This is your Captain speaking…
As I walked around the City Centre the other day handing out a few free FM branded ‘bags for life’ and generally taking in the Christmas markets, I got a real buzz. You know the one…that feeling of anticipation and fun you get when there’s a nip in the air, a whiff of mulled wine and German sausage, and when you’re surrounded by people determined to have a good time.
It made me feel good.
When we’re in this mood we’re at our best. There’s nothing we won’t do for each other, we’ll do anything to keep the laughter going and create that unique Christmas bonhomie. I love it!
When I got home. I pulled on my dressing gown and sat down with a home-made non-fat frappuccino with extra whipped cream, chocolate sauce and a caramel drizzle and a plain arrowroot biscuit to dunk (I don’t like to be too self-indulgent) and had a damn fine think about the last 12 months whilst I’ve been doing my bit for Forever Manchester.
It’s been a special one, I’ve met some buzzin’ characters, been to some top events and seen hundreds of people who have helped make our local neighbourhoods better places to live. As a result of my musings I’ve decided to produce my 12 Christmas Crackers – the 12 things, people or stuff in general that have made my 2015 mint, so here goes…
- Forever Manchester’s 25th Birthday Party
The celebration of all things FM - The Mirror Ball
Andrew Trott-Barn’s annual fundraising extravaganza - FM Women Events
Inspiration for the brilliant women of Greater Manchester - Manchester with Love
Stan Chow & Dave Sedgwick’s Beautiful Manchester Prints - Caketober
Our annual caketabulous month long fundraiser, supported by theEword - Silver Sparks Poem
The one and only Tony Walsh’s tribute to 25 years of FM - Community Building in partnership with Spirit of 2012
Creating a legacy of happiness and well-being in Moston & Harpurhey - Greater Manchester 10k Run
125 fabulous Greater Mancunian running for ‘round ‘ere - Live from the Hive
The Bees from the Hardrock Café & the Printworks making sweet honey - Community Ambassadors
The first wave of special FM Community Ambassadors from across the 10 boroughs - FM Radio
Our weekly chat and tune fest hosted by the inimitable Terry Snowden MBE - Quarter of a Million
250,000 amazing local people helped by FM in 2015