and MOTD2 fame on his way from Booths back to the BBC studios. Presumably getting ready for MOTD2 this evening.

Ah, now there's someone I'd love to punch in the face...him and that Jamie Cullum! Ha :)

Seasonedbest

November 28th, 2011, 12:28 AM

I dont mind Colin Murray. I agree with Jamie Cullum, and wile i’m at it, Jamie Bell’s another.

kids

November 28th, 2011, 05:22 AM

Ah, now there's someone I'd love to punch in the face...him and that Jamie Cullum! Ha :)

Have you seen Ade Edmondson's new show on ITV? He wears in it the most smug, smackable face you'll ever come across -

http://www.tvchoicemagazine.co.uk/sites/default/files/imagecache/interview_image/intex/Adrian_Edmondson.jpg

:wallbash::rant::madwife::gunz::mad2:

http://m.gmgrd.co.uk/res/555.$plit/C_71_article_1464586_image_list_image_list_item_0_image.jpg?09%2F11%2F2011%2014%3A41%3A58%3A563

:bash::crazy2::rant:

http://files.stv.tv/img/player/ade-in-britain/ade-in-britain.jpg

:bleep::scouserd::nuts:

http://www.thisisdevon.co.uk/images/localpeople/ugc-images/275779/Article/images/13828943/3326206.png

What's the matter with this guy?!? The faces he makes are so repulsive I actually get an adrenaline fix from watching Ade in Britain because it makes me want to punch him so bad. Also there are images of food.

VoldemortBlack

November 28th, 2011, 08:35 AM

BBC north west are in their new studios! Just caught them on breakfast, there's a view of the beetham tower in the background. Whether they say its frpm salford or not, many will just assume its Manchester because of the backdrop!

LNGCats

November 28th, 2011, 10:31 AM

Whether they say its frpm salford or not, many will just assume its Manchester because of the backdrop!

Volde -you are the only person who cares.

Really.

chameleontel

November 28th, 2011, 11:23 AM

I do speak for myself, thank you. I have never in any of my posts tried to represent anything other than my own opinions. By the way I am not a meff; childish insults just invalidate anything you have written, or anything you write in the future.

I do not "hang out" with scum, and never have. Again I am not sure what you are trying to say, as I have never stated I align myself with the views of anyone on this forum. I have never "bigged up" Manchester, in fact I am very careful not to "big up" anywhere.

I did not leave Liverpool just for work, though the poor opportunities in Liverpool in the late 70's when I graduated were a factor. I have also lived in many cities across the world, Sydney, Hong Kong, Madrid and Berlin to name 4. The reasons why I settled in Manchester are personal, and quite frankly it's none of your business.

If you have ever read any of my previous posts, I am from Toxteth, not full of self loathing; actually I think I am rather great, fantastic in fact. I am definitely not a "saddo Lancashire type" and have never pretended to be from Liverpool, why would I, to make a point or otherwise, when I was born there!!! Whether you think I am more abject either way is of little importance to me, your opinion of me is irrelevant, you don't know me.

To state that you would kill yourself if you were me, when all you know of me is a couple of quickly written posts in a forum on Skyscrapers seems a little drastic!! It also shows the level of your discussion ability.

Well Said.

Awayo

November 28th, 2011, 12:20 PM

I'll give Stan this: whereever he is from, he suits Manchester.

As for kidz, reading his post earlier, he has a wonderful sense of the surreal, which can only be admired.

LNGCats

November 28th, 2011, 01:07 PM

I hear Vic Derbyshire is coming from one of the cities that moans a lot about the BBC North move on Friday to report on the strikes.

They have made a point that they want more such outside broadcasting going forward.

Good to hear. Wonder how long it will take for the locals to pick up on this?

VoldemortBlack

November 28th, 2011, 04:57 PM

Volde -you are the only person who cares.

Really.

Well clearly not when people like awayo and golden66 are there teling us that salford is nothing to do with Manchester and that the BBC and itv have abandoned us.

kids

November 28th, 2011, 05:22 PM

As for kidz, reading his post earlier, he has a wonderful sense of the surreal, which can only be admired.

That's the nicest thing anyone's ever said about me. :)

WingTips

November 28th, 2011, 07:53 PM

LNGCats

November 28th, 2011, 08:09 PM

Indeed.

And on Wednesday afternoon 5Live always comes from Millbank after PMQs and they always bang on about being at Westminster.

iamafreeman

November 28th, 2011, 08:21 PM

Just watched the first edition of NWT there words were welcome to NWT from our new home in MediaCity Salford, and they have been talking about Salford, Salford,Salford througout the programme, so that rubber stamps it really.

Salford - Dirty old town. The Classic Slum.

Not much to celebrate before but now it's been spruced up a bit for the T.V. luvvies. :)

StanP

November 28th, 2011, 08:24 PM

I'll give Stan this: whereever he is from, he suits Manchester.

Another pointless post.

Whereever I am from (sic)? What do you want, a guided tour round my old home in Toxteth? Unfortunately its long since been bulldozed and rebuilt with lacklustre social housing, all to common in the 90's, whatever city you look at.

You know nothing about me, you do not know what or where I suit. What do you care where I come from or where I chose to live?

I live in Manchester at the moment, but may move back to Liverpool, or move away to other cities in the world....I have done it before. Where I live has nothing to do with my opinion on skyscrapers or UK cities and to say otherwise makes no sense at all.

I have never and would never criticise Liverpool, it is the city of my birth (well I was born in Birkenhead, but close enough) and youth, it made me what I am today. And if it made me suit Manchester (at the moment), then so be it.

WingTips

November 28th, 2011, 08:41 PM

Salford - Dirty old town. The Classic Slum.

Not much to celebrate before but now it's been spruced up a bit for the T.V. luvvies. :)

Your point of view of course, do you know the area?

iheartthenew

November 28th, 2011, 08:56 PM

My part of Salford is neither dirty or a slum. It'd been quite nice for at least the last 120 years.

iamafreeman

November 28th, 2011, 09:00 PM

Your point of view of course, do you know the area?

Dirty old town is a song about Salford written by a Salford lad.

And The Classic Slum is a book about Salford life in the early part of the century.

As for me I've lived around Manchester all my life and my dad's side of the family all from Pendleton, Weaste and Seedley. A few still living in Swinton
having gone "up market!"

Do I know the place? You could say that. :)

iheartthenew

November 28th, 2011, 09:12 PM

Yeah we get the references. You forgot the film ;)

But they only described a certain section of Salford, not all of it.

GShutty

November 28th, 2011, 11:04 PM

Just watched the first edition of NWT there words were welcome to NWT from our new home in MediaCity Salford, and they have been talking about Salford, Salford,Salford througout the programme, so that rubber stamps it really.

It's definitely in Salford. And Salford is definitely in Manchester. Everyone wins. Can we all leave it there?

Joydivison82

November 28th, 2011, 11:33 PM

It's definitely in Salford. And Salford is definitely in Manchester. Everyone wins. Can we all leave it there?

Yeah we get the references. You forgot the film ;)

But they only described a certain section of Salford, not all of it.

Depends if you count Salford as old Salford or as the post 74 version of Salford :banana:

Sorry was just winding you up :nuts:

I am kind of glad although being a true manc that Salford is getting bigged up these days, hopefully in future when people hear Salford they will think of canal side restaurants and bars and Media City, not boarded up terraced houses and Kirsty's dad snogging behind the gas works wall :)

LNGCats

November 28th, 2011, 11:35 PM

Depends if you count Salford as old Salford or as the post 74 version of Salford :banana:

Sorry was just winding you up :nuts:

I am kind of glad although being a true manc that Salford is getting bigged up these days, hopefully in future when people hear Salford they will think of canal side restaurants and bars and Media City, not boarded up terraced houses and Kirsty's dad snogging behind the gas works wall :)

I agree, I long for the day that Oldham, Rochdale, Bolton and other parts of the region have such good reason to be having their names associated with something so positive.

Joydivison82

November 28th, 2011, 11:50 PM

It can only happen at the expensive of other regions though, unless Britain becomes a powerhouse again. Even this media city development is largely public sector based as the companies there get a large share of the TV licence.

But I would much rather GM towns get big projects even if it is at the expense of other parts of the country.

Of course Media city is only just started, just wait till Corrie is made there and there will be a real buzz to the place, bumping into the all the celebs in the bar. Maybe I could then ask Tina from corrie out.

LNGCats

November 29th, 2011, 12:13 AM

Just a hunch, but I am guessing 'celrbs' won't be out drinking in wind swept Salford Quays.

Joydivison82

November 29th, 2011, 12:16 AM

But that is to the miss the point :). Not at the moment, but my dream is a long stretch of bars and high class restaurants along the canal into the city centre. It won't happen though, and if it did it will make other parts of the city centre a ghost town as it all comes down to fact that growth in GM is going to be quite limited.

LNGCats

November 29th, 2011, 12:23 AM

Yet the bars around Sheppards Bush are not full of 'celbs'.

The bars around Ox Rd and Granada have never been known to be full of celebs.

Joydivison82

November 29th, 2011, 01:34 AM

Maybe not, but the shops maybe. I am sure that was Peel's dream though, wake up with the stars and all the malarkey.

I wasn't actually arguing with you btw but I realise I could have chosen my choice of words better :).

A daft question but does anybody know how long the BBC lease is for? It would be a shame it all swans off to Birmingham for the new mega city of Blackburn in 30 years time :(.

skit_uk

November 29th, 2011, 01:58 AM

Sainsburys in Ordsall is always full of Corrie celebs lol

The grapes gets a few in as well, and Barca when it was open.

iamafreeman

November 29th, 2011, 10:21 AM

Yeah we get the references. You forgot the film ;)

But they only described a certain section of Salford, not all of it.

I didn't actually forget the film.

The Salford of "Dirty old town" was the Salford my family grew up in and where my father was born. Had he lived to see the new Salford Quays I'm sure he would have approved.

A few months a relative took my mother on a trip to see the Quays and she was amazed as it was so different from what she and my dad ever knew.

I think perhaps you have misunderstood my comments as I was simply
reflecting on Salford's past and how far it has changed. From the dirty old town of yesteryear to a place soon to be associated with 21c broadcasting.

Quite a transformation. :)

hulmeman2

November 29th, 2011, 11:05 AM

Whilst on the subject of 'Dirty Old Town', there's a screening of 'A Taste of Honey' at the Cornerhouse tomorrow night, featuring 'a very special post-screening Q&A with lead actor Murray Melvin, who plays Geoffrey in the film'.
For those that don't know, it was written by 18 year old Salfordian, 'Shelagh Delaney', who sadly died last week. There's some wonderful b&w cinematography, filmed on and around Salford Docks in 1960.
Highly recommended (by me)!

http://www.cornerhouse.org/thumbs/phpThumb.php?src=%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2011%2F11%2FShelagh-Delaney-e1322060828561.jpg&w=711&h=260&zc=1&aoe=1&q=90&bg=ffffff&fltr[]=ric|10|10

http://www.cornerhouse.org/thumbs/phpThumb.php?src=%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fold_site%2Fpictures%2Ffilm%2F882%2Ftaste_of_honey1-e1322061401855.jpg&w=711&h=260&zc=1&aoe=1&q=90&bg=ffffff&fltr[]=ric|10|10

http://www.cornerhouse.org/film/film-news/article-shelagh-take-a-bow

Shelagh Take a Bow
Wed 23 Nov, 2011

Dr. CP Lee, University of Salford’s film historian, takes a look back at the life and work of the late great Shelagh Delaney

Shelagh Delaney, who died last Sunday aged 71, will probably be best remembered for writing A Taste of Honey, but in reality she did so much more than that. She was a pioneer who paved the way for working-class women to enter the world of the arts and the debt that we all owe Shelagh for that alone is immense.

How could a schoolgirl from Salford have achieved all that she had by the age of eighteen? A huge, international, smash-hit play performed in the West End and on Broadway. A film that won BAFTAs and prizes at Cannes – produced from the mind of a girl born in a terraced house in Broughton, who failed her 11 plus exams, became a clerk, a shop assistant, and a theatre usher – all this in the stifling atmosphere of the dull and repressed 1950s?

It was thanks to one of her secondary modern school teachers who got her interested in drama after watching a school production of Othello. From then on she worked on short stories and sketches, but produced nothing of note until one night she went to Manchester Opera House and watched Variations on a Theme by Terence Rattigan and felt so annoyed by the production that she took two weeks off to write a stage play that would be a reflection of the reality she saw around her, not the middle-class twittering that passed for theatre in the 1950s.

A Taste of Honey dealt with previously unspeakable issues – inter-racial sex, unmarried mothers, homosexuality – and exploded like a bomb in the faces of the theatre going public of the time. There had simply never been anything like it. One aspect of Shelagh’s legacy is her contribution to the creation of the social-realism genre that we nowadays take for granted.

Although she never had another success as large as A Taste of Honey, Shelagh didn’t waste her time and carried on writing for film and radio and occasionally TV. Significantly, three of her more successful movies revolved around Salford and Manchester: The White Bus (1967), directed by Lindsay Anderson, is about a girl returning to her northern home city; Charlie Bubbles (1968), directed by and starring fellow Salfordian Albert Finney, follows a writer coming north from London to visit his hometown; and finally Dance With A Stranger (1985) told the story of the last woman to be hung in England, the Mancunian Ruth Ellis.

Cornerhouse will be honouring Shelagh Delaney at a special 50th anniversary screening of A Taste of Honey on Wed 30 November plus a very special post-screening Q&A with lead actor Murray Melvin, who plays Geoffrey in the film, chaired by CP Lee.

http://www.screenonline.org.uk/film/id/439975/

The canals and backstreets of Salford take on a dreamy air as Jo tries to come to an accommodation with herself and her life. Some of the imagery, such as Jimmy's boat going down the ship canal or the match cut between a starry sky and a dance hall ceiling, is incredibly beautiful, creating a coming-of-age portrait which compares with the best such works in world cinema.
...................
There is a delight in the truth of words and phrases in the great traditions of Northern England. Indeed the film remains a touchstone of Northern culture; memorable lines such as 'I dreamt about you last night and I fell out of bed twice' reappeared in the early work of influential Manchester rock group The Smiths.

iamafreeman

November 29th, 2011, 11:58 AM

In my view Salford has punched above its weight in terms of the arts certainly when compared to other towns/cities of comparable size.

The list of Salfordians making good is impressive for its size.

flange

November 29th, 2011, 02:14 PM

Iconic BBC sign taken off Oxford Road building after 35 years

November 29, 2011

http://m.gmgrd.co.uk/res/350.$plit/C_71_article_1466327_image_list_image_list_item_0_image.jpg?29%2F11%2F2011%2011%3A26%3A12%3A037

BBC sign coming down - photo publihsed on Twitter by Richard Newton

It was the final curtain call for the BBC building on Oxford Road as the corporation’s famous logo was removed.

Thirty-five years of broadcasting from the former HQ came to an end as BBC Radio Manchester and North West Tonight made the switch to MediaCity UK.

The moment was captured by reader Richard Newton who saw workers removing the sign and posted pictures on Twitter.

The 300,000 sq-ft building has been occupied by the BBC since 1976.

Many of the corporation’s flagships shows were broadcast or made at Oxford Road, including A Question of Sport, Red Dwarf and more recently Life on Mars.

A documentary charting some of the classic programmes made at the site – TV Greats: Our Favourites from the North — was shown on Saturday.

Thousands of staff are moving to Salford from Oxford Road and other locations around the country, including Television Centre in central London.

Several high-profile shows including Blue Peter and Match of the Day are now being broadcast from the new home.

The Oxford Road building has been bought by Manchester-based developers Realty Estates for a fee believed to be in the region of £10m.

http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/s/1466327_iconic-bbc-sign-taken-off-oxford-road-building-after-35-years

Joydivison82

November 29th, 2011, 02:22 PM

In my view Salford has punched above its weight in terms of the arts certainly when compared to other towns/cities of comparable size.

The list of Salfordians making good is impressive for its size.

It is a poor (or was) area with lots of history, a perfect breading ground for creative types.

WingTips

November 29th, 2011, 06:43 PM

One thing is for sure chaps with all this happening in Salford, its certainly onwards and upwards:okay::okay:

Marksy_1

November 29th, 2011, 11:46 PM

Just out of interest will they say granada is in MC Salford, or Media City Trafford or MC Greater Manc or Just Media City and lose the place name. Not that it matters anyway but just a thought for the people that care!

hulmeman2

November 29th, 2011, 11:58 PM

Marksy_1

November 30th, 2011, 08:50 AM

Titter!

I wasn't serious! But some people on here are going on about where this place is situated. Well what they going to say when half of the complex is in Trafford!!?

slipdigby

November 30th, 2011, 11:23 AM

I wasn't serious! But some people on here are going on about where this place is situated. Well what they going to say when half of the complex is in Trafford!!?

Could go with half of each borough's name, so either Mediacity Traf-ford, or....

Oh, ang on :)

Best,
Slip

iheartthenew

November 30th, 2011, 02:07 PM

Saltraff? Tralford? Safford? :)

Surely its now called Weatherfield??? :D

andrewh1973

December 8th, 2011, 09:25 PM

Sainsburys in Ordsall is always full of Corrie celebs lol

The grapes gets a few in as well, and Barca when it was open.

That's true, I saw whatsher name a year or so ago, the actor who plays Audrey I think, her from Rentaghost...

SF07

December 8th, 2011, 10:49 PM

ITV to become 3rd TV network (along with Channel 4 and Sky) to use the studios at the Sharp Project in Newton Heath.

Made in Newton Heath: Television jobs boost as ITV signs up to make shows at Sharp Project

Move over Pinewood, Elstree and Ealing – the success of a new TV studio is bringing Manchester into sharp focus.

A third major network has now signed up to make shows at the Sharp Project in Newton Heath, and bosses say the news will bring hundreds of jobs.

ITV starts filming three-part drama Love Life at the studios, off Oldham Road, next month.

Created by Lark Rise To Candleford writer Bill Gallagher, ITV says the Manchester-set drama is a ‘tender and funny story about grown-ups who refuse to grow up’.

It follows news that Channel 4’s Fresh Meat and Sky One drama Mount Pleasant are both returning to Newton Heath to film second series. And with sets for Love Life currently being built, it means the stages at the £16.5m studios will be running at capacity for the first time since opening in July.

Project director Sue Woodward believes the new productions, along with around 45 businesses moving into the facility, will create a jobs boost across the entire community.

She said: "The opportunities extend well beyond the media industry. Weeks after Fresh Meat was announced we had a team of local carpenters in here building the set.

"At its peak Fresh Meat had around 150 people working on it and we’d expect similar numbers with future productions.

"On top of that each new business coming in will employ up to 10 people – and that will grow if they are successful."

The 250,000 sq ft centre is on target to be self-sufficient by April next year, having initially been funded by Manchester City Council, the European Regional Development Fund and the North West Development Agency.

Woodward said: "It was amazing that you had two brand-new hit TV shows being broadcast back-to-back that were both made in Newton Heath.

"To say we only opened four months ago, it’s not a bad start. This is my third Christmas here and it’s the first one I’m not wearing a hard hat in a Portakabin, so we’ve come a long way very quickly."

She said one of the main aims of the project was to encourage local youngsters to consider jobs in television.

She said: "We want to show them that you don't have to go to London to access the best opportunities, you just need to roll down Oldham Road."

Woodward is no stranger to east Manchester, having first worked in the area as creative director of the 2002 Commonwealth games.

Having witnessed the impact of the games, the former Granada managing director believes further regeneration opportunities offered by The Sharp Project, the Eastlands ‘sports village’ and the arrival of the Metrolink in March next year will see the area act as a beacon of hope in harsh economic times.

She said: "It’s hard to overestimate just how big a boost the Metrolink will be to us and other local businesses. We’ll be two stops and seven minutes from Manchester city centre. We’ll be completely accessible.

"We need to work alongside other hubs such as London and MediaCity and the fact that people will be able to reach us from London in little more than two hours is very exciting.

"It’s been a revolutionary 10 years for east Manchester. The changes I’ve witnessed have been remarkable."

http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/s/1467164_made-in-newton-heath-television-jobs-boost-as-itv-signs-up-to-make-shows-at-sharp-project

skit_uk

December 9th, 2011, 11:11 AM

That's true, I saw whatsher name a year or so ago, the actor who plays Audrey I think, her from Rentaghost...

I once shared a checkout with Tina whatshername, I would have asked her out if her fella at the time (Ryan also from corrie) hadn't been with her:lol: The shameless lot used to be in there quite a bit as well.

Maybe we should have a celeb spotting thread. or is that a little sad lol

heatonparkincakes

December 11th, 2011, 12:22 PM

Saltraff? Tralford? Safford? :)

Surely its now called Weatherfield??? :D

Salchester.

Manford.

No that sounds like someone who has a made up name and completely rips off Peter Kay.

No.

The Germans and Americans do this conjoined names for conjoined towns better.

We get Stoke on Trent.

hulmeman2

December 13th, 2011, 01:05 PM

http://www.how-do.co.uk/north-west-media-news/north-west-broadcasting/liverpool,-manchester-and-preston-to-pioneer-local-tv-20111213100956130

Liverpool, Manchester and Preston to pioneer Local TV

Tuesday 13 December 2011

Three North West cities will be among the first to create hyperlocal television stations, according to Culture Secretary, Jeremy Hunt.

He’s named 20 areas to “pioneer” his vision, including Manchester, Liverpool and Preston, these could start broadcasting as early as 2014.

A further 24 areas have been identified for the second stage of the roll out, these will include Carlisle and Stoke.

Ofcom will now consult on all of these areas and its proposed licensing process.

“Local TV will be a fundamental change in broadcasting in this country, meeting a real demand for local news and content. We are now putting in place the measures needed to establish a series of commercially viable local TV stations,” stated Hunt.

"I am confident these new stations will provide local communities with programming which is relevant to their daily lives, will support local democracy, boost the Big Society and enhance local communities.”

The areas were chosen due to “significant levels of interest from potential operators.”

The channels are being financed as a result of the licence fee settlement in October last year. The BBC will provide capital funding of up to £25m for the local television services and “an additional £15m to acquire local TV content.”

A new statutory framework for licensing will now have to be built, to enable the channels to start operating. These include:

Spectrum - an Order under section 5 of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006 will direct Ofcom to make available a small amount of low-value geographic interleaved (GI) spectrum at transmitters across the UK for each new local TV station to be broadcast on. Securing this spectrum will be fundamental to the success of local TV as it provides certainty for potential bidders and a solid base from which local services can launch.

Local licensing - an Order under section 244 of the Communications Act 2003 will create a local television licensing regime and place obligations on a new spectrum and multiplex licence holder to build the necessary infrastructure and carry the local services. The local licences will be required to provide a range of programmes that are relevant to local communities including coverage of news and current affairs.

EPG prominence - an Order under section 310 of the Communications Act 2003 will add local television services to the list of channels which must be given appropriate prominence on electronic programme guides (EPGs). This will help to ensure high visibility of the local TV services on television sets, enhancing their chances of commercial viability. Sky and Virgin have committed to offering apps or the yellow button for audiences to access IPTV or video-on-demand local TV services from their front pages.

Caiman

December 13th, 2011, 03:15 PM

How will this differ from the unsuccessful Channel M?

jrb

December 14th, 2011, 11:45 PM

BDNW.

CULTURE Secretary Jeremy Hunt has announced the 20 locations expected to be the first to have their own local TV stations – including three in the North West.

Manchester, Liverpool and Preston are among a list of "pioneer areas" to be chosen from a shortlist of 65, which were identified in the summer to possibly run the schemes which Hunt has been championing.

The aim is to create a series of "commercially viable" stations carrying locally made programmes and news across the UK, following the example of local television in the US.

Others selected were Belfast, Birmingham, Brighton and Hove, Bristol, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Grimsby, Leeds, London, Newcastle, Norwich, Nottingham, Oxford, Plymouth, Southampton and Swansea.

The locations were chosen following a consultation on the level of interest from potential operators and audiences in areas thought to be technically capable of receiving a local TV service.

The government is now taking a number of steps to create a new statutory framework for licensing that will allow for transmission infrastructure to be built and the new local TV services to start operating.

Broadcasting regulator Ofcom will soon conduct a further consultation into how licences will be awarded, although it is expected to be through competitive tendering, with bids from commercial and not-for-profit operators.

The first new stations could be broadcasting from 2013, following the award of licences from summer 2012.

In Preston, consortium Ribble TV, which is led by Panorama producer Jim Booth, has announced that it plans to bid for the licence.

Others involved in Ribble TV include former North West Regional Development Agency boss Steve Broomhead, who is a non-executive director, and David Jackson at CTMS, and Charles Lucas of Going for Grants.

It plans to produce a mix of news, current affairs and entertainment programs for Preston, Blackpool, the Fylde coast, Chorley, Leyland and Southport.

It is in talks with a larger London bidder that has plans to pull together a clutch of local companies, to help finance the station.

The BBC licence fee settlement last year allowed for the corporation to provide up to £25m of capital funding for local TV services, plus a further £15m to acquire local content. The final figure will need to be approved by the BBC Trust.

skit_uk

December 17th, 2011, 01:35 PM

Football Focus, Live from Salford Lads Club in Ordsall today.

Preview Video (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/16215609.stm)

eccles cake

December 18th, 2011, 03:46 PM

hulmeman2

December 18th, 2011, 07:58 PM

Today at 5.30 on beeb 1. Lost Christmas starring Eddie Izzard and filmed around Manchester.
Sounds really good actually. Good interview here with a few nice lines about M/cr.
http://lifeofwylie.com/2011/12/12/lost-christmas-eddie-izzard/

That was brilliant. a proper mancunian fairytale, and a location spotter's heaven!
Outstanding photography.

Seasonedbest

December 18th, 2011, 08:01 PM

^^I liked it

aek-94

December 18th, 2011, 08:06 PM

Today at 5.30 on beeb 1. Lost Christmas starring Eddie Izzard and filmed around Manchester.
Sounds really good actually. Good interview here with a few nice lines about M/cr.
http://lifeofwylie.com/2011/12/12/lost-christmas-eddie-izzard/

I thought it was good.

Some great shots of Manchester! :)

skit_uk

December 18th, 2011, 08:10 PM

The shots outside John Rylands looked stunning. Especially in HD:)

LNGCats

December 18th, 2011, 11:03 PM

Brian Cox is a true Manc star.

A Night Full of stars on BBC2 has just finished and he was excellent as ever with the odd bigging up of Manchester.

Great brain, great personality.

WatcherZero

December 19th, 2011, 02:37 AM

The BBC Football Focus event at Salford Lads Club didnt go down very well with locals, they gave away 130 tickets for an 80 capacity venue and 50 people with tickets were barred entry.

jrb

December 19th, 2011, 09:49 AM

MEN.

The billionaire heir to the JCB empire was today expected to be confirmed as the new owner of the historic BAE Woodford site, the M.E.N. understands.

We revealed Jo Bamford was behind plans to buy the 500-acre site with a view to transforming it into a film studios, housing and leisure complex.

Lawyers representing Mr Bamford and BAE have been locked in talks over the £100m deal and, barring any last minute glitches, were set to announce it had been concluded at lunchtime today.

Mr Bamford has teamed-up with Cheshire businessman Harry Harvey for the project and the pair have formed Avro Heirtage AVL, which will be the company that will manage the site.

BAE announced it was closing Woodford after the government scrapped the Nimrod project and the defence giant confirmed in October it had accepted an offer for the site.

Earlier this year, Stockport Council, Cheshire East Council and BAEheld a series of public consultations to get locals' views on what should happen to Woodford, with housing and sports facilities among the most popular submissions.

Mr Bamford's plans for the site also include building an equestrian centre and point-to-point racecourse but no planning applications can be submitted place until Stockport Council publishes its Supplementary Planning Document in July next.

The SPD will define exactly what the land can be used for but that will not prevent the site's existing buildings being used in the meantime, including for filming.

Mr Bamford's plans would see the a studio built on the south side of Woodford, with housing to the north.

He also wants to retain Woodford's historic links with the aviation industry by keeping the runway, as well as developing a new heritage centre on the site of the original Avro hanger.

flange

January 5th, 2012, 08:37 PM

Dragons Den moving back up north.

Dragons' Den latest TV show to move to Salford's MediaCity

January 05, 2012

Dragons' Den is the latest high profile show making the move to Salford's MediaCity.

The popular BBC2 programme, where budding entrepreneurs pitch their business ideas to the panel of 'dragons' for investment, was previously filmed in Pinewood Studios near London.

Bolton-born dragon Hilary Devey, who made her millions in the distribution industry launching Pall-Ex, is delighted with the move.

She said: “I love the south, and adore working in the Midlands, but I am really looking forward to returning to my roots and being back in the north.

“I have many happy memories of Salford, and look forward to spending time there again.”

The 'den' is being relocated for the show's tenth series, which begins filming in April - although the programme has been produced in Manchester since it launched in 2005.

It will join the Beeb's flagship programmes Match of the Day and Blue Peter at the new Salford site.

Executive producer Sam Lewens wrote on his BBC blog: “Dozens of entrepreneurs from all over the country will now be travelling to Salford.

“And, for a lucky few, this is the place where their business dreams will come true.”

As the M.E.N. revealed last November, dragon Duncan Bannatyne had been hoping for the relocation.

While the move was still in talks, the health club entrepreneur, whose wealth was estimated at £430million last year, said: “I'd love it to be filmed up here because it's nearer to where I live, so I'd be able to get home easier.”

Theo Paphitis, Chairman of Ryman the Stationer and Boux Avenue Lingerie said, “I love old British movies so I will be sorry to leave the ghosts at the hallowed studios of Pinewood. However, moving to filming at the new Media City in Salford will be an exciting change.

"It will be really good to spend more time at my head office in Crewe, although I’m not sure my colleagues would agree. I’ll blame the BBC! As I lived in Manchester in my youth, I know the area well and look forward to catching up with friends too in between filming.”

http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/tv_and_showbiz/s/1469833_dragons-den-latest-tv-show-to-move-to-salfords-mediacity

Garibaldi773

January 6th, 2012, 12:39 PM

The benefits of the BBC moving to Manchester number 459... when they need a football pitch they go to Ordsall Park...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/5live/

It was featured on 5live Drive.

Seasonedbest

January 8th, 2012, 12:58 AM

Noticed quite a bit of filming going on around Manchester recently. Something being filmed on Little Lever Street the past fortnight or so. Tonight theres quite a few Panalux vans outside Sackville Street Building. Any ideas what it might be?

hulmeman2

January 10th, 2012, 11:01 AM

Congleton water tower conversion to feature in C4’s, Restoration Man this Thursday, 9pm.

AEW Architects' director features on Channel 4 property conversion show
January 10, 2012

http://m.gmgrd.co.uk/res/406.$plit/C_71_article_1470064_image_list_image_list_item_0_image.jpg?09%2F01%2F2012%2012%3A53%3A43%3A113

The Manchester man responsible for the design of McDonald’s restaurants has completed a Congleton construction project in front of the TV cameras.

Andy Critchlow, a director at AEW Architects has spent the last 18 months converting a derelict Grade II listed water tower in Congleton.

The £400,000 project appears in the latest series of Channel 4’s, Restoration Man. The show, which airs at 9pm on Thursday, demonstrates AEW’s approach to conversion, refurbishment and the use of renewable technologies.

Andy heads AEW’s retained account with McDonald’s Restaurants.

He bought the 15-metres tall tower, without looking inside, at auction in January 2010.

Now the building has been converted into a three-storey, five-bedroom family home with a top-floor sun room that looks out over seven counties.

Before the project the tower had stood empty for 50 years.

Andy said: “Having bought the tower without any internal inspection, there have been many surprises along the way, but surrounded by good advice, support and hands-on assistance from AEW colleagues, family and friends, we’re delighted with the finished article.”

*AEW Architects has added to its senior management team to strengthen its design capabilities. The practice has recruited David George as associate director. He has joined from Austin-Smith:Lord, where he spent six years in senior roles, having previously spent five years working at BDP.

flange

January 10th, 2012, 01:31 PM

Piction Media relocates to MediaCityUK

Tuesday 10 January 2012

Brand design and illustration company, Piction Media, has moved to The Greenhouse at MediaCityUK.

Previously based in London, the company counts BBC Worldwide, Crabtree Evelyn and Superdrug amongst its clients.

Originally formed by husband and wife team, Matt Kay and Dr Alison Kay, as KDimension in 2001, it was relaunched as Piction Media in January last year. Specialising in 3D visuals, visual treatments, interactive design and traditional illustration. It also contains 2 sub-brands: Picserv (web and hosting, email marketing and social media) and Pictic (digital arts consultancy service).

“The Greenhouse is the perfect grow-bed for Piction Media's visual and content media portfolio. As our business is creative collaboration, this is the ideal environment for our digital studio,” said Matthew Kay, director of Piction Media.

With more than 50 tenants now working out of MediaCityUK, Peel has added an online directory to its website listing all the companies based there.

http://www.how-do.co.uk/north-west-media-news/north-west-marketing-services/piction-media-relocates-to-mediacityuk-20120110100956260

hulmeman2

January 12th, 2012, 04:52 PM

Yet another commission for Quay St's Red Production Company!

http://www.redproductioncompany.com/latest-from-red/2012/01/11/antony-and-cleopatra

Antony and Cleopatra

11 January 2012
Derek Jacobi and Anne Reid to star in new Sally Wainwright drama.

Derek Jacobi (The King’s Speech; Borgias; My Week With Marilyn) and Anne Reid (Upstairs, Downstairs; Marchlands) lead the cast in a new romantic comedy series, Antony and Cleopatra, made by Red Production Company for BBC One.

Joined by Sarah Lancashire (Five Daughters; Rose and Maloney), Nicola Walker (Spooks; Being Human), Tony Gardner (My Parents are Aliens; Fresh Meat), Dean Andrews (Life on Mars; Ashes to Ashes; Marchlands) and Ronni Ancona (Skins; Big Impression) this six part drama sees would-be childhood sweethearts Alan (Jacobi) and Celia (Reid) reunited after sixty years. As their lives collide for a second time, Alan and Celia lament over what might have been as they take us on a life-affirming journey of what can still happen!

Written and created by Sally Wainwright (Scott & Bailey; Unforgiven; At Home with the Braithwaites), Antony and Cleopatra sees Alan and Celia unexpectedly but instantly reignite the feelings they’d had as teenagers. In this uplifting tale the path of true love is anything but smooth and the pair are surprised to find it’s their own families who create some rather bumpy obstacles.

Both widowed it’s Alan and Celia’s daughters whose dysfunctional lives bring drama at every turn. Caroline (Lancashire), a career focused head teacher, is worried that her mum is rushing into things with Alan, but with her adulterous husband John (Gardner) back on the scene having left his alcoholic mistress (Ancona) and with relationship issues of her own she’s happy to let things run their course.

Gillian (Walker) works hard on the family farm as well as in the local supermarket and she’s pleased her dad has found a companion. But she’s currently having her head turned in the wrong direction whilst also dealing with her dead husband’s brother (Dean Andrews), as he looks to turn her son Raff (Josh Bolt) against her, meaning she has little time to concentrate on her father’s love life.

Writer and creator Sally Wainwright said ‘I can't remember being this excited about writing a TV series. It's everything good; uplifting, life-affirming, funny. It's a joy to write. I'm bowled over by the stunning cast we've assembled, and thrilled to be working with Nicola, Karen and Euros again.’

Executive Producer Nicola Shindler added ‘I am delighted to be working with Sally again on such glorious scripts and with such a great cast. ‘Antony & Cleopatra’ is funny and sharp and we have assembled a cast that will bring it to life with an energy and real joy. This is going to look and feel like a timeless love story in a very modern setting.’

Antony and Cleopatra was commissioned by Ben Stephenson, Controller of BBC Drama Commissioning and Danny Cohen, Controller BBC One. The executive producers are Nicola Shindler and Sally Wainwright for Red Production Company and Matthew Read for BBC. The Producer is Karen Lewis (Exile; Unforgiven) and the Director is Euros Lyn. (Black Mirror; Sherlock).

flange

January 12th, 2012, 08:49 PM

Taxman seeks to wind-up Confidential firm

12th January 2012

By Chris Barry - Editor, North West

THE company behind Manchester Confidential, the online publishing business, is facing a winding-up order next week brought by Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs.

The case involving Cpub Ltd - whose sole director is Confidential publisher Mark Garner - is due to be heard in London on Monday.

Cpub acquired the business and assets of Manchester Confidential following the liquidation of the site's previous owner, Planet Confidential Ltd, which was placed into a creditors' voluntary liquidation in February 2011. Documents filed by Planet Confidential's liquidators show that it owed the Revenue a total of £330,000 in PAYE and VAT.

Planet Confidential's total liabilities to creditors was £407,720. Mr Garner was himself owed £70,000.

It had bought the Manchester Confidential business following the closure of the site's previous owner, 2M Media Ltd, which was wound up in Manchester County Court on June 10, 2009.

As well as lifestyle websites in Manchester, Confidential operates in London, Leeds and Liverpool and also has health and beauty, children's and travel offerings.

Companies House records list Mr Garner, 55 as the sole director of both Cpub and Planet Confidential. He was also a director of 2M Media.

Mr Garner, who writes for the Confidential website as 'Gordo', has recently merged his website with How-Do, the company operating the media website of the same name as well as property portal Place North West.

He said the Cpub case was simply a matter of "post-merger house-keeping", adding: "We're moving forward strongly and in profit."

HMRC declined to comment prior to the hearing.

http://www.thebusinessdesk.com/northwest/news/

LNGCats

January 12th, 2012, 09:14 PM

The Abused being filmed in Whaley Range this evening. Series 2.

Never seen it myself.

hulmeman2

January 12th, 2012, 09:21 PM

The Abused being filmed in Whaley Range this evening. Series 2.

Never seen it myself.

The Accused, second series. Apparently one episode has Sean Bean as a transsexual!

http://m.gmgrd.co.uk/res/264.$plit/C_71_article_1470471_image_list_image_list_item_0_image.jpg?12%2F01%2F2012%2010%3A25%3A26%3A289

http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/tv_and_showbiz/s/1470471_a-sharpe-makeover-for-sean-bean-as-he-plays-a-transsexual-in-new-bbc-drama

Top BBC TV dramas will again focus on Manchester in 2012.

Sharpe star Sean Bean has shed his hard man image to play cross-dressing English teacher Simon Gaskell in a new series of award-winning Accused.

Currently filming in and around the city, Simon’s alter ego Tracie Tremarco is involved in an unconventional quest for love.

This is England actor Stephen Graham also guest stars in the same episode alongside former Corrie star Rachel Leskovac.

Sean said: "I’ve wanted to work on a Jimmy McGovern drama for a while and I think this cracking script really delivers a powerful, emotional drama."

Didsbury comedian John Bishop has already filmed the role of troubled father Peter in the second four-part series of the BBC1 drama.

His episode is written by McGovern and Hyde-born former M.E.N. journalist Danny Brocklehurst, whose recent credits include Exile, filmed in Bury and Ramsbottom.

It features former Shameless star Anne-Marie Duff and Olivia Colman as two mothers.

Sheridan Smith stars as palliative care nurse with Anna Maxwell Martin also appearing in the series. Accused focuses on a different crime and punishment every week and is made by the same TV team who created Salford filmed and set The Street.

Sir Derek Jacobi and Anne Reid take the lead as Alan and Celia in a BBC1 romantic comedy series Antony and Cleopatra.

Made by Manchester’s Red Production Company, it also features former Corrie actress Sarah Lancashire as Celia’s daughter Caroline. It tells the story of would-be childhood sweethearts reunited after 60 years.

Life on Mars favourite Dean Andrews also features in the six-part series.

It is penned by former Corrie writer Sally Wainwright, whose other TV hits include Manchester cop drama Scott and Bailey.

She said: "I can’t remember being this excited about writing a TV series.

"It’s everything good, uplifting, life-affirming, funny."

War of the Roses is a new drama serial based on the books by historian and author Philippa Gregory. It will be set against the backdrop of the epic battle between the Yorks and Lancasters for the right to rule England. But it will be told from the perspective of the women who shaped their men.

jrb

January 13th, 2012, 06:30 PM

Hopefully this can be sorted out. Hate to see all 3 websites go.

BDNW.

THE company behind Manchester Confidential, the online publishing business, is facing a winding-up order next week brought by Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs.

The case involving Cpub Ltd - whose sole director is Confidential publisher Mark Garner - is due to be heard in London on Monday.

Cpub acquired the business and assets of Manchester Confidential following the liquidation of the site's previous owner, Planet Confidential Ltd, which was placed into a creditors' voluntary liquidation in February 2011. Documents filed by Planet Confidential's liquidators show that it owed the Revenue a total of £330,000 in PAYE and VAT.

Planet Confidential's total liabilities to creditors was £407,720. Mr Garner was himself owed £70,000.

It had bought the Manchester Confidential business following the closure of the site's previous owner, 2M Media Ltd, which was wound up in Manchester County Court on June 10, 2009.

As well as lifestyle websites in Manchester, Confidential operates in London, Leeds and Liverpool and also has health and beauty, children's and travel offerings.

Companies House records list Mr Garner as the sole director of both Cpub and Planet Confidential. He was also a director of 2M Media.

Mr Garner, who writes for the Confidential website as 'Gordo', has recently merged his website with How-Do, the company operating the media website of the same name as well as property portal Place North West.

He said the Cpub case was simply a matter of "post-merger house-keeping", adding: "We're moving forward strongly and in profit."

HMRC declined to comment prior to the hearing.

jrb

January 13th, 2012, 06:38 PM

Ish.

How Do.

Event production company, Sound+Vision, has opened a new office in Manchester, in response to “increasing business demands in the North West of England.”

It will be based in a 3500sq ft unit in The City Works on Ashton Old Road and provide services for conferences, events and awards ceremonies as well event design, multimedia production, web streaming, light and sound.

“We are thrilled to be opening a new branch in Manchester. It is very important to us that we establish a presence in this part of the country as there are an increasing number of large association conferences and awards ceremonies being held in cities like Manchester, Birmingham and Liverpool,” explained Chris Montgomery, managing director of Sound+Vision.

“With markets looking better but still uncertain in 2012, companies remain price conscious. With London venues having limited availability and increasing their prices due to the 2012 Olympic Games, I expect we will see more conferences and events moving North, especially with the BBC’s move to MediaCityUK in Spring 2012.”

Account manager, Lisa Duffy has been appointed to develop its customer base in the region:

“I am really excited to be onboard and am looking forward to making the Manchester office a success whilst contributing to the future growth and success of the company as a whole”.

Manchester will be the company’s fourth office, added to its presence in Edinburgh, Glasgow and London.

jrb

January 13th, 2012, 06:45 PM

TBF I thought their show was s***! However, it was very slowly improving. The new show is actually worse. Two girls and a guy(dear God!) is absolutely f***ing s****!

Ditchy and Salty get Real's graveyard shift

Monday 09 January 2012

Real Radio's former breakfast show hosts David 'Ditchy' Ditchfield and Paul 'Salty' Salt have resurfaced presenting the station's graveyard shift from 1am-6am.

The double act have been split up with Ditchy covering Monday to Wednesday and Salty handling the rest of the week. Ditchy is also due to start hosting the weekend breakfast show from January 14.

The pair were bumped out of Real's North West breakfast show, which they had presented for three years, just before Christmas.

The move, described by management as an attempt to freshen up the slot, prompted outcry from loyal listeners many of whom expressed their anger and bewilderment on this site.

Some of them have set up a 'Don't Axe the Real Radio Ditchy & Salty Breakfast Show' Facebook page in a bid to force a change of heart at the station.

The campaigners have already staged a protest outside the Salford Quays studios and called for people to boycott the station.

How-Do understands both presenters will be around for a few months working out their contracts.

A spokesperson said "feedback" from listeners was to be expected when a show is changed.

Ditchy and Salty have been replaced by Lorna Bancroft, Debbie Ousbey and Oli Kemp.

Seasonedbest

January 16th, 2012, 10:31 PM

Filming for The Accused with Sean Bean was taking place today in Apotheca.

VoldemortBlack

January 16th, 2012, 11:00 PM

I seem to remember a Skins-type programme being planned for Manchester, featuring a bunch of university students who share a flat together. Sounded interesting. Does anyone know which one I'm talking about/when it'll be broadcast?

iheartthenew

January 16th, 2012, 11:03 PM

Was that not Fresh Meat that was on 4 last autumn?

hulmeman2

January 16th, 2012, 11:07 PM

flange

January 16th, 2012, 11:20 PM

It was filmed at The Sharp Project, with a second series commissioned last year, it should be starting up for filming soon I think.

VoldemortBlack

January 16th, 2012, 11:32 PM

Oh right I watched that! It was pretty good. Shame it isn't that much talked about though? Pretty sure if I asked any of my friends in school they wouldn't have watched it ...

Thanks for the info

LNGCats

January 16th, 2012, 11:35 PM

Star Gazing with Dara O'Brien and Brian Cox was from Joderal Bank was was excellent tonight.

On again tomorrow and Wednesday.

WatcherZero

January 19th, 2012, 09:03 AM

Did something happen to the chap that wrote Transport Matters/Manchester Matters? not seen a word from him since the middle of last year.

jrb

January 19th, 2012, 07:50 PM

How Do.

Public relations agency, Fourth Day, has opened a new office in Manchester, as it looks to engage with broadcast media based out of MediaCityUK.

ScrivenerThe base on George Street will be headed up by co-founder Nikki Scrivenor, who will manage a team of 3.

“The communications industry is thriving in Manchester and we’re hugely excited to be opening alongside some of the UK’s best agencies”, explained Scrivener.

“We look forward to bringing our experience and contacts to clients outside of the south and maintaining media relationships for all of our clients, particularly with broadcast media from the BBC, who have made the move north.”

The agency already has offices in London and Paris and in Manchester it will focus on technology, marketing and professional services sectors, as well as meeting the demands of its “growing its client base in the north.”

Fourth Day counts APS Group in Stockport, DHL and Logica amongst its clients.

Required

January 19th, 2012, 07:54 PM

Oh right I watched that! It was pretty good. Shame it isn't that much talked about though? Pretty sure if I asked any of my friends in school they wouldn't have watched it ...

Thanks for the info

I recognised most of the locations. The Kings Arms on Bloom Street was the local pub in it.

eccles cake

January 21st, 2012, 05:31 PM

A blast from the past, not seen by my eyes for many , many years. "The Lovers" (1973) Paula Wilcox and Richard Beckinsdale star in the film version of the itv sitcom series of the same name.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3xtB7UFpy0
Plenty of Manchester shots, a good aerial at the start, outside George Bests on Bridge St , St Annes Sq full of cars and buses, Belle Vue when it had animals and rides , Victoria train station , Old Trafford (both) and near the end of the film,up on the top of Piccadilly Hotel looking out over the city.
Ahh nostalgia for the old(er) twats.

heatonparkincakes

January 21st, 2012, 09:45 PM

Excellent Eccles cake from the cake from Heaton park.

No I am not old enough to remember this first time, but I memorably watched a dodgy recorded version in the late 80s as a child, romancing how the future would be to the cinematic sounds of the Smiths and the Stone Roses.

Erm what when wrong?!?? What when right??!?!

It's more a history lesson for all forumistas on here.

macc

January 24th, 2012, 03:43 PM

A new spoof news website:

http://newsmanc.co.uk/

turkey twizLOLs with LMAOnnaise :cheer:

jrb

January 24th, 2012, 05:03 PM

How Do.

ITV’s regional sales director, Jason Spencer (the former boss of PHD North) has announced that ITV’s Manchester sales operation will become a centralised hub for creative multiplatform solutions and trading & activation.

This is part of a wider restructure of the regional sales operation, which will also see the division renamed and rebranded as Business Development (Nations & Regions).

The aim of the changes is to “drive the core and multiplatform business by building genuine relationships with customers based on the delivery of ideas that create value for clients.”

“The changes outlined today reflect the evolving needs of advertisers and agencies in a multiplatform world. This new structure is about ensuring that we continue to find better ways to turn our insight, ideas and service into competitive advantage for our agencies and clients outside London, in order to help them grow their business,’ explained Spencer, who joined ITV in October last year.

As part of the restructure, Karen Novak has been appointed as trading & activation controller in Manchester, while Emma Price and Rebecca O’Malley will share the role of business development controller responsible for Manchester and Leeds.

The broadcaster will be recruiting for a business development controller responsible for Manchester and “Great North” as well as the newly created position of creative multiplatform controller. Great North is the name of the merged Carlisle and Newcastle offices, which will operate out of a centralised hub in the North East.

“The regions are a vital part of ITV Commercial’s DNA and our regional clients contribute massively to the success of the business. These changes will allow Jason and his talented teams across the UK to transform how they work with clients to meet their marketing needs and also align them more closely with the goals and vision of the London operation,” added Kelly Williams, group commercial sales director, ITV.

TheGrand

January 25th, 2012, 03:31 PM

ITV’s Manchester sales operation will become a centralised hub for creative multiplatform solutions and trading & activation.

.....Right

WatcherZero

January 25th, 2012, 05:49 PM

Essentially they will be selling customised advertising solutions rather than just air time.

Seasonedbest

January 28th, 2012, 11:25 PM

Co-op
http://www.guardian.co.uk/social-enterprise-network/2012/jan/20/inpirational-coop-movie?newsfeed=true

jrb

February 3rd, 2012, 09:15 PM

Just launched.

Lead from How Do. Click on the link below to see/reasd the first online edition. Mostly about Liverpool, but there's an interesting piece/article about Manchester.

The Times sets its sights on MEN and Insider with new business supplement

Thursday 02 February 2012

The competitive North West business publishing market has another contender - The Times.

It is launching a bi-monthly northern edition of its Business Insight publication and may go monthly by the end of the year.

The Times said the move was prompted by the success of a similar publication in Scotland.

It will be competing for readers and advertisers against the Manchester Evening News' Business Week and Insider's magazines in the North West and Yorkshire.

It will also be up against TheBusinessDesk.com, now an established player, which has also developed close links with the North's corporate advertisers.

The tough environment for publishers has already forced Excel to close down EN magazine which now only exists online.

Business Insight was trialled last year and appeared as a supplement in The Times on January 31. The paper says it has more business readers in the North than the Daily Telegraph and Financial Times combined.

"Reaching 214,000 readers – 80% are affluent ABC1s – the latest addition to The Times stable will build on the paper’s formidable reputation as the number one quality newspaper for the business community," said the paper in a statement.

"It is also the first dedicated North of England business supplement to be published by a serious national newspaper."

It said the publication would present "a formidable challenge to both the Manchester Evening News and Insider magazine".

On the back of Insight it will also organise events under the 'Forum' brand which will be chaired by senior Times editor Magnus Linklater.

“We have decided to go bi-monthly for the time being but are also actively considering moving to a monthly cycle by the end of the year,” said
Linklater.

“Naturally, these are difficult economic times in which to launch but the strength of The Times brand is such that we have received a very enthusiastic welcome from the
business community.”

Editorial, which has an emphasis on upbeat features and profiles, is being led in the North West by freelance Mike Cowley.

Read the first edition here: http://issuu.com/smithdesignsolutions/docs/bizinsightnoe31.01.12?mode=window&backgroundColor=%23222222

jrb

February 3rd, 2012, 09:17 PM

Don't tell the Brummies.

How Do.

ITV has commissioned a 6-part drama series from ITV Studios, which will tell the story of wives and girlfriends of soldiers serving in Afghanistan.

With a working title of SWAGS (service wives and girlfriends), it’s produced by the Manchester-based ITV Studios drama team and will be overseen by creative director, Kieran Roberts, who’ll also be the executive producer.

Former Coronation Street producer, Kim Crowther will produce the series, which has been created by Sue Teddern (Birds of a Feather, Happy Together), who’ll co-write it alongside Jan McVerry (Coronation Street, Clocking Off, The Street, The Forsyte Saga). Casting has yet to take place and filming will begin in May.

“SWAGS is an emotional and heart-wrenching drama about the women who fight their own battles on the home front while thousands of miles away their loved ones are risking their lives every day,” said Roberts.

“Seeing how these remarkable women cope with survival, triumph, love and loss will make compelling viewing,"

It will focus on 4 women who live in army quarters in the garrison town of Leysham. The tone is “upbeat with an ever present streetwise sense of humour. These women deal with fixing the boiler, filling the fridge and getting the kids off to school at the same time as coping with infidelity, insecurity, bereavement and bureaucracy.”

It was commissioned by ITV Drama's Laura Mackie and Sally Haynes. ITV confirmed that while SWAGS was the working title, the end production would go under a different name.

jrb

February 3rd, 2012, 09:18 PM

How Do.

RTE has signed a deal with Made in Manchester to broadcast its childrens’ audio series, Suzie Pugh and a Monster Too.

The Irish state broadcaster will transmit the 10 minute episodes on Saturday mornings on its RTEjr radio station.

Former Coronation Street and Emmerdale actress, Vicky Binns, plays the title role in the production, which already airs on the UK’s Fun Kids Radio station in the South East, but RTE is the first national broadcaster to take the show:

“We are delighted to be broadcasting this children’s series and we are thrilled that the voice of such a well known and experienced actor will now be heard on RTEjr Radio on Saturday mornings,” said Martina McGlynn, head of RTEjr Radio.

“At RTEjr Radio we want to encourage parents to sit with their children for just 30 minutes a week and to listen to radio. Suzie Pugh and a Monster Too is an engaging and fun series for kids aged 3-8 and would be perfect for parent-child together listening.”

Suzie Pugh is written and created by Made in Manchester’s Phil Collinge. It’s produced by Iain Mackness and the executive producer is Ashley Byrne:

“Getting youngsters to use their imaginations in this increasingly visualized world can only be a good thing and we salute RTEjr for bringing exciting and engaging audio to a new generation,” he said.

LNGCats

February 7th, 2012, 09:30 AM

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/5live/2012/02/5-live-rajar-figures-q4-2011.shtml

5Live listening figures stable after move to MediaCity.

jrb

February 7th, 2012, 10:55 PM

Has Place North West gone?

Site is still live, but no new news for 2 days.

Hmmm.

February 7th, 2012, 11:14 PM

Read this?

http://www.placenorthwest.co.uk/it-s-goodbye-from-me.html

What is going on over at Cpub...

http://www.thedrum.co.uk/news/2012/01/18/manchester-confidential-and-how-do-publisher-escapes-winding-order

flange

February 8th, 2012, 04:10 PM

Was never really to sure on Place/How Do merging with Confidential.

Offical announcement here now.

Place North West Announcement

8 Feb 2012, 14:10

Dear Readers,

Bear with us in February as we prepare to re-launch Place North West as part of Property Confidential in March 2012.

The combined site will have a broader remit. It will not only cover the major commercial property developments but all the main stories about residential property in the North West.

The new Property Confidential will be punchy, forthright and full of the latest news. Networking sessions will remain part of the work we do.

Jill Burdett, a recognised and trusted voice in North West property, will be a key member of the writing team.

In the meantime please send your stories to jonathans@cpub.co.uk and jillb@cpub.co.uk

Thanks for your time in reading this. And we look forward to working with you.

http://www.placenorthwest.co.uk/news/archive/11047-place-north-west-announcement.html

heatonparkincakes

February 9th, 2012, 12:03 AM

Oh dear, the curse of over expansion.

WatcherZero

February 9th, 2012, 04:18 AM

Dont think its ever been profitable, was taken out of bankruptcy before wasnt it.

Radley

February 9th, 2012, 08:59 AM

Dont think its ever been profitable, was taken out of bankruptcy before wasnt it.

Never a profitable year, profitable quarters and months but not 12 consecutively. Never bankrupt though thanks.

b4mmy

February 9th, 2012, 10:28 AM

Shame. Place North West had a nice niche there for a while. I guess a merge with MC could have worked. Hope it wasn't a division of personalities, that would be the real shame of it.

aek-94

February 12th, 2012, 04:20 PM

Upon watching Corrie on Friday, I noticed that Salford was referenced twice.

One character mentioned that Weatherfield was in the 'backstreets of Salford', and then another character said 'I'm just a simple Salford boy'. I don't think they've ever explicitly said which part of Manchester that Weatherfield is supposed to be in before...

VoldemortBlack

February 12th, 2012, 05:43 PM

^^ The original Corrie set (from the 60s til the 80s was a street in Salford (Langworthy seems to ring a bell), so I guess it's supposed to be in Salford, yeah :)

WatcherZero

February 12th, 2012, 07:34 PM

Yes its always been Salford its supposedly set in, that docudrama they made of its creation for the anniversary explains it well.

eccles cake

February 13th, 2012, 02:28 AM

Original Coronation Street is in Ordsall.
By the Lads Club.

Sir Miles Platting

February 13th, 2012, 02:57 AM

The street actually did exist, it was modelled on a photograph of Archie St. in the Ordsall district of M5. The whole area was demolished in the slum clearances of the mid 60's. The Rovers Return was based on the corner pub called The Widows Rest.

You heard it here first, folks...:cheers:

heatonparkincakes

February 13th, 2012, 08:08 PM

Welcome back Sir Miles.

Pray tell where has the good knight been recently?

Stuck snug in the SSC Gentlemen's club with a large Chivas Regal or gaoled after that unfortunate incident with the maid on Oldham Road.

And heard all that before Sir.

jrb

February 13th, 2012, 10:52 PM

Place is back up. :)

LNGCats

February 15th, 2012, 12:18 PM

5Live and BBC News 24 coming live from Salford Quays this morning for unemployment debate.

It is trending very high on Twitter...

#5livedebate

LNGCats

February 15th, 2012, 07:06 PM

Lead article on BBC1 6o'clock news - the Salford debate.

eccles cake

February 16th, 2012, 04:07 PM

"There was a time when Manchester inspired not just its immediate environs but the world." Starts the leading article in todays Times.
Headlined "Growing Pains - A Mayor For Manchester Could Revitalise The Region As Well As The City".
Goes on to say "Manchester has become , both by economic advance and cultural contribution, Britain's second city.Outside London it is the place best equipped for growth."
Also a two page article on pages 6 and 7 which touches on Manchester having a London type mayor for the whole of Greater Manchester.

LNGCats

February 16th, 2012, 07:10 PM

http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/tv_and_showbiz/s/1485597_us-star-chloe-sevigny-slams-grim-manchester has just been being discussed for about 5mins leading up to the 6o'clock news on 5Live.

Elizabeth Kinoke

February 16th, 2012, 07:17 PM

"Goes on to say "Manchester has become , both by economic advance and cultural contribution, Britain's second city outside London. It is the place best equipped for growth."

I've corrected the full stop for you.

Caiman

February 16th, 2012, 07:20 PM

Have you got an alert set up every time the words 'second city' get mentioned or something? :lol:

Elizabeth Kinoke

February 16th, 2012, 07:42 PM

Have you got an alert set up every time the words 'second city' get mentioned or something? :lol:

Dng dng dng, Second City debate alert, Second City debate alert dng dng dng...

http://files.turbosquid.com/Preview/Content_2009_08_26__08_49_50/FinalAlarmDoc4.jpg07e882da-4510-4c2d-8a52-22f906da5fa1Larger.jpg

woowoo, cough.. woo!

heatonparkincakes

February 17th, 2012, 02:15 PM

Admit it Beth you just want a Mancunian man.

As I can't reason what other reason you come on here.

jrb

February 24th, 2012, 09:33 PM

How Do.

Manchester Digital tackles the brain drain

Wednesday 22 February 2012

More than 1,000 students turned out for Manchester Digital's 'talent day' at Manchester Town Hall.

The digital sector trade body organised the event on February 22 as part of a plan to forge stronger links between businesses and the city's universities.

The idea is the companies get access to potential employees and the city's wider talent pool benefits from less brain drain to London.

"It's been fantastic for our members and what we've been able to say to the students is there are 100 jobs on offer here," said Manchester Digital's chair Shaun Fensom.

"The message we've been getting to our members is you need to start talking to students now to stop them going to London when they finish."

Code Computerlove's founder Tony Foggett was involved in organising the day and was also manning the company's stand.

He said: "In Manchester there are lots of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), but graduates are focused on going to work for large corporates.

"What this is all about is getting these SMEs together to show them there's a vibrant opportunity here and it's worth staying.

"The other thing for students is recognising what opportunities an SME can offer as opposed to a corporate. It's often a fast-track learning process because you're given roles and experiences that you might not get in a larger business."

Among the firms actively recruiting was Livelink, a Manchester-based web design and online marketing agency which has 20 employees. Staff were handing out flyers inviting people to apply for five vacancies through a QR code.

"We don't recruit through agencies, we use things like Twitter, we're looking for interns and full-time staff," said head of development Paul Johnson.

"We'd rather recruit raw talent and fresh, bright, young thinkers because this is an industry where it's not always experience that matters."

He added: "There's no recession in digital. Since January we've seen a real resurgence of demand."

The Warrington-based online marketing firm Latitude was also looking for new recruits, and directing potential applicants to its Facebook page.

Richard Hudson, a director at Heaton Chapel-based web developer Vanilla Storm, was also looking to fill vacancies.

"Students are a great source of new talent, and we've got a shortage which is not helped by the BBC moving here," he said.

The Macclesfield advertising agency McCann was more interested in raising its profile among students.

"For us it's less about getting job applications and more a question of raising students' awareness of us and the different career paths we offer," said talent and development manager Tracey Harman.

Connor Barlow a first year student at Manchester Metropolitan University said: "I'm just looking around to see what different companies have to offer and if they have internships.

"When you're online it's difficult to gauge whether you have the experience to do something, but here they talk to you and give you the confidence to think you could do it."

But Bamdad Dashtban, a post-graduate computer sciences student from Iran, admitted he was disappointed at the size of the companies present.

"I came here to talk face-to-face with big companies, but it's more agencies. My plan is to stay in Manchester if I can find a good job. If not, I'm going to cities like Cambridge, Reading and London where there are more big companies."

As well as the firms mentioned above How-Do spotted: KMP Digitata, Eventility, Stardotstar, TBWA/Manchester, Laterooms.com, Carat, IAS B2B, Orchard, BJL, Ixis, Blueleaf, Code Computerlove, Ampersand, Matmi, JD Sports, theEword, I-COM, Mediacom, CBJ Digital, RealtimeUK, Fig Creative, Madhouse, Clicks and Links, Textmimedia, and Access.

flange

March 5th, 2012, 05:36 PM

Shameless producer shoots Rupert Graves drama in Manchester

Monday 05 March 2012

Shameless producer Company Pictures is shooting a new Channel 4 drama a several locations in Manchester.

Coup is a four-part series that explores the relationship between a democratically elected government, big business and the banks.

It is written Robert Jones (Lennon Naked, No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency) and based on the novel A Very British Coup by Chris Mullin.

The crew has been shooting at Manchester Town Hall today, using the courtyard and the state rooms.

It is understood the town hall was being used as a Houses of Parliament stand-in.

Coup is being directed by Ed Fraiman (A Midsummer Night's Dream, Merlin) and stars Charles Dance and Rupert Graves.

Meanwhile, Piccadilly Station has been used by a Red Productions' crew today who are shooting the second series of ITV's Scott and Bailey.

http://www.how-do.co.uk/north-west-media-news/other-media/shameless-producer-shoots-rupert-graves-drama-in-manchester-20120305100956703

hulmeman2

March 6th, 2012, 12:46 PM

http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2012/hebburn.html

Hebburn, a new six-part comedy series for BBC Two
Date: 06.03.2012Last updated: 06.03.2012 at 11.13
Category: BBC Two; Entertainment

The BBC announces it has commissioned Hebburn, one of the shows ‘piloted’ last year as part of the BBC’s Salford Sitcom Showcase season in the Media City studios, from Channel X North & Baby Cow Manchester.

This six-part series for BBC Two, commissioned by Kristian Smith, Executive Editor Comedy Commissioning, will be filmed single camera on location and studio in Hebburn and Manchester.

Hebburn is the home town of stand-up comedian Jason Cook, who has created this warm, true-to-life comedy based on his own experiences of growing up in the North East of England. It tells the tale of the Dixon family and their son, Jason, who has left Tyneside for the bright lights and glamour of Manchester. He’s secretly married a middle class Jewish girl, Clare, and realises that it is about time he introduced her to his family...

Jim Moir (Vic Reeves) will return to BBC screens to play dad Tony, a merchant sailor who is devoted to his family. Joining him will be rising stand-up star Chris Ramsey as the impetuous and ambitious Jason and Kimberley Nixon (Fresh Meat) as his wife Clare.

Kristian Smith said: “We are delighted to be bringing Hebburn to BBC Two. Not only does it bring back the warm heart of the North East to sitcom, but also delivers a charming and funny comedy about a grown up family with a fantastic cast attached."

As a stand-up, Jason Cook has won awards and a clutch of five star reviews for his shows at the Edinburgh festival all inspired by his life, family and particularly his late father Tony.

Jason will appear as lovable rogue Ramsey, a character inspired by Chris Ramsey.

Jason says: “I somehow knew Chris would end up playing the young version of me and that I would be playing Ramsey and unbelievably, when I was younger my hair was even worse than Chris’s is now.”

Gavin & Stacey director Chris Gernon is on board and the show will be produced by Gill Isles. Jason Cook is writing the series with Graham Duff (Ideal).

The show will be executive produced for the BBC by Kristian Smith, by Henry Normal & Lindsay Hughes for Baby Cow Manchester and Matt Tiller & Alan Marke for Channel X North.

flange

March 7th, 2012, 09:51 PM

Suranne Jones films Secret of Crickley Hall in Manchester

Wednesday 07 March 2012

Suranne Jones (Scott & Bailey, Single Father), will play the lead role in a new BBC drama, which starts shooting in Manchester this month.

The Secret of Crickley Hall is being made by BBC Drama Production North after being commissioned by BBC One controller Danny Cohen and Ben Stephenson, the controller of BBC Drama commissioning.

Jones will star alongside Tom Ellis (Miranda, The Fades), Douglas Henshall (Primeval, South Riding) and Donald Sumpter (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Game of Thrones) in the adaptation of James Herbert’s best-selling novel.

"The Secret Of Crickley Hall is a classic haunted house spine chiller. With an emotional family story at its heart, Joe Ahearne has adapted the novel perfectly, and I am really excited about working with him as a director. It's a great cast and I am looking forward to working with David Warner (Wallander), Donald Sumpter, and Tom Ellis,” said Jones.

The 3-part drama has been adapted especially for Halloween by Ahearne, who will also be directing.

"Everyone loves a good ghost story and James Herbert is an iconic writer in the genre. He's come up with a really thrilling and moving story that delights you while it's terrifying you. It's a testament to his craft that we've attracted such a great cast to play the characters he created,” he added.

Filming starts this month in and around Manchester.

http://www.how-do.co.uk/north-west-media-news/north-west-broadcasting/suranne-jones-films-secret-of-crickley-hall-in-manchester-20120307100956726

jrb

March 8th, 2012, 12:10 AM

Manchester University News.

Blue Peter goes live from the Library

02 Mar 2012

The BBC’s long-running children’s TV show Blue Peter was broadcast live from the renowned John Ryland’s Library at The University of Manchester yesterday (Thursday) to celebrate World Book Day.

The programme was presented by CBBC stars Barney Harwood and Helen Skelton, who waxed lyrical about the Historic Reading Room’s amazing interior- where it was broadcast.

It featured some of the treasures of the Rylands’ collection – including a first folio of Shakespeare’s Comedies, Histories and Tragedies.

Helen leafed through a 500-year-old edition of Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales and Barney showed off the miniscule 6mm by 6mm Lords Prayer edition.

They revealed the winner of the Blue Peter Book Award, which was The Considine Curse by Gareth P Jones.

The programme also revealed the best children's book of the last ten years –Diary of Wimpey Kid by American author Jeff Kinney.

The programme is available on iplayer - and will be repeated on BBC One this afternoon at 4.30pm.

jrb

March 8th, 2012, 12:11 AM

Manchester University News.

Manchester reaches the final of University Challenge

06 Mar 2012

The University of Manchester is through to the final of University Challenge, having clinched victory in their semi final last night.

The Manchester team comfortably saw off Worcester College, Oxford in last night's showdown and will now face either Pembroke College, Cambridge or University College London in the final.

More than 120 teams entered this year's TV contest, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2012.

The Manchester team is made up of Luke Kelly, studying History, Michael McKenna, studying Biochemistry, Paul Joyce, doing a Masters in Social Research Methods and Statistics, and their captain Tristan Burke, studying English Literature.

The team is coached every year by Stephen Pearson, a University librarian.

The Manchester team celebrated last night by watching the screening of the semi final on BBC2 in the Ducie Arms with dozens of their friends and fellow students.

flange

March 9th, 2012, 10:47 AM

It just seems to get worse every week for Confidential group.

How-Do unravels from Manchester Confidential

9th March 2012

THE merger between the Manchester Confidential and How-Do media websites has gone awry, with How-Do's founder and owner Nick Jaspan leaving the business but maintaining control of the website.

The merger between the firms was initially announced in November last year, with staff from How-Do and sister site Place North West eventually moving into Manchester Confidential's Quay St offices in December.

However, TheBusinessDesk.com understands that Mr Jaspan left the firm in February after news emerged that a winding-up petition had had been issued against Manchester Confidential's operating company, Cpub Ltd, by Her Majesty's Revenue & Customs.

Two former Manchester Confidential operating companies have been wound down within the past three years.

Companies House records show that Mr Jaspan resigned from How-Do Ltd in February alongside former How-Do directors Jill Taylor and Ben Waterhouse. They were replaced by Manchester Confidential's owner Mark Garner and commercial director Helen Ramsbottom.

Mr Jaspan has retained control of the How-Do website, though, and is operating it from a nearby office through a newly-created venture, Northern Publishing Ltd.

The winding-up petition against Cpub Ltd that was initially due to be heard in January has been deferred. Mr Garner told TheBusinessDesk.com that an agreement was reached last week which meant the business has not been liquidated. "We're still deciding on what to do with it," he said.

He added that How-Do Ltd still owns the How-Do site, but that the value of the business has been in its email database.

"I've got no interest in being a publisher of a B2B site," he said.

Despite this, the company continues to publish the Place North West property website which it bought as part of the initial merger. Mr Garner said this site had a loyal readership and that he believed there was potential to generate income from it.

He added the Confidential business had reduced its overheads recently following a number of staff departures, but added that the sites continued to enjoy "very strong" trading.

Among the recent departures have been the site's former London Confidential editor Casey Gillespie and ex-news editor Simon Binns. Mr Garner said former Good Food Guide editor Drew Smith has been brought in to provide content for the London site, and that a number of new initiatives are due to be announced soon.

http://www.thebusinessdesk.com/northwest/news/

eccles cake

March 12th, 2012, 09:35 PM

Plenty of local stuff on the box this week. Scott And Bailey starts its second run tonight and thursday's positively Manctastic with Location coming from the southern burbs , Mary's Bottom Line filmed in Middleton (both on 4),and itv's new series Love Life is set in Mancland too.
Throw in an episode of Corrie and United and City and we pretty much own the telly on thursday.

heatonparkincakes

March 12th, 2012, 11:14 PM

hulmeman2

March 12th, 2012, 11:34 PM

Yes Scott and Bailey has been extensivey filmed in the Whitefield and Buey area. It's various vans have been parked up beside Bolton Street station for months!

Already seen Hamilton Road, Whitefield so far.

And taking of the heritage rail station in Bury, there was further filming today as I passed for the gym. Not the above programme but the scenes down below on the platform were in 30/40s outfits. There was a heritage bus from Reigate there. I presume more "we are still fighting the war" shows for the suburban English middle classes on a gin soaked Friday night.

Was not able to ask, so does anyone have any ideas.

Probably this: Suranne Jones again!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2012/the-secret-of-crickley-hall-casting-announcement.html

Suranne Jones to star in The Secret Of Crickley Hall for BBC One
Date: 07.03.2012

Suranne Jones (Scott & Bailey, Single Father, Five Days) will star as Eve Caleigh in a chilling haunted house event drama for BBC One this autumn.

She will be joined by an all-star cast including Tom Ellis (Miranda, The Fades), Douglas Henshall (Primeval, South Riding), David Warner (Wallander), Sarah Smart (Five Days, Wallander), Iain De Caestecker (The Fades, Young James Herriot) and Donald Sumpter (The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, Game Of Thrones) in this adaptation of James Herbert's best-selling novel made by BBC Drama Production North.

Suranne Jones says: "The Secret Of Crickley Hall is a classic haunted house spine chiller. With an emotional family story at its heart, Joe Ahearne has adapted the novel perfectly, and I am really excited about working with him as a director. It's a great cast and I am looking forward to working with David Warner, Donald Sumpter, and Tom Ellis."

Written and directed by Joe Ahearne, this three-part drama is a modern day ghost story especially for Halloween. Told in a dual timeframe, it is full of scares yet underpinned by the heart-breaking story of a family needing to heal and ghosts who need to be laid to rest.

Joe Ahearne says: "Everyone loves a good ghost story and James Herbert is an iconic writer in the genre. He's come up with a really thrilling and moving story that delights you while it's terrifying you. It's a testament to his craft that we've attracted such a great cast to play the characters he created."

A year after their little boy goes missing, Eve (Suranne Jones) and Gabe (Tom Ellis) Caleigh take their family to Crickley Hall to try and escape the past. It seems like the perfect destination, until cellar doors open of their own accord, unseen children cry through the night and water seeps through impervious rock. At the centre of it all, a frenzied spectre wields a cane.

Just as the Caleighs are ready to move out, Eve hears her missing son. Time shifts between present day and 1943 as the Caleighs desperately try to find out what connects Crickley Hall to their lost boy. Will they find him before the evil that stalks Crickley Hall finds their other children?

The Secret Of Crickley Hall will be produced by Ann Harrison-Baxter and the executive producer is Hilary Martin for BBC Drama Production North. The drama was commissioned by Ben Stephenson, Controller, BBC Drama Commissioning and Danny Cohen, Controller, BBC One. Filming starts this month in and around the Manchester area.

hulmeman2

March 13th, 2012, 12:31 PM

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/the-northerner/2012/mar/13/nations-regions-jeremy-hunt-local-tv

The Northerner Blog
Jeremy Hunt denounces the UK's 'London-centric' media
But the substance of his 'passion' to change things seems to be local TV. And there's no sign of him moving his department to join the BBC at Salford

Let's hear it for the nations and regions. Jeremy Hunt. Photograph: Christopher Thomond for the Guardian

http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2011/11/25/1322229143980/-Jeremy-Hunt-007.jpg

The culture secretary Jeremy Hunt opened the annual conference on the media in the 'nations and regions' in Salford last night with a ringing denunciation of the London-centric media.

On his first visit to MediaCityUK since the BBC offices opened last year, he said that doing something about this had been his 'passion' since taking office. And now, the media landscape was shifting away from the magic kingdom within the M25, to an extent which London, typically in his view, underestimated.

That was the up side; the rest of an hour of speech followed by questions turned out to be mainly to do with local TV. Local in the sense of hyper-local; while regional television plugs on through a largely fallow period, the government's excitement is about stations serving city-sized areas.

This will take a major step forward in August on Hunt's timetable of 2012 media events, which involves something happening every month except November which he is keeping free for his birthday. After news later this month of which of ten cities (including Bradford, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle and Sheffield) have been successful in bidding for enhanced urban broadband, 20 will be chosen in August to pioneer local TV licences.

Quite how exciting this will be remains to be seen. One precondition is at least an hour of broadcasting a day which doesn't sound quite like the sense of a real local dawn which greeted the birth of Yorkshire Television in that blessed year 1968. There are also sceptics about how many companies will be interested in the opportunity.

Undeterred, Hunt said that there were 90 at least, promoted the new scheme as more 'granular' than the 1968 regions, and declared that 2012 would be 'the year of local television.' He saw no reason why the UK should not match Italy's 600 local TV outfits or the 1800 which provide 60,000 jobs in the US, praised the enthusiasm of local universities (Salford is behind the nations and regions conference) and said that local papers were increasingly interested in getting involved. On that score he noted:

"The elephant in the room at the Leveson Inquiry is that newspapers are not making money."

He also reminded some 300 delegates at the magnificent rehearsal hall for the BBC Philharmonic, decorated in off-white, lilac and pink and with eight timpani on stage, that we live in a transformed, digital and internet era. Local TV would be run by 'insurgents', not international media firms on whose traditional financial models many of the doubts about viability were based.

Questions included further scepticism based on the experiences of Channel M in Manchester and fears about local TV's effect on already-embattled local radio. Hunt revealed that indie producers will now be allowed to hold local TV licences, thanks to an exemption for small-scale services in EU monopoly regulations. He sidestepped a request that he express an opinion on James Murdoch's suitability to run a media operation and also the rumour that his department might follow the BBC north.

That really would deal a passionate blow to London-centricity, as would the siting of the new press/media regulator at Salford Quays. But Hunt said:

I've had an excellent tour of the facilities here and they are marvellous, but there doesn't seem to be any room left.

jrb

March 15th, 2012, 11:39 AM

MEN.

ThoughtWorks relocates staff to Manchester from across globe

March 15, 2012

A global software developer is moving some of its website teams to Manchester to capitalise on the city's growing digital sector, with plans to recruit a further 30 staff this year.

US-based ThoughtWorks, which has 20 sites across nine countries, including the UK, Canada, Asia and Australia, is bringing around 15 of experts from its international offices to a new base in City Tower.

The group provides IT consultancy services as well as software development. Clients include the TV channel E4, NSPCC, Lonely Planet, Barclays and Zurich Insurance.

Thoughtworks, which has its global headquarters in Chicago, said the decision to launch an office in the city follows moves to the region by other technology-led companies including the BBC.

It said that, with unemployment rising, especially among the young, it was important to tap into the region's talent pool.

It will be recruiting from universities and colleges in the region and is considering providing digital apprenticeships for non-graduates.

Stuart Hogg, head of business development, said: “ThoughtWorks is passionate about giving young adults the tools and skills necessary to enter into tech-focused careers.

“As a result, we will continue to invest in the local technical community thriving knowledge sharing events and will develop exciting innovations on our websites.”

Manc Guy

March 15th, 2012, 01:10 PM

New website is up:

http://www.iansimpsonarchitects.com

hulmeman2

March 19th, 2012, 08:34 PM

Bump!

Manchester University News.
Manchester reaches the final of University Challenge
06 Mar 2012

The University of Manchester is through to the final of University Challenge, having clinched victory in their semi final last night.

The Manchester team comfortably saw off Worcester College, Oxford in last night's showdown and will now face either Pembroke College, Cambridge or University College London in the final.

More than 120 teams entered this year's TV contest, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2012.

The Manchester team is made up of Luke Kelly, studying History, Michael McKenna, studying Biochemistry, Paul Joyce, doing a Masters in Social Research Methods and Statistics, and their captain Tristan Burke, studying English Literature.

The team is coached every year by Stephen Pearson, a University librarian.

The Manchester team celebrated last night by watching the screening of the semi final on BBC2 in the Ducie Arms with dozens of their friends and fellow students.

Tonight, 8pm BBC2.

http://www.radiotimes.com/episode/pwsk4/university-challenge--series-18---episode-37

EDIT: Manc victorious!

Manchester University is no stranger to finals, having won this contest in 2006 and later by default in 2009, after the scandal of Corpus Christi (the Oxford college was disqualified for fielding a contestant who wasn’t a student).

Tonight Manchester squares up to Pembroke College, Cambridge, who beat University College London in last week’s semi. It should be an epic contest, with both teams involved in some high-scoring rounds.

As this final takes place in the show’s 50th anniversary year, the Duchess of Cornwall will present the winners’ trophy at Clarence House, rather than in the studio. BBC2 also repeats the documentary University Challenge: the Story so Far (7pm), with the film Starter for 10 showing at 11.20pm.

heatonparkincakes

March 20th, 2012, 12:16 AM

Probably this: Suranne Jones again!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2012/the-secret-of-crickley-hall-casting-announcement.html

I asked some ELR folks on Saturday about what they were filming and was told it is a programme about Ronnie Biggs wife.

hulmeman2

March 20th, 2012, 12:30 AM

I asked some ELR folks on Saturday about what they were filming and was told it is a programme about Ronnie Biggs wife.

http://www.itv.com/presscentre/pressreleases/programmepressreleases/mrsbiggscasting/default.html

Sheridan Smith and Danny Mays lead the cast in ITV Studios' Mrs Biggs
Published: Monday, 20 February 2012, 10:34AM

Sheridan Smith and Danny Mays lead the cast in ITV Studios' Mrs Biggs

ITV is delighted to announce SHERIDAN SMITH (The Scapegoat, Little Crackers, Gavin and Stacey) is to play the title role of Charmian Biggs in the five part ITV drama Mrs Biggs produced by ITV Studios.

She will be joined by DANNY MAYS (Public Enemies, Ashes to Ashes, Made in Dagenham) who assumes the iconic role of Charmian’s infamous ex-husband Ronnie Biggs.

Written by award-winning writer and Executive Producer Jeff Pope (The Murder of Stephen Lawrence, See No Evil: The Moors Murders, Appropriate Adult as executive producer), Mrs Biggs, will chronicle Charmian’s life from the fateful moment that, as a teenager on a train, she first met and fell in love with the flirtatious and worldly Biggs.

Sheridan and Danny will be joined by ADRIAN SCARBOROUGH (Upstairs Downstairs, Cranford) and CAROLINE GOODALL (The Good Wife, Schindler’s List) who will be playing Bernard and Muriel Powell, Charmian’s parents.

Sheridan commented: "When I received the call to say that I'd got this job I burst into tears. Charmian is an incredible woman, and I'm so lucky that she'll be on hand to support me and give me advice during the shoot. I hope that I can do her story justice".

Mrs Biggs will recount the story of their struggle to stay together in the face of fierce opposition from Charmian’s family - aghast at Biggs’ criminal record - and their idyllic life as the parents of young children before money worries forced Biggs to ask for a loan from an old friend to pay the deposit on a house they wanted to buy for their growing family. That friend was Bruce Reynolds, at that moment planning on of the most famous crimes in British history - the Great Train Robbery of August 1963.

The consequences of the robbery were to devastate Charmian’s life. Blissfully ignorant of what her husband was up to - he told her he was on a tree felling job in Wiltshire whilst away on the robbery - she nonetheless went on the run with her husband and children after he’d dramatically skipped over the wall of Wandsworth prison. Shunned by her parents and desperate to keep her own family together, she secretly emigrated with her sons to Australia on false passports. Biggs had already quietly slipped out there and she now managed to help her husband, one of the world’s most wanted men, to avoid capture for more than four years.

But she was never to find any real peace and when - at her insistence - Biggs skipped the country for Rio, only hours before Melbourne Police discovered where they were living, Charmian and her three boys were on their own, facing an uncertain future in a foreign country.

Tragedy was to follow with the death in a car accident of her eldest son Nicky and she threw herself into building a life for her other two sons, studying for a degree and taking on a job as she pleaded to be allowed to stay in Australia. Then, when Biggs was discovered by Scotland Yard living under an assumed name in Rio, she flew out for an emotional reunion. Biggs broke the news to her that that he had a chance of evading extradition as the father of an unborn child by a local night club dancer, Raimunda Nascimento De Castro - and then asked her for a divorce. He told his loyal wife that it would give him a better chance of persuading the Brazilian authorities that he intended to bring up his baby with Raimunda - and therefore be allowed to stay. Although utterly heartbroken, Charmian agreed.

Set on location in London, Surrey, Buckinghamshire, Adelaide and Melbourne Mrs Biggs is a co-production with Melbourne based December Media for Seven Network in Australia.

Charmian, who was allowed to remain in Australia, has acted as consultant to the production. She said: “If my story were to be dramatized I wanted it to be done as accurately as possible. It seemed to me this was an opportunity to convey the rollercoaster of emotions involved, rather than just the bare facts.’

Jeff Pope has been developing the drama for four years.

He said: “Charmian’s is one of the great untold stories of the 20th Century, set against the backdrop of one of the greatest crimes of all times. But at the heart of it is a simple love story between Charmian and Ron.”

Jeff also commented on the fact the drama will be a co-production:

“The story is, on one level, about a young family coming to Australia in the 60s, when it was a land of opportunity and discovery. We always knew we were going to need an Australian partner and Seven Network were committed and supportive right from the word go. We are looking forward to working with Seven on this great adventure.”

Mrs Biggs will be produced by Kwadjo Dajan (Appropriate Adult as co- producer) and directed by Paul Whittington (Vera, DCI Banks).

Mrs Biggs has been commissioned for ITV by Director of Drama Commissioning, Laura Mackie and Controller of Drama Commissioning Sally Haynes.

“Mrs Biggs is the heartbreaking story of Charmian’s enduring love for Ron Biggs. It’s a very moving and emotional narrative, which Jeff has written beautifully,” said Laura. “We are delighted to have commissioned five episodes from ITV Studios.”

Filming has now begun in Manchester for five weeks and will then move to Australia, where it will continue for another five weeks.