You may have visited and worshipped within the 600 year old building or you have been led to its doors because of your interest in history, in the Cathedral bells, or to find out more about the bee hives on the roof, the hate crime reporting centre, the “Cathedral Our Faith, Our Planet” a forum raising awareness on environmental issues and encouraging collaboration to tackle the climate crisis across the region’s different communities. You might have attended to a Service, a wedding, a funeral or a joyous Christmas concert. If so, you will have trodden where priests, choirs, worshippers, royalty, rich and famous, poor and hungry have walked before you. This gothic building bathed in light from its stained-glass windows, perhaps the Fire Window in Regimental Chapel, or from the many candles at a Sunday service would show the ancient architecture in a heavenly glow. You may have never ever visited the Cathedral and certainly never thought of a Cathedral in terms of a great night out for all the family, well might I suggest that the LUMINISCENCE experience at Manchester Cathedral might just change your mind!

After captivating more than one million spectators globally and illuminating 20 of the world’s most extraordinary historic landmarks, LUMINISCENCE has made its highly anticipated UK debut at Manchester Cathedral and I was absolutely honoured to attend. Combining 360° video mapping, new orchestral arrangements of iconic songs, and a narrative celebrating all that is great about the city and its people, visitors can now step into a spellbinding fusion of light, sound, and storytelling on a three-dimensional, walk-through musical journey.

Following its international success across Europe and the USA, LUMINISCENCE brings its immersive spectacle to one of the nation’s most cherished landmarks, with plans for additional iconic UK venues to follow. The experience pays tribute to Manchester’s rich cultural heritage through specially arranged orchestral renditions of legendary anthems. A brand-new script, written by BAFTA award-winning writer Tim Whitnall, is voiced by Manchester legend Christopher Eccleston, best known for his roles in Doctor Who and Our Friends in the North. The show is brought to life by the incredible Collectives Gospel Choir, adding soaring choral depth to this immersive experience, with a set list including songs by Oasis, The Verve, Joy Division, Elbow, and more.

Within Manchester Cathedral, light from a battalion of high-power projectors becomes the storyteller, transforming the ancient architecture into a vast living canvas where every statue, carving, pillar and stained-glass window comes to life and seemingly glows in harmony with the music. Breath-taking visual tableaux reveal the cathedral’s intricate architectural beauty. Layers of voices, strings, brass and woodwind resonated throughout the space, bringing to life its history. Through powerful narration, evocative sound and breathtaking visuals, LUMINISCENCE pays tribute to Manchester’s creativity, innovation, its global influence and the enduring pride of its people.

Applause rang out repeatedly during the performance at points of specific interest to the huge audience of people of all ages. It might have been the music, sparking a memory, or the sheer visual thrill as hundreds of flowers filled the archways for fleeting moments followed by another scene of devastating beauty of bees in flight, the very symbol of Manchester.

So, what exactly is LUMINISCENCE? It was created in 2023 by French based business LOTCHI. LUMINISCENCE’s mission is to promote and preserve iconic global World Heritage sites through immersive experiences combining digital and live performances.

Since its creation, more than 100,000 spectators in France alone have enjoyed their spectacular performances. A belief that art and technology have the power to tell captivating and moving stories drives this innovative business. By highlighting the most emblematic cathedrals and basilicas, guests can celebrate shared heritage through unique visual and sound shows. Using advanced 3D modelling and projection technology, every architectural detail is recreated with remarkable precision. In addition, performances integrate a sound dimension with a three-dimensional system enriched by the presence of a live choir, creating a unique multi-sensory experience.

LUMINISCENCE is actively committed to the conservation of heritage sites, by donating a portion of its revenues to the restoration of historic monuments. More than €1,000,000 has already been donated by LUMINISCENCE to the various venues that have hosted the show.

It costs over £ 1,460,000 a year to run Manchester Cathedral. The Cathedral receives no regular funding from the government or diocese. Funds are raised through initiatives and the generosity and support of visitors and congregation.

A portion of each ticket goes directly to the Cathedral to help its upkeep and preservation. This aligns with the LUMINISCENCE ethos to share, preserve and celebrate the historical monuments that provide the backdrop for its shows. Whilst the experience is designed as a walk-through, standing concert, that allows guests to fully immerse themselves in this magical setting, there is some seating available on request for anyone unable to stand for the full 45-minute performance. Audiences can choose between gold and silver ticket tiers, offering options to suit every budget. Gold tickets include fast-track entry and a sparkling wine on arrival. Silver tickets for adults start from £29 (including a 10% booking fee), with concession and groups prices available too, making this extraordinary experience accessible to all.

With a strict capacity in the Cathedral and a limited run in Manchester, audiences are encouraged to book early to avoid missing this unique experience. Performances began on Wednesday 14 January and available until 26 March 2026. Manchester Cathedral, Victoria St, Manchester M3 1SX

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For me, there is no doubt that this exhibition, presented in repertory for the first time outside of London, delivers an exceptional experience which I found not only educational but emotionally resonant as once again, I held my breath and  I relived that first “Giant leap for mankind.”  Tom Hanks narration of a unique perspective on humankind’s past and future voyages to the moon is utterly awe inspiring.

The warmth of Tom Hanks’ voice as he shares his personal recollections with the audience and takes us back in time to the days of him ‘glued to the TV set in the family TV room’ sets the scene as his powerful narration begins. Co-written by Tom Hanks and BAFTA-nominated writer-director Christopher Riley, The Moonwalkers provides a gripping account of the Apollo missions of the 1960’s and ‘70s at spectacular scale, blending original NASA footage and breathtaking images from Andy Saunders’ Apollo Remastered.

Tom Hanks has said: “As a youth, I was deeply affected by the Apollo missions finally taking us to the moon for the first time in human history. I would have gone myself, given the chance. I’ve worked on many projects to re-create those times and to bring alive the scale, the risks, and the accomplishment of the voyages; the dedication and commitment of the human being who made each journey, the story of each chapter of Apollo. The extraordinary, unique production capabilities of Lightroom have allowed me, alongside writer Christopher Riley, directors Nick Corrigan and Lysander Ashton, and composer Anne Nikitin, to tell what we believe is the most visceral and enthralling version to date. We can include everyone on humanity’s journey beyond our earth of 50 years ago and for those about to come with a prelude to the next time human beings will walk on the moon: the Artemis missions.”

The whole jaw-dropping  experience is detailed and in chronological order, and a  curation masterclass. The emotions cannot but be stirred when the audience are  provided with a sense of being transported to to moon and can feel that they are seated on the moon itself. With a spectacular original score from Anne Nikitin, recorded by Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at Abbey Road Studios, the production is a veritable feast for the senses.

I was sad that the subtitles, while they are available, are positioned high up on the wall, making them difficult to follow without craning your neck, however, the news inserts with the vast scale of the projections ensure that the visuals are captivating.

The experience is a breathtaking journey into the story of the Apollo missions and the Artemis programme, because we must look ahead to the next chapter, in space travel. The production features newly filmed interviews between Tom Hanks and astronauts from the current Artemis programme, offering audiences a glimpse into the future of crewed surface missions to the moon.

This winter I would certainly recommend stepping into The Moonwalkers – an awe-inspiring immersive experience for all ages. This extraordinary show brings the epic story of humankind’s journeys to the Moon vividly to life.

The Moonwalkers: A Journey With Tom Hanks is at Aviva Studios from 16 December 2025 to 11 January 2026 It is one of three large-scale 360° immersive experiences from Lightroom running in repertory at Aviva Studios this winter with the return of David Hockney alongside new show VOGUE: Inventing the Runway.

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Over decades I have eagerly awaited the magazine hitting the shelves each month and latterly reading Vogue online. In the earlier days of my career, I pictured myself, seated on the front row at a Paris runway, dressed to the nines, possibly wearing a hat and making shorthand notes in my beautiful notebook. Should that dream have come true, I would have most likely experienced the drama and performance of one famous designer’s work, most likely in a venue unreflective of their vision. How times have changed!

Now, the opportunity to step into Vogue’s remarkable archive and fashion network is awaiting us at Aviva Studios in Manchester. Equally visceral and insightful, the experience awaits;  in the form of the collaboration with Anna Wintour and Vogue editors, exploring the history of the fashion runway show, narrated by Cate Blanchett.

From the intimate couture salons of the early 20th century to the unforgettable pop-culture events of the present, Inventing the Runway reveals how fashion shows became the ultimate statement of a designer’s vision, and at times, a walking expression of their identity.

The experience brings together the industry’s leading voices with first hand interviews and a rich mix of media. Original animation, immersive sound design and a score fusing classical and pop music combine to evoke the world of fashion and the moments when iconic shows shifted the cultural landscape. No longer in the studios of a couturier, we have been whisked, by live streams, to the tunnels under the Seine, the Great Wall of China, Rio and beyond.

From the moment the performance begins, I learn more than I could ever have done so, if my younger self had been seated by a Parisian catwalk. Who knew that English designer Charles Frederick Worth, the ‘father of haute couture’, is credited with inventing designer labels in clothing by sewing his signature into garments in the 1850s! Neither was I aware that early Balenciaga banned press from his shows until his invited clients had viewed the collection.

VOGUE: Inventing the Runway features the work of the most significant creative minds in fashion history, including: Alexander McQueen, Balenciaga, Burberry, Chanel, Chloé, Christian Dior, Christopher John Rogers, Comme des Garçons, Coperni, Courrèges, Dolce & Gabbana, Dries Van Noten, Fendi, Givenchy, Gucci, Helmut Lang, Hood by Air, Hussein Chalayan, Iris Van Herpen, Jacquemus, Jean Paul Gaultier, Junya Watanabe, Loewe, Louis Vuitton, Maison Margiela, Marc Jacobs, Martine Rose, Miu Miu, Moschino, Patou, Prada, Pyer Moss, Rick Owens, Saint Laurent, Schiaparelli, Stella McCartney, Thierry Mugler, Thom Browne, Tomo Koizumi, Undercover, Versace, Victoria Beckham, Vivienne Westwood, Willy Chavarria, Yohji Yamamoto

Not only is the audience transported into fantasy fashion but also into some of the designers’ very psyche, sharing part of themselves urging us to “see it, feel it.” From Dior’s 1954 ‘New Look’ to the rule breaking, fearless world of Vivien Westwood. Karl Lagerfield’s entertaining, never been done before shows for House of Chanel, always with his inimitable touch of humour, a direct opposite to the dark romance, sometimes violent shows from Alexander McQueen.

Anna Wintour, Chief Content Officer for Condé Nast and Global Editorial Director of American Vogue said: “At Vogue we’ve been lucky enough over the decades to see many incredible runway shows, which have often told the story of fashion as much as the clothes themselves. This Lightroom experience is a wonderful opportunity for a lot more people to experience first hand the thrill of watching the history of fashion unfold right in front of them.”

The statement: ‘Putting down the phone at a fashion runway is the most radical thing you can do’ has been attributed to several individuals in fashion commentary, it is certainly true of  this experience as the viewer becomes immersed in the theatre, drama and spectacle, not just before you but all around you. The Lightroom space is designed to be enjoyed from all angles and encourages you to move around the space during your visit. The joy, influence and flamboyant spectacles are brought to life by the incredible Lightroom technology. As well as the runway visuals the experience is elevated by immersive sound design, original animation, and a score fusing classical and pop music, which combine to evoke the world of fashion and key moments when iconic runway shows not only graced the pages of Vogue but shifted the cultural landscape.

Vogue: Inventing the Runway is at Aviva Studios from 17 December 2025 to 10 January 2026. It is one of three large-scale 360° immersive experiences from Lightroom running in repertory at Aviva Studios this winter with the return of David Hockney alongside new show The Moonwalkers: A Journey with Tom Hanks.

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Lorraine Worsley Carter sat down with well-travelled pooch, Melo Baudelaire Smith, a rescue dog adopted from the Uniao Zoofila animal rescue centre in Lisbon, Portugal, to explore what canine travel really looks like.

Melo, you have quite a following on social media, your family travels with your human pawrents and your sister have already been extensive. For the readers who don’t know you, would you like to introduce yourself and your sister?

Hello everypawdy! My name is Melo Baudelaire, and I am a proudly Portuguese mutt. My humans adopted me in January 2021 from a shelter near to Lisbon. Everyone tries to guess what breed I am – they ask if I am a mini whippet or greyhound, or even a pinscher. I like being unique! I am pretty small, around 7 kg. I came along first, and then the humans thought they might like to welcome a second doggy into our home. My big sister Aisha (even though she was adopted second, she’s older than me) moved in with us in August 2022. She was a poorly pup and so we thought she would only be with us for six months – but nearly three years later, she’s still here! We believe that tons of love and adventures has made her stronger.

You and your sister have become seasoned travellers in a relatively short time. There has been such a rise in Pet Family Travel why do you think this is happening?

Our humans say they are lucky, because we are well-behaved, quite small pups – we make it easy to travel with us. I think that pets are becoming a closer part of the family than ever before! Also, a lot of humans are seeing themselves as “pet parents” these days, rather than owners, so they enjoy having us with them on trips. And our pawrents work from home anyway, so they can work from anywhere – even when we go on our adventures!

Do you & Aisha have passports and how easy are they to obtain?

Yes, we do have European pet passports. Mine is Portuguese but Aisha’s is from the Basque country, after a mix-up in Bilbao once! I don’t know how easy they are to obtain in England, but for us they were very easy to obtain – if you are planning to take your pet on a trip, your vet will swap the usual vaccine book for a snazzy pet passport.

I believe one of your pawrents is taking a doggy first aid course?

Yes, that’s right! My human dad and I did a doggy first aid course together. We learned all sorts of cool things, like how to measure our vital signs, caring for all sorts of wounds, what to do if a dog is drowning – even dog CPR. I was dad’s practice model!

Would you share your various modes of transport and the some of the places/countries you have visited?

We usually go in the car. The humans have a small car, but there is plenty of room on the back seat for us. I go in a small travel box, and Aisha sits on the backseat using a special dog seatbelt. There has been trial and error, but that’s how we’re both at our happiest! We went on the ferry once to Spain… but none of us enjoyed it, especially not the humans – they were seasick!

So far, as well as England, we have visited Portugal, Spain, and France. This summer we’re also planning to add Wales and Belgium to that list! We always find Spain to be surprisingly dog friendly. Lots of bars and restaurants allow dogs inside.

Do your pawrents do a lot of research before they take you both on holiday?

I think they do a lot of research, yes. They spend lots of time looking on their funny phone things! Accommodation is the most important thing, so we’re all comfortable. They try to get us an outside space if they can, but we live in an apartment, so we’re using to being taken for walkies to do our business. Some places now publish dog friendly travel guides, so it’s worth asking tourist information centres before you travel. Mum was surprised to find that San Sebastian, in Spain, and Tours, in France, had them!

You say you have travelled by ferry, how was that and how could that experience have been improved. What tips do you have for furry family travellers and for the ferry industry?

We travelled from Bilbao to England on the ferry. We had a pet friendly room, so we could all be together – to get one of these, you must book very far in advance (at least six months), as they sell out quickly. Once these are gone, pets must travel in the kennels, and owners can only go and visit them. There were lots of humans who had booked a room, but they were so worried about their pet being alone in the kennels that they ended up sleeping on the kennel floor, just to be with them!

Our crossing was very rough. We were OK, but our humans didn’t feel well at all. To do our business, we had to be taken to “the poop deck”, where the humans would then collect our poop and throw it away, then hose down the area. Because it was so rough, waves were crashing onto the deck, and it was scary. I don’t think we will travel like that again! The humans also said it was very expensive – almost £1,000 for the four of us to do the crossing.

You haven’t ventured into air travel yet, why is that?

Aisha and I are too big, even at 7 kg and 9 kg respectively, to be allowed in the cabin in Europe – plus, the UK doesn’t allow dogs to depart or arrive in the cabin. So, we would have to travel in the hold, and separately to our humans. Lots of people do this, but Mum and Dad haven’t tried it yet as they worry, we will be scared on our own. 

My friend Bobby took a flight once. He is a nervy soul, so his pawrents got him used to his air  crate, which they kept in the living room. Because they were travelling long haul, he was not allowed to fly in the cabin, only in the hold. He wasn’t allowed anything in his crate – no toys or treats. All he could have was a water bottle that was attached to the outside of the crate. I think it is a safety issue, but it must be pretty horrible seeing your beloved little dog having to go in a bare crate, with only a water bottle for company! I think some humans visit the vet to give them a sedative. The humans had to drop him at the cargo depot about four hours before the flight, and then they had a fair wait to get him once they arrived at their destination. He had to have a ‘Fit to Fly’ visa, which they could only get from the vet (and only certain vets are allowed to give them ) and that was the day before the flight.

Obviously different airlines and different countries will have different rules. My humans suggest having a look on the government website about taking your pet abroad and bringing your pet to Great Britain. There’s a whole list of the airlines that will fly dogs, cats and even ferrets! Aisha and me don’t know what a ferret is though.

Are you a hotel or Airbnb Mutt?

Both! Both can be pawfect for different occasions. It’s nice when the humans can cook their own meals and let us have a bit of time in a garden. But we also love being pampered pooches in hotels, too! When we are on the road, Accor hotels like Ibis are really good and inexpensive. In Spain, we love Petit Palace and Casual Hotels. They even give doggies special treats and toys for their room!

What tips have you for pawrents on what they should look for in a hotel or Airbnb?

As long as the place allows doggies, it’s all personal preference. It is impawtant, though, to check if there is an additional cost, and what that might be. Also, some places don’t allow more than one dog, so be sure to ask. And sometimes there is a weight/size limit.

What do your pawrents pack so that you and your sister feel at home?

They pack TONS of blankets! That’s the most impawtant thing for me, especially. We have our own travel bag, ready to go when we’re heading off. Mum puts extra poop bags in there, as well as our travel bowls. She also packs some toys for me to play with – Aisha doesn’t really play, but I like to have a ball and a soft toy or two.

Have you ever disgraced or trashed a room?

Hehehe, that would be telling…! No, we haven’t, although we did go away once and Aisha was shedding a LOT, so there was fur everywhere. Accommodations usually include an extra cleaning fee for reasons like this, but Mum will often pack a lint roller and a dustpan and brush to help out a bit. And so we will be allowed to go back again!

Do establishments allow doggies into their breakfast rooms.

Mostly, no. Which is a shame. And because many places won’t allow dogs to be left in rooms on their own, this can be difficult. Humans should always ask, as sometimes hotels are happy for dogs and their owners to sit slightly away from the main breakfast room. If in doubt, the humans will sometimes book a hotel on a room only rate, and then we’ll go to a brunch place instead. Those are usually doggy friendly, so we can all go together.

How do you and your sister cope with the no doggies on beds rule in establishments.

Mum and Dad will often arrange our blankets for us on the floor, so we are nice and comfy. It’s difficult because at home we sleep on the humans’ bed, but we know we can’t always when we are travelling. Some hotels will provide dog beds, which is a nice touch!

Obviously, style is important do you have a range of outfits?

Yes, of course! We always travel with a selection of bow ties and bandanas, catered for where we are traveling. I usually need a jumper or t-shirt as well!

Have you any other tips for humans to bear in mind when travelling with doggies?

Your humans should checked with your vet before you travel, to make sure you are up to it, and also to see if there are any requirements for the countries you are visiting. For example, many will want you to have been recently wormed, and will certainly want you to have had a rabies vaccine in the last three years. If you’re traveling to a country with mosquitos, it is worth mentioning this to a vet, too, as there are certain collars and treatments that can repel them. They can carry horrid diseases.

Which are your fav haunts so far? 

In UK

Puss in Boots  www.almond-pubs.co.uk/pubs/puss-in-boots/

Acoustic Lounge Poynton  – 

Billingtons Oldham  

John Lewis

Any dog friendly pub!

In Portugal

Lisboa Plaza

Casual Hotels Belle Epoque hotel (Lisbon)

La Villa restaurant in Lisbon

Canil – dog friendly bars in Lisbon 

In Spain 

San Sebastain funicular

Petit Palace hotels

Merida – walkable city with lots of dog-friendly restaurants

Galicia, north west Spain – lots of dog friendly beaches, even in summer. 

In France 

Tours – and dog friendly castles in La Touraine region.

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As our family’s connection to Portugal has grown, so has our fascination with the country’s rich history. Since our daughter and her husband relocated to Lisbon in 2021, we’ve spent the past four years exploring the beautiful landscapes and uncovering the deep-rooted relationship between Portugal and England. Most recently, our journey took us aboard the Maiden Voyage of Cunard’s Queen Anne, where we were thrilled to see Lisbon on the itinerary.

While fellow passengers set off on their excursions, I couldn’t help but wonder how many would visit the ancient Castelo de São Jorge, perched high above the city. For those curious enough to check, they would discover that the castle is named after none other than St. George, England’s Patron Saint. But how did he come to lend his name to this fortress in Portugal?

A Royal Union and the Treaty of Windsor

The answer lies in a remarkable alliance cemented over six centuries ago. In 1386, Philippa of Lancaster, daughter of John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, married King João I of Portugal. This union not only marked a royal marriage but also solidified the Treaty of Windsor, the oldest enduring diplomatic alliance in the world. Notably Charles III and The President of the Portuguese Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, celebrated the 650th anniversary of the Anglo-Portuguese Alliance.in 2023.

Philippa, known as “the English rose of Portugal,” brought her heritage and influence to her new home. Visitors to  her marriage strengthened the political and military bonds between the two nations. This was particularly evident the following year when Portugal decisively defeated the Castilians at the Battle of Aljubarrota, fought near the field of São Jorge. The victory was attributed to the divine intervention of St. George, who subsequently became Portugal’s Patron Saint.

A Shared Crusading Heritage

The celebration of St. George in Portugal also stems from the era of the Crusades. During the Reconquest, Christian armies sought to reclaim the Iberian Peninsula from the Moors. In 1147, King Afonso Henriques seized Lisbon with the aid of English crusaders. Their devotion to St. George undoubtedly played a role in his veneration across Portugal.

By 1385, King João I adopted St. George’s image for the annual Corpus Christi procession, symbolising the saint’s protection. Portuguese troops carried his flag into battle,  “Portugal and St. George!” became their rallying cry — a tradition still echoed today while the Portuguese navy prefer “Saint George!”   

The Influence of Philippa and the Order of Christ

Philippa and King João I’s children, famously known as the “Illustrious Generation,” played pivotal roles in shaping Portugal’s Golden Age of Exploration. Among them was Prince Henry the Navigator, Grand Master of the Order of Christ, a successor to the Knights Templar.

The Order of Christ, with its Templar-inspired expertise in navigation and trade, propelled Portugal to the forefront of maritime discovery. Explorers like Vasco da Gama and Bartolomeu Dias, both members of the Order, carried Portugal’s influence across the globe. From the islands of the Azores to the forts of Elmina in Ghana, tributes to St. George emerged along their routes.

St. George’s Global Legacy

St. George’s presence is now felt worldwide, thanks to Portugal’s maritime reach. In Brazil, he is not only the Patron Saint of São Jorge dos Ilhéus but also shares patronage of Rio de Janeiro with St. Sebastian. Remarkably, in Afro-Brazilian religions like Umbanda, St. George is identified with the spirit deity Ogum, symbolising strength and protection.

Even today, traces of St. George remain prominent in Portuguese culture. The emblem of the Order of Christ, a red cross on a white background, is featured on the flag of Madeira and the insignia of the Portuguese Air Force.

A Timeless Alliance

From the medieval battlefields of Portugal to the vibrant streets of Rio, the legacy of St. George continues to endure. And as you stand at the ancient Castelo de São Jorge, gazing over the rooftops of Lisbon, remember the saint whose name and spirit unite the histories of Portugal and England — a friendship forged in faith, fortified in battle, and celebrated to this day.

Next time you find yourself in Lisbon, make the climb to the castle and immerse yourself in the stories that echo through its walls. After all, every stone has a tale to tell.

Banner image: St George in the City of London Image by Mariusz Matuszewski

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But the renovations were certainly back on track on a wet Saturday in May 2023 when Bob and I parked our car and walked the pathway to Hopwood Hall Estate. We were warmly greeted as we proceeded through the archway to the hall. The greetings continued from the many volunteers at their stations, all sporting beautiful sunflower badges, until we were shown into the Great Hall. I was immediately struck by the beautiful fireplace and the words ‘By degrees’ etched into the stonework. I noticed a gentleman with a clipboard, and I asked him if he would be so kind as to point out Hopwood DePree to me. “I am he!” was his response. “Welcome to Hopwood Hall,” he continued as he shook our hands.

Little over a year has transpired, and now Bob and I have come to know this extraordinary and wonderfully creative person, Hopwood DePree, who is putting his all into saving Hopwood Hall.

So, who is Hopwood DePree? Raised in Holland, Michigan, he graduated from the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. A critically acclaimed writer, performer and independent filmmaker, he now works full-time on the restoration of his ancestral Hopwood Hall.

Why would a talented, creative American come to Greater Manchester to save a crumbling stately home? The story can be told best of all in Hopwood DePree’s own words. “When I was six, my mother took our family on a road trip from Michigan to Hopwood in Pennsylvania – the town my ancestors founded after settling in the colonies in the 1700s. The Hopwoods remained there for centuries, passing the story of a long-lost English family estate down through the generations to my grandfather, who was born and raised in Hopwood, Pennsylvania, too. When my great grandmother, Alcinda Hopwood, married, she was concerned that the Hopwood surname would be lost forever. So, when my grandfather was born in 1911, she insisted that his middle name would be Hopwood, to prevent her family heritage from being forgotten – so this was how I also was given the name Hopwood. My grandfather used to tell me bedtime stories about our family forebearers and an ancestral ‘castle’ in England named Hopwood Hall. Of course, I thought he was telling me fairytales to make me proud of the name that caused me such grief in kindergarten.

“Many decades later when I was an adult living in Hollywood Hills, California, I began to have a renewed interest in the origins of my name and family history. Both my father and grandfather had passed away within a short amount of time and those losses left me searching for something deeper.

“I realised that I found a sense of comfort in tracing the past. Little did I know that my research on Ancestry.com and Google was about to lead me to a life-altering discovery, but that is exactly what happened in 2013 when I found photos of 600-year-old Hopwood Hall in Middleton, England”.

“In a flash, all the years of doubting my grandfather’s stories came to an abrupt halt. I was instantly struck with an overwhelming sense of awe and wonder. Was Hopwood Hall indeed the castle that grandfather had always told me about? Looking at the multitude of windows, the extraordinary brickwork, the numerous chimneys I thought it had to be!”

Having researched further, Hopwood found an email address for Rochdale Town Council and wrote asking if the Hall was still around. Happily, by the next morning, Hopwood had been contacted by a local historian, Mr Geoff Wellens, who was obviously truly passionate about the hall. It was not long before the emails moved on to a telephone call, and Geoff was able to fill in some of gaps about the history of the hall. Hopwood was sad to learn that the last two Hopwood male heirs in England were killed during World War I, along with no less than 24 staff members. The Hopwood parents, devastated by the loss of both their sons and beloved staff, felt they could not continue living on the estate. After 500 years of Hopwoods at Hopwood Hall, the family departed.

The hall was later bought by the De La Salle Brothers in 1946 who opened the De La Salle Teacher Training College, which trained thousands of teachers before its closure in 1989. In the 1990s the hall and its estate were sold to Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council who ran it for a short time as a community college. However, the upkeep proved too costly and in 1998 Historic England had placed Hopwood Hall on its Heritage At Risk Register.

Geoff posed a question to Hopwood: “When are you coming over?”
Hopwood travelled from Los Angeles to Manchester in May 2013.

He takes up the story once more:
“Upon arriving at Hopwood Hall, I felt like I had stepped into a real-life story book. The estate was everything my grandfather had said, and more. As we walked in, Geoff introduced me to Bob Wall, the matter-of-fact, straight-talking caretaker who had been hired by the local town council. Looking around at the state of disrepair, I could not help but silently wonder what exactly he was taking care of. Once I spoke with Bob, I realised that he, too, was passionate about saving the hall, but the place suffered from a major lack of funds. Both Bob and Geoff were long-term local residents whose families had lived there for generations, so they were quick to point out that their own ancestors had lived and worked at the hall.

“Everywhere I looked, I found astonishing links to my family history. I saw a fireplace inscribed with the year 1658, original beams dating to the 1420s, and a ceremonial wall plaque commemorating a 1689 marriage between my ancestors. I savoured the experience of seeing architectural features that my forbears would have used hundreds of years ago; the worn banisters they touched, the door handles they turned, and the inglenook they gathered in for warmth. Bob also showed me the small ‘birthing room’ where my fourteenth great-grandfather was born. The same wood panelling and fireplace, spared by the ravage of time, allowed me to reach across the centuries and connect with the past.

“Walking through the hall’s timeworn corridors, I was confronted by a stark reality. The once grand estate was on the verge of complete collapse, with crumbling walls, sagging ceilings, and encroaching mold threatening to erase centuries of history. Realisation quickly dawned that time was running out for Hopwood Hall. Bob informed me that without intervention in the next five to ten years, the building would collapse and become a ruin.”

I asked Hopwood if this was the moment that the ultimate decision had to be made. Would he decide to save the hall before it became a ruin?

Hopwood nodded enthusiastically.

“I knew that something unusual was happening in my mind. I felt an immediate sense of personal duty to help fend off the lead thieves, leaking roofs, and creeping dry rot. Faced with the estate’s grim situation, I remember thinking that if I was the only living Hopwood descendant in a position to do something to save the hall, then I must do it.

“Before my visit to the UK, my concept of historic homes was shaped by my 1920s Hollywood Hills stucco and red-tiled Spanish bungalow. Hopwood Hall began to redefine my understanding of history and heritage. In the coming months and years, as I made numerous trips back and forth from LA to Manchester to further the rescue effort, my excitement continued to grow.

“Learning about my family history from Geoff was an incredible gift that fuelled me.
Fortunately, he happened to be the caretaker of a nearby 11th century church with an ornately carved Hopwood pew, and cellars containing dusty old handwritten ledgers and maps. The church was a treasure trove of details about the Hopwood family, as was the town library next door.

“I learned that my relative Lady Susan Hopwood (1818-1906) who lived at the Hall was a pioneering environmentalist who spoke to crowds of thousands and battled for laws and fines to curb pollution from Manchester’s mills. Hearing her story and learning how she stood up and fought for her beliefs inspired me with confidence to do the same to help save Hopwood Hall.”

Toward the end of 2017, Hopwood obtained a UK visa and left LA to move to England full-time. He was on a mission to revive, restore and recreate Hopwood Hall so it could be operational once again. I asked him how his friends in LA took the news of his newfound path.

“Of course, all my friends back home thought I was crazy!” he smiled. “Nonetheless, I forged ahead and, with recently purchased umbrella and a wax jacket, I embarked on a new chapter.

“Hopwood Hall has taught me about reinvention. Like nearly all past residents of England’s historic homes, their ancestors had to constantly bob and weave around unexpected challenges to keep the estate afloat. Each century seemed to bring with it new industry; Hopwood Hall went from farming in the 1400s to milling wheat in the 1500s, followed by timber in the 1600s, mining in the 1700s, and textiles in the 1800s. These adaptions made my own leap from the entertainment business in Southern California to the restoration of a dilapidated ancestral home in the Northwest England seem quite reasonable – even though I had no construction skills, my creative spirit has soared.”

I asked Hopwood if he had formed a vision for the future of the hall – and he certainly has!
“I have been able to envision so clearly what the hall can become in the future. Perhaps for the 21st century, the hall’s new industry will be entertainment. We are well on our way with plans to develop Hopwood Hall into a destination cultural retreat with accommodation and art, theatre, music and film events”.

But had Hopwood received the legendary warmth of welcome that us Northerners are known for. He told me that he certainly has:

“One of the most unexpected joys that tethers me on this journey has been the forming of deep friendships in the UK. I have learned so much from residents. Like Geoff and Bob, many of these people have ancestors who worked at the hall and have brought wonderful photos and memorabilia depicting life at the hall over the years. Residents in the area have returned old books, furniture, and artwork that they believe once belonged to the hall. Some seniors have donated their family heirlooms – including a grandfather clock from 1699 – as a legacy gift to the hall. These donors have the comfort of knowing that their much-cherished items will be housed and appreciated for the long term. Other people have come forward with their own stories of relatives who worked at the hall during World War II. Indeed during the war, because management was afraid that their employees would be bombed in central Manchester, the Lancashire Cotton Company moved to Hopwood Hall.”

I asked Hopwood if there was now a typical day in his new life as saviour of Hopwood Hall. “Emails and phone calls consume most of the morning, then I meet with our team of heritage experts and our dedicated volunteers. With major support from grant funders such as Historic England, National Lottery Heritage Fund, and the Architectural Heritage Fund, we have been able to make great strides. I helped found the Hopwood Foundation for Heritage, Arts, Education, and Inspiration, and achieving UK registered charity status marked a significant milestone in the collective effort to save Hopwood Hall.”

I mentioned to Hopwood my personal admiration for his team when I met them, especially as I had the opportunity to spend some time on my visits to the hall to meet the volunteers. The volunteers have formed several separate groups, each focused on a specific area. On my last visit, the gardening club had won a second award for their work on restoring the hall’s gardens. There is also the Archive Club, which focuses on finding, organising, cataloguing, and protecting historic materials; the Fundraising Club; and the Preservation Club, which prioritises securing, protecting, and improving the hall. Hopwood Hall is literally a hive of worker bees!

One of the goals of the Hopwood Hall restoration project is to seamlessly interweave an educational component by using experts and artisans to train people interested in learning heritage skills. I asked Hopwood how this was progressing.

“We are engaging with primary schools, as well as nearby colleges and universities, and often run heritage skills training workshops to teach people how to make leaded glass windows, create and repair historic plaster designs and moldings, and carve wood. Additional types of crafts will be added in the future. It is extremely rewarding to watch someone (including me!) learn these techniques and then have their work incorporated into the hall’s restoration.

“The Hopwood Hall adventure has also taken me in other unexpected directions. After many people contacted me, wishing that they too, could locate their ancestral homes, I helped to co-found Storied Collection, a company that represents numerous privately owned castles, manors, and estates throughout the UK and Ireland. In collaboration with Ancestry.com, users can now search for ancestral homes, connect with the properties directly, and rent them for private stays, family retreats and weddings.

“Overall, my journey from being an American with a strange name to a custodian of Hopwood Hall has been a testament to the power of familial stories, community support, and a deep sense of responsibility. The restoration of Hopwood Hall is not merely about preserving the past, it is an ongoing narrative of resilience, adaption, and the enduring spirit of preservation. As the restoration efforts continue, I remain committed to ensuring that the rich history within these walls of Hopwood Hall stands as a testament to the legacy of all those who came before us.”

Of course, being the creative that Hopwood is, he has used the power of film and of the written word to document the renovation progress. He has launched a YouTube channel and has written a fascinating book, Downton Shabby, chronicling his adventure to date.

I have every faith that Hopwood will realise his vision for the Hopwood Hall, and, on that day, I am sure that the wording ‘By degrees’ on that beautiful fireplace I saw on my first visit will have a resonance; because, by degrees, Hopwood DePree will have saved Hopwood Hall Estate for posterity.

Visit website for more details.

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As those who know me or have read about some of my visits to Champagne cellars across France and Cava cellars in Spain will know, I very much enjoy those grape bubbles in a flute glass.

Recently I was invited to the BBC Club’s big birthday. The BBC Club began 100 years ago in London and, like many current and former BBC staff and freelancers, I am pleased to be a member. While the Club might not have racked up 100 years in the North, for its many years in Manchester and now in Salford, Lizzie Dignam has ably managed it. Both Lizzie’s and her late husband’s names are synonymous with the BBC Club in the North, and I was pleased to attend the celebrations with my husband, Bob.

The event was to take place in a craft beer brewery around the corner from Media City, Salford. As I had never been inside a brewery, I thought this was the perfect opportunity to do so. I had read that the July moon is known as ‘The Malt Moon’, so I took this as a good omen.

I expected the brewery to be a cold, uninviting place, probably a bit dark. “Where will we sit?” I wondered.

I loved the name on the side of the building – The Hideaway Brewing Co – because who knew there was a brewery just minutes’ walk from Media City? This was my first learning curve because, on further research, I found a map of craft breweries that are based around Salford Quays and beyond.

On this occasion, however, it was the owners of Hideaway that I would ask to educate me on all things craft beer.

On entering the building, I soon became aware that a brewery can be an inviting place to visit. The craft beer making vessels (at that point I did not know their proper titles) stood bright, shiny and silver-coloured to my left. There were rows of metal barrels and, surprisingly, there was an on-brand colour scheme of black and orange in the seating area.

The look was completed with some cool artwork on the walls, a set of drums and the all-important bar with names of the craft beers over the top. The list included such names as American Pale, California Common, Rooster, Bullfrog and, even Pineapple Wheat. How exotic!

The owners, Dan Wright and his wife Nat, were busy serving customers, but Dan very kindly took the time to share their brewery’s story, and to explain to me just how some of various colours of craft beer being imbibed by customers came to be.

No doubt Dan will shudder at my grasp of brewing, but here goes. Craft beer is made through a process called brewing, which involves several key steps. First off is “malting”, where the barley grains are soaked in water and allowed to germinate. Once they start to sprout, they are dried in a kiln. This process develops the enzymes that will later convert the grain’s starches into sugars.

Next up is “Mashing”, where the malted barley is mixed with hot water to create a mash. This activates the enzymes, converting the starches in the grain into fermentable sugars. The result is a sweet liquid called wort.

The wort is boiled, and hops are added. Hops are flowers that give beer its bitterness, flavour, and aroma. Boiling also sterilises the wort to ensure a clean fermentation process.
Fermentation happens next, where the boiled wort is cooled and transferred to a fermentation vessel. Yeast is added, which eats the sugars in the wort and produces alcohol and carbon dioxide. This process can take from a few days to a few weeks.

After fermentation, the beer is often conditioned, which means it is left to mature. This can be done in the same vessel or in bottles or kegs. Conditioning helps develop the beer’s flavours, and can also carbonate it naturally.

Once the beer has matured, it is packaged into bottles, cans, or kegs for distribution and enjoyment.

So, craft beer is made by carefully turning grains into a delicious, bubbly drink through a series of steps that involve cooking, fermenting, and conditioning. Each step is crucial to making the beer taste exactly right!

I asked Dan just why he decided to turn grains into craft beer – how did his story begin? Like many of us, Dan has changed careers dramatically during his professional life, but the homebrewing was constant from early adulthood. Following years in hospitality, Dan faced redundancy and so retrained, adding to his degree by attending university at night, gaining CIPD accreditation and being offered a job in HR. Dan continued his education in order to take his Masters while working in the corporate sector and then, in 2020 Covid hit. Nat was pregnant and Dan decided it was time to take his hobby out of his garage and into the world.

After acquiring all the necessary licenses, Dan took his craft beer to produce markets, and his craft beer quickly attracted aficionados. At that time, he used a third-party brewery and produced his beer in cans. Feedback was good and, in 2022, Dan and Nat procured the lease on a warehouse on Salford Quays. Working day and night, they turned it into their own brewery, naming it the Hideaway Brewing Co. As Dan explained, “Craft brewing had been my hideaway in the garage for many years, so the name seemed appropriate. Our Salfordian family emblem has always been the fox, hence Rusty the Fox being on our branding.”

Hideaway has not stayed hidden for long, with their cans bearing the fox emblem being seen as far as Sheffield and the Lake District. The barrels are dispatched to catering customers nearer to home, as they must be returned and cleaned before reuse.
So, what next for Dan and Nat? They tell me a food offering begins this week, and they insist it will be “on brand”.

Having received my first lesson in craft brewing, I have realised there is so much to learn; I have only touched the surface of the magic that makes the foaming liquid.

Sadly, my education is complete as, for me, my bubbles will always be the ones in a flute glass. However, I left the brewery with a respect for craft beer and its brewers everywhere!

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So, would this performance and adaptation by Anne-Marie Casey, directed by Brigid Lamour with a cast of eight, allow me to laugh and cry with Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy in this coming-of-age tale packed with adventure, drama, love and loss?

The book, published in 1868, was inspired by Alcott’s experiences growing up with her three sisters, I wonder who she identified with? For me, I identified with Jo – or more exactly I wanted to be Jo – and in this production, Rachel McAllister’s portrayal of Jo was everything and more. Jo is intelligent, bright, hot headed also articulate – which is more that can be said for her spoilt sister Amy, whose use of words out of context deliver interesting as well as endearing moments, beautifully executed by Julia Brown. Who could not envisage that Amy would certainly be seen and heard in adulthood?

Ruari Murchison’s set of trees is pure magic, and in no way detracts from intimate feeling of the context of hearth, heart and home, then seamlessly becoming the back drop of a cold winter’s night in the forest.

Would Meg, the eldest daughter, a chip off the Marmee block, find the romance that she appears to alternate between, one moment longing for and then dismissing. Jessica Brydges takes us with Meg, quietly and steadfastly on her journey to womanhood.

Conversely Marmee, Kacey Ainsworth does share with Jo during one of Jo’s outbursts, that she too once had a temper and had learned to curb the rage. How can this be when Marmee with utmost grace is the steadfast level-headed cog in the March family wheel? Talking of March family, no one is allowed to forget about Susan Twist’s Aunt March, her heart of gold seems a little harder to find, but her appearance on stage, makes us all sit up a little straighter.

Beth March wears her heart on her sleeve and I for one appreciated Meg Chaplin taking Beth to the piano, a moment as other moments, when sensitive Beth, neither by precociousness nor bickering, leads her sisters to be better people. As the four daughters begin to step into their own respective new worlds, they are joined by their new neighbour, the rich, Theodore ‘Laurie’ Laurence (Daniel Francis-Swaby), bringing with him, a superb energy to the stage while his penniless tutor, Prof Bhaer (Tom Richardson), brings a serene but strong presence to the stage.

In Laurie, Jo sees a playmate, the boy she always wanted to be, her sisters see a brother or do they? What will the enigmatic Prof do to win one of the girl’s hearts or will he?
For now, Meg, Jo, Amy and Beth, sit by the fire, as they struggle to survive in New England during the American Civil War, awaiting your arrival. You have until 23 December 2023 to visit. You will find them at HOME Manchester.

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The building , over a century old started its life hosting ‘The Aerated Water Company’ and its exterior, barely changed, looked crest fallen and dilapidated. The building, one an integral part of the beating heart of Oldham town centre, was in a sad state, with holes in the roof. Most of its former neighbours had already closed, including the Ascroft Street Fire Station.

Billington’s respective owners had nurtured the passion for dance in Oldham for more than eight decades. Originally Turner’s Dance Academy, it became Billington’s in 1934. The Billington’s Dance Studio, also known as the ‘ Ascroft Street Academy’ was owned by Norma Billington MBE and her husband Albert. It was home to thousands of dancers; from those taking their first faltering steps on the dance floor, to those skilled dancers at competition level. The couple lived in the house that was part of the building and Norma could pop from her upstairs landing, straight into one of the ballrooms.

Norma is reported to have put her energy and good health down to dancing every day and to have said: “It is heaven to dance in a man’s arms and it makes me feel like I’m 21 again.” In 2004, at the age of 92, she received an MBE from the late Queen Elizabeth II.

Six years after Albert Billington passed away in 1964, Norma sold the building to former dance pupils, Dennis and Brenda Massey in 1970.

Dennis and Brenda met at Billington’s when they were children and, like all good love stories, they eventually fell in love and married. They worked alongside Norma and Albert and became more involved when Albert died. Like Norma, they taught children who ultimately stayed and danced as adults at Billingtons.

The building comprises three floors; in the 70’s there was a basement bar/night club – Brenda and Dennis combined their first names to form the title of the space to “Brenden Suite.” On the ground floor, there was a music hall with a piano in the corner – the piano is still at Billingtons to this day, awaiting tuning. The first floor, like today held the main ballroom.

Dennis and Brenda retired in 2016, they sold the property to two local people, who initially had plans for the building but unfortunately it was mainly used for storage.

In 2020 Krzysztof Zemlik, who had businesses situated near the building, decided that he would contact the owners in order to buy the building. It was a difficult time, Covid had just begun to seep into our lives. The sale was finally agreed and in 2021 Krzystof held an open-evening to showcase his vision. Obviously the first plan was to start at the top and work down – put a new roof on, this was essential as the rain and the snow falling on Oldham was falling straight through the roof. The renovations included new windows, heating, lighting, installing an accessible lift and the conversion of the first floor into a bar and coffee lounge and lovingly renovate the magnificent ballroom. Following the restoration of the first floor, then the ground floor was developed to house Krzysztof’s third Ascroft Medical Centre.

Krzysztof Zemlik also purchased the adjoining house where Norma would slip through to her ballroom. The house is also being renovated and set to reflect the bygone era of the Dance Academy, it will be available as an Airbnb.

After only four months from purchase, Billington’s Oldham opened its doors for invited guests from Oldham Council, local business leaders and members of all sectors of the community to attend a showcase and share the owner’s vision for the future.
In December 2021, work started on the conversion and restoration.

In 2021, towards the end of her tenure as Mayor of Oldham, Cllr Jennie Harrison, was one of the first people to take a step into Billington’s when it was just a building site. When Councillor Elaine Garry became Mayor in 2022 she was equally supportive, often visiting to see progress and just before Christmas 2022 held her Charity afternoon tea dance at Billington’s. Within minutes of the music starting, previous owner of Billington’s Brenda Massey was invited to take to the floor for the first dance on the renovated dance floor. As Brenda’s husband Dennis had died, her family friend Graham joined her in a foxtrot dance.

Now in 2023 Billington’s Oldham is alive to music again as well as host to a range of events from social dance to Northern Soul, comedy nights to wellbeing days and even business conferences.

Like many entrepreneurs, Krzysztof Zemlik prefers to stay in the background rather than being known as the face of an organisation. At the time when Norma was receiving her MBE, he was packing his bags in his hometown of Warsaw to study Business at Manchester Metropolitan University. After a stint working In London, Krzystztof returned to Manchester in 2015 where he joined forces with Dr Piotr Kieruzel to establish a private dental practise for the Polish community. As demand for their services grew the pair opened two more health care practices.

But while the ground floor of Billington’s is very much focused on the medical needs of today, the ballroom above has been lovingly restored in line with the building’s heritage.

Recently Krzysztof has been recognised by Oldham Business community and has been bestowed the accolade of Special Recognition Award for his commitment to the town.

He has steadfastly worked to turn an old urban building back to a hub for the community, the business community and of course the community who are light on their feet and love nothing better than to dance. And as, Krzysztof says, while he owns Billington’s, events may be many and varied, but there will always be dance.

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I believe that nothing in life is coincidence and during my original research to find Dez I contacted Reverend Mike Roberts, Railway Chaplain whom I had met at a Remembrance Sunday service some months before, and I had been moved by his prayers. Some years later Mike and I were to embark of a special journey of our own, but more of that later!

Even though I am proud to say that I am a railway man’s daughter I had to admit I knew nothing about the role of a Railway Chaplain. I now know that Railway Mission is a British mission devoted to the rail industry. It was founded in 1881 based in mission halls, and now operates a chaplaincy service. In the early days of the Railway Mission there were a number of mission halls at railway stations throughout the country.

These days the Railway Chaplains cover hundreds of miles by train to provide their ministry. Mike works under the auspices of the Railway Mission. He covers a vast area in the North West from Stafford to Carlisle, Blackpool to the Pennines. This includes 11 Passenger and Freight Operators; Network Rail; 11 depots; over a hundred stations and 50 signal boxes. He is also a chaplain to the British Transport Police.

So, what does a Railway Chaplain do?

The introduction of railway chaplains in the United Kingdom has been a significant development in the provision of spiritual and emotional support to both railway employees and passengers. These dedicated individuals serve a crucial role in an industry that operates around the clock, often under stressful and challenging conditions.
One of the primary attributes of railway chaplains is their ability to provide emotional support to railway employees. Working in the railway industry can be physically and mentally demanding, with long hours and often unpredictable schedules. Railway chaplains offer a listening ear and a supportive presence, helping employees cope with the stresses and challenges of their jobs. They provide a safe space for employees to discuss their concerns, anxieties, and personal issues, which can have a positive impact on mental health and job satisfaction.

Railway chaplains are often key responders in times of crisis. Whether it’s a tragic accident, a medical emergency, or a natural disaster, chaplains are trained to provide immediate emotional and spiritual support to those affected. Their presence helps mitigate the traumatic effects of such events and ensures that individuals receive the care and compassion they need during difficult times. Rev Mike Roberts has spent an immeasurable amount of time supporting hundreds of railway staff and commuters in the traumatic aftermath of suicides that take place at railways stations or on the tracks.
For many people, faith and spirituality are essential aspects of their lives. Railway chaplains offer spiritual guidance and counselling to those who seek it. They provide religious services, prayer rooms, and pastoral care to passengers and employees of diverse backgrounds and beliefs. This inclusivity ensures that everyone has access to the spiritual support they need while traveling or working within the railway system and working with people of any and all faiths or no faith at all.

Railway chaplains also play a role in promoting the overall well-being of railway personnel. They offer wellness programs, stress management workshops, and training in dealing with workplace issues. By addressing physical, mental, and emotional health, chaplains contribute to a healthier and happier workforce, ultimately improving the efficiency and safety of the railway industry.

Conflicts are inevitable in any workplace, and the railway industry is no exception. Railway chaplains are skilled in conflict resolution and mediation. They help employees and management find constructive solutions to disputes, preventing escalation and fostering a more harmonious work environment.

In my opinion, the merits of railway chaplains in the United Kingdom cannot be overstated. As well as their contributions to the well-being of railway employees and passengers, their role includes crisis intervention, and conflict resolution. I have also witnessed how they are extremely effective at community engagement.

Perhaps this is the perfect moment to talk about the very special journey that Mike and I took together from April 2022 to April 2023.

In 2020, I was given the wonderful news that I had been chosen for the Royal Appointment of High Sheriff of Greater Manchester.

The Office of High Sheriff is an independent non-political, unpaid, Royal appointment for a single year. The origins of the Office date back to Saxon times, when the ‘Shire Reeve’ was responsible to the king for the maintenance of law and order within the shire, or county, and for the collection and return of taxes due to the Crown. Today, there are 55 High Sheriffs serving the counties of England and Wales each year.

Whilst the duties of the role have evolved over time, welcoming the members of the royal family to their County, supporting the Crown and the judiciary remain central elements of the role today. In addition, High Sheriffs actively lend support and encouragement to crime prevention agencies, the emergency services and to the voluntary sector. In recent years High Sheriffs in many parts of England and Wales have been particularly active in encouraging crime reduction initiatives, especially amongst young people. High Sheriffs also assist local charities working with vulnerable and other people both in endorsing and helping to raise the profile of their valuable work.

High Sheriffs receive no remuneration and no part of the expense of a High Sheriff’s year falls on the public purse.

One of the many honours bestowed upon us as incumbent High Sheriffs is to choose our Chaplain/s. I instantly knew who I would chose for the role.

My first call was to Mike Roberts, As my father had worked ‘on the railways’ for most of his adult life, I knew Mike was the perfect person for the role. We were still in lockdown, so our meeting was almost clandestine – not from a health and safety point of view, but because of keeping the request a secret. In 2020, we stood, eight feet apart, on Manchester Oxford Road where I invited Mike to be my Chaplain, endeavouring not to shout too loudly over the noise of the city traffic. Once Mike had accepted, I then advised him that he couldn’t tell anyone until March 2022!

During my year in office, Mike was a huge support to me, starting with him leading the prayers at my Installation, the ceremony to become High Sheriff. It was held at the Lowry Theatre in the presence of the Lord Lieutenant, His Honour Judge John Potter, the Chief Constable of Greater Manchester, the Acting Superintendent for the Pennine district of the British Transport Police, my under Sheriff, and 200 invited guests. Outside were Mounted Police Horses and Police Dog handlers with their charges.

I chose my second, but equally revered chaplain , my dear friend, Elizabeth (Liz) Whimpanny. About 20 years ago, Liz, a nurse, was told that one of her patients, 18-year-old Adam, was being moved to a nursing home for the elderly due to his complex health needs and disabilities. Liz applied for a mortgage and opened a young people’s home – and Adam was her first resident. With three sites now, Liz is also taking her Minister in the Making studies.

During my year as High Sheriff, Mike and I shared much together; we laughed, prayed and cried together. Indeed, who could not shed a tear at one of the most poignant moments, when Mike led the prayers at Manchester Victoria Station, commemorating five years since the bombing at Manchester Arena when 22 people lost their lives. Days later I stood with the now Their Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales, alongside the Dean of Manchester and the bereaved families as the Glade of Light was officially opened at Manchester Cathedral. He helped me when I was writing a speech for the Windrush anniversary. I too had been a stranger to someone else’s shores as a child when, as a £10 family we emigrated to Australia, returning home to UK some years later to a country I had no knowledge of. I could not have penned those heartfelt words without him. He counselled me when our Sovereign died and in my role as High Sheriff, on Sunday 11 September 2022 in St Peter’s Square Manchester, I proclaimed to the County of Greater Manchester, the Accession of King Charles III.

His face was a picture when I told him that I needed him to lead the prayers at my ‘Hanging.’ The ceremony sees the current High Sheriff of Greater Manchester sign the Roll of High Sheriffs in the presence of the High Court Judge and other judiciary, presently sitting at Crown Court, Manchester. The High Sheriff’s portrait is then ceremonially hung and, later, is moved to hang permanently alongside predecessors and the Monarch in the court building.

Mike was also my chaplain at the High Sheriff’s Service for the beginning of the Legal Year. Standing in Manchester Cathedral addressing a 500 congregation of Clergy, High Court Judges, people from all walks of the legal profession, Consuls, and guests.

Mike received no financial gain for the support he so generously gave to me, as, like the High Sheriff role, High Sheriff Chaplains are unpaid. Only now I have come to realise that the cost to his work life balance must have been immense, and I will be forever thankful to him.

I saw firsthand how the Railway Chaplaincy is such a crucial role in community cohesion with the railways. Mike introduced me to the Railway Children charity, and I spent time understanding the amount of the work they do. Every year thousands of children across the UK, India and East Africa run away or are forced to leave homes that have become unbearable through poverty, abuse, violence and neglect.

Children run away or are forced to leave homes where they suffer poverty, violence, abuse and neglect. They find themselves homeless because there is nowhere else to go and nobody to turn to. The charity works to reach children as soon as they arrive on the streets and intervene before an abuser can.

Mike is a thoroughly ‘good egg’ however his sense of humour is rye. For instance, telling me that he was Mr July in a 2023 calendar led me to worry for a moment if I might be sent to the Tower of London for my bad judgement on Chaplain suitability and what would his wife, the Reverend Rebecca Roberts think of this? All was well when he later told me it was for the Railway mission and his head and shoulders wearing a blue jumper were really an addition to main picture of an RAF Tribute Train in the Railway Mission calendar.

Now that my year in office is completed, Mike and I still meet to chat about community initiatives and last week he invited my husband and I to Chester Cathedral. On this occasion, not for worship per se, but to visit Making Tracks 3; a 19.5 metre long and 4.26 metre wide model rail track. The installation, which features scale models of iconic stretches of the UK’s railways, is curated by record producer and songwriter Pete Waterman OBE, alongside Railnuts modelling group. Making Tracks 3 was based upon a stretch of the West Coast Main Line – the approach to Rugby station from Kilsby Tunnel in the south, to Hillmorton Junction at the north end of the model.

Not surprising really, that during a conversation with Pete Waterman, when he was telling me how Making Tracks 3, in Chester Cathedral, was already record breaking visitor numbers, he suddenly spied Mike and uttered, “ I know him!”

So, there is never a dull moment with my friendship with Railway Chaplain Rev Michael Roberts, the somewhat quiet unassuming Railway Chaplain who won a National Rail Award in October 2022, recognised by a panel of industry judges to win Outstanding Personal Contribution to the railway at a ceremony at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London.

I have seen firsthand, that by providing emotional and spiritual support, chaplains not only improve the lives of individuals but also enhance the overall efficiency and safety of the railway system. Their work reflects a commitment to compassion, understanding, and unity in an industry that serves millions of people every day. Their contributions to the well-being of railway personnel and the broader community.

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