Alex B Cann column: What I've been up to lately

In his second column for us, Tameside Radio Breakfast presenter Alex B Cann gives us his unique take on life, including a recent visit to Ashton's Portland Basin Museum.

It’s been another busy week on Tameside Radio’s morning show and I’m looking forward to the earlier sunrises after the clocks go back this weekend. 

I am really enjoying the autumnal colours in Tameside’s parks and gardens, especially the stunning Stamford Park. It is fast becoming my favourite place for a post show stroll, as I try to resist the lure of the ice cream van and the Golden Arches. 

I also took a photo by the canal near Tameside Radio this week, and fooled several people into thinking it was a scene from Amsterdam! It looked stunning.

I’ve been thinking a lot this week about the things I miss from pre lockdown ‘normal’ life. 

Spontaneous plans, hugging close family and friends, only having to remember your carrier bags when popping to the supermarket, and the word ‘tiers’ bringing to mind massive birthday cakes, not arguments between Andy Burnham and Westminster. 

I know many miss the routine of their job, and if you’ve been furloughed or lost your job, my heart goes out to you. It’s been a testing time for millions.

I do like some of the little new things about life now. I’ve always been quite a fan of planning stuff in advance, so the fact I can now order my tea online from my local chippy rather than queuing for ten minutes is a definite win. Also, I don’t really miss handshakes. I always found them quite awkward when meeting someone for the first time.

Whilst I’m sure it’s been difficult income-wise for cultural attractions as they are forced to limit visitor numbers, it does sometimes make for a more enjoyable visit without huge crowds.

I was amazed to find I had Portland Basin Museum entirely to myself last Wednesday lunchtime on its opening day, and recommend a visit to anyone.

They’ve done a terrific job making it Covid safe, with clear markings on the 1920s street, and the sheep’s still there on the ground floor! Sadly, you can’t pose in the stocks, but apart from that, it’s pretty much as you’ll remember it.

I’ll admit it’s mentally tough when you don’t know when all this will end. Each day, there are new claims about when a vaccine might be ready, and new scientific projections about where the pandemic is heading. 

China seems to be doing OK now, with its cinema industry now worth more than America’s. New Zealand’s Prime Minister has just been voted back in on a landslide victory, and is widely judged to have kept the virus under control in her country.

We can only hope that our high streets will see some benefit from campaigns such as the excellent Fiver Fest, which has seen some brilliant offers in Ashton as I’ve been strolling around the market stalls.

Halloween and Bonfire Night will both feel very different too this year, and it’s hard to know how big the pile of sprouts will need to be at the Christmas dinner table. 

In spite of missing hugs and spontaneity at times, I do feel that community spirit is high in Tameside, and that is what will get us through these tricky times.

I was going to wish everyone good luck who were set to walk over hot coals this weekend for Willow Wood Hospice - but that will now have to wait until next March! A virtual hot mug of tea or coffee awaits you, if you pop Tameside Radio on. I’m on every weekday morning from 7-11AM, plus Saturday afternoons from 3-7PM.