LGBT+ History Walking Tour
Twenty five members of Out In The City met at the Vimto Monument after enjoying lunch at Via on Canal Street. There we were met by our guide, Joshua Val Martin.
Josh gave us an entertaining and very educative talk about LGBT+ history in Manchester. I learnt a lot but one thing that I recall is that “Vimto is an anagram of Vomit.” (Sorry). Vimto is a soft drink invented in Manchester in 1908, containing the juice of grapes, raspberries and blackcurrants, flavoured with herbs and spices. The concoction formula is a guarded trade secret with only four people appointed in keeping the recipe.
We made various stops in Sackville Park, Canal Street, Bloom Street and outside the mural on Richmond Street. Josh is a veteran walk guide – he has been doing this for eleven years – and he delighted us with stories and anecdotes from the Gay Village.
It was a superb day out.
See more photos here.
Prestwich Pride returns
Prestwich Pride is back this summer (Thursday 6 to Sunday 9 August) with a four day programme that brings the village together, filling local venues and community spaces with queer culture, creativity and connection.
Now in its fifth year, Prestwich Pride has grown by staying rooted in the place it calls home. Built with local people, venues and businesses, the weekend blends music, performance, participation and fundraising into a Pride shaped by its community.
Events will take place across Prestwich at venues including Cuckoo, Wallop, Hideout and Panama Hatty’s, each hosting a different part of the programme.
The celebrations began on Thursday 6 August with the return of Drag Me To The Quiz with Miss Blair at Hideout Bar. Our Out In The City team scored 36.5 out of a possible 50, but we only came sixth.
Pride that gives back
Fundraising remains central to Prestwich Pride. The annual Prestwich Pride Raffle returns with prizes donated by local businesses and national partners, raising money for LGBTQ+ charities including George House Trust who inspire people living with HIV to live healthy and confident lives, and also Out In The City a local Manchester support group for over 50s LGBTQ+.
Rooted in place
Matthew Cooper, Director and Communications Lead for Prestwich Pride, said: “Prestwich Pride has grown by staying true to the community around it. This year’s programme brings together local venues, established names from Manchester’s queer nightlife and emerging Northern talent, all while raising money for causes that matter. It’s a Pride built with its community, and that’s exactly how we want it to feel.”
NHS Greater Manchester Public Consultations
Proposed changes to adult cardiac surgery services
Cardiac surgery treats serious problems with the heart and major blood vessels. The proposal is to have one specialist centre at Manchester Royal Infirmary.
If you want to have your say, please complete the survey here.
Proposed changes to adult vascular surgery services
Vascular surgery treats conditions affecting blood vessels such as arteries and veins. Their preferred option is to have a single centre at Wythenshawe Hospital.
If you want to have your say, please complete the survey here.
Both consultations are now open and will run until Tuesday, 22 September 2026.
This is an opportunity for patients, carers, staff and members of the public to have their say on the future of these services before any decisions are made.
These consultations are about your views
NHS Greater Manchester want to hear about what you think about the plans, before making a final decision.
They want to understand:
- What matters most to you
- How the changes may affect you or your community
- Whether you think that they’ve missed anything important.
All feedback will be carefully reviewed and will help inform the final decision.
Guncles Day falls on Sunday, 9 August 2026 – yes, it’s a thing AND it includes your lesbian aunts, gay godfather, queer and chosen family – all those who love and support you.