The first Saturday in ages that I haven’t bought a Guardian and I end up being featured in it! Well, by featured I mean a five-line mention in the Guide’s blog column – but it’s much better than nothing. I think I’ll continue not to buy it in the hope of further recognition.

So a warm welcome to my fellow Guardian readers – feel free to subscribe by email or leave a comment if you like the place. And regular Mancubist readers, check out the other sites to be blogrolled here.

Meanwhile, back to the usual Manchester miscellany: someone on urban exporation website 28dayslater.co.uk has done a recce of what they call ‘Manchester Underground’ – a series of air raid shelters under the city, accord to this poster:

There are 17 shelters in all and most of them have sub sections A. B. C etc… these are joined by one long corridor… there are numerous blocked up exits and stair wells… but the most jaw dropping feature was the toilets, the whole place was maze of small wonders…

Check out the rest of these excellent photos here.

It’s been difficult to avoid news of the major fire that broke out in Northern Quarter on Monday morning. It made the national headlines, disrupting work and transport throughout the day.

Though the fire started on Dale Street, it eventually spread to Lever Street, which, as the Manchizzle notes, is home to many record labels, publishers and other creative companies.

One of these – D:percussion organiser Ear to the Ground – has been quick to draw up plans for a music event in the neighbouring Stevenson Square on May 28. It will raise money for traders and businesses affected by the blaze and has the support of the council.

Ear to the Ground’s John Drape told today’s Manchester Evening News: ‘Ten years ago when the IRA bomb went off we delivered a similar event and we feel it is appropriate now to hold a fundraising event.’

CIDS, the Northern Quarter-based creative industries development agency, has also offered support in the form of a Mac and desk in its Oak Street office, and has asked anyone affected by the fire or anyone with office space to spare to email info@cids.co.uk.

[The image above is one of several great shots taken by Flickr user root-2]

In central Manchester at midday today a loud bang reminded people of similar noises heard in London a year ago.

People, unaware of this intended signal, stared at each other with concern. “What was that?” Was it a construction site accident, or something far more sinister?

Two minutes later, another bang and the silence was over. In Piccadilly Gardens hundreds of pigeons took flight, while my pounding heart slowly began to relax.

Manchester’s free music festival Dpercussion is in the midst of a cash crisis, so reported the Manchester Evening News and Manchester Confidential this week.

Steve Smith, from organisers Ear To The Ground, says two sponsors have pulled out, leaving him just two weeks to fill a £40,000-sized hole in his budget. read more »