Good News Stories
Imperial War Museum North Wins Prestigious National
Tourism Award
Imperial War Museum North in Manchester has been named
among the top four large visitor attractions in the
country at the prestigious tourism 'Oscars'. Organised by
Visit Britain, the Enjoy England Awards for Excellence
2010 recognise the best of England's tourism and were
presented at a glittering awards ceremony in Brighton.
The Museum was celebrated as a great, free day out for all
the family as it won the Silver award for 'Large Visitor
Attraction of the Year'. It beat stiff competition to win
at both the Manchester and Northwest tourism awards in
2009, where the Museum was described by judges as 'a near
faultless visitor experience' and achieved one of the
highest mystery shop scores ever. The Museum was then
rigorously assessed to make it through to the national
shortlist, beating competition from distinguished
attractions such as The Eden Project, The National
Maritime Museum and The National Space Centre.
The award follows widespread critical acclaim for the
Imperial War Museum North's current exhibition, Shaped by
War: Photographs by Don McCullin, the largest ever UK
exhibition on the life and work of the world renowned
photographer. The exhibition features photographs and
objects, many of which are on display for the first time,
from more than 50 years of conflict photography.
Jim Forrester, Director, Imperial War Museum North said:
"The award reflects the dedication and commitment of the
staff and volunteers at Imperial War Museum North. We try
to run a thoughtful, well rounded service which gives
visitors the chance to explore the history of war and
conflict, and we are delighted that our service has been
recognised once again as one of the best in the country."
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Timperley Moat Restoration.
 South
Trafford Archaeology Group (STAG), after three years
preparation, succeeded with a bid to the Heritage Lottery
Fund (HLF) securing a grant of £44,400, intended to
restore public access to Timperley Moat (behind Altrincham
Golf club).
This has been matched by Trafford Council in a £30k
restoration of the 200 year old Georgian fruit wall built
on the site in 1801, which is related to the listed
Timperley Old Hall nearby.
The site is in the context of two other sites with
wildlife and historical heritage interest of local or
regional significance. These are King George V Pool and
the cobbled farm yard and Georgian Cow House and Hayloft.
The latter is a rare example of rapidly disappearing
agricultural heritage.
Works include: Installation of a metal bridge (to replace
a structure demolished by Trafford Council as unsafe),
landscape in-filling in centre of site, heritage fruit
wall repair, footpath work & interpretation materials on
history and wildlife.
STAG have excavated the site over the past ten years and
have found evidence of human occupation of the site
stretching back 4000 years. The final phase of the dig
continues this summer investigating medieval and later
remains. Visitors are welcome and the dates will be
advertised in Trafford’s Four Weeks of Culture programme.
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Young people take to the turf in cup challenge
Crowds of parents, youth workers, volunteers and PCSOs
were out cheering last weekend at the JJB Soccerdome in
Trafford Park as 28 teams of young people took to the turf
for the annual football Prevention Cup.
The competition was organised by Trafford's Youth
Offending Team as part of their commitment to providing
positive activities for young people during school
holidays and weekends in partnership with Tuf*c - a youth
group who support local young people who want to take part
in sporting and leisure activities.
Other local agencies also got on board including the
police, with PCSOs organising teams of young people from
Altrincham, Stretford and Lostock High Schools to play at
the event.
In the 12-14 year-olds competition 'S.L.C' took the title
with 'Stretstock Seniors' beating the holding champions to
take the Prevention Cup trophy for the year.
Plus, for the first time ever, the tournament saw four
female teams enter the competition, with 'Altrincham
Robins' taking the female competition title.
All the players were awarded medals for taking part and
the winning teams were also given trophies.
Executive Councillor Christine Turner said: "Well done to
all those who took part and congratulations to the winning
teams.
"Activities such as this bring communities together and
are a great way for young people to interact with each
other in a positive environment. The Positive Activities
for Young People Programme is providing opportunities for
all young people to take part in activities outside school
hours to deter them from just hanging around the streets."
Chief Inspector Robert Pell, of Greater Manchester
Police's Trafford Division, said: "Football is a great
tool of engagement and provides an excellent opportunity
for young people to develop their social skills in a
positive way.
"When asked, they often cite boredom and lack of amenities
as the reasons for them hanging around the streets, but
initiatives like this not only provide a constructive,
healthy and fun alternative, but also but also show young
people and their families that agencies are working
together to build relationships with the local community."
Enquiries about this news release should be directed to
newsdesk@trafford.gov.uk
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Hi, - Imperial War Museum North
Imperial War Museum North in Manchester has today been
named as one of the top large visitor attractions in the
country. I hope you will be interested in covering the
news; full press information is below. The Museum has been
short-listed for the prestigious Enjoy England Awards for
Excellence and stands to win either a Gold or Silver prize
in the Large Visitor Attraction category. It is the third
time in just seven years the Museum has been honoured at
the awards.
Imperial War Museum North has been short-listed after
receiving one of the highest mystery shop scores ever at
the North West Tourism awards last year. The Museum has
been short-listed just weeks after the opening of it’s
critically acclaimed special exhibition Shaped by War:
Photographs by Don McCullin.
Full Visit England and NWDA press releases attached, as
well as a photograph of Imperial War Museum North and
press information about the Museum and its forthcoming
exhibitions. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch for
more information, quotes or images.
Jim Forrester, Director at Imperial War Museum North,
said:
’Imperial War Museum North is a free, family-friendly
Museum which explores how war has shaped and changed
people’s lives over the last 90 years. By combining
interactive activities with our Big Picture AV shows and
major free exhibitions like the current Shaped by War:
Photographs by Don McCullin, we believe we offer a
powerful and memorable experience to all our visitors,
whatever their age or background. We are absolutely
delighted that, through this prestigious Award, our museum
has been recognised as one of England’s very best large
visitor attractions.’
Thanks,
Alex
Alex Knight
Press and PR Manager
Imperial War Museum North
FREE ENTRY / Open Daily 10am-6pm; Nov-Feb closes
5pm
OPEN NOW - Shaped By War: Photographs by Don
McCullin - from 6 February 2010
Winner - Large Visitor Attraction of the Year, Northwest
Tourism Awards 2009 & Large Visitor Attraction of the
Year, Manchester Tourism Awards 2009
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Timperley Band Making Good Progress
Timperley Band finished 2009 with a flourish, performing
several Christmas concerts including two very successful
nights at their ‘home concert venue' The Larkhill Centre
which were as popular as ever.
After a difficult few months for the band earlier on in
the year, the progress made by the players was clearly in
evidence and with new recruits including some very
talented younger players keen to make their mark, the band
is certainly sounding very good once again. Gary Winson
Band Chairman commented ‘‘we are now only looking to
recruit three players to have a full compliment, it would
be a fantastic opportunity for good standard trombone,
cornet & tuba players who want to play to a higher
standard to get in touch.
The band has some exciting plans for 2010 including
recording a CD and will be appearing in some major
competitions and also increasing the number of public
performances it will be a busy year", Gary added.
The band is also delighted to confirm Mr Alan Hobbins as
the band's new Musical Director. Gary explained, ‘The
wealth of experience Alan brings firstly as a highly
accomplished soprano cornet player at the top level and
the remarkable progress Alan has already made as a
conductor means Timperley can look forward to a bright
future".
Alan joined the cornet section of Brighouse & Rastrick
Band, becoming one the youngest players ever to join the
band at 13 years of age. He progressed his musical career
at Salford then Barnsley College to study conducting under
Major Peter Parkes and played with the some of the
country’s top brass bands including Fodens, Grimethorpe
Colliery and Williams Fairey Engineering.
As a player, Alan’s highlights have included touring
Brazil, Australia and Canada. Other memorable events have
been playing with The Beautiful South and featuring in the
film Brassed Off. Alan has also achieved successful wins
at: many of the major UK and European brass band
competitions.
Alan is looking forwards to raising the profile of
Timperley in the years to come both at contest and concert
arenas, and hope to build on previous achievements gained
by the band which are already impressive since it reformed
in 2005.
Keep in touch with what’s happening via the bands new
website address
www.timperleyband.org including forthcoming concerts.
Alternatively contact General Secretary Peter Harwood 0161
980 1761.
GRW
28 January 2009
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