A famous cat known for making friends with Metrolink passengers in Chorlton now has his own mural outside his local tram stop.
Batman, who is affectionately known as the ‘Chorlton tram cat’, is an undeniable local legend in the sought-after Manchester suburb, and has been watching over his local tram stop and making friends with countless commuters now for several years.
Brightening the days of everyone he meets at Chorlton Metrolink stop, Batman even has his own Facebook and Instagram pages with thousands of fans, and regularly features in viral social media posts too.
And like all good Greater Manchester icons, Batman has now been immortalised in mural form and features prominently on a colourful artwork – commissioned by the civic society, Chorlton Voice – outside Chorlton tram stop, which was formally unveiled yesterday.
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Fame for Batman the Tram Cat!
If you've ever been to Chorlton tram stop, you'll probably have seen our favourite feline patrolling the platform, and he's finally been immortalised by Manchester artist @missdalys to celebrate Chorlton Arts Festival. We love to see it. 🐱
— Transport for Greater Manchester 🚲🚶🏾♀️ (@OfficialTfGM) May 30, 2023
After what Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) admits has been “several years of planning”, the design of the mural was chosen by members of Chorlton Voice, in collaboration with a group of local community groups, traders, councillors, and council officers, and has been painted by Manchester-based artist Caroline Daly to coincide with the Chorlton Arts Festival.
As well as Batman’s feline silhouette, the mural also features scenic green spaces and birds to reflect the area’s local biodiversity.
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As mentioned, the bright and colourful mural was officially unveiled yesterday – with Withington MP Jeff Smith doing the honours, alongside TfGM’s Head of Metrolink Danny Vaughn, Chorlton Voice chair Carolyn Kagan, and other local councillors Eve Holt, Joanna Midgley, and Matthew Benham.
Chorlton’s legendary ‘tram cat’ Batman now has a mural outside his local Metrolink stop / Credit: TfGM
Carolyn Kagan explained that Chorlton Voice first raised the possibility of a Batman mural with Metrolink all the way back in 2014, and the group is “thrilled” to have had that vision finally realised.
“The mural will be a focal point for Chorlton and contribute to a strong sense of community, and we hope there will be many more Metrolink lift shaft murals,” Carolyn added.
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Danny Vaughn, TfGM’s Head of Metrolink, says he is also “delighted” to see this “brilliant artwork finally come to fruition”, adding that TfGM knows Batman has become “quite the Metrolink celebrity in recent years”.
You can get FREE sandwiches in Manchester this weekend – but only if you have certain names
Emily Sergeant
Hungry Mancs can help themselves to free sandwiches this bank holiday weekend… but there’s a bit of a catch.
You can only get yourself a sandwich if you have one of these particular names.
We’ve been enjoying some absolutely stunning sunshine across Greater Manchester and much of the UK over the past couple of months, and nothing says sunny days more than taking a packed lunch or grabbing a meal deal and taking it to your local park or greenspace for a picnic.
This is why Pret A Manger has decided to make picnics easier for those who are lucky enough to have a certain type of name.
This late May bank holiday weekend, the popular high street coffee shop chain will be dishing out hundreds of free sandwiches across the UK – including here in Manchester – to anyone whose name happens to start with ‘Nic’.
That means people called Nick, Nicholas, Nicola, Nicole, Nico, Nicolette, and plenty of others could be in with a chance of some free feasting over these next couple of days.
You can get FREE sandwiches in Manchester this weekend / Credit: Wikimedia Commons | Supplied
Here in Manchester, it’s the chain’s Portland Street site, just off Piccadilly Gardens, that’s participating in the free giveaway this weekend, and there’ll be 50 sandwiches a day given out, so you’ll need to be quick if your name starts with ‘Nic’ and you’re feeling peckish.
The offer is only limited to Pret’s freshly-made sandwiches, and unfortunately excludes baguettes, wraps, or rye rolls… but free food is better than no food, after all.
All you’ll need to do to grab a freebie is show your ID at the tills of participating stores this Saturday (24 May) to prove your name, and you’ll get to walk out with your lunch in hand, all without having to spend a penny.
Manchester’s Portland Street Pret A Manger will be giving out 50 free sandwiches to ‘Nics’ this Saturday, and they’re on a first-come-first-served basis.
BBC needs adventurous Mancs to take part in next series of Race Across the World
Emily Sergeant
Are you a fan of travelling? Got a bit of a competitive streak in your nature? This might just be your calling then.
The BBC is currently casting for the next series of Race Across the World.
The BAFTA-winning hit show is currently airing to thousands of viewers each week, but with the next series now in the works, producers are on the look-out for ‘intrepid duos’ of all ages who reckon they’re ready to take a step into the unknown, and embark on an epic race across land and sea – and that includes Greater Manchester residents.
With applications for the next series of the massively-popular show now open, nomadic Mancs are being encouraged to take part.
On a limited budget and away from the luxuries of modern technology and conveniences, those lucky applicants selected to take part in the next series will get the chance to experience life in some of the world’s most beautiful and remote locations.
BBC is looking for Mancs to take part in next series of Race Across the World / Credit: BBC
Navigating their way across thousands of miles, they’ll travel through spectacular scenery and dynamic cities, visit ancient wonders, learn local customs, and take part in time-honoured traditions.
But, as producers are keen to point out, “the physical journey is only half of the story”.
That’s because, as the contestants take on the challenge of travelling across the world, the greatest thing they’ll discover along the way could actually be about themselves and one another.
Putting out a UK-wide casting call on the BBC website this week, producers Studio Lambert wrote: “We are now accepting applications for the next series of Race Across the World. This experience is open to all, whether you’re a seasoned traveller or total novice.
“We want to hear what undertaking a trip like this would mean to you, and with a cash prize at stake, what lengths you would go to to win.
Applications for the massively-popular show are now open / Credit: BBC
“Maybe you’re looking to change something in your life? Or are keen to share the journey with someone special like a family member, best friend, or someone you’ve lost touch with. You may even have a very personal reason for wanting to travel at this time in your life or explore a particular part of the world.”
Fancy it then?
Applications for the third series of Race Across the World are now open for anyone over 18 years of age, with a deadline date of 6 July 2025, and you can find out more information and apply via the BBC website.
Emily Sergeant -
31st May 2023 
