Over 60 contemporary portraits of Holocaust survivors and their families shine a light on the full lives they have lived and our collective responsibility to cherish their stories.

Generations: Portraits of Holocaust Survivors will showcase works from 13 contemporary photographers, all members and Fellows of the Royal Photographic Society (RPS), alongside photography by RPS patron, Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales. The exhibition will also feature four new photographs by President of the RPS, Simon Hill. 

These powerful photographs capture the special connections between Holocaust survivors and the younger generations of their families.

The systematic persecution of Europe’s Jews by the Nazis between 1933 and 1945 led to the mass extermination of 6 million lives. For those who survived, its memory and impact were life changing.

Through a series of individual and family portraits, the moving photographs in this exhibition present a group of survivors who made the UK their home after beginnings marked by unimaginable loss and trauma. While offering a space to remember and share their stories, these portraits are a celebration of the rich lives they have lived and the special legacy which their children and grandchildren will carry into the future.

Photographers include Frederic Aranda, Sian Bonnell, Jillian Edelstein, Arthur Edwards, Anna Fox, Joy Gregory, Jane Hilton, Tom Hunter, Karen Knorr, Carolyn Mendelsohn, Simon Roberts, Michelle Sank, Simon Hill and HRH The Princess of Wales.

Presented in partnership with the Royal Photographic Society (RPS), Jewish News, the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, Dangoor Education and Northern Partner The Fed.

Photo: IWM

Police were out in force in Irlam and nearby Partington this morning as part of Operation Avro's efforts to search for wanted offenders. Several premises were raided as a result.

In total, 23 people were arrested across a number of areas as Greater Manchester Police continue with their crackdown on crime.

A Greater Manchester Police spokesperson, said:

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“Our message to you if you are a criminal operating across the City of Manchester, is that if we don’t get you today, we will be back.”

A number of operations took place throughout the day with vehicle searches on Bridgewater Way in Trafford and a knife sweep in Sale.

The Criminal Cases Review Commission (“CCRC”) has referred a Little Hulton man’s rape and assault convictions to the Court of Appeal after new DNA testing has revealed a potential alternative suspect.

Andrew Malkinson was sentenced to life imprisonment after being convicted of rape in 2004 for which he has always protested his innocence.

After spending 17 years in custody, he was released from prison in December 2020, on licence.

As a result of scientific developments, experts instructed by the CCRC have now obtained a DNA profile on the victim’s clothing which matched another man on the National DNA Database. In light of this, the CCRC has decided that there is a real possibility that the Court of Appeal will quash Mr Malkinson’s convictions.

Mr Malkinson had previously applied to the CCRC twice before, but the first application was made at a time before modern DNA evidence was available and the second concentrated on issues concerning the identification witnesses.

CCRC Chairman Helen Pitcher OBE said:

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“This referral highlights the importance of the CCRC to our criminal justice system. New evidence can come to light years after a conviction, and in this case years after our first review of Mr Malkinson’s application.

“In the ever-changing world of forensic science, it is crucial that there is an independent body who can undertake these enquiries and send cases of concern back to court.

“Following Mr Malkinson’s application, we used our special powers and expertise to re-examine this case, instructing experts to undertake state of the art DNA testing.

“The new results raise concerns about the safety of these serious convictions. It is now for the Court of Appeal to decide whether they should be quashed.”

 

The victim in this case was violently attacked whilst walking home alone close to the M61 in Little Hulton during the early hours of 19 July 2003.

There was no DNA or other forensic evidence linking Mr Malkinson to the crime and the prosecution case relied mainly on identification evidence.

Following a trial at Manchester (Crown Square) Crown Court, Mr Malkinson was convicted, by majority verdict, on 10 February 2004.

In April 2021, Mr Malkinson’s representatives from APPEAL approached the CCRC with new DNA evidence. In consultation with experts, the CCRC devised a comprehensive forensic strategy to obtain the best possible evidence using modern DNA techniques.

The new evidence obtained by the CCRC has improved upon the results obtained previously, enabling a search of the DNA database to be carried out.

The new DNA evidence found by the CCRC does not prove that the man on the DNA database committed these or any offences. The CCRC has, however, passed the new DNA evidence to Greater Manchester Police for them to consider further.

St Ann's Hospice hope that no matter where you live, you will support their plans for a new hospice in Heald Green.

Depending on where you live, you may not know that St Ann’s has two hospices in Greater Manchester – one in Little Hulton, Salford and one in Heald Green, Stockport. 

Understandably, most people know and care deeply about the hospice that is closest to where they live – especially if it was where we cared for a loved one in their final days. 

Both of their hospice sites are hugely important to them as they plan for the future care needs of Greater Manchester and parts of Cheshire and look to safeguard hospice care for future generations. 

The benefits of having two hospices in Greater Manchester

Operating more than one hospice site means that their care can be provided more locally and patients and loved ones never need travel too far to come to their hospice.  

With the pressure on NHS beds and an ageing population, they say that they know that there will continue to be demand for their services and the need for both hospices. 

Operating two hospices in Greater Manchester also gives the advantages of size and scale. No hospice is unaffected by the current economic climate including the pressure on household budgets and rising energy costs. But being a bigger organisation operating across a larger patch means St Ann's are better placed to weather the storm than we would otherwise be. 

Investing for future generations

St Ann's have recently invested in their hospice in Little Hulton, including re-imagining the reception, cafe and outdoor areas so that patients and their loved ones can enjoy time together in a more relaxing, modern environment. They have also upgraded their medical equipment, beds, and furniture in their Being You Centre and family rooms. 

The next investment in their hospices is a purpose-built new hospice in Heald Green. Their current hospice there occupies an old Victorian building, which they say has served them well, but which is now showing its age and costing them many thousands each year in expensive repairs and maintenance. Unlike their more modern hospice in Little Hulton, it has very few private bedrooms for patients and very limited outdoor space. 

The new hospice will include individual en-suite rooms and access to private outdoor terraces.  It will have a brand-new education centre which will be used to train all their staff in the latest advancements in end-of-life and palliative care.  

The improved facilities will also mean they can welcome many more health professionals to their specialist training. They will be able to rent rooms and have a bigger coffee shop that is open to the public – all providing valuable revenue streams and giving them money to invest in providing exceptional care at both their hospices, as well as in the community. 

They hope that no matter where you live, you will support their plans for a new hospice in Heald Green.

But rest assured, they say that their Little Hulton hospice remains as important to St Ann’s as ever. 

United Utilities has invested £6m in improving the water quality of Astley Brook in Worsley. 

The North West’s water company has completed a number of projects at the treatment works in the area to improve a 7km stretch of Astley Brook. 

Works have now been completed on a 500,000 cubic metre detention tank to help reduce the number of times storm overflows operate into the brook during periods of heavy rainfall. 

New technology has also been installed that will reduce the levels of phosphorous in the final effluent that is returned to the environment from the treatment works. 

These improvements will play its part in boosting the ecological status of that stretch of the brook to ‘good.’

Alicja Solarczyk, Project Manager from United Utilities, said:

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“It’s fantastic to see that all the work on site has now been completed.  This is a really important project that will make significant improvements to the water quality on this stretch of the Alder Brook and is part of our wider commitment to improve 184km of waterways across the region over the next two years.”

The project was delivered in conjunction with United Utilities’ construction delivery partner Advance+.

As part of its Better Rivers; Better North West campaign, United Utilities has committed to reduce the number of spills from storm overflows by at least a third, between 2020 and 2025. This will be supported through a £230m investment programme at sites across the region, leading to 184km of improved waterways.

Along with a few other I was disgusted to see the CCTV footage from the Bulls Head pub, Church Street, Eccles on Friday evening, showing some lowlife steal a locked mobility scooter belonging to a customer inside the pub, Eccles man, Jimmy Noble who is severely disabled.

Video: https://www.facebook.com/OfficialOldBullsHead/videos/575242134135748

i thought that would be the end of the matter and the scooter would be eventually found, no doubt vandalised and Jimmy would be housebound for the foreseeable future... but wait a minute.

My spirits were lifted when I was told that the Landlord of the Bulls Head, Steve Oakley had only gone out and purchased a mobility scooter out of his own pocket so that Jimmy could back to doing his shopping and have his life return to normal.

We decided to call in for a chat with Steve who was incredibly modest and declined to be video interviewed as he didn't want any fuss.

Steve, said:

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"I wasn't in the pub when it was stolen I was on my way to Liverpool on some business when I got a call from a member of staff who told me what had happened, I turned the car round and drove straight back to Eccles.

Poor Jimmy he was so upset and couldn't understand why anybody should steal his mobility scooter I felt really sorry for him, I offered to run him home but his carer arrived and took him home.

The next day I went online and looked at a few scooters for sale and there was one in Warrington which fitted the bill, the chap delivered it and I contacted Jimmy to call in for a surprise.

"It was worth the money to see the look on his face, he is a great customer and I have to say that I am lucky with my locals, never any trouble they come in for a pint and a chat, watch the telly and at weekends they love a bit of live music and karaoke, all good people"

 

Since the incident Jimmy now parks his mobility scooter at the rear of the pub where he can use the electric charging points and enjoy a pint safe in the knowledge his chariot will be there when he goes home.

I would just like to mention that Steve is getting a good reputation in Eccles not just for his first class Holts ales, he has started giving out free tea, coffee and toast each morning not just to his regulars but to anybody who wants to come in out of the cold for some warmth and companionship, how good is that?

Certain that we all would like to thank Steve for this good deed which once again makes you realise that there are still some good people out there, a credit to Eccles!

Salford-based housing provider Salix Homes has launched its Boost4Youth fund for 2023.

The scheme offers grants of up to £500 to help fund youth projects with an aim to help young people living in Salford.

The funding is part of the Salix Homes Springboard programme, which supports projects that help to boost community spirit in Salford, improve the environment, reduce isolation, and promote health and well-being.

Young people who live in a Salix Homes neighbourhood are invited to bid for funding, all applications will be considered and those who are successful will be offered help and advice for their project.

Sue Wilkinson, Customer Engagement Manager at Salix Homes, coordinates the Boost4Youth scheme said:

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“It’s great that we are launching the Boost4Youth scheme again this year, we have some amazing and talented youngsters in Salford and it’s great that we are able to give them a boost with a project or community initiative. We’ve opened the scheme to include 11 to 24-year-olds to make sure as many young people can apply, there is a pot of £10,000 available so we would urge anyone who has an idea for education, employment or a community initiative to submit an application. If you’re an apprentice who’s after some new tools for the trade or a youth club in need of some new equipment, we’d love you to apply to the Boost4Youth fund”

Applicants don’t have to be a Salix Homes tenant, but the project must benefit young people living in a Salix Homes neighbourhood.

Applicants can apply for £500 of funding via the Salix Homes website, funding is limited and not all applicants will be successful, core running cost or personal items will not be funded.

Apply now for funding at:

https://salixhomes.co.uk/boost4youth

Visitors to Salford Quays are being urged to keep away from birds after government officials confirmed an avian flu outbreak.

The disease is endemic in wild birds across the country and has been found in other parts of Greater Manchester in recent months.

Government advice for visitors to areas where waterfowl and wild birds gather is to keep to footpaths, keep dogs on leads, not to feed wild waterfowl and not to pick up or touch sick or dead birds or discarded bird feathers. Dead swans, geese, ducks, gulls or birds of prey can be reported to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) helpline on 03459 335577.

Councillor Barbara Bentham, lead member for environment and community safety, said:

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"This is very sad news but the UK is currently facing its largest ever outbreak of avian flu with hundreds of cases reported up and down the country. Avian flu is now rampant in wild birds and spreads quickly and easily. It has nothing to do with water quality or the environment and poses a low risk to humans.

"We are following government advice and putting up advice signs at the Quays and will continue to monitor the situation. Water sports activities will continue but anyone using the water is advised to keep well away from wild birds.

"Anyone who keeps birds must, by law, keep them housed and follow strict bio-security measures. There is full government advice on avian flu at www.gov.uk/government/news/bird-flu-avian-influenza-latest-situation-in-england."

 

An exhibition at The Working Class movement Library, Salford opened today Friday  20th January 2023 developed by The University of Salford showing works by one of my favourite female photographers, Salford born, Shirley Baker.

This exhibition is part of The Modern Backdrop project which seeks to analyse the transition of Salford from terraced housing, via slum clearance, to modern social housing projects from the late 1950s to the early 1970s. 

Although there are only 15 photographs in the exhibition they are truly stunning showing the cobbled streets of Salford particularly the Hanky Park area where I grew up and I can so relate to the photos of the children playing in the slum clearance streets, their very own adventure playground.

I would urge you to visit this exhibition if you have a love of Salford or photography or possibly track down a copy of her book, Street Photographs: Manchester and Salford (1989) which contains her photographs of people in Salford and Manchester in the 1960s and early 1970s.

Also a visit to the Working Class Movement Library is highly recommended if you are a serious student or a lover of political struggle with a collection of English language books, periodicals, pamphlets, archives and artefacts, relating to the development of the political and cultural institutions of the working class created by the Industrial Revolution, in Salford,

The Modern Backdrop project is a collaboration between the Modernist Society, the RIBA North West and the University of Salford. It is funded by the Paul Mellon Centre for Studies in British Arts.

The temporary exhibition space is open to drop in visitors Wednesday, Thursday and Friday afternoons from 1.00pm - 4.30pm. Entry is free.  

PLEASE NOTE: The library will be closed from Monday 30th January to Friday 10th February to allow the library team to carry out a collections review as part of the library's strategic development.

A bid for £20m levelling up fund cash to help towards plans for the regeneration of Eccles Shopping Centre has been rejected, but council bosses say that it will not affect future plans for their newly acquired site.

Although a disappointment, it is not a huge setback and public consultation is set to go ahead later this years.

Salford Council purchased the shopping centre from Columbia Threadneedle Properties for the sum of £4.15m with plans to use it as a focal point to revive the once thriving market town.

Eccles has seen its fair share of economic decline over the years and is a prime example of the type of project which the levelling up fund is aimed at. Unfortunately, it would seem the government disagrees. 

Eccles boasts some of the best travel links in Greater Manchester, with Bus, Tram, Train and Taxi's all upon it's doorstep. It is a prime site for redevelopment and if done correctly could rival and even out compete other towns in the region.

In our opinion the decision to reject the councils funding bid is the wrong one, it is disgraceful that once more, Salford has been left out.

The city has seen well over a decade of austerity with public services stripped to the bone and it is about time the government rectified this.

Salford city mayor Paul Dennett said:

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"We are very disappointed that this project, which would rejuvenate a high street in one of the most deprived areas of the country has failed to achieve any Levelling Up Funding.

"To my mind, this project was the perfect example of a Levelling Up project and I will be intrigued to see which other projects in which other areas of the country did receive funding instead."

 

We spoke to Eccles councillors, Sharmina August, Mike McCusker and John Mullen who told us their ideal vision for the shopping centre.

Police have launched an appeal for information following a serious collision which happened in Salford on 13/12.22 at around 7.30pm.

A car collided with a man in his 60s as he was walking with his dog near the junction of Gordon Street on Great Clowes Street in Salford.

Emergency services attended the scene, and the man was taken to hospital with serious injuries.

Police are asking anyone with any information of may have witnessed the incident to come forward.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact police on 0161 856 4741 quoting reference number of 2632 of 13/12/2022.

Alternatively, details can be shared via the LiveChat function on their website, https://orlo.uk/en9vr or via the independent charity, Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 555 111. 

The boss of a branch of Hooters set to open on Salford Quays, says that it could be the middle or towards the end of the year before it opens, due to complex negotiations with the landlord.

Julian Mills said that negotiations with the landlord of the 3 Capital Quay building earmarked for the new restaurant and bar, are 'coming to an end' and he is hopeful that the controversial franchise will be given the green light to get 'boots on the ground and doors open.

Mr Mills, said:

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“We thought getting the licence would be much more difficult than getting the deal done with the landlord, but it has been the other way round.

“It’s no-one’s fault that it’s taken so long, but we are hoping to get it done within the next three or four weeks.

"It’s a bit like buying a house, but multiplied by a factor of 50, in terms of the complexity of the negotiations.”

 

The company says that it is looking to employ between 50 to 60 people locally once it opens.

Despite protestation from various women's rights groups, MP's and the City Mayor, the company was granted a licence by the council last year, but has been stuck in complex negotiations with landlords.

Amongst the organisations which voiced objections to the granting of the licence included Male Allies Challenging Sexism, the Women’s Equality Party, Yes Matters, FiLia, Womanchester and GM4 Women.

A poll conducted on our social media platforms last year, revealed that most who responded said they were not fussed, with 32% in favour of the new franchise and just 16% against, ironically the largest proportion of respondents were female.

Following on with the story of how local business man, Mike Young the owner of Mobile Zone, Eccles kindly gave us £80 to help local foodbanks, today we shared the money out.

We first called at The Unemployed Centre on Liverpool Road, Eccles to see Ellen Barker who runs the Breakfast Club at the rear of the building, who for four days a week provides a free breakfast for people who use the facilities.

Ellen told us:

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"I am so grateful to Mike for this money which will be spent on bacon, eggs, sausages, beans etc to make a traditional English breakfast this Thursday, on the other days we are open except Wednesdays, I make tea, coffee, cereal and toast.

We are now experiencing cold weather and a warm breakfast is exactly what they need and is possibly the only hot meal they will eat that day, ideally I would love to give them a full breakfast every day but finances dictate, once again Mike, many thanks from everybody here"

 

The next stop was at The Emmanuel Church, Langworthy Road, Salford who run a much needed foodbank each Wednesday morning and is currently helping at least 50 families a week.

It was set up in 2011 at the Langworthy Community Church by Yvonne and Martin Simms and is now based in the newly built Emmanuel Church.

Yvonne told us:

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" We are delighted to receive this much needed money from Mike and we thank him from the bottom of our hearts, we are seeing a sharp increase in the number of visitors to the foodbank, one of our users are a family with six children and it's heart breaking to see this.

Sadly I can't see an end to this situation, but we all have to rally round and help as much as we can and we will never turn anybody away"

 

Yvonne told me that she has an allotment off Tootal Drive, were she grows vegetables including potatoes, carrots, onions which she takes to the foodbank to help out, also she has chickens whose eggs are also given away to users of the foodbank.

What a wonderful woman to do all this unpaid work for the less needy and she carries on with a smile on her face, a shining example to us all.

If you can help your local foodbank and sadly there are enough of them, please dig out a few cans from your cupboard also toiletries are in big demand, soap, toothpaste, tampons etc and please give generously.

Cheers!

Booking.com, one of the world's leading digital travel companies, has donated its celebration of Manchester, a bespoke half red, half blue house built for this month's derby day, to Manchester Scouts for use at its Worsley camp.  

The house was constructed ahead of the match to create the perfect stay for football fans and celebrate the city as its two premier teams went head to head. 

Located slap-bang in the middle of Manchester's two iconic football stadiums on First Street, Booking.com built the bespoke 'Half-and-Half House' to champion the city's unique personality and passion for football. The unique house was available to book for one night only for £18.81, a reference to the first Manchester derby in 1881. 

Now the derby has passed, Booking.com has donated the 7x5 metre cabin to ensure its celebration of the city serves and leaves a long-lasting impact within the community.  

Andy Farrell, Greater Manchester West Scouts County Commissioner visited the house last week to accept the donation from Lisa Shaftesley, Head of People at Booking.com's Trip Division. 

The house is now situated at Manchester Scouts' Hollinwood Camp, which provides activities and education for over 6,000 youths in the area, as well as providing an inclusive place where younger generations can build relationships in a safe and controlled environment.  

The house will be adapted for use as the Scouts' booking office while also serving as a 'tuck shop' to keep everyone energised during their activities. 

Booking.com organised the unique stay to mark the opening of its new Manchester Campus and with a view to celebrating a fantastic city and to acknowledge its history and identity. Having had a presence in the city since 2005, Booking.com has a strong affection for Manchester and the people who live there, and chose the Scouts because of their service to the community. 

Celebrating Manchester, the house was designed to recognise Mancunians' passion for football, as well as everything else which personifies the city. While the red or blue debate may never be settled, the 'Half-and-Half House' highlights how the rivalry is something which can be enjoyed by all. The house promotes solidarity under one roof, signifying that as much as healthy rivalry is fun, a city that comes together, thrives together. 

Matthias Schmid, Senior Vice President of Booking.com's Trips Division, said:

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"We've called this city home for some time, and now have the second biggest Booking.com office in the world here. With Manchester making this all possible, we naturally wanted to create a buzz around the city and celebrate the people who live here. 

"Because of this, Manchester Scouts is the perfect recipient of the Half-and-Half House and we're delighted to gift it to them. As a former Scout myself, I fully understand and appreciate the superb work they do in building strong communities, the way they serve our younger generations is second to none and vitally important.  

"We hope it gives the Scouts many happy memories for years to come and that they enjoy a truly unique venue which epitomises the city they call home as much as we did in creating it." 

 

Andy Farrell, Greater Manchester West Scouts County Commissioner said:

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"We're delighted to receive this donation, and such a fantastic house which personifies the great city of Manchester and everything its people are passionate about.  

"Everyone at Manchester Scouts is incredibly excited to see the Half-and-Half House in all its glory, and we'll ensure it is put to good use at our Hollinwood Camp for many years to come. We'd like to thank Booking.com for their donation and will welcome them to visit it at any time."  

 

The toucan crossing, which is suitable for bikes as well as pedestrians, will be installed on the A6 Manchester Road West between the junction of Kenyon Way and Stocksfield Drive. Nearby paths will be widened and resurfaced to create more shared space and the bus stop outside the Top Club will be moved closer to the junction with Kenyon Way

It will help children travelling to and from St Paul's Peel primary school and people wanting to reach local shops and Peel Park. The contractors appointed will deliver over £178,000 worth of social value to the city.

Councillor Jack Youd, lead member for finance and support services said:

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"This is a win-win all round. Local people will benefit from the crossing and from the employment, voluntary work and other social value benefits the contractors will put back into the city."

The work is expected to start on Monday 13 February for12 weeks. Any work affecting the carriageway will be off peak 9.30am to 3.30pm with temporary traffic lights.

Councillor Mike McCusker, lead member for planning and sustainable neighbourhoods, added:

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"Eighty-five per cent of residents consulted by the Little Hulton and Walkden Community Committee were in favour of this new safety measure and I'm delighted that it can now go ahead."

Councillor Rob Sharpe said:

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"Local councillors have pushing for this crossing as a priority because of a lack of safe crossing points on this busy road. We have been supported strongly by local residents who also saw it as a priority. We asked residents to choose the best place for the crossing and they decided on the location near Stocksfield Drive and Peel Park. The nearest formal crossing point is 330 metres away at the junction of Clegg's Lane so the new crossing fills a gap."  

Between September 2017 and May 2022 there were 16 collisions recorded along Manchester Road West, with four classified as serious and 12 as slight. Twenty one casualties were recorded with three pedestrians and two cyclists slightly injured and one cyclist seriously hurt.

100 years after the execution of Edith Thompson, Crowded Room premiere a new play Edith built from transcripts of a trial that split the nation at The Lowry, Salford 

On January 9th 1923, 100 years ago, a 28 year old woman called Edith Thompson was executed for inciting the murder of her husband in a trial that would divide the country. Now, in a new play written by Harriet Madeley the transcripts of that trial have been used to examine this sensational case in close detail. Edith is produced by award-winning verbatim theatre company Crowded Room (The Listening Room) and will premiere at The Lowry, Salford from 1st-4th February.

In December 1922, the jury of this case were told by the judge “you should not forget that you are in a Court of justice trying a vulgar and common crime. You are not listening to a play from the stalls of a theatre”. But 1920s murder trials were the hit shows of their day. For newspapers they were front-page fodder, and people queued round the block for a ‘ticket’ to the court. Edith quickly became a media hate figure– a symbol of “a modern London without a conscience” *– and the jury took less than two hours to find her guilty. Commentators have since suggested the guilty verdict was fuelled by prejudice towards childless women, adulterous women, women with younger lovers... and women in general.

Using the transcripts from Edith Thompson’s trial, combined with dramatised scenes, Edith will re- examine this sensational case of one of the last women to be executed in the UK, whose guilty verdict has long been criticised but never overturned. According to her biographer, Laura Thompson, Edith “never stood a chance” ** in front of a 1922 jury. But 100 years on, will we see her differently? 

Edith has been written by Harriet Madeley (The Other Tchaikovsky) and directed by Madelaine Moore (Old Vic 12). The cast will feature Ivy Corbin (The Great Gatsby) as Edith, Peyvand Sadeghian (Netflix's Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story) as Freddy, Rose-Marie Christian (Marvin's Binoculars at the Unicorn) as the Prosecution, and Crowded Room's artistic directors Mark Knightley (as Judge/Percy) and Harriet Madeley (as the Defence). 

Edith is supported by Arts Council England, the John Thaw Foundation and Unity Theatre Trust. The script was developed in collaboration with women at HMP Styal and National Prison Radio, the first national radio station for prisoners. With 74%*** of people in prison listening to NPR for an average of 10.6 hours a week, the programmes are fast becoming integral to the daily lives of those behind bars.

Edith premieres at The Lowry in Salford on 1st-4th February 2023. A live stream is available on 3rd February. For more information and tickets visit htpps://thelowry.com or call 0161 876 2015.

Salford could see some snow today as the Met Office issues a yellow warning across the whole of Greater Manchester for the fluffy white stuff.

From around 12pm today (Tuesday 17th Jan) until mid-day tomorrow, we could see a dusting of snow in higher lying areas.

Snow is currently forecast for 6pm onwards and could cause travel disruption.

Temperatures will plummet towards the evening with yet another cold night in store.

Members of the public are being advised to wrap up and be aware of ice patches forming when out on foot.

Drivers are advised to keep an eye out on the roads for hazards and to plan their journeys with the possibility of snow and ice in mind.

The snow could impact travel in and around Greater Manchester with trains and trams affected. If you are travelling on either then please keep an eye on the TfGM website for the latest travel information. https://tfgm.com/

Police Officers in south Manchester say that they are no longer looking for 88-year-old Ronald Roose who went missing from East Didsbury at around 7:30pm on Sunday 27 November 2022.

Emegency services were called at around 1:30pm on Saturday 7 January 2023,  following reports of a body in the Manchester Ship Canal near to Cadishead.

A large emergency services response was seen in the area around Warburton Toll Bridge.

Sadly, the body of a man was recovered from the water.

Formal identification has now taken place and is sadly confirmed to be the body of Mr Roose.

Detective Superintendent Neil Jones said:

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“Our condolences are with Mr Roose’s family and we would also like to thank the members of the public who helped with the search or shared our appeal.”

Mr Roose’s family has thanked Greater Manchester Police, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service and the underwater search team for all their efforts.

Today is one of those days when my faith in humanity was restored, a simple generous act that means that the less fortunate will benefit from it.

On Saturday I was talking to Mike Young the owner of Mobile Zone on Church Street in Eccles, the shop sells and repairs mobile phones with a large stock of phone accessories.

Mike told me that they had accidentally over charged a customer by £40 for a repair to his phone, and immediately contacted him to apologise for the error and to refund the money.

Rather than becoming irate the customer thanked Mike for his honesty and asked him to donate the £40 to the charity of his choice, what a wonderful gesture!

Having read of our work in raising money for local foodbanks, Mike kindly offered the money to me for distribution and asked me to call in his shop today, which I did, and this is where the feel good factor comes in.

Mike gave me the £40 and then said he would match the money and donated another £40 to make a whopping £80, an outstanding act of generosity, which left me temporarily lost for words.

I told him the money would be shared between local foodbanks, including The Mustard Tree, Emmanuel Church Foodbank and The Unemployed Resource Centre Breakfast Club, all of them provide a much needed service to the less fortunate.

salford.media would like to thank Mike from the bottom of our hearts for this wonderful gesture, a selfless act which means people will eat this week in Eccles.

Far be it from me to suggest that if you are passing his shop, 47 Church Street you call in and either thank him or even better you purchase something from his shop, and you will be supporting local business, you know it makes sense.

Police say that Jay, aged 13, was last seen on Saturday 14 January 2023 at 9:45pm, in the Little Hulton area of Salford.

He is described as being a white male with dark medium length curly hair.

Broad shoulders with slim build with brown eyes.

It is believed that he is wearing a cream and beige Nike tracksuit and trainers..

Officers are becoming increasingly concerned about Jay and want to make sure they are safe and well.

Anyone with information about Jay's whereabouts should contact police on 0161 856 8351 or 101.