Forever Manchester Podcast

Forever Mancunians aims to introduce and tell the stories of featured guests whose vision, commitment and dedication in making a difference to the lives of others in our local communities is both interesting and inspiring. In this episode, we have a candid chat with Forever Manchester's Helen, Lisa & Vikki, the UK's first real life Community Builders. They talk about their Asset Based approach and lived experiences of influencing and encouraging local people to recognise their own talent's, skill's and strengths, and inspiring local people to both believe and contribute to the potential of the local communities in which they live. The Community Builders live it, breath it and just love generating happiness through community match making approaches that have a real impact and make a big local difference.     Check out and enjoy the ABCD Approach to Community Building with Helen, Lisa & Vikki here..  

Forever Mancunians aims to introduce and tell the stories of featured guests whose vision, commitment and dedication in making a difference to the lives of others in our local communities is both interesting and inspiring. In this episode, we have a candid chat with Claire Courtney, Managing Director and Co-founder of Manchester based Heart and Parcel. Alongside providing English language development and learning support, Claire shares her passion and love of food to generate a shared and unique learning process to better engage English Learners.   Claire's stories include embracing many cultures through food related activities, fostering social networks, generating friendships, active learning, developing by doing, and Dumplings! 

The Forever Mancunians Podcast Series aims to introduce and tell the stories of featured guests whose vision, commitment and dedication in making a difference to the lives of others in our local communities is both interesting and inspiring. In this episode, we have a candid chat with Jenni Smith, CEO of Salford Loaves & Fishes and Chair of Buile Hill Mansion Association. Alongside providing support for homeless people and those at risk of homelessness, Jenni shares her passion for heritage and the repurposing and redevelopment of buildings through restoration projects that bring benefits to local communities. Jenni's stories include Buile Hill Mansion Association, Withington Baths, All Souls Church Bolton, the Salford Mutual Aid Coalition and her association with a number of local charities and community groups, along with discussing comparisons to Jenni's previous management experience in the hotel industry.  

The Forever Mancunians Podcast Series aims to introduce and tell the stories of featured guests whose vision, commitment and dedication in making a difference to the lives of others in our local communities is both interesting and inspiring. In this episode, we have a candid chat with Greg Davis, maverick founder of the United Estates of Wythenshawe. Greg shares his story of taking over a vandalised local church and positively engaging troublesome young people, through to establishing an inner city culture centre, organising a national conference of street leaders and encouraging the development of a number of social enterprises. Listen to Greg questioning labels, challenging perceptions and asking “If kids are joining street gangs purely to feel safe, then where do we go?” 

The Forever Manchunians Podcast Series aims to introduce and tell the stories of featured guests whose vision, commitment and dedication in making a difference to the lives of others in our local communities is both exemplary and inspiring. In this episode, we have a candid chat with June Kelly MBE, founder of the multi-award winning Abraham Moss Warriors. Pride of Britain award winner June shares the story of engaging young people in grass root sports through to actively engaging and benefitting the local community including the transformation of a local park, engaging with #NASA and successfully challenging the Football Association #FA. Listen to June chat about “how the power of sport can bring out the best in people”     

This interview was conducted on 27th May 2009 as part of the Forever Manchester Radio Show which was broadcast on Manchester Radio Online at the time. Although Frank Sidebottom didn't undertake actual interviws as such, he was more than happy to chat about his mad creative world, tell us a few home truths about 'Bobbins' & 'Plagarism' and share some of his many experiences including having a sleepover with The Smiths, being the cause of the rift in Oasis between Noel & Liam Gallagher and buying cheap cassettes from lesser artists and wiping them clean!  

Aniff Akinola is a renowned vocalist, writer, producer and ex record label owner who was also a founding member of the cult Manchester hip-hop outfit 'Chapter and the Verse' and co-writer of A Guy Called Gerald's classic house anthem "Voodoo Ray". Aniff was also a co-writer of Kirsty MacColl's hit "Walking Down Maddison" and general co-conspiritor of such 90's electronic luminaries as The Orb, Steve Hillage and The Beloved. He was also a co-writer of Ian Brown's "Set My Baby Free" and was one half of Backyard Dog, who wrote the UK Top 20 Hit "Baddest Roughest" which went on to become the Coca Cola World Cup Theme alongside being featured in Ali G's "In the House" and "Bend it Like Beckham"   He was involved in The Ironweed Project and their song "Get on the Floor" was featured in the Hollywood blockbuster How to Loose Friends and Alienate People. Aniff continues to write and produce today for up and coming artists both nationally and internationally and he also enjoys doing occasional lectrues and conferences

Aniff Akinola is a renowned vocalist, writer, producer and ex record label owner who was also a founding member of the cult Manchester hip-hop outfit 'Chapter and the Verse' and co-writer of A Guy Called Gerald's classic house anthem "Voodoo Ray". Aniff was also a co-writer of Kirsty MacColl's hit "Walking Down Maddison" and general co-conspiritor of such 90's electronic luminaries as The Orb, Steve Hillage and The Beloved. He was also a co-writer of Ian Brown's "Set My Baby Free" and was one half of Backyard Dog, who wrote the UK Top 20 Hit "Baddest Roughest" which went on to become the Coca Cola World Cup Theme alongside being featured in Ali G's "In the House" and "Bend it Like Beckham" He was involved in The Ironweed Project and their song "Get on the Floor" featured in the Hollywood blockbuster 'How to Loose Friends and Alienate People'. Aniff continues to write and produce today for up and coming artists both nationally and internationally and he also enjoys doing occasional lectrues and conferences. In

In this podcast we chat with Sebastian Heeley, co-founder of the Manchester Gin Company who along with his now partner Jen Wiggins, set up Manchester Gin in May 2016.  Sebastian shares the love story behind the formation, growth and development of Manchester Gin, shares a few distilling secrets and shares his delight at such a young company already recieving an array of plaudits, recognitions and awards at international industry competitions. When Manchester Gin was born, it was in the dining room of a house that Jen and Seb had just bought. Now, the Spirit of Manchester Distillery occupies a space in the centre of the city where every bottle is hand-crafted and distilled in small batches courtesy of three copper ladies. Wendy after Jen’s beloved late mother, Victoria after the fabulous Victoria Wood and Emmeline after the iconic suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst in tribute to some of Manchester’s most inspirational women.

Part Two of a two-part podcast where we chat to acclaimed Manchester based singer, Rowetta about her life in Happy Mondays, her associations with some of the music world's greats and other interesting stories from one of the most sampled and powerful female singers on the planet! This interview was conducted at the offices of Forever Manchester who today occupy the same building as Manchester's famous Boardwalk, the very building where Happy Monday's, amongst others, cut their teeth! Rowetta is secret voice on the Black Eyed Peas worldwide hit. “Boom Boom Pow” She is also the voice on the renowned 1989 track "Reach Out", which has been sampled by many, including Steve Angello, DJ Zinc and Todd Terry to name but a few. Steve Angello and Laidback Luke used her voice for the hit dance tune “Be” which David Guetta and Hardwell often use it to open their dj sets, it is also used on the Steve Angello/Robin S hit “Show Me Love” Rowetta wrote the original with Sweet Mercy and it continues to be sampled and played

This is Part One of a two-part podcast where we chat to Manchester based singer, Rowetta about her life and love of music, her memories and experiences from School Hall's to Concert Halls, to life in Happy Mondays, her X-Factor adventure and other interesting stories from one of the most sampled and powerful female singers on the planet. This interview was conducted at the offices of Forever Mancheter who today occupy the same building that used to be home to The Boardwalk, the very place where Happy Monday's cut their teeth! Rowetta is secret voice on the Black Eyed Peas worldwide hit. “Boom Boom Pow” She is also the voice on the renowned 1989 track "Reach Out", which has been sampled by many, including Steve Angello, DJ Zinc and Todd Terry to name but a few.   Steve Angello and Laidback Luke used her voice for the hit dance tune “Be” which David Guetta and Hardwell often use it to open their dj sets, it is also used on the Steve Angello/Robin S hit “Show Me Love” Rowetta wrote the original with Sweet Merc

Part Two of a two-part podcast where we chat to Manchester based writer, broadcaster and DJ Dave Haslam about his love of music and his memories and experiences of venues such as the Boardwalk and the world famous Haçienda nightclub. We also touch on Dave's love of English, his books and writings, and his series of live and 'Close Up' onstage interviews that have featured many guests including Jarvis Cocker, Nile Rodgers and John Lydon to name but a few. The interview was conducted at the offices of Forever Mancheter who today occupy the same building that used to be home to The Boardwalk! Forever Manchester is a charity that funds and supports grass-root communtity activity across Greater Manchester, for more information please visit www.forevermanchester.com   

This is Part One of a two-part podcast where we chat to Manchester based writer, broadcaster and DJ Dave Haslam about his love of music, his memories and experiences of venues such as the Boardwalk and the world famous Haçienda nightclub. We also touch on Dave's love of English, his books and writings, and his series of live and 'Close Up' onstage interviews that have featured many guests including Jarvis Cocker, Nile Rodgers and John Lydon to name but a few. The interview was conducted at the offices of Forever Mancheter who today occupy the same building that used to be home to The Boardwalk! Forever Manchester is a charity that funds and supports grass-root communtity activity across Greater Manchester, for more information please visit www.forevermanchester.com   

Seven Months in 79 is an exhibition of interesting music related photographs taken by David Hunter and unseen for almost 40 years! In this podcast we chat to David about his love of music and a passion for photography culminating in the Seven Months in 79 exhibition at Eccles Community Art Gallery and featuring unique photographs of many names including The Specials, The Only Ones, The Human League, Joy Division, The Buzzcocks, Ian Dury & Dexy's Midnight Runners to name but a few!      

YARN is a crowd-sourced interactive poem curated by local community artist Kirsty Gbasai. The concept is to bring together people across Manchester, to become united in writing a poem that will document the current creativity of local residents and generating a unique peice of written creative art. Yarn is being constructred one sentence at a time, with each contributor generating a sentence inspired by the previous sentence and involving lots of people, from all walks of life in the generation of something unique and special! Forever Manchester recently chatted with Kirsty Gbasai about life and "Yarn" - Enjoy and get involved here: http://www.apoembymanchester.co.uk           

This is the story of 'This is the Place' - A poem originally commissioneed by Forever Manchester that became a symbol of resilience in the wake of the devastating atrocity at the Manchester Arena on May 22nd 2017.   

On Thursday 27th July 2017, Forever Manchester presented Tony Walsh "the poet who defined a city, with a poem that inspired the world” in a very special evening of performance poetry sponsored by OPUS 4 at Manchester’s legendary Frog and Bucket. The event raised £3,100 with all proceeds going to Forever Manchester to help fund and support community activity right across Greater Manchester. We hope you enjoy this special recording of 'An Evening with Tony Walsh' To see Forever Manchester’s upcoming events, check out: http//forevermanchester.com/events   

Following the Manchester Arena terror attack on May 22nd 2017, more than 60 Manchester creatives, including Peter Saville and Malcolm Garret, came together to turn Tony Walsh's ‘This is The Place’ poem into a book. The poem, originally written for Forever Manchester, gave language to our city in a moment when it wasn’t sure what to feel and This is the Place quickly became an iconic piece of literature, spreading across the globe as a symbol of defiance, unity and love. The resulting creative collaboration has materialised as a brilliant & unique hardback coffee table book that not only marks a tragic moment in time but equally looks forward with hope for our city alongside benefitting three significant charitable funds. In this interview, James Torry from Doodledoo Motion who initiated and headed up the development of the book, talks about what has become a truly unique creative project.  For more information on the book, including where you can purchase it, please visit: http//forevermanchester.com/

Forever Manchester's Terry Snowden speaks to artist Amy Coney, who raised an amazing £7,100 following the auction of her “Bee Love” artwork signed a huge range of local celebrities. The money raised goes to Forever Manchester and the We Love Manchester Emergency Fund. 'Bee Love' was created during a live ten-hour painting session and features the words taken from Tony Walsh’s “This is the Place”, the poem originally written for Forever Manchester about the communities in Greater Manchester that we support. We would like to take this opportunity to thank Amy for her fantastic effort and equally to thank all those who supported her in making "Bee Love" happen.