Stamford Square in Altrincham is being transformed into a “Not So Secret Garden” sustainable social hub this summer – and a programme of live music, events and workshops gets underway from Friday.
We revealed last month how the square between WHSmith and the former Rackhams is being turned into a green suburban oasis with seating areas centred around a solar-powered pergola, complete with seating, festoon lighting and a lush flower wall.
Now the Bruntwood Works and Trafford Council, the Stamford Quarter’s joint owners, have revealed the full line-up of events for the opening weekend.
Opening Weekend Programme
Friday 4th June
From 4pm: Art Jam hosted by Mural Life MCR and Qubek Manchester
Local street artist Qubek Manchester of Mural Life will host a live art jam, turning their ideas into something incredible right before your eyes.
From 6pm: Stutter & Twitch Presents… Buffalo Brother
Ten-piece funk and soul band Buffalo Brother will be playing three 30-minute sets at 6pm, 7pm and 8pm.
Saturday 5th June
10am – 1:30pm: Seed postcard making workshop hosted by Inch Arts
Join local arts organisation Inch Arts as they host the first in their series of Sustainable Workshops, aimed at children of all ages.
Participants will be shown how to create their own seed postcard in response to the question ‘What does a garden mean to you?’ using either words, poetry, drawing or collage.
All equipment will be provided. Booking required – RSVP to info@inch-arts.co.uk.
2 – 6pm: Live cookery demo by Northern food hero Robert Owen Brown
Robert Owen Brown, head chef at the acclaimed 1850 The Hinchcliffe in Hebden Bridge and panellist on Radio 4’s Kitchen Cabinet, will be hosting three live cookery demos with support from named local and regional chefs.
Using a selection of the finest, locally sourced ingredients, Rob and his team will be showing you how to cook up an array of incredible, seasonal dishes that you can replicate from the comfort of your own home.
From 6pm: Stutter & Twitch presents… Hot Singles Club
A red hot Funk & Soul DJ Set will be hosted by the wonderful Hot Singles Club, playing everything from the symphonies of long forgotten stoned soul to the esoteric jerkers of world Taboosique.
Sunday 6th June
11am: HIIT Fitness session hosted by Stamford Quarter’s OrangeTheory
Get ready to sweat with this 30-minute FREE HIIT class from the expert team over at Orangetheory Fitness.
The coach will guide the group through a range of paces, from resting to challenging, explaining when to push harder and when to pull back for recovery. The goal is to elevate heart rates, boost metabolisms and burn fat!
The classes are designed to appeal to all participants no matter the age or fitness level. All participants will receive a special Orangetheory goody bag complete with a keyring, mini band, water, pen, pedometer and a seven-day free pass to try their classes in the studio.
Booking required here.
12 – 4pm: Flower-making workshop hosted by Inch Arts
Local arts organisation Inch Arts will host the first in a series of sustainable workshops, aimed at children of all ages. Participants will be invited to create their own beautiful bouquet of paper flowers, using a varied colour palette and a variety of materials. The results will go on display all over the town.
All equipment will be provided. Booking required – RSVP to info@inch-arts.co.uk.
Throughout the weekend there’ll also be pop-up street food guests Bon Street food serving up gorgeous Afro Carribean grub and boozy ice cream from a baby pink tuk tuk courtesy of “A Few Scoops”.
The opening weekend events will kick off an ongoing series of activity at the Not So Secret Garden including live music every Friday from Stutter and Twitch, free fitness sessions with Orangetheory and regular sustainability and wellness workshops throughout the six month duration of the Not So Secret Garden.
The space will take over the whole of the Square, joining Stutter & Twitch to further animate this previously under-used part of Altrincham town centre, and providing a new green public space for shoppers, families and visitors to enjoy.
