Stockport kicks off Town of Culture year

Stockport Council and partners have kicked off the borough’s year as Town of Culture with a day of free inclusive activities in the town centre.

At Stockport Moves, people of all ages and abilities came to the event to celebrate the joy of movement on July 2nd. The Mayor and Mayoress Cllr Graham Greenhalgh and Mrs Carol Greenhalgh, along with Vernon Bear and Chase the ACE monkey, started the Stockport Mile, with over 350 people crossing the finish line and gaining their well-deserved medal.

Supported by Stockport Council, several organisations across the borough including Stockport County Community Trust, Boost, Seashell, Life Leisure and Age UK worked with groups of people who are socially isolated, have long term health conditions and disabilities to ‘Move to a Mile’. The eight-week programme of walking and general fitness in the lead up to the event ensured everyone had the opportunity to be part of the Stockport Mile on the day and not just seasoned runners.

Race the Town saw selected Club runners from across Greater Manchester smash the mile course. Emilia Platt from East Cheshire & Tameside Harriers crossed the line in five minutes 32 seconds and Michael Manning from Oldham & Royton Harriers finishing in four minutes and 49 seconds to take the Men’s and Women’s top spots and trophies.

The atmosphere was buzzing as the people of Stockport came out to support the runners and enjoy the event. St Peter’s Square was bursting with energy and activities including boxing taster sessions and Muay Thai demonstrations from the Master Sken Academy, multi-games from Life Leisure, hockey skills from Bramhall Hockey Club, inclusive tennis from LUSU Sports and jaw dropping bike and scooter displays from the Extreme Mountain Bike Show.

There were stalls from a wide range of local organisations and plenty of inventive ways to get people moving from pedalling your own smoothie from ABL, testing your endurance on skiing ergs from Life Leisure, bike circuits from Bike Right and a chance to Beat the Goalie as Councillor Frankie Singleton donned her gloves and was put to the test by some great strikes from participants in the Stockport County speed cage.

Cllr Frankie Singleton, Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture and Sport, said:

“The event was such a huge success because people of all abilities and ages came together as a community to encourage and support each other. Getting Stockport Moving Together is hugely important for physical and mental health and the event showcased that activity and movement is joyous and open to everyone.”

Stockport Moves was the first major event as part of the town’s year as Greater Manchester Town of Culture. Community groups, creative and cultural enterprises, and other organisations are now being invited to apply for funding to deliver activities and initiatives that will form part of the programme of events taking places throughout the year – find out more here.