Ramsbottom residents have a lucky escape when recent storms bring down tree

February 18, 2017 by Lee 2 Comments

Just inches from the fence and a few meters from the house.

Residents of George Road in Ramsbottom might not realise how close a shave they had when a tree fell down behind them.

The tree which was located between Dundee Lane Church and George Road was around 20 meters in length has been brought down in recent high winds.

What’s it like living in Ramsbottom?

February 18, 2017 by Lee 9 Comments

Each evening after travelling along the M66 and taking junction 1 for Ramsbottom, I’m greeted by one of the most familiar landmarks in Ramsbottom.

It’s been stalking me for several miles as I’ve snaked my way towards the town down the M66. Even before I got off the M60 Manchester ring road I can see it in the distance. Sometimes from tens of miles away, even more.

It’s Peel Tower, and it’s a monument that is familiar and welcoming to any Ramsbottom resident. It’s not just seeing Peel Tower that causes a sense of relaxation and welcoming though, it’s the whole package that Ramsbottom has to offer.

In my life I’ve lived in five locations, all of these around Manchester; Eccles, Moston, Lower Broughton, Swinton and Salford. Factually, I’ve never lived anywhere as welcoming as Ramsbottom.

Some people would argue that anywhere is better than where I’ve lived before, but that would be a bit harsh on those areas, I’ve had some great times in those places. I agree though, some of them are notoriously rough, but they were never that bad when I lived there and I never really had any issues.

Mellissa Brown of The Mouse Trap – Episode 88

February 12, 2017 by Lee 1 Comment

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 29:30 — 13.5MB)

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Welcome to This is Rammy, I’ve got a fantastic interview this week with local restaurant owner Mellissa Brown of The Mouse Trap.

When we first moved to Ramsbottom me and my family had always stared in wonder at the ever increasing sign that was outside The Mouse Trap with the earliest dates available to book for their cheese and wine nights. One day, we thought, we’ll book and get on that list.

Then, a year or so later and a renovation happened, and the set massively future dates for bookings seemed to go away. This is when we learned that the new owner was Mellissa Brown, also known as “Gareth Seddons Girlfriend” but I wanted to get away from this image as The Mouse Trap is very firmly Mellissa’s business and her passion.

[spp-tweet tweet=”Me: Did you know much about wine before? Mellissa: I’d drank a lot of wine.”]

Over the course of the interview I came to realise that this isn’t “just a day job for Gavs girlfriend” but is firmly something that Mellissa loves to do. She is as enthusiastic about cheese as she is hosting. Which given she owns a cheese restaurant is very fitting.

Gary Neville visits The Mouse Trap

After the interview Mellissa let me in on a secret, that The Mouse Trap was going to be having a very special guest on Friday. That special guest being Gary Neville, ex Manchester United player and current football pundit. I promised Mellissa I’d keep schtum, despite the fact I wanted to tell the world.

I hope you enjoy this week’s interview episode of the podcast, I’ve got a few more coming up in the weeks to come.

Spice Garden Review; Thai Restaurant in Ramsbottom

February 9, 2017 by Lee 2 Comments

Where do you go if you are looking for a Thai Restaurant in Ramsbottom?

Picture this, Square Street in Ramsbottom. Less than 400 meters in length, could easily be overlooked but has arguably two of the best restaurants in Ramsbottom in just the first 50 meters of it.

Of these, one is a little Thai Restaurant named Spice Garden that has managed to lodge itself in my personal Ramsbottom top 5.

There are good points and bad points with its location on Square Street.

First, the bad point being its proximity to the other top restaurant; the hugely successful Levanter Fine Foods (which recently featured in the Top 100 Restaurants in the UK). There is a chance it could be passed over by potential customers.

There is a good thing for Spice Garden though. Levanter (at the time of writing) doesn’t take table bookings. An odd concept you might think, but it’s hardly ever quiet in there due to their popularity. This popularity has the potential of leaving hungry people who don’t want to wait up to an hour looking for somewhere else to eat.

This is where Spice Garden can get some passing trade from people who aren’t necessarily looking for a Thai Restaurant in Ramsbottom but they’re hungry and want feeding.

Ramsbottom Festival? Maybe Ramsbottom Guest-ival?

February 9, 2017 by Lee Leave a Comment

It’s been a bit nippy in the past few days, so I’ve been looking back at Ramsbottom Festival last year where it was so hot over the weekend I got sunburnt (although I do get sunburned very easily, so that’s not surprising.).

Aside from having an amazing time I also got a chance to catch up with loads of people who have been on the show.

I’ve kept in touch with them since they’ve been on I am honoured to say I consider them friends (maybe they don’t me though ???? ).

I took advantage of the captive environment and got them to strike a pose. You can click on any of the images below to be taken to their past interviews on the podcast.