You can sit down next to me

A Poem for Manchester, by Mike Duff, appears on mirrored art signs studded like beautiful blue jewels into a wall in Piccadilly Place, not far from Piccadilly station.

The poem was chosen from 4,000 entries as winner of a BBC National Poetry Day competition. Its message of solidarity, equality and acceptance seems particularly fitting following the dreadful Manchester Arena attack this week.

This way please

Pretty gate and smart manicule sign on Manchester's fine town hall.

Sporting sign

Fantastic smart sign in Southwark, London - you don't mess with this one. The original Ring Boxing Club was housed in a former chapel. It had 12 sides, and no 90 degree angles - the architect said that meant there was no corner for the Devil to hide in. The building was sadly a victim of the blitz - the Ring today is close to the original site. There's a great history section on their website.

Going underground

Smart London tube sign at St Pancras.

Barking mad

Andy Leek sign in London's Russell Square. Made me smile.

Wild thing

Here's a pretty tiled entrance sign in Stockport's lovely old market place. I believe Wild was a shoe shop - the building is now part of the excellent Stockport Story museum. It's in an interesting part of town: the beautiful Victorian covered market has a great vintage fair once a month. The atmospheric Staircase House museum is next door. And once you've done all that you can treat yourself to a fantastic Art Deco afternoon tea in the Plaza. All this just seven miles out of Manchester. If you're coming from that direction, why not treat yourself to a trip on the fabled 192 bus route too?

Wave hello

Jolly street sign spotted in Rochdale - waving a welcome to passersby.