Welcome to the first proper edition of "The Editiorial" on the DJGM.co.uk Message Board.
In this inaugral episode, I present a selection of photos I've recently taken with my digital camera in
my homecity of Manchester, England. I have to say, I'm really proud of this great little city I live in.
It might not be as big or as prestigious as the likes of London or New York, but with the all the
improvements and regeneration work that has been carried out here in the last several years,
it's definitely NOT an insignifigant city. Some even class it as England's second city!
Although I've already posted some photos of Manchester in the SD701 Lounge (here) I have
over 50 pics in total.. Obviously, I'm not going to post them all in one go! I might not even
post every single one of them anyway! Eitherway, this is Part 1 of the collection. Part 2
will be posted right here on this message board in due course.
So, without any further ado, here come the pics . . .
First up, here's a multi-venue attraction known as "The Printworks":
Why is called "The Printworks" you ask? Basically, this building was a newspaper printworks for
many years. This building is an important part of Manchester's extensive industrial heritage.
Nowadays, it's home to several bars, restaurants, a multiscreen cinema, and a fitness centre.
More information about "The Printworks" here . . .
On 15th June 1996, the (now effectively obsolete) terrorist group known as the IRA, detonated
a large truck bomb on this spot, between the famous Arndale Centre, and Marks & Spencer.
on the main part of Corporation Street shown in this photo.
As bad as it was, with extensive damage to these and nearby buildings, miraculously, no-one
died. Although just over 200 people were injured. What made the incident worse, was that
it was a day when a Euro 96 soccer match was being played at Manchester United's
stadium, a few miles away. It was a warm, late spring day, and the city centre was
packed with shoppers, a lot of whom were buying gifts for Fathers Day.
The way I see it, even though it was an evil act of terrorism, is was also a blessing in disguise,
since it heralded the start of much needed modernisation and regeneration work in the city.
Nowadays, you'd hardly recognise that spot where the bomb exploded.
BTW, take a close look at the second Corporation Street picture. On the right hand side,
you may notice a classic red Letterbox. Despite the powerful blast of the IRA bomb, this
one piece of street furniture survived intact, apart from dust and a few scratches!
On to the next popular Manchester landmark. This is the G-Mex Centre. Or to give it it's full
title, the Greater Manchester Exhibition and Event Centre. This is quite a unique building,
since it hasn't always served this purpose. From 1876, and up until the 1980's, it was in
fact, Manchester Central railway station. In 1986, it officially became the G-Mex.
More information about G-Mex than you can shake a stick at here . . . !
Here's a very modern addition to Manchester, The Urbis Centre. It's a very unique venue in
that it's an "urban museum", with unusual exhibits that are both hi-tech and interactive.
Yes, it really is that shape! One of it's most unusual features, is a diagonal elevator!
By the side of the Urbis, on the site of what used to be an office block that was badly
damaged by the aforementioned IRA bomb, is this pleasant little "green space" . . .
From this side, you can probably tell why some refer to the Urbis, as the "Cresta Run"!
In a way, it's Manchester's own dry ski slope . . . that you can't actually ski down!
As for that "green space" . . . well, it'd be nowt without a fountain!
Well, that's pretty much it for now. All the photos I've posted in this thread
were taken between rain showers, on Thursday 15th September 2005.
Any comments? Feel free to say whatever yer like below!
Thanks for your attention!
DJGM aka Greg Mitchell
26th September 2005
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