Euston station, London - destination, Manchester.
The trip up to Manchester is something of a pilgrimage for us queer folk. Not the penitent kind of course; why crawl when Virgin Trains can whisk you there in a little over 2 hours? After picking up my ticket I settle into my pre-booked window seat and delve into 'The Fry Chronicles' as I hurtle northward.
I have of course been to Manchester on more than one occasion and I am sure that there are many of us lucky enough to have already been seduced by the many charms of the UK's queerest northern Mecca, including it would seem Stephen Fry himself!
"It was hard not to like Manchester. Being called 'love', 'chuck' or a 'daft barmcake can only delight a southerner used to the lonely and unsmiling lovelessness of London and the south-east"
I couldn't agree more - but then who am I to disagree with a national treasure? Only one thing for it then, to find out for myself.
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| Manchester Pride Float |
Actually it has been a full month since pride finished - enough time I hope for Manchester to get over the monumental hang over it inflicts on itself during the largest queer street party of the year. OK - perhaps that's me I'm talking about, either way I'm hoping for a healthy portion (or two) of full-fat northern fun this weekend.
I've also managed (somehow!) to get my hands on a ticket to the Manchester Pride Gala Ball, which is being held at the suitably grand Palace Hotel. It's a black tie affair and the hottest ticket in town, I'm sure that I'll just fit right in! The evening is being hosted by none other than Mr. Graham Norton so I'm expecting plenty of campery and frivolities, as well as plenty of wine of course, which always helps.
I'll keep you posted as events unfold!
I have to admit that I love a good ball me, and this is the inaugural Manchester Pride Gala Dinner so the excitement is palpable. The gowns and tuxedos are extravagant numbers - where else could you accessorise your black tie with some glitter, sequins, or a plastic flamingo and get away with it?
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| Palace Theatre Ball Room |
One thing I love about Manchester is that it is a city that doesn't do anything by halves, and the Pride Ball is no exception. The evening's venue - the ballroom at the Palace Hotel - is a suitably grand gathering spot for 400 of Manchester's glitterati who have turned out in full force for the event.
Manchester Pride boasts some pretty heavyweight patrons who give it significant support all through the year, tonight being no exception. Anthony Cotton has brought along a full table of the Corrie cast - whose enthusiastic and vocal approval goes down a storm. Sir Ian McKellen's attendance adds gravitas and he effortlessly charms everyone in the room with the tale of his first recorded erection. Apparently the sight of one Ivor Novello on stage at the Palace Theatre (opposite where we sit) in his dressing gown had a memorable, and lasting effect on the adolescent Mckellen - priceless!
TV presenter and Mancunian Man-totty, Anthony Crank is also on the guest list, whom I find myself rubbing shoulders with (figuratively speaking of course) at the bar. I do hope that my feigned nonchalance managed to hide my own McKellen-esque type exhilaration!
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| Auction Prize - Signed Graham Norton Poster. |
And as if that wasn't enough excitement for one evening, Graham Norton kept the soiree jogging along nicely as compere with a few choice and very cheeky tales of his own - but don't worry Mr. Norton, your secrets safe with me (as I couldn't possibly regale those kind of stories here!)
Despite the A-gay endorsement though I get the feeling that the real star of the show here is Manchester itself. Firstly Manchester Pride is certainly an event - quite rightly - that the assembled crowd and Manchester's LGBT community feel very proud of, and why not? This is after all the largest and most successful gay pride event to take place annually in the UK, it even makes some money for heavens sake!
Secondly - I couldn't really be anywhere else in the world apart from Manchester. The atmosphere is cool yet unpretentious, riotously fun without being tacky and everyone is friendly, and genuinely so, which from my experience is impossible to fake.
"Fancy a dance duck?" Silly question! And so I hit the floor doing - as usual - doing my own impression of a daft barmcake.
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| Gay Village At Night |
Despite being partied out myself, Canal Street is still in full swing and it was definitely worth the diversion for a late night/early morning saunter. It's started to rain (this is Manchester after all) and puddles have formed which reflect the bright neon lights of the bars along Manchester gay village's most famous street.
I can't help but bop along, humming to the camp classics that are playing in Via and Manto as I walk past, and stomping in the puddles that explode with the reflected light. Actually, it all feels rather romantic - Who'd have thought!?!
OK - so I might be a little pie-eyed, but that doesn't mean I can't also be starry-eyed too, does it?
Manchester is only 2 hours and 7 minutes from London.
Visit National Rail or Virgin Trains for fares and timetables.
Visit National Rail or Virgin Trains for fares and timetables.
Fly to Manchester in 60 minutes from London with British Airways and BMI.
Become a fan of Manchester's Gay Village on Facebook.
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