Forever Manchester Meets...

Here we catch up for a chat with multi-award winning director and freelance film-maker Jason Wingard whose latest release 'Eaten by Lions' starring Antonio Aakeel, Jack Carroll, Asim Chaudhry & Johnny Vegas to name a few, is currently in cinemas and receiving great reviews. In this Forever Manchester Meets chat Jason talks candidly about all aspects of his life from being a Manchester City apprentice footballer and becoming a professional soccer player in the States through to being a professional stand-up comedian and his passion for making films. You can listen and subscribe to this podcast on iTunes or Spotify where you can also check out all the Forever Manchester Meets episodes. - ENJOY!

Here we catch up with professional rally driver and one of Forever Manchester's youngest ambassadors Chris Ingram who chats candidly about his ambition to become a recognised champion and the challenges he faces chasing his dream. In 2012 Chris won the Motor Sports Association Young Driver of the Year Award and is three time winner of the European Rally Championship ‘Colin McRae - Flat Out’ Award. He signed with Peugeot UK in 2014 for the European Rally Championship, becoming one of the youngest manufacturer-backed rally drivers ever! After two seasons with Peugeot he signed with Opel Motorsport winning the FIA ERC 3 Title and scoring five-consecutive podiums. In 2017 Chris won the FIA Junior Rally Championship title and as an ambassador Chris is very keen to help Forever Manchester continue to drive forward. You can listen and subscribe to this podcast on iTunes or Spotify where you can also check out all the Forever Manchester Meets episodes.

Here we catch up with Restaurateur David Fox for a candid chat about his life and career from being brought up in West Yorkshire and West Africa to launching his first Tampopo restaurant in Albert Square in 1997. David's story takes in the transition from accountancy to restaurant life and includes anecdotes involving the IRA Bomb, Posh & Becks', Ian Brown, Uri Geller & Tony Wilson.  Almost twenty years on, Tampopo has three sites in Manchester – Albert Square, Corn Exchange and the Trafford Centre, with a fourth in London. You can also listen and subscribe on iTunes or Spotify for a full list of all Forever Manchester Meets episodes.

Here we catch up with actress Julie Hesmondalgh to chat candidly about her life as an actress including 15 years as Soap Opera’s first transgender character Hayley Cropper. Hayley tackled everything from gender recognition and picking knickers to pancreatic cancer and assisted suicide in Coronation Street. Julie also shares her memories of amazing teachers and drama schools, building a theatre in a basement, being a street cleaner and receiving the freedom of Accrington & Hyndburn. Julie is about to perform Mother Courage at Manchester’s Royal Exchange Theatre and has a new book ‘Julie Hesmondhalgh – A Working Diary’ just published by Methuen Drama. Listen and subscribe on iTunes or Spotify for a full list of all episodes of Forever Manchester Meets.

This is Part Two of Forever Manchester meets Aniff Akinola, renowned vocalist, producer and one half of cult Manc hip-hop outfit ‘Chapter and the Verse’.Aniff was one of the co-writer's of A Guy Called Gerald classic Voodoo Ray and here he continues his chats about life in the music industry and working with many well known faces including Kirsty McColl and having his songs performed by the likes of Ian Brown. Listen and subscribe on iTunes or see below for a full list of all episodes of Forever Manchester Meets.

In this chat, Forever Manchester meets Aniff Akinola, renowned vocalist, producer and one half of cult Manc hip-hop outfit ‘Chapter and the Verse’.Aniff was one of the co-writer's of A Guy Called Gerald classic Voodoo Ray and here he chats candidly about his life in the music industry and working with many well known faces including Kirsty McColl. Listen and subscribe on iTunes or look below for a full list of all episodes of Forever Manchester Meets.

This episode of Forever Manchester meets features a candid chat with wit, wordsmith & celebrated Manchester poet Tony Walsh. Tony talks about his life and work experiences, performance poetry and the trauma of being a victim in an armed robbery. He also talks about commissions for Manchester United and BBC Blue Peter's recent 60th anniversary and a performance at Stalin's Penis! This podcast also features a full length (rarely heard) version of Tony's poem 'Silver Sparks', written in celebration of Forever Manchester's 25th Anniversary in 2015

Forever Manchester's James Hampson meets Comedian, Podcaster and Crumpsall born Rachel Fairburn who talks about getting started in Standup, overcoming shyness and touring America.Rachel is also co-host of the huge podcast 'All Killa, No Filla' and discusses how she created a massive cult following with fellow comedian, Kiri Pritchard-McLean and also chats about supporting Forever Manchester with a performance at Forever Funny.

Jacqueline Ward is a best selling author from Manchester who can boast a wealth of knowledge alongside many life experiences. Jacqueline is also a Chartered Psychologist and Chartered Scientist whose debut psychological thriller 'Perfect Ten' the explosive story of one woman's search for revenge, which has just been published and became a Best Seller in its first week of release! Here Forever Manchester meets Jacqueline for a chat about her life experiences and a love of writing.

Ian Cheeseman is a broadcaster, commentator and author who is well known to Manchester City fans as a passionate fan and specialist reporter on all things Citeh! Ian spent more than 20 years at the BBC as their dedicated Manchester City reporter and was also once the club's official stadium annoucer and their original video commentator. In Part Two of this frank and candid inerview Forever Manchester chats to Ian about his early years and uncover his childhood dream of being a Manchester City football commentator and a journey that included a life changing interview with Barry Manilow and the forming of a strong and loyal freindship with Colin Bell. Forever Manchester is a charity that funds and supports community activity across Greater Manchester. Check out www.forevermanchester.com to find out more!

Ian Cheeseman is a broadcaster, commentator and author who is well known to Manchester City fans as a passionate fan and specialist reporter on all things Citeh! Ian spent more than 20 years at the BBC as their dedicated Manchester City reporter and was also once the club's official stadium annoucer and their original video commentator.   In this frank and candid two part inerview Forever Manchester chats to Ian about his early years and uncover his childhood dream of being a Manchester City football commentator and a journey that included a life changing interview with Barry Manilow and the forming of a strong and loyal freindship with Colin Bell.   Forever Manchester is a charity that funds and supports community activity across Greater Manchester. Check out www.forevermanchester.com to find out more!

Safety4Sisters is an amazing grassroots Manchester-based women’s organisation that support vulnerable migrant women who cannot access safe accommodation or welfare support and who are experiencing gender-based violence. Here we chat to Sandhya Sharma about her life and work, campaiging activities, an inclusive Manchester and the importance and role of grass root organisations like Safety 4 Sisters. Forever Manchester is a charity that funds and supports community activity across Greater Manchester. Check out www.forevermanchester.com to find out more!

This is Part One of a two-part podcast where we chat to Manchester based singer, Rowetta about her life and love of music, her memories and experiences from School Hall's to Concert Halls, to life in Happy Mondays, her X-Factor adventure and other interesting stories from one of the most sampled and powerful female singers on the planet. This interview was conducted at the offices of Forever Mancheter who today occupy the same building that used to be home to The Boardwalk, the very place where Happy Monday's cut their teeth! Rowetta is secret voice on the Black Eyed Peas worldwide hit. “Boom Boom Pow”She is also the voice on the renowned 1989 track "Reach Out", which has been sampled by many, including Steve Angello, DJ Zinc and Todd Terry to name but a few. Steve Angello and Laidback Luke used her voice for the hit dance tune “Be” which David Guetta and Hardwell often use it to open their dj sets, it is also used on the Steve Angello/Robin S hit “Show Me Love” Rowetta wrote the original with Sweet Mercy and it continues to be sampled and played globally today.Cheryl Cole also sampled Rowetta on her Brits performance of 'Fight For This Love" Rowetta is also the original female singer with the recently reformed Madchester band, Happy Mondays, singing on all their hits, and touring the world. She played herself in the Michael Winterbottom film 24 Hour Party People and was Simon Cowell’s favourite and the last lady standing in the UK’s very first X Factor in 2004. She has collaborated with many house producers including Lights Out feat Rowetta with Tom Stephan and Pete Gleadell on New York label, Nervous Records and No More Comin' Down with J Nitti on Dos or Die (Unlimited Sounds) with remixes by Darude. Rowetta also sings with Peter Hook (Joy Division/New Order) and his new band The Light and was the lead singer on the EP 1102/2011. Rowetta also performs and is a big hit at all the UK Gay Prides including London, Manchester and Brighton. She has also headlined the infamous, G-A-Y night twice. Rowetta has toured with the Hacienda party including Graeme Park, Todd Terry, Marshall Jefferson, Mike Pickering and many more with performances in Japan, Thailand and Dubai alongside many Hacienda parties in the UK.New Years Eve 2013 saw Rowetta at the Albert Hall, Manchester where she shared the stage to sing with the legendary Frankie Knuckles. Recent collaborations will see releases with Eddie Le Funk, Mirror People & Shimi Sonic, as well as her own live funk band while recent releases include on Cr2 Records: Alex Gray & Rowetta “It’s All About House Music’; FSOE: Will Atkinson & Rowetta“Mesmerise”; Zulu Records: My Digital Enemy feat Rowetta “It Would Be”Greco feat Rowetta: ‘BE' was named as one of Billboard's Top 20 House and Techno tracks of 2017. Rowetta currently tourws with Happy Mondays and Hacienda Classical as well as performing solo. Days after the Manchester bomb, Rowetta was asked to perform on The Andrew Marr Show with Manchester Camerata strings as a tribute to the victims and along with Peter Hook, they led a minute’s silence at the opening of Glastonbury, before performing with Hacienda Classical and they also led a fitting tribute at The Royal Albert Hall. Rowetta is also involved with and an ambassador of many charities and is passionate about Manchester. She fronted the ‘End the Fear’ campaign with Greater Manchester Police and continues to work with domestic violence support groups. Forever Manchester is a charity that raises money to fund and support community activity across Greater Manchester, for more information please visit www.forevermanchester.com Forever Manchester is a charity that raises money to fund and support grass-root community activity across Greater Manchester, for more information please visit www.forevermanchester.com

This is the seconfd part of a two-part podcast where we chat to Manchester based singer, Rowetta about her life and love of music, her memories and experiences from School Hall's to Concert Halls, to life in Happy Mondays, her X-Factor adventure and other interesting stories from one of the most sampled and powerful female singers on the planet.This interview took place at the offices of Forever Mancheter who today occupy the same building that used to be home to The Boardwalk, the very place where Happy Monday's cut their teeth!Rowetta is secret voice on the Black Eyed Peas worldwide hit. “Boom Boom Pow” and is also the voice on the renowned 1989 track "Reach Out", which has been sampled by many, including Steve Angello, DJ Zinc and Todd Terry to name but a few. Steve Angello and Laidback Luke used Rowetta's voice for the hit dance tune “Be” which David Guetta and Hardwell often use it to open their dj sets, it is also used on the Steve Angello/Robin S hit “Show Me Love”. The original version was written by Rowetta with Sweet Mercy and it continues to be sampled and played globally today.Rowetta is also the original female singer with the recently reformed Madchester band, Happy Mondays, singing on all their hits, and touring the world. She played herself in the Michael Winterbottom film 24 Hour Party People and was Simon Cowell’s favourite and the last lady standing in the UK’s very first X Factor in 2004.Rowetta is also involved with and an ambassador of many charities and is passionate about Manchester.Forever Manchester is a charity that raises money to fund and support community activity across Greater Manchester, for more information please visit www.forevermanchester.com

This is Part One of a two-part podcast where we chat to Manchester based writer, broadcaster and DJ Dave Haslam about his love of music, his memories and experiences of venues such as the Boardwalk and the world famous Haçienda nightclub. We also touch on Dave's love of English, his books and writings, and his series of live and 'Close Up' onstage interviews that have featured many guests including Jarvis Cocker, Nile Rodgers and John Lydon to name but a few.The interview was conducted at the offices of Forever Manchester who today occupy the same building that used to be home to The Boardwalk!Forever Manchester is a charity that raises money to fund and support community activity across Greater Manchester, for more information please visit www.forevermanchester.com

This is Part Two a two-part podcast where we chat to Manchester based writer, broadcaster and DJ Dave Haslam about his love of music, his memories and experiences of venues such as the Boardwalk and the world famous Haçienda nightclub. We also touch on Dave's love of English, his books and writings, and his series of live and 'Close Up' onstage interviews that have featured many guests including Jarvis Cocker, Nile Rodgers and John Lydon to name but a few.The interview was conducted at the offices of Forever Manchester who today occupy the same building that used to be home to The Boardwalk!Forever Manchester is a charity that raises money to fund and support community activity across Greater Manchester, for more information please visit www.forevermanchester.com

Miki Christie is a Forever Manchester Ambassador and Oldham born businesswomen. Miki owns a number of businesses in Manchester's iconic Afflecks Palace including Manc and Proud, the clothing brand dedicated to celebrating all the great things about Greater Manchester. Manc and Proud recently started stocking a wide range of Forever Manchester merchandise, with profits directly helping us to fund and support community activity across Greater Manchester. Miki talks about her first job in Afflecks and her passion for Manchester, it's communities and why she loves this great city and its people. This really is one for anyone wanting to hear a great Mancunian speak with true passion about the place she loves. Forever Manchester is a charity that raises money to fund and support community activity across Greater Manchester, for more information please visit www.forevermanchester.com

Col Skinner is a Digital Marketing Consultant and founder of the Profoundary consultancy. Col also supports Forever Manchester through the sale of items at an online shop called GRAFT which started after Col started producing items to celebrate our wonderful city following the tragedy of the Manchetser Arena bombing. In this podcast Col talks about his early years, his work, the development of GRAFT and his support for Forever Manchester. Forever Manchester is a charity that raises money to fund and support community activity across Greater Manchester, for more information please visit www.forevermanchester.com

In this podcast we chat with Sebastian Heeley, co-founder of the Manchester Gin Company who along with his now partner Jen Wiggins, set up Manchester Gin in May 2016.Sebastian tells of the love story behind the formation, growth and development of Manchester Gin, shares a few distilling secrets and expresses his delight at such a young company already recieving an array of plaudits, recognitions and awards at international industry competitions.Manchester Gin was born in the dining room of a house that Jen and Seb had just bought. Now, the Spirit of Manchester Distillery occupies a space in the centre of the city where every bottle is hand-crafted and distilled in small batches courtesy of three copper 'ladies', Wendy after Jen’s beloved late mother, Victoria after the fabulous Victoria Wood and Emmeline after the iconic suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst in tribute to some of Manchester’s most inspirational women. Forever Manchester is a charity that raises money to fund and support community activity across Greater Manchester, for more information please visit www.forevermanchester.com