My Latest Work
MIF ’25 Reviews: THE HERDS and A Single Man
THE HERDS
Totally subjective rating: 8/10 – because when else do you get to see an elephant wander past TK Maxx?
Who: 70 life-sized animal puppets, operated by local volunteers and crafted by The Walk Productions (of Little Amal fame) under artistic director Amir Nizar Zuabi.
Where: From Cathedral Gardens to Corporation Street (interrupting Manchester Camerata), through Exchange Squa...
Totally subjective rating: 8/10 – because when else do you get to see an elephant wander past TK Maxx?
Who: 70 life-sized animal puppets, operated by local volunteers and crafted by The Walk Productions (of Little Amal fame) under artistic director Amir Nizar Zuabi.
Where: From Cathedral Gardens to Corporation Street (interrupting Manchester Camerata), through Exchange Squa...
The Queen and the Queen Bey: a very British guide to popstardom
“No Kings” America shouts.
But for one Queen, public opinion isn’t so
hostile.
Four nights ago, Beyoncé wrapped up her sixth
night in Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to make her
way to a 3-night pitstop at the Stade-de-France
and then back to her queendom for the southern
leg of the Cowboy Carter Tour’s US dates.
But for one Queen, public opinion isn’t so
hostile.
Four nights ago, Beyoncé wrapped up her sixth
night in Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to make her
way to a 3-night pitstop at the Stade-de-France
and then back to her queendom for the southern
leg of the Cowboy Carter Tour’s US dates.
Lily Wallen speaks to Morgan Sports Car Club Chair Jann Robinson
How many of us can say with certainty that we’re truly,
unwaveringly, obsessed with the nuts and bolts of our jobs?
If I had previously thought I could place myself in that
camp; after an hour in the passenger seat of Jann Robinson’s
motoring world, I realised that few of us embody the meaning
of ‘vocation’ more than her.
“I’ve just driven back from Yorkshire, so apologies,” she says,
then, as if to prove the point, “I’m in my ’jamas.”
When we speak on a Monday evening, Jann has just
completed a drive from Yorkshire to Malvern, returning from
the Morgan Sports Car Club’s Annual General Meeting, held
over the preceding weekend.
unwaveringly, obsessed with the nuts and bolts of our jobs?
If I had previously thought I could place myself in that
camp; after an hour in the passenger seat of Jann Robinson’s
motoring world, I realised that few of us embody the meaning
of ‘vocation’ more than her.
“I’ve just driven back from Yorkshire, so apologies,” she says,
then, as if to prove the point, “I’m in my ’jamas.”
When we speak on a Monday evening, Jann has just
completed a drive from Yorkshire to Malvern, returning from
the Morgan Sports Car Club’s Annual General Meeting, held
over the preceding weekend.
What’s on in Liverpool: June 2025
Hello, June. The month of the longest day and, quite possibly, the fullest festival fields in the calendar. With (hopefully) the best weather of the year comes the pressure to make the most of it. But don’t worry, Liverpool Confidential has done the planning for you.
From top-tier tribute acts to star-crossed lovers and standout summer sport, here’s your guide to what’s on in Liverpool this June....
From top-tier tribute acts to star-crossed lovers and standout summer sport, here’s your guide to what’s on in Liverpool this June....
What’s on in Manchester: June 2025 | Manchester Confidential
Whether you’re easing into summer with a brass band in a botanical garden, getting lost in a 360-degree painting, or dancing off exam stress in a sweaty basement, the city has something to suit every mood and tempo this month. Expect a mix of free community festivals, theatrical heavy-hitters, day parties with a nostalgic twist and art that invites you to see the familiar in totally new ways.
Front Page 11/04: Look for a Book, La Discotheque and Classic Cars by the river
Look for a Book ahead of Festival of Libraries
Festival of Libraries returns to Greater Manchester’s libraries from 4 June to 8 June, with the likes of Children’s Laureate Frank Cottrell-Boyce and scientist and stargazer Dame Maggie Aderin-Pocock taking part.
Ahead of the festival will be the Look for a Book challenge, from Friday 23 May to Sunday 1 June, where 500 copies of Dame Maggie’...
Festival of Libraries returns to Greater Manchester’s libraries from 4 June to 8 June, with the likes of Children’s Laureate Frank Cottrell-Boyce and scientist and stargazer Dame Maggie Aderin-Pocock taking part.
Ahead of the festival will be the Look for a Book challenge, from Friday 23 May to Sunday 1 June, where 500 copies of Dame Maggie’...
Navigators opens South Manchester hub
In response to a growing number of young people across South Manchester using their alternative education service, Navigators has opened a new community learning centre and activity hub in Wythenshawe to support young people who are missing from mainstream education.
Aiming to provide a stable learning environment for hard-to-reach young people, Navigators' expansion strengthens their position as a leading provider of specialist education in...
Aiming to provide a stable learning environment for hard-to-reach young people, Navigators' expansion strengthens their position as a leading provider of specialist education in...
Front Page 14/02: Marr’s guitars, Moovin lineup, and Mozz’ return
Stockport’s Foodie Friday to host Strawberry Studios celebration
Foodie Friday, Stockport’s monthly street food festival, has revealed the lineup for its Strawberry Studios Forever Celebration Concert, promising a night dedicated to music recorded at the iconic Strawberry Recording Studio.
Due to start at 7.30pm on Monday 31 March at The Plaza, concertgoers can expect performances from P...
Foodie Friday, Stockport’s monthly street food festival, has revealed the lineup for its Strawberry Studios Forever Celebration Concert, promising a night dedicated to music recorded at the iconic Strawberry Recording Studio.
Due to start at 7.30pm on Monday 31 March at The Plaza, concertgoers can expect performances from P...
Do you have a New Year’s Resolution?
New Year’s Resolutions. Why do we do it to ourselves? Surely another year under the belt is accomplishment enough, and we should give ourselves (and each other) a big pat on the back?
But a goal in life can be a good thing, be it cutting down on the fags, ditching that kings ransom of a TV subscription and picking up a book, or even - god forbid - taking up exercise.
Lily Wallen went ou...
But a goal in life can be a good thing, be it cutting down on the fags, ditching that kings ransom of a TV subscription and picking up a book, or even - god forbid - taking up exercise.
Lily Wallen went ou...
Lily Wallen laments on the state of British Overseas Territories after a month in Turks and Caicos
October saw the UK’s commitment to its Overseas Territories make headlines. As Starmer relinquished British control of the Chagos Islands and made a shaky appearance at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, it became apparent that the fresh Labour government will maintain the business-as-usual approach to Commonwealth allies and Crown Territories. That is, sidestepping Commonwealth demands for reparative justice just to periodically reassure Britain that its hold of over a dozen Overseas Territories isn’t going anywhere.
‘A love letter to raving’: Amber’s, reviewed
Two years ago I was on a night out at Canvas - the club space below Circle Square that is now the much-hyped Ambers nightclub which operates a much-publicised no-photos policy.
The DJ, Jyoty, was mid-set when she launched into a TED Talk-style tirade against the sea of phones raised in front of the crowd’s faces. A real atmosphere killer.
Almost two years on to the day I had been grante...
The DJ, Jyoty, was mid-set when she launched into a TED Talk-style tirade against the sea of phones raised in front of the crowd’s faces. A real atmosphere killer.
Almost two years on to the day I had been grante...
Main Library Musings - Rant column #2 - The Mancunion
Sainsburys. See the burgundy and orange, hear the klaxon-like malfunction of the self-services, feel the money drain from your pocket.
I’m sure, if you’re a Fallowfield or Withington based student, just the name of the place invokes the despair of lumbering down those flat escalators with a dissociative stare, thinking to yourself, “how did I actually just spend £25 when all I came in for was mayo?”
Since moving into Oak House almost three years ago, big Sainsbury’s has been a looming monolith in my cheap little student life. It may as well change its big orange sign to say, “I don’t know how I ended up here; I’m literally the worst option for students.”
Big Sainsbury’s offers absolutely no bang for your buck. I mean drop an M&S in the middle of Fallowfield and I definitely still wouldn’t shop there, but at least I could galivant around the aisles, ogling at their latest flavour of “the absolute best of the best, scrumptious pink lemonade” or whatever, and fantasise about the life I wish I was leading.
I’m sure, if you’re a Fallowfield or Withington based student, just the name of the place invokes the despair of lumbering down those flat escalators with a dissociative stare, thinking to yourself, “how did I actually just spend £25 when all I came in for was mayo?”
Since moving into Oak House almost three years ago, big Sainsbury’s has been a looming monolith in my cheap little student life. It may as well change its big orange sign to say, “I don’t know how I ended up here; I’m literally the worst option for students.”
Big Sainsbury’s offers absolutely no bang for your buck. I mean drop an M&S in the middle of Fallowfield and I definitely still wouldn’t shop there, but at least I could galivant around the aisles, ogling at their latest flavour of “the absolute best of the best, scrumptious pink lemonade” or whatever, and fantasise about the life I wish I was leading.
Community strength is the best thing about university. Long-live my house share! - The Mancunion
It’s once again approaching the best day of the year. Spirits are joyously high around campus, wardrobes are ransacked for any thread of green glimmering from the depths, and The Vic is probably changing its kegs as you read this. No, Santa Claus isn’t coming to town; St Patrick is due to hop off the 143 at any moment, and I couldn’t be happier about it.
The university experience has taught me a lot about essays, Londoners, and the uselessness of an umbrella in a Mancunian storm. But perhaps my...
The university experience has taught me a lot about essays, Londoners, and the uselessness of an umbrella in a Mancunian storm. But perhaps my...
Main Library Musings - Rant column #1 - The Mancunion
Have you ever experienced such a profound, mind-boggling thirst that the dryness of your mouth could rival Jesus’ after 40-days-and-40-nights in the Judaean Dessert? No? Well, I have, and it was in Blue 3.
When will people stop using the second stream of the water fountain as the first is already in use? Yes, I know there are 3 available taps on the fountain. No, that doesn’t mean all 3 should be used simultaneously, reducing the rate of water to no more than a measly dribble.
It’s seriously painful. There I am just trying to fill up my £2 Primark bottle in peace and suddenly I’m choosing between weirdly tense eye contact or watching water fill my bottle at the speed of a 142 during rush hour.
When will people stop using the second stream of the water fountain as the first is already in use? Yes, I know there are 3 available taps on the fountain. No, that doesn’t mean all 3 should be used simultaneously, reducing the rate of water to no more than a measly dribble.
It’s seriously painful. There I am just trying to fill up my £2 Primark bottle in peace and suddenly I’m choosing between weirdly tense eye contact or watching water fill my bottle at the speed of a 142 during rush hour.
Former University of Manchester student jailed for Just Stop Oil activity - The Mancunion
University of Manchester alum Phoebe Plummer faces six months in prison following their arrest at a slow march for Just Stop Oil in London. Their hearing took place on November 16.
The 22-year-old, who first garnered media attention last year with their defacement of a van Gogh painting using soup, is to be remanded in prison until May 16, 2024.
They will put forward their plea at Southwark Crown Court on November 30.
Plummer was remanded under Public Order Act 2023, section 7 by Judge McDonell...
The 22-year-old, who first garnered media attention last year with their defacement of a van Gogh painting using soup, is to be remanded in prison until May 16, 2024.
They will put forward their plea at Southwark Crown Court on November 30.
Plummer was remanded under Public Order Act 2023, section 7 by Judge McDonell...
Solidarity pop-up gig hosted in support of University occupiers - The Mancunion
Supporters of the University of Manchester (UoM) Rent Strike held a pop-up gig on February 14, in solidarity with the ongoing building occupations and wider strikes happening across campus.
The gig started at 3pm under the arch of Whitworth Hall, with a performance from Vice Vera, a member of Manchester Metropolitan University’s (MMU) UCU. This was followed by singer OORYA, who finished just after 4pm.
Crowds from various societies – such as Manchester Leftist Action, Occupation Solidarity, and...
The gig started at 3pm under the arch of Whitworth Hall, with a performance from Vice Vera, a member of Manchester Metropolitan University’s (MMU) UCU. This was followed by singer OORYA, who finished just after 4pm.
Crowds from various societies – such as Manchester Leftist Action, Occupation Solidarity, and...
Stagecoach works 'magic' to combat campus congestion - The Mancunion
UCU members join thousands on "Walk Out Wednesday" - The Mancunion
UCU members at the University of Manchester joined thousands of striking workers in St Peter’s Square on February 1, following a morning of picketing around campus.
The was the first of 18 days of strike action after, in the words of UCU members, an “insulting” and “humiliating 3% pay offer”.
Strikers sported signs reading “on strike to win back my pension”. One member stated the need for the University to provide a more generous pension scheme than the decreased package enforced by university e...
The was the first of 18 days of strike action after, in the words of UCU members, an “insulting” and “humiliating 3% pay offer”.
Strikers sported signs reading “on strike to win back my pension”. One member stated the need for the University to provide a more generous pension scheme than the decreased package enforced by university e...
UoM research supports Burnham's claim - "devolution in Manchester is working" - The Mancunion
A recent study conducted by University of Manchester researchers has found an encouraging link between devolution and a rise in life expectancy around Greater Manchester, supporting Mayor Andy Burnham’s claim that devolution is working.
These findings, published in The Lancet, state life expectancy was 0.2 years higher between 2017-19 in Greater Manchester, compared to a control group made up of members from the rest of England. Researchers accredited this to the “devolution deal” agreed in 2014...
These findings, published in The Lancet, state life expectancy was 0.2 years higher between 2017-19 in Greater Manchester, compared to a control group made up of members from the rest of England. Researchers accredited this to the “devolution deal” agreed in 2014...
