The 32-foot high Canadian Indian Totem Pole stood close to the main entrance to Manchester Liners House as a permanent visual testimony to the links if trade between Canada and the Manchester Liners. The pole was carved Namgis Chief Doug Cranmer and is set to be put back into position in 2020.

Salford City Council has signed an agreement with The Fortis Group – who have agreed to finance the restoration and protection of the totem pole.

The University of Kent’s School of English has taken custody of the pole while they launch a three-year project  in collaboration with the University of British Columbia to provide a comprehensive history of Native North Americans in Britain over the last five centuries and to explore the historical impacts and ongoing legacies of transatlantic voyages for communities in both the US and Canada and the UK.

In the 1880s Salford became home to a large contingent of Lakota Sioux (and representatives of other Plains nations), brought to the city as part of Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show. Councillor Steve Coen’s important work since 2005 and the discovery of the remains of the Sioux warrior “Surrounded” offers the project many points of entry to further explore the legacy and significance of Native presence in the UK.

Salford City Mayor Paul Dennett said: 

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“The totem pole and the story around it is a fascinating piece of history that deserves to stand where it once lived years ago.

“We’re very much looking forward to the findings from the research taking place by the two universities and also look forward to a visit this summer from relatives of Chief Doug Cranmer who carved the pole.”

 

Over the last two days (Monday 11 June and Tuesday 12 June 2018) six people have been jailed at Manchester Crown Square, Crown Court for a collective 31 years after importing cannabis from Spain and conveying these drugs into prison.

• Darren Dunn (07/03/1983) of HMP Forest Bank
• Daniel White (26/11/1986) of Camponia Gardens, Salford 
• Steven Roberts (07/09/1981) of Trenam Place, Salford
• Christopher Paul (29/01/1989) of Barkerhouse Road, Burnley 
• Anthony Redmond (18/10/1958) of Agecroft Road, Salford 
• Michael Madden (18/05/1959) of Beechfield Road, Swinton

The court heard how on 14 October 2016, Steven Roberts took a plane to Barcelona, closely followed by Anthony Redmond and Michael Madden, who maintained regular contact with Darren Dunn who was in prison throughout the trip.

A week later, after sourcing the cannabis, Roberts flew back while Redmond and Madden drove the drugs back to Manchester on a ferry.

Meanwhile on 31 October 2016, after being contacted by Dunn from prison, Tierney and White drove to a car park near HMP Forest Bank where they flew a drone into the prison.

Dunn was in constant contact with Tierney so he could coordinate the transfer of cannabis.

Again, on 13 November 2016, Roberts and Redmond travelled to Spain and returned two days later, having replenished their supply of cannabis.

Shortly after, Tierney was seen in the park opposite the prison, attempting to transfer cannabis again.

Officers tried to stop him, but he managed to escape and ring Dunn to let him know the police were onto their operation.

The following day, Tierney was arrested after they found his abandoned bag which contained the drone, socks full of cannabis, mobile phones and two bags of pills.

In December the international operation unravelled after Roberts was seen exchanging £2,500 into Euros before he travelled to Barcelona, followed by Madden and Redmond in their car.

After a two-night-stay in the city, Redmond and Madden returned to the UK on the ferry and were stopped by Border Force Officers who found bags of cannabis in the boot and around the spare wheel.

When questioned about the drugs in the car, Redmond told officers he didn’t know they were there.

Despite protesting his innocence, Dunn was found guilty at an earlier hearing, while the other seven defendants pleaded guilty to the drug offences.

Detective Sergeant Colin Shackleton of GMP’s Serious and Organised Crime Unit, said: “Their well-oiled plan was brought to an abrupt end when the drugs were discovered in their car.

“They thought they could outsmart officers by crossing borders to obtain the drugs, but we’ve shown we’ve got the experience and skill to bring organised criminals like this to justice.

“With every conviction we’re a step closer to taking dangerous drugs off our street, but ensuring results like today relies on people sharing information about criminal activity in their area.”

First to take the open-air stage will be The Three-Inch Fools, a national touring company acclaimed for their fast-paced and musically driven approach to Shakespeare, on Thursday 21st June 7-9.30pm, performing Hamlet.

The five-strong company of Fools bring Shakespeare’s most iconic and beautiful play vividly to life in this new production, in their traditional fast-paced style, with a vibrant and inventive depiction of Hamlet’s world set against a bubbling soundscape of Scandinavian folk and musical drama. Tickets are still available for this play and there is the recent addition of a pop-up gin bar provided by Gin Meister. Tickets from £10 (plus booking fee). Guests can bring their own chairs, rugs and refreshments or pre-order a picnic for an extra £8.95 per person. Doors open an hour before the show starts. For more information go to www.salfordcommunityleisure.co.uk/culture/open-air-theatre

Pride & Prejudice follows on July 18th 7.30-9.30pm performed by Heartbreak Productions who make their first visit to the stunning gardens of Ordsall Hall to perform Jane Austen's classic. Join Heartbreak and a host of charming young bachelors (yes, Mr Darcy will be there!) for an evening of comedy, romance and more than one comeuppance plus pop-up gin bar.

On July 26th the world’s first cycling theatre company, The Handlebards return to Ordsall Hall to perform Twelfth Night. The all-male company pedal from venue to venue with all the set, props and costume necessary to perform environmentally sustainable Shakespeare across the globe. In usual HandleBards style, expect riotous amounts of energy, a fair old whack of chaos, and a great deal of laughter.

The Handlebards’s female troupe return on 1st August to perform Romeo & Juliet 6.30-9pm.

For families with children, on the 9th August Folksy Theatre returns to the gardens of Ordsall Hall to perform the children's favourite The Princess and the Giant at two performances at 10.30am and 2.30pm. The family-friendly performance will be filled with music, puppetry and wonderful characters and is one not to be missed.

The Railway Children will take place on August 16th 2-3.30pm performed by Heartbreak Productions.

Folksy Theatre’s take on Shakespeare’s comedy, Loves Labours Lost will play on August 26th from 7pm. Expect live music, audience interaction and downright silliness.

For families with younger children, on August 23rd, the Little Blue Monster Company will present their brand new family-friendly production - Pirate Pearl and the Big Blue Monster! Pirate Pearl lives aboard the good ship Mirabel with her crusty old shipmate - Grandpa Bert! She's not a real pirate - but Pearl loves to imagine she's sailing the seven seas on a swashbuckling pirate adventure. Under 2s go free.

For more information go to www.salfordcommunityleisure.co.uk/culture/open-air-theatre

Community campaigner and ex Salford Councillor, Mary Ferrer, has organised an open meeting for the people of Salford to come along and discuss proposals to build houses on land within the much loved Buile Hill Park as part of a deal between Salford Reds Foundation and Capital and Centric to bring the Grade 2 listed mansion back into use.

The meeting will take place from 7:30 pm onwards on Tuesday 12th of June at the Height Methodist Community Church, King Street, M6 7GY. All members of the public are invited and it is hoped that members of the two groups involved in the proposals, as well as representatives from the council, will also attend.

Salford Voice will be live streaming on our Facebook Page throughout the evening for those who can not attend.

Built in 1825-27, the Mansion was a family home of Sir Thomas Potter, Manchester's first Lord Mayor, later being bought by donations from the people of Salford and Salford Corporation taxes, whereupon it found use first as a Natural History Museum in 1975 and then later as the home of Salford Mining Museum, before being closed in 2000 and left to fall into a shocking state of disrepair and neglect due to budget cuts.

Salford Council has quoted costs of £1.6m to bring the Mansion back into use and a further cost of £1m per year to maintain it. Figures which many in the community have concerns about as they doubt Salford Reds Foundation could come up with that amount of cash on a year by year basis and they would struggle to maintain the funding needed to keep it open.

Possible solutions proposed by community members involve applications for lottery funding for the park and the mansion as well as offering an alternative piece of land to the developers as part of the deal. It is hoped that this meeting will help formulate a plan of action to restore this once magnificent mansion back to its former glory and transform a park that is in much need of a little TLC, back to its best.

Local community member and neighbour to the park, Lynda Curran, set up a petition shortly after fellow publication The Salford Star published an article highlighting the 'Memorandum of Understanding' in which it was proposed both sides should come together to formulate plans to restore the building. It was proposed that the restoration could be funded by allowing Capita and Centric to build homes on a former depot area within the Park.

Lynda questions how money can be found to maintain parks like Victoria Park on the doorstep of the Civic Centre in Swinton and Peel Park which neighbours the University on the Crescent, whilst this much-loved community green space is left to languish in limbo.

The online petition has so gathered in excess of 2700 signatures and prompted a lengthy debate at the local community committee meeting last month. Local councillors, Committee and members of the public pledged to write a letter to City Mayor Paul Dennett, outlining that they were completely against such plans.

Weaste Councillor, Paul Wilson, told the packed room that he would like to see the land used solely for leisure purposes and that both himself and his colleagues were against any plans to build homes on the park.

A unanimous show of hands at the meeting made very clear that none present were happy or wanted these proposals to go ahead in this form, however, former councillor Liberal Democrat Councillor, Norman Owen (now with the Labour Party) seemingly backed the proposal after the meeting, in a conversation in which he repeatedly referred to the GM spatial framework.

This Tuesday's meeting is primarily to allow members of the public to help formulate a plan of action to help save the mansion from further decline whilst preserving the park as a fully public asset. 

Mary is no stranger to campaigning to save the mansion when as a Lib Dem Councillor she stood against the then Salford Reds owner John Wilkinson and his plans to turn the mansion into a luxury Spa and Boutique Hotel.

Plans that received huge criticism via a 500 strong petition and objections from four heritage groups and a raft of campaigners.

At the time Mary said:

Quote

"We believe the hotel scheme will change the character of the park for the worse, cause major parking problems, and prevent locals from using it the way they have for more than 150 years."

Little did she know that a few years later it would be groundhog day once more as she is now having to stand up once more to defend a community greenspace from what some in the area say is outrageous over-development of the area. 

Wilkinsons plans ran into problems as money ran out, heritage groups slammed the plan and lottery funding was refused because of the commercial nature of the project.

Both the Park and Mansion have had an interesting life which is detailed both below and on the Councils website.

This timeline charts the major events.

1590: Plague victims buried in pit in Hart Hill meadow.

1825: Buile Hill mansion and estate built.

1876: The official opening of Seedley Park on 17 June.

1903: Buile Hill Park officially opened on 22 July.

1906: Buile Hill mansion opened as a Natural History Museum.

1909: Two tennis courts built.

1916: Anti-aircraft gun fixed in Buile Hill Park.

1928: Buile Hill conservatory is opened. 

1934: An 18 hole pitch and putt course is opened. (Now used as a dog toilet)

1938: The new cafe and the Hart Hill extension are officially opened. The addition of the neighbouring Hart Hill estate created the boundary of the park as it is known today.

1939: The park's office becomes the headquarters of C Flight of the RAF Balloon Barrage.

1940: A bomb is dropped on Buile Hill.

1941: Salford blitz.

1943: Iron fencing along Eccles Old Road boundary removed for manufacture of bullets. (Never Replaced)

1945: VE Day celebrations take place in Buile Hill. Seedley Park lake is filled in.

1948: Reinstatement of Buile Hill conservatory (Now an empty shell).

1963: A garden for the blind is officially opened. (Now in ruins and closed to the public)

1972: Pets corner is opened. (Now dismantled and closed)

1975: Natural History Museum replaced by Salford Museum of Mining. (Now closed)

1980: Buile Hill mansion listed as a Grade 2 listed building.

2000: Lancashire Mining Museum closes. (Now in a derelict state requiring £1.6m to repair)

2001: Buile Hill Park listed as a Grade 2 designated park.

2008: Planning consent for conversion of mansion development and former stables into 93 bedroom hotel, function rooms and leisure suite.

2013: An archaeological excavation carried out by the Dig Greater Manchester project reveals the location of the former Hart Hill Mansion. Evidence of earlier buildings possibly dating back to the 18th century farmhouse are also found.

A two seat 'Super Stol' light aircraft crashed into a field on Chat Moss after a loss of engine power shortly after takeoff from City Airport (Barton) at around 3:12 pm this afternoon. 

Emergency services responded and both men were found a short distance from the aircraft suffering from head and neck injuries, one of them was taken to Salford Royal Hospital to be treated.

A spokesperson for City Airport told us:

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"At 1512 hrs today a two seat ‘Super Stol’ aircraft made a precautionary landing into a field due to a loss of engine power.

"There were two persons in board who were able to self vacate the aircraft.

"The pilot has been taken to hospital as a precaution measure but there were no serious injuries reported.

"The Airfield Fire Service and local emergency services attended the location of the landing and secured the scene.”

Meanwhile, Paul Fearnhead posted a tweet on twitter from the scene of the crash.

Great work by @manchesterfire @salfordfireteam @NWAmb_HART and @city_airport fire team assisting and treating casualties from a crashed plane this afternoon. pic.twitter.com/RCvEZzryGK

— Paul Fearnhead (@fernyp1) 10 June 2018

Fortunately, the men had managed to self-rescue from the aircraft to a safe distance, they were both found conscious and breathing and were treated at the scene by paramedics.

Two pumps were dispatched from Eccles fire station along with one from Irlam which also provided an all-terrain vehicle to the incident.

Both the Air Ambulance and Hazardous Materials Response Team were both dispatched for aid in the incident but were not needed.

We wish both men a speedy recovery.

Photo: @fernyp1 Paul Fearnhead, Manchester Fire.

Shortly after 2.20am on Thursday 31 May 2018, police and the fire service were called to a fire at a house at the junction of Pevensey Road and Duchy Road.

On attendance and further investigation, it was discovered that a car in the garage had been deliberately set alight.

The fire had then spread to the house.

Fortunately, there were no injuries but an 88-year-old man and a 79-year-old woman were inside the house.

A 56-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of arson to endanger life, he has since been released under investigation.

Detective Constable Paul Reynolds from GMP’s Salford borough said:

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“Thankfully there were no injuries, but this could easily have been so much worse.

“We are appealing for anyone who saw anyone acting suspiciously between 1am and 2pm on Thursday 31 May 2018 around the Pevensey Road and Duchy Road junction to get in touch as soon as possible.

“We hope that there are people out there who may be able to help us answer the questions that we and the victims have.”

 

Anyone with any information is asked to contact police on 0161 856 5361, alternatively call 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Image: Google

Update: Danielle has now been found safe and well.

Police are concerned for the welfare of Danielle Sinclair aged 22 years. She is described as white, approx 5ft 3, slim, long blonde hair tied up in a bun. 

She was last seen in the Winton area of Salford on 07/06/2018.

If seen please contact 101 quoting MP/18/0116476.

Following work carried out by the officers of Swinton Neighbourhood Team Robert Dodd, 29.12.94 of Sumbland House, Clifton has been charged with 17 various offences around the Swinton area and has received 28 weeks in prison and has received a criminal behaviour order until 14.06.2020.

The conditions of the order are:

1. Must not enter the following premises, WM, Morrison's, Swinton Hall Road, B&M Bargains, Wilfred Street Swinton, Asda Store Pendlebury, Totally Wicked, Tesco Express Bolton Road. 

2. Not to remain on any commercial premises when asked to leave by staff or entering any premises from which barred.

He is also banned from Swinton precinct and McDonald's on Bolton Road.

Greater Manchester Police have issued a statement today with advice and reassurances for the upcoming Park Life Festival at Heaton Park.

Chief Superintendent Graeme Openshaw, who will be overseeing the festival’s policing operation, said:

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“This weekend, we’re looking forward to welcoming almost 80,000 of festivalgoers from around the UK to Heaton Park for what is set to be a busy weekend for the city. 

“People will be making their way to the festival on Saturday morning, which may mean that there’s a lot of people in the city centre and on public transport so please follow messages and advice from our colleagues at Transport for Greater Manchester so you can plan your journey accordingly. 

“We’re also working closely with other partner agencies to make sure that everyone can enjoy the weekend safely and the event itself runs smoothly. 

“As with any large event, you’ll see officers on the ground in and around the event – we’re very experienced in dealing with high profile events like Parklife and the last few years have passed without issue. 

“We’re there to make sure you have a good time so feel free to stop and say hello, take a picture with officers or talk to them about any concerns you have. In the event of an emergency, always call 999.” 

Unlimited Potential, whose work supports people to lead happier and healthier lives, won the Industry Leadership Award thanks to its dedication to promoting the real Living Wage through Salford’s Health and Wellbeing Board.

Through Unlimited Potential’s leadership, the Board agreed to establish a multi-sectoral Living Wage task group, chaired by Unlimited Potential’s chief executive, Chris Dabbs.

It has so far successfully supported the accreditation of 11 major Salford health and care organisations as Living Wage employers.

Chris said:

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“We’re delighted that once again the city of Salford is being recognised for its commitment to the real Living Wage. The accreditation of the 11 organisations is just another step to our city becoming the country's first fully Living Wage health and social care system by 2021.

“The award is a testament to all of the organisations that have contributed to the progress made on the real Living Wage in Salford. Unlimited Potential will continue to champion the need for all health and social care workplaces to implement the real Living Wage.”

 

Laurence Patrick, Finance Support Officer at NHS Salford Clinical Commissioning Group said

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“Being paid the real Living Wage not only makes me feel like a valued member of my team but my dedication and hard work is paying off. Having the capacity to be able to save money now for when I return to my final year at university will really take off some financial pressure without having a part-time job and allow me to concentrate on my studies fully.”

The awards, which were sponsored by Aviva, KPMG and the City of London Corporation, saw two other winners of the Industry Leadership Award, including Penrose Care and The Haven Wolverhampton.

Tess Lanning, director of the Living Wage Foundation, said:

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“Congratulations to Unlimited Potential on becoming a Living Wage Champion award winner. It’s an organisation that does vital work every day, but by paying the real Living Wage, and promoting its wider take-up, it is also leading the way in placing dignity and respect at the heart of its organisation and the wider system in which it works.

“Over 4,200 employers have now signed up to the movement, and their leadership is making a profound difference to the lives of families and communities across the UK. Unlimited Potential’s work in celebrating and championing the real Living Wage has been vital to its success.”

 

The real Living Wage is an hourly pay rate set independently, updated annually, and calculated according to the basic cost of living. Employers choose to pay the real Living Wage on a voluntary basis.

The awards were judged by an independent panel of business and community leaders.

Community group Incredible Edible Salford hopes people of all ages will get their hands dirty and have a go at producing their own food.

The group has created a pamphlet to show people how to grow potatoes in the smallest of spaces.

The project is being supported by Salford housing association Salix Homes, as part of its Springboard fund, which supports projects and initiatives in Salford that boost community spirit, promote health and wellbeing, reduce isolation or improve the environment

The £300 grant from Salix Homes has helped print the pamphlets, which have already been handed out at Salford’s New Barracks and St Clement’s children’s clubs.

Volunteer Jane Wood from Incredible Edible Salford, said:

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“We’re really pleased with our pamphlets, which are proving very popular in Ordsall. They were actually inspired by a song by my band – the Jane and Mike Band – entitled ‘Over and Under’.

“The song addresses our passionate belief that everyone has the right to know how to grow food cheaply and easily, even if they have limited space available.”

 

Jeanette Green, neighbourhood manager at Salix Homes, said:

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“Educating children and adults about growing healthy and sustainable produce is vital to their personal and educational development. The work of the Incredible Edible team certainly does not go unnoticed in the Ordsall community, and we’re really pleased that we are able to help their brilliant cause.”

Since launching last year, Salix Homes has donated more than £50,000 to local groups and projects in Salford as part of its Springboard initiative.

At around 1:12pm emergency services were called out to an incident in which a motor-vehicle crashed into the front wall of a Chinese restaurant on Liverpool Road in Eccles.

It is believed that a male in his mid 80's lost control of the vehicle after suffering a heart attack at the wheel, he was rushed to Salford Royal Hospital by ambulance and remains in a critical condition.

Witnesses described how the vehicle narrowly missed pedestrians who were passing by at the time, fortunately, no one else was injured and the restaurant suffered only minor damage to its front.

Police also attended and for a short while cars and buses were diverted, however, the incident was quickly dealt with and the road was reopened.

We wish the gentleman a full and quick recovery.

Steven Boyle (18/12/1982) of Sandiway, Heywood has been charged with two counts of murder and one count of attempted murder. He has been remanded to appear before Liverpool Magistrates Court tomorrow, 5 June 2018.

Paul Massey, 55, was shot dead at his home address on Manchester Road in Clifton on Sunday 26 July 2015.

A murder investigation was subsequently launched and enquiries have been carried out by Greater Manchester Police.

John Kinsella, 53, died after being shot whilst walking his dog with his partner on a footpath, near to the St Helens Linkway and the M62 motorway in Rainhill, Merseyside, at 7am on Saturday 5 May 2018.

The offender, who was on a pedal bike, also fired the gun at John’s partner as she ran away from the scene.

This incident is being investigated by Merseyside Police.

On Friday 1st June, Mark Fellows was charged with both murders.

Shortly after 4.10am on Saturday 2 June 2018, police were called to Winster Avenue, Lower Kersal to reports that a man had been stabbed.

Officers attended and a 28-year-old man, who has since been formally identified as Kevin Molyneux, was taken to the hospital, where he sadly died a short time later.

Paying tribute to him, Kevin’s family said:

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“He was the only son of both parents and their lives will never be the same”

and his fiancée added:

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“he was an amazing fiancé, dad and stepdad and that they were going to get married soon.”

Officers attended and a 35-year-old man was taken to hospital with a serious head injury. He remains there in a critical condition.

Further enquiries have established that an altercation took place shortly before the collision took place.  

A BMW, which is believed to be the car involved, was later recovered at the junction of Park Lane and Stapleton Street in Irlam just before 9:45pm.

A 29-year-old man, a 16-year-old boy and a 15-year-old girl were arrested yesterday (Sunday 3 June 2018) on suspicion of section 18 assault. They have since been bailed pending further enquiries.

A 16-year-old boy has also been interviewed under caution for the same offence.

Detective Inspector Joe Clarke, of GMP’s Salford borough, said:

Quote

 

“We have been carrying out numerous lines of enquiries since this incident happened and have made three arrests.

“These people have since been bailed and our investigation is continuing and we are keen to hear from anybody who may have witnessed the incident or have information that can assist us.

“We are particularly interested to speak to anyone who may have been in the Bolton Road area between 8:30pm and 9:30pm.”

 

Anybody with information should contact police on 0161 856 9402, quoting incident number 2360 of 02/06/18, or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Following the unprecedented success of his appearance on the final of Britain’s Got Talent 2018, BBC New Comedy Award winner and star and writer of BBC Radio 4’s comedy series, Ability, Lee Ridley (aka Lost Voice Guy) is setting out on a tour of the UK.

Lee will be taking advantage of the disabled parking spaces at the Lowry Theatre this November so be sure to grab a ticket.

https://www.thelowry.com/performances/A6A85F87-1581-4EC8-920D-C22EBA250CEF/seat-map

“CONSISTENTLY HILARIOUS” Broadway Baby

He may not be able to talk but he definitely has something to say and his comedy will leave you speechless.

“SAVAGELY FUNNY…HE’S A BLOODY GOOD COMEDIAN.” The Wee Review

Lee is the first stand-up comedian to use a communication aid and made his first stand-up appearance in February 2012. He has performed in some of the UK’s most popular comedy venues as well as in solo shows at festivals including the Edinburgh Fringe, the Brighton Fringe, Glasgow International Comedy Festival, Leicester Comedy Festival, Nottingham Comedy Festival and Liverpool Comedy Festival.

“HE STOLE MY IDEA.” Tony Flynn

He won the BBC New Comedy Award in 2014 and his TV and Radio credits have included The One Show (BBC One), Voice Of The People(BBC Three), BBC At The Edinburgh Festivals (BBC iPlayer), Ability (Radio 4) and, of course, Britain’s Got Talent(ITV)

In August 2017, officers from Operation Cartoon - headed by GMP’s Serious and Organised Crime Group - uncovered 210 kilograms of high purity heroin at an industrial unit in Salford. 

The discovery came after surveillance officers observed a number of interactions between a group of criminals including a cash deal between Steven Hindley and David Mulligan, which was later used to purchase a forklift truck.   
  
The group’s kingpin, Fikri Yarasir – known as Mario, due to his likeness to the fictional video game character – was seen meeting an articulated lorry, with a Turkish registration plate, and leading it to the industrial unit on Cobden Street, just hours before the discovery.   
  
At the point of unloading, Yarasir was met by Ahmet Taskin and together, they moved the cargo of furniture into the unit. 

While it was unattended, officers entered the unit and found 42 tables in a side room, which they broke open to find a void between the top and underside, revealing 10 x 500-gram bags containing heroin. 

  
All 42 tables were checked for drugs, bringing the seizure to 210 kilograms of heroin. Forensic tests proved the heroin was of such high purity that it would yield a street value of around £63million – the largest in value and quantity of heroin seized in GMP history. 

  
On the same day, officers from the same operation entered a lockup in Rhyl, Wales – rented by Steven Hindley – near to where David Mulligan was captured on CCTV. 
  
Officers discovered equipment set up for a ‘bash house’ – a place where drugs can be diluted with other substances to increase value in onward supply – which included a hydraulic press for compressing drugs into bespoke fabricated moulds. 

  
Enquiries also revealed Mulligan and Yarasir met Hindley at the location just one week before and that a ‘logistics’ man, called Brian Kennedy, had been drafted in to help the group import the drugs through his company. 
  
Kennedy opened a business called ‘Freight Forward Ltd’ but on his arrest, officers found him to have only one customer – Fikri ‘Mario’ Yarasir. 
  
Financial checks showed large amounts of money moving through the bank account of Kathryn Fearon to ‘Freight Forward Ltd’ over several months, linked to imports for Yarasir. 
  
Fearon and her partner Paul Livesey were used as mules to transport money to Turkey on several occasions, a few days at a time, taking large amounts of cash with them and returning to the UK with significantly lighter luggage. 

Officers worked out that the missing weight was the cash they were spending, which totalled around £372,500, all on behalf of Yarasir. 
  
Once all were in custody and had been charged, Taskin was the only person to plead guilty at the earliest possible time, the rest of the group denied the charges sparking a seven-week trial. 
  
Although a mountain of evidence was stacked against them, Yarasir attempted to claim that he was only involved with his fellow defendants to gain intelligence and become a police informant. 
  
This was quickly dismissed by an officer he was known to, who said in no uncertain terms did Yarasir attempt to give any information to police at any time. 
  
During the trial, it was revealed Yarasir had been convicted in Germany in 1997 for importing heroin from Turkey. He served 10 years in prison and was barred from the country, despite his efforts to let others take the wrap for his crimes.   
  
Today, Monday 4 June 2018, the final of the following group have been jailed for more than 110 years at Manchester Crown Court, Crown Square. 
  
·        Fikiri Yarasir (DOB 1/1/65) of Burlington Street, Glossop 
·        David Mulligan (DOB 6/7/90) of no fixed address 
·        Ahmet Taskin (DOB 10/6/72) of Burlington Street, Glossop 
·        Steven Hindley (DOB 14/5/90) of Maesgwyn, Kinmel Bay, Rhyl 
·        Brian Kennedy (DOB 23/4/81) of Gallacher Avenue, Fife 
·        Paul Livesey (DOB 18/10/71) of Abbey Hey lane, Openshaw 
·        Kathryn Fearon (DOB 27/4/84) of Abbey Hey lane, Openshaw

Detective Inspector Lee Griffin of GMP’s Serious and Organised Crime Group, said:

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“The lengths this group went to to try and conceal the drugs, cover their tracks and evade police capture, would have been impressive had they not failed at simple hurdles like leaving fingerprints and traceable bank transfers. 
  
“Drugs, in particular heroin, have a detrimental effect on the communities that the majority of people work so hard to uphold and ruin the lives of those most vulnerable and their families.” 
  
“We are constantly building a better picture of illicit activity and those who profess to be sophisticated criminals and will continue to do everything in our power to find those who attempt to make a profit from putting others in harm’s way.” 

Livesey, Yarasir, Fearon, Kennedy and Taskin were found guilty of conspiracy to import Class A drugs.

Taskin, Yarasir, Hindley and Mulligan were found guilty of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.  

The sentences are 

Yarasir – 25 years

Taskin – 13.5 years

Livesey – 15 years

Kennedy – 18 years

Fearon – 9 years  

Hindley – 15 years

Mulligan – 17 years

Check your lofts and sheds as that dodgy looking sunflower picture or that wonky looking vase you picked up as a bargain on Salford Market (Gone but not forgotten) a few years back could be worth millions, or most likely be nicked.

Fiona Bruce and the team of Antiques Roadshow experts will be waiting to welcome you, so dust off your family heirlooms and dig out those car boot bargains and bring them along for free advice and valuations to visitors.

At the heart of a huge regeneration project of Salford Quays is MediaCityUK - home of BBC Breakfast, 5Live, and CBBC. Coronation Street is also filmed at the television studios, which is based on the waterside, overlooking the Lowry Theatre and the Imperial War Museum North.

Doors open at 9.30am and close at 4.30pm. Entry to the show is free, everyone is welcome, and no tickets or pre-registration is required.

Visitors are welcome to just turn up on the day but they can also share their stories about the special items they are bringing along using Share Your Story on the Antiques Roadshow website.

Alternatively, email: antiques.roadshow@ bbc.co.uk or write to Antiques Roadshow, BBC, Whiteladies Road, Bristol BS8 2LR.

So if you have any old antiques you want to get a free expert valuation on then pop down.

More information frequently asked questions, and parking information can be found at www.bbc.co.uk/antiquesroadshow or on the show’s Facebook page.

At 9.50pm on Thursday 31 May, police were called to Europa Way, Trafford Park to reports that a car had collided with a number of pedestrians.

Emergency services attended and seven people injured in the collision were taken to hospital.

A 19-year-old woman, who has since been formally identified as Sophie Smith, died in hospital the following day.

Paying tribute to her, Sophie’s family said:

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“‘Sophie was an amazing daughter, sister and girlfriend and our hearts are broken.

“We will always love her and never forget the time we spent together. Sophie was our little angel and loved by everyone who knew her.

“A big empty space has been left in our souls and life will never be the same without her. We will always be thinking about her and she will be in our hearts forever.”

 

 

Sophie’s boyfriend Jordan, who was also injured in the collision, added:

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“To my beautiful girlfriend Sophie. Our time together may have been short but I was the luckiest person in the world to experience the love we shared, the laughs we had and plans for the future that have been lost forever.

“You are my world, my love, my princess and always will be. Sleep tight princess, you’re my angel.”

 

 

Scott Watkins (27/07/1993) of Worsley Road North, Salford has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving, causing death whilst uninsured/unlicensed, four counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, failing to stop after a road traffic collision and failing to report a road traffic collision.

Scott Watkins (27/07/1993) of Worsley Road North, Salford has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving, causing death whilst uninsured/unlicensed, four counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, failing to stop after a road traffic collision and failing to report a road traffic collision.

He has been remanded to appear at Manchester Magistrates Court on Monday 4 June 2018.

This is in relation to a collision that took place on Europa Way, Trafford Park on Thursday evening (31 May 2018).

Seven people were injured during the incident and were taken to hospital for treatment. One of the casualties, 19-year-old Sophie Louise Smith died from her injuries on Friday.

Heartbroken friends have been paying emotional tributes to Sophie Louise Smith, a "beautiful young woman taken far too young".

Those close to her have been lighting candles at a floral tribute left at the side of a road, with the initials SLS spelt out.

A fundraising page has been set up for Sophie's family and to help her boyfriend Jordan who is believed to be in a critical condition.