Jodrell Bank

Jodrell Bank Observatory in Cheshire hosts a number of radio telescopes as part of the Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics at the University of Manchester.

The observatory was established in 1945 by Bernard Lovell, a radio astronomer at the university, to investigate cosmic rays after his work on radar in the Second World War. It has since played an important role in the research of meteoroids, quasars, pulsars, masers, and gravitational lenses, and was heavily involved with the tracking of space probes at the start of the Space Age.

It took us just fifty minutes from Manchester by coach to arrive at this atmospheric place. We had to turn our telephones off or on flight mode whilst on site. A member of staff greeted us and distributed site maps and a timetable of events.

The first building we came to – the First Light Pavilion – featured the First Light Exhibition and the Space Dome which was showing a film “The Story of Jodrell Bank”. This architecturally-stunning building is the same shape and scale of the Lovell Telescope. The building also houses The Angle café where we had our lunch.

Despite some slight rain we explored the beautiful grounds and discovered the Whispering Dishes – a pair of dishes, separated by a distance, but in which whispers can be heard clearly.

Dominating the landscape is the amazing Lovell Telescope, the main telescope at the observatory. Its diameter of 250 ft (76 m) makes it the third largest steerable radio telescope in the world.

It was a very enjoyable day out and more photos can be seen here.

How We Met: ‘I Ordered a Book from his Shop so I Could Give Him my Phone Number’

Neil and Mark, both in their 60s, met at an LGBT+ bookshop in 1987, when Neil kept coming to browse the shelves and chat to the ‘hot clerk’. They hit it off on their first date and married in 2011.

Coming out wasn’t easy for Neil. Although he’d been on a few dates with men while studying at medical school, he worried about people’s reactions. By the spring of 1987 he finally plucked up the courage to tell his parents. “I was living in New York, working as a pathologist, and they were based in Connecticut,” he says. Before visiting them, he stopped to pick up a book that he hoped would help his parents to understand and accept his sexuality.

When he walked into A Different Light, a popular LGBT+ bookshop, he spotted Mark. “He helped me to find what I was looking for and I went to see my parents,” says Neil. “When I told a friend where I had been, he asked if I’d seen the ‘hot clerk’. I realised it was the man who served me.”

Neil returned to the shop soon after but didn’t feel comfortable asking for a date. “Instead, I ordered a book that I knew would take ages to arrive so I had to give him my phone number,” he laughs. Neil continued to return to the store over the next few weeks so he’d have an excuse to speak to Mark.

“We were chatting a lot but it became clear he just wasn’t going to ask me out,” says Mark. “Eventually I called him to ask if pathologists like beer and we went out for a drink.”

They hit it off straight away and went back to Mark’s apartment that night. But Neil already had a date with another man lined up for the next day. “I lied and told Mark I had an autopsy I had to do and that’s why I had to leave,” he says. “The date was really bad, though, and made me realise how much I liked Mark.” At the time, Neil was house sitting at a duplex apartment with a wine cellar. “I invited Mark to come and stay, and we spent the next few weeks together. It was like a honeymoon.”

When Neil moved back to his own apartment in Washington Heights, Mark came to stay. They ended up living there for five years, before moving to the East Village in 1992, then on to the Lower East Side in 2003, where they have lived ever since. A year after they began dating, Mark came out to his mother and introduced her to Neil. “She accepted it and eventually both our mothers became friends. I think they wanted to talk about us,” he laughs.

Although they loved going out with friends and exploring New York together, living in the shadow of the Aids crisis was hard. “We lost 75 friends and we went to a memorial service every week,” says Mark. “It wasn’t until the late 1980s that there were tests, so although people practised safe sex, you never really knew who was infected. In the 90s, I even wrote a play about gay life and activism.” Neil also remembers enjoying a lot of fun times. “The club scene was crazy. There was a feeling of living every moment like it was your last,” he says.

In 1992, they held a commitment ceremony, then married in 2011 when it became legal. “We never wanted a wedding because it seemed heteronormative, but we wanted to get married for legal and tax reasons,” says Neil. “We knew a rabbi and he married us. It was just him, two witnesses and some good food.”

Neil says that Mark is his favourite person. “Even when he’s in the toughest emotional state, he takes care of people. He is always supportive of the Jewish holidays I want to celebrate, as well as my interests.” Mark, for his part, is attracted to his partner’s intelligence. “The minute we met, there was a physical connection but also a profound intellectual connection,” he says. “We got together at a very difficult time but we’ve taken care of each other. I found someone who will always be there for me.”

Thursday, 18 April 8.00pm – LOUD Cabaret

A new monthly queer cabaret night hosted at The Met!

We’re delighted to announce a new queer cabaret night where we will be showcasing the most fabulous of rising stars from across Bury and beyond.

Expect tantalising musicians, side-splitting comedians, captivating dancers and a line-up of talented additions for your delight on a monthly basis. Thursdays have never been so exciting!

Our first event will feature Hunter Millington, who will present his one-man musical exploration of gender and their transition through a western lens. Expect rootin’ tootin’ Cowboys and Cowgirls and everything in-between. Ye-ha!

The event will be hosted by Nathaniel Hall and will also feature mandla rae and Minute Taker.

Supported by The Greater Manchester LGBTQ+ Network and Dibby Theatre

£11 standard / £9 subsidised / £13 supporters (including fees)

Standard What we need most people to pay.

Subsidised For people currently unable to pay the standard price.

Supporters The extra you pay goes directly towards the subsidised ticket option.

Doors open 7.00pm / first act on-stage 8.00pm

Book here