'The coronation reminds me of all the kings and queens we see in Manchester day in, day out'
06.05.2023 - 06:41
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Manchester is a lot of things, but one cardinal sin it can never be accused of is throwing a boring party. Whether it’s celebrating the Lionesses’ Euros win in style in a sun-soaked city centre last year, or ringing in a birthday or New Year with a funky Friday in Mint Lounge - thousands flock to our city safe in the knowledge they’ll have a good time.
Greater Manchester, just like the rest of the country, has been gearing up this week for one very remarkable event - the first coronation in just shy of 70 years.
It promises to be a national spectacle, the likes of which the vast majority of us have never seen - apart from my 92-year-old, Ancoats-born grandma who amusingly declared that she would not be watching the ceremony as, in her words, ‘I have seen one before’. She has, instead, arranged to get her Covid spring booster jab on this most momentous day.
READ MORE: Join the FREE Manchester Evening News WhatsApp community
Now, not many of us can so impressively lay claim to having already witnessed this ceremony. And for those wanting to dodge the pomp entirely, this might be the last thing you’re wanting to read about yet again as you sip your morning coffee in your hard won, Windsor-free peace. I respect your efforts - but stick with me, there’s something for you at the end.
For all the grandeur and pageantry, the coronation has reminded me of one very simple thing about Manchester. This city - the home of THE Coronation Street - is made up of regular folks who help us mark the moments that mean the world to each of us every single day, without fail.
They are running our familiar watering holes where we shake off the week with colleagues, cocktail-shaking at favourite hidden gems which will reliably impress a