2010 WOW Workshops

The city came together for Manchester Day, but a massive amount of hard work went on behind the scenes to create costumes and floats for the Parade. Manchester People got crafty and joined the preparations.

There was no mistaking the party spirit as sequins shimmered, gauze glittered and cosmic costumes were created at the WOW Centre in Castlefield in preparation for the Manchester Day Parade.

The two weekend-long events, held in the dedicated art studio – or WOW Centre – were brimming with the Parade’s volunteers and entrants. Guided by professional carnival artists, they created their floats, headdresses and costumes to match the Parade’s Out of this World theme.

And for many, the experience and results were dazzling.

Student Thikra Bawazeer, 20, was one of the volunteers at the WOW Centre on 21/22 May. Thikra, who is studying advertising and brand management at Manchester Metropolitan University, is from Saudi Arabia and says that the cultural diversity of the Parade was why she wanted to be involved.

“I’ve been in Manchester for two years and I love the city and how it welcomes all backgrounds and nationalities,” she said. “The whole weekend was a lot of fun and I got to meet so many different people. Where else could you work on giant peacocks, strawberries and daisies and learn carnival art at the same time? It encapsulated everything I love about Manchester – which is pretty much everything except the weather!”

Elsewhere in the workshop, the intergalactic theme allowed Parade entrants to make a statement about the work they do in Manchester and the people it involves.

Witness Services manager Susan Mills worked with other staff from Victim Support Manchester to design their entry as a moving tribute to the volunteers who help the organisation. She said:

“Our volunteers listen to people whose lives have been affected by crime, and give them their time, which is the kindest act on the planet. Our volunteers are stars, which is why they featured so strongly in our costumes, and the stars also represent the infinite help our volunteers will always provide.”

For others, being involved and absorbed in the artwork at the WOW Centre provided respite from full-time care work.

Ruth Hannon, Carers Development Officer for Manchester Carers Centre, based in Ancoats, said:

“Our carers are literally the life support for the people they look after. The creative weekends allowed them to express themselves, not just as carers, but as individuals who are proud of their roots in this city. Some carers brought the disabled children they look after to the event, and that joint involvement was very moving.

“And, for us as an organisation, the galaxy theme allowed us to pay tribute to the carers who are shining examples of doing good for other people.”

At the end of the art workshops, group activities and the common goal of expressing all that is good about Manchester forged the basis for some firm friendships.

Parade volunteer Anita Biggs, who had travelled from Tameside to take part, said:

“The weekend has been a rollercoaster of emotion and the united approach has been sheer magic. It was inspiring and awesome to be involved in the artwork because it was such a unique experience. The carnival approach summed up just how fabulous this city is.”

Councillor Mike Amesbury, Executive Member for Culture and Leisure, summed up:

“The Manchester spirit is legendary – that lust for life combined with a generous outlook was encapsulated in the WOW weekends. Mancunians should now be known as 48-hour party people!”