Manchester is being called on to name the city’s most significant contributions to the world.
VisitEngland, the country’s national tourist board, has launched the campaign to create England’s ultimate Hall of Fame.
VisitEngland is tasked with growing the value of tourism across the nation and is asking members of the public to submit their hometown’s greatest claim to fame.
Visit Manchester, the tourism board for Greater Manchester, is encouraging Mancunians to get involved and nominate some of the region’s claims to fame under the following six categories: The Great, The Good and the Notorious; Inventions & Discoveries; Food & Drink; History & Heritage; Culture & Entertainment and Sport & Leisure.
Paul Simpson, managing director at Visit Manchester, said: “Greater Manchester has a huge number of claims to put forward for this campaign – from the co-operative movement and the Industrial Revolution to canals, the professional football league and graphene.
“We have a lot to be proud of and I encourage residents and visitors alike to get involved by putting their nominations forward.”
A snap poll here among some MM reporters suggested the following nominations: the first modern computer, Tony Wilson, indie music, LS Lowry, and Paul Scholes – touted by one reporter as ‘the greatest English footballer of all time’. Not sure we all agree…
A quick walk around Piccadilly Gardens resulted in the following nominations:
Sam Redmile, a 26-year-old technician from Manchester, declared that the best place about Manchester was the friendly people – nominating all of us as the best thing about Manchester. Thanks Sam!
Tom Rowland, 19, a student living in Salford, said: “I’ve heard graphene is going to be one of the materials to change the world and Manchester University is currently leading the way in its development.
“If everything they promise with the material comes true then I think this could be one of the most significant discoveries ever.”
Gabrielle Guerre, 32,was in the city visiting family and friends and nominated Manchester Town Hall saying it was ‘a fantastic building’. His friend, Juan Mereute, 32, disagreed and nominated the ‘great football stadiums’.
Paul Brooks, a 45-year-old shop keeper who lives in Cheetham Hill, said: : “Oasis and two of the world’s biggest football teams have to be two of the biggest things Manchester has given the world.”
Bridget and Ian Johnston, a retired couple here on holiday from Somerset, nominated the Museum of Science and Industry, saying they had spent a fascinating few hours there on Friday.
Sally Cunliffe, 24, a shop assistant from Altrincham, said: “It’s got to be Karl Pilkington. Who else has given so much joy to the world?”
Lady Cobham, VisitEngland’s Chairman, said: “From being the birthplace of rugby and inventing afternoon tea to being the home of the world’s first national public museum and discovering a king’s skeleton in a car park, England has so much of which to be proud.
“We hope the Hall of Fame app will inspire people to explore the brilliant, fascinating and unusual destinations on our doorstep, as well as unearthing some interesting English trivia at the same time.’
What would your nomination be?
Anyone that nominates, or later votes for, a claim will be automatically entered into a prize draw to win a weekend break away. The deadline for entries is March 23 2014.
A shortlist will then be open to public vote to establish the final Hall of Fame, which will be announced on April 23, St George’s Day.
The app is available at englandshalloffame.com, and on VisitEngland’s Facebook page.
Image courtesy of A Carty, with thanks.
