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A coach tour taking passengers through Cheetham's spiritual, cultural and architectural past is among the highlights of a weekend long heritage festival.
This year is the seventh anniversary of the Cheetham Festival and the tour is one of a series of completely free, family-friendly events, taking place from Friday 10 to Sunday 12 September, celebrating the unique character of this North Manchester ward.
Led by Blue Badge Guide and editor of Manchester Confidential website Jonathan Schofield, the tour takes place on Sunday 12 September at 12 noon meeting at Victoria Station (opposite the taxi rank) and takes in Chetham's School of Music, a Sikh temple, a synagogue, a mosque and an Eritrean Orthodox ceremony in St John's Church. Free food and refreshments will be served during the tour. The coach will then return to Victoria Station at about 3.30pm
Anyone wishing to join will need to call 0161 655 7850 in advance to book a place.
The theme of this year's festival is new beginnings, commemorating the historic role Cheetham has enjoyed as somewhere people from all over the world have put down roots.
Councillor Mike Amesbury, Executive Member for Culture and Leisure, said: "Cheetham has a long, proud tradition of welcoming different cultures which has given it a rich character. It's so close to the city centre but has a feel all of its own. The festival gives neighbours and visitors alike the chance to savour the area's warm welcome and fascinating heritage.
"From Victoria Station to the top of Cheetham Hill road you'll find doors open, meals prepared, tours and exhibitions laid on and a feast of cultural and architectural delights waiting to be discovered."
The Rev Daniel Burton, priest in charge at St John's Church and festival committee chairman, said: "Cheetham Festival is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the rich diversity of the Cheetham Hill area. We are very lucky to live in an area which so many faiths and ethnic groups have chosen to make their home and this is a unique opportunity to learn about our neighbours."
Other highlights include:
Festival Feast - Friday, 10 September 7.30pm-9.30pm: A feast of Irish food, music and dance to start the festival in style at the Irish World Heritage Centre in Queens Road.
Carried away - Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 September 10am-4.30pm: Catch a free heritage bus to the Museum of Transport in Boyle Street and take in its huge range of historic vehicles.
Soul food - Saturday 11 September 7.30pm: Prayer, gospel music plus African and Caribbean food on offer at the New Testament Church of God in Tamerton Drive off Heywood Street.
Open Day - Sunday 12 September 2pm-5pm: Enjoy free food from around the world and celebrate Eid with the local community at Al Khizra Mosque on Cheetham Hill Road.
In the Red - Sunday 12 September 10.30am-5pm: Visitors to Manchester Jewish Museum in Cheetham Hill Road can taste Jewish food, learn more about the history of Manchester Jewry and visit an exhibition about the Red Bank area where many immigrants first lived.
This festival is organised by the Cheetham Festival Group in partnership with Manchester City Council and English Heritage as part of the nationwide Heritage Open Days celebration..
For more information visit www.heritageopendays.org.uk or www.manchester.gov.uk/events or call North Manchester Regeneration on 0161 655 7850
