As you may have read in salford.media we have been covering the story of the mystery painting signed, R,Mutt 1917 at Art Of Salford Exhibition ran by Tony Easom at The Cornerstone Gallery in Langworthy and the resulting auction which raised a whopping £200 for local foodbanks.

The anonymous buyer who wishes to be known only as, "The Instigator" purchased the artwork with a proviso, that it went to Joan Fielder who herself had bid £100, to be hung in the Helping Hands office in Irlam and that the money be split between two needy causes, locally.

Today it gave me great pleasure to call into The Mustard Tree charity shop in Eccles to present, Georgia Breen with £100 to spend on foodstuff.

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"This much needed money will be spent on our Food Club, we have seen a massive rise in the numbers attending for food, last Friday we had 71 people requiring food and the numbers keep rising daily, everything is going up in price, not just food but heating bills, travel, and people are struggling to exist, I have never seen this so bad.

A huge thanks to "The Instigator" for his generosity, we really appreciate it and yourself for highlighting the need for donations, no matter how big or small, many thanks"

 

I then popped into the Salford Unemployed and Community Resource Centre on Liverpool Road, Patricroft for a chat with John Howard and Barbara Bentham, two unsung heroes of Salford who do so much work advising, supporting and representing both unemployed and employed people locally that they are known as the fourth emergency service and handed over the other £100.

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"This money is gratefully received and will be spent on our M30 Breakfast Club which provides a free meal for roughly eight - ten people a day, the club not only provides a breakfast it gives people a chance to meet up and chat, so many people are still in isolation following the Covid outbreak, we also provide emergency food for those we can

We have seen a massive increase in people needing our services over the past 12 months and people are genuinely on the poverty line, we have stories of mothers feeding their children and then eating what they have left as their meal, and this is just the tip of the iceberg.

People living in virtual poverty are being led to believe that it's their own fault for being poor by not being in better jobs or being better qualified, when this is not the case, and sadly things are getting worse.

Finally we would like to say a big thank you to The Instigator for the money which will not be wasted and if anybody wishes to donate money or food, please, please call in at our office at 84-86 Liverpool Road, Eccles"

 

So hopefully the money which sadly is a drop in the ocean to what is needed, can help feed some less fortunate than us over the coming days, so if you have a few spare tins of food at the back of your cupboard, donate them them to your local foodbank, they really need them.

So a massive thank you to, The Instigator the anonymous benefactor with a heart of gold, keep up the good work!

On Friday evening (6th May 2022), police were called at around 11.30pm, to a report of a fire having broken out at an address on Maple Close, Salford.

Emergency services attended and the fire was quickly extinguished. Fortunately no one was at home at the time.

Police investigating what is believed to have been an arson attack have subsequently made an arrest and a suspect has now been charged.

Jordaine Liddle, (20/05/1997), has been charged with arson in connection with the incident and has been remanded in custody to appear at Manchester and Salford Magistrates court later today (9th May).

Image: Google

New homes are starting to take shape at the ambitious Neighbourhood development being built on brownfield land in Salford that has stood empty for more than a decade.

Housing association Salix Homes and partner developer Step Places are building 157 new homes on two parcels of vacant land off Kara Street and Liverpool Street in Seedley South.

The eco-friendly development, comprising social housing, homes for affordable rent and properties for shared ownership and outright sale, is on track for completion in summer 2023.

Terry McBride, development manager at Salix Homes, said:

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“Neighbourhood will bring a new era of housing to Salford and complement the wider regeneration taking place in the area, so it’s great to see these new homes starting to take shape.

“This brownfield land has stood empty for over a decade and we’re very proud to see our long-awaited vision to breathe new life into the area and deliver much needed housing, start to become reality.

 “With housing in such short supply, we’re confident that Neighbourhood will deliver more of the right types of homes that people need in Salford, including social and affordable housing, creating a vibrant, sustainable and aspirational community of modern, high-quality and energy efficient homes.”

 

The community-focussed development is a mix of two, three and four-bedroom homes and one and two-bedroom apartments, and Salix Homes is working with Salford-based contractor Watson Homes to deliver its part of the scheme.

The housing association has secured funding from Homes England to help finance the multi-million-pound project.

Manchester poet Tony Walsh marked the start of work at Neighbourhood last year, when he penned a new poem – Salford Keys - to honour the spirit of Salford and commemorate a new era of housing and regeneration in the city.

The honorary Salfordian, also known as Longfella, has a close affinity to the area, having previously worked in the Seedley and Langworthy communities as a regeneration manager.

Speaking at the development launch last year, he said:

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“I have an association with Salford going back 40-years and know every back alley of this area in particular. Having worked on the regeneration project 15 years ago, it’s great to see what was planned back then finally come to fruition and the new Neighbourhood development will be central to the regeneration of the area.”

The innovative design of Neighbourhood is a modern take on the traditional terrace house, complete with raised terrace gardens for some of the properties. There will be a public green space at the heart of the development, 86 trees planted, and all houses will have cycle storage and electric car charging points.

Harinder Dhaliwal, managing director of Step Places, added: “It’s a great scheme of mixed tenures and innovative house types with sustainability high on the agenda. In the current climate of rising energy prices, the air source heat pumps and highly insulated homes will be a real benefit for occupiers”

 

In total, 91 of the properties at Neighbourhood will be shared ownership, affordable rent or social housing, while 66 will be available for market sale, with Help to Buy support available.

Salford Council is purchasing 25 of the homes for social rent, while a further five properties will go to Inspiring Housing Community Land Trust for a community-led housing model, which aims to support affordable homes for local people.

Salford City Mayor Paul Dennett said:

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“It is fantastic to see this vacant site being brought back to life and it is very positive news this new development is eco-friendly. I look forward to joining the celebrations when the site is finished next year and people can move in.

 “These homes are provided against a backdrop of a national housing crisis with people on our housing lists that are desperate for affordable homes. We need to continue to work together to provide many more affordable homes in the city that local people can live in.”

 

The 32 affordable rent homes will be allocated via Salford Home Search, while the remaining properties will be available via Salix Homes’ affordable home ownership brand - Willo Homes.

The first phase of 47 homes at Neighbourhood, have already been reserved, with a further 20 homes released this month. Properties available as part of the Shared Ownership scheme are due to be released this summer, and people are urged to register their interest with Willo Homes now.

For more information about homes available, email neighbourhood@salixhomes.co.uk or visit Neighbourhood Salford.

Faye Cheetham a mother of two young children who tragically lost her husband Andrew aged 42, to a rare form of cancer in December 2021 is determined to raise awareness of Neuroendocrine with a charity football tournament and Fun Day in July 2022.

"Andy was a well known and loved family man, who enjoyed fishing, cycling and keep fit, and was a season ticket holder at his beloved Manchester United, a  plumber by trade who furthered his career to be a project manager in the drawing office at WMB Installations on The Height.

When he started complaining of back pains, we assumed he had strained it decorating the house or possibly a slipped disc, he had acupuncture to relieve the pain until he eventually went to Salford Royal Hospital for tests, blood samples were taken and sadly cancerous blood cells were found.

He was then treated at Christies Hospital and was put on a course of chemotherapy which seemed to work and he seemed to be recovering, we even went on a much deserved family holiday, sadly the cancer returned and within months his condition deteriorated , and within a few months he passed away at home, leaving us heartbroken.

I am determined to keep Andy's memory alive and help raise awareness of this terrible illness by raising funds to have an information booklet published for families who may be suffering what I had to go through.

To help with this family friend Warren has arranged for an all day charity football tournament and fun day, our son Ayden 13, who doted on his dad plays for Whalley Range Football Club,  will compete in the tournament on July 24th at Kings Road, Chorlton-cum Hardy.

The Fun Day will be after the football tournament complete with music  food, refreshments, tombola and a raffle and we are hoping to get kiddies entertainers on the day with a Dinosaur and more surprises"

Finally a raffle will be held with some superb prizes to be won including vouchers for meals. afternoon teas, pampering sessions, nail parlours, spray tans, golfing days, flowers etc.

With Andrew being a season ticket holder at Manchester United does anybody have connections with the club in the hope they could send a signed shirt or football which could be auctioned off for this most worthwhile of causes.

If so please contact Faye on Facebook or myself at salfordreds1950@gmail.com

Police are appealing for witnesses and information regarding a man they wish to speak to following an assault on Liverpool Road in Eccles on the 26th of February, which left a woman in her 30's with a broken jaw after being punched in the face close to Wangies Bar.

Officers investigating the case say that a number of lines of enquiry have been followed up since the incident and they are now urging anyone who recognises the male or has any information to get in touch.

Anyone with information can call GMP via 0161 856 5261 or alternatively they can report it online at https://crowd.in/ETHzl8.

Salford City Council has confirmed the appointment of Matthew Ainsworth as its new assistant director for skills, work and the inclusive economy.

Mr Ainsworth, who returns to the council after a previous nine-year stint, will spearhead the council’s skills and work programme, recently given a £1.5m funding injection, as we seek to bolster our skills pipelines and better connect the city’s employers and training providers. 

A seasoned veteran within the public sector, Mr Ainsworth, who is Salford-born, joins the council after seven years with the Greater Manchester Combined Authority as its acting director for education, skills and work. In addition to his time with Salford, he also previously worked at Nottingham City Council and JobCentre Plus.

Mr Ainsworth said on his new role:

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“I am incredibly excited about starting a new chapter in my career at Salford City Council to work with an amazing group of colleagues and partners to deliver inclusive growth and maximise opportunities for the city’s residents and businesses.

“Salford is a city that’s really going places and is a driving force in Greater Manchester. All residents should be able to see and feel the benefit of its growth and have access to more opportunities to increase their skillset or access training opportunities. As the new assistant director for skills, works and the inclusive economy – I will put all my effort into making that the case and putting Salford at the heart of the Northern Powerhouse.”

 

Tom Stannard, chief executive of Salford City Council, said:

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“I am absolutely delighted that we have been able to convince Mat to return to his roots as a true Salfordian with this incredibly important new role that is at the forefront of our plans to revolutionise our approach to skills and work.

“His experience, knowledge and drive will be a real win for Salford and I am very excited about seeing what he will bring to the table as we seek to broker relations with businesses, employers and training providers to deliver lifelong learning opportunities for all and make adult education fashionable again.”

 

Photo: Matthew Ainsworth | Copyright Salford City Council

IRLAM LIVE 2022 is back for it’s sixth year. Four days over the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee weekend – Thursday 2nd June, Friday 3rd June, Saturday 4th June and Sunday 5th June 2022 at Manchester’s – Prince’s Park looks set to be it’s biggest year yet!

Four great days – one awesome festival. Headliners for this year include Bananarama and The Feeling. Also playing the main stage is Heather Small, Hue & Cry, Nadine Coyle, N-Trance, Abz from 5ive, Ben from Phats and Small and lots, lots more.

It all kicks off on Thursday 2nd June with ‘Cool Britannia’. This is the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee day, where we have a full day of fun for the whole family including a host of the UK’s finest tribute bands. Queen (of course) will headline Thursday’s main stage with lots of flag waving, and we have one of the best with Real Magic Queen. Also playing the main stage is Revival Abba, Aladinsane (Bowie), Take Off That, LMX (Little Mix) and Tony Lewis as Robbie Williams. Lots of things happening off stage too, including a fantastic model making workshop from the Oscar-winning Aardman Animations, the team behind Wallace & Gromit, Chicken Run, Shaun the Sheep, Morph and Creature Comforts.

Friday 3rd June is ‘Totally Tributes’. Friday generally has an indie feel. We have the UK’s leading Oasis tribute band NOASIS headlining the main stage for the second time. Also playing is Runaway Killers, Ultimate Stone Roses, Bob Marley Experience, Small Weller and Amy Winehouse Alive. And once again lots of things happening off stage too. The dinosaurs are coming to town, with Chomp the UK’s largest T.Rex making a terrifying walkabout.

Saturday 4th June sees Banarama headlining the main stage with a great line-up playing throughout the day. N-Trance, Brutus Gold’s Love Train, Abz Love from 5ive and Ben from Phats & Small will also make a welcomed return. Manchester Ska Foundation and Scratch completes the line-up.

Sunday 5th June – Playing the main stage are The Feeling, Heather Small, Nadine Coyle from Girls Aloud, Hue & Cry and Doctor and the Medics will play for the first time since 2017.

The Grassroots Stage is back for 2022 with ten hand-picked unsigned local bands and singers. It’s a real thrill for us to give the local bands the opportunity to play the Irlam Live Music Festival.

As well as everything on the main stage, there is lots going on off-stage too. There is a funfair, Princesses and Superhero walkabouts, Bubbleologist, Street Ping-Pong, a fab DJ workshop and James & Dobby are back with their awesome pop-up silent discos.

A spokesperson said:

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"We’re excited that Irlam Live 2022 is returning and attracting big names that brings so much enjoyment to many of us.

"The response to this year’s event has been positively overwhelming and just confirms that Irlam Live is now firmly on the Summer festival map for an unmissable weekend of incredible live music and entertainment for all ages".

A festival you don’t want to miss!

Yet another sad for Eccles history as the demolition of the 120 year old Unicorn pub in Peel Green began today with cranes ripping the roof and back walls down.

The pub has been closed since 2019 and speculation about it's future has come to a head with news that 16 new houses are to be built on the site, despite several petitions to keep the pub open by local people.

Since it's closure it has been plagued with squatters and vandals, who in my opinion albeit meaning well have hastened it's demise.

The iconic landmark pub has had a rich and varied history since opening in 1899 when it was owned by the Rochdale and Manor Brewery and in 1902 was sold the Walker and Homfray's Brewery in Salford, they merged with the Wilsons Brewery in 1949.

A bowling green was the rear of the pub and tragedy struck in 1939 when a chap called Edmund Knowles was struck and killed by lightning whilst playing bowls, a bowling cup was named after him and local bowlers competed for it for many years.

Perhaps the biggest upheaval to the Unicorn came in 1971 when it had a complete transformation and became a theme pub called The Jules Verne complete with a Davy Jones Locker disco in the basement and a Shanghai Waterfront Bar, bloody awful.

In 1980 the planners realised they had made a big mistake and attempted to turn it back into a proper pub and it went back to it's original name, sadly time would catch up with the the pub.

In close proximity to the pub in it's heyday there were lots of factories and industries including Gardner Engineering, Regent Rubber Works, Royal Ordnance Factory, which employed thousands of men and women, who all had disposable income to spend.

Sadly those companies mentioned have all closed down and have never been replaced, a story repeated many times in Eccles and this in turn had the knock effect on pubs, less income, the smoking ban, cheaper beer in the supermarket could only mean the closure of many pubs.

Eccles could boast of having at least 50 pubs at one time and they all made a living, sadly I think it's less than half that number now, a sad and sobering fact.

As the author, poet and one time M.P., Hilaire Belloc said:

"Change your hearts, or you will lose your inns, and you will have deserved to have lost them. But when you have lost your inns, drown your empty selves – for you will have lost the last of England."

The public are being urged to Respect The Water as latest statistics show accidental drowning deaths increased again last year, with more dying at inland water than around the coast. 

There were 277 deaths in the UK from accidental drownings in 2021 across inland and coastal locations. This is an increase of 23 from the previous year. Accidental drownings form part of the total water-related fatalities in the UK – for 2021 the total number of deaths in water was 616, a decrease of 15 from the previous year.

One of those deaths tragically happened in Salford as one young man lost his life as he got into difficulties whilst swimming at Salford Quays.

The statistics and figures in the report are from the Water Incident Database (WAID), which is maintained by the National Water Safety Forum (NWSF), and the key accidental drowning death insights are as follows:

• Inland open waters, such as rivers, canals, lakes, reservoirs and quarries continue to be the leading locations with 62 per cent of deaths (N=168).

• Males continue to over represent with 83 per cent of deaths (N=230).

• 40 per cent of people had no intention to enter the water, such as those walking, with causes including slips, trips and falls, being cut off by the tide, or being swept in by waves (N= 107).

Following this concerning increase in accidental water-related deaths last year, the National Water Safety Forum (NWSF) is reminding people of the following lifesaving advice to help people enjoy our waterways and coastlines, particularly as warmer weather arrives, but water temperatures remain dangerously cold. 

If you get into trouble in the water, Float to Live.

Lean back and use your arms and legs to help you float, then get control of your breathing before calling for help or swimming to safety.

If you see someone else in trouble in the water, call 999 or 112. If you are at the coast ask for the coastguard, if you are inland, ask for the fire service.

The collaborating members of the NWSF, come from a wide range of sectors including sports governing bodies, rescue services, charities, regulators, navigation and harbour authorities, local government, utilities and those representing quarry operators. Later this summer NWSF will be launching its new #RespectTheWater campaign ahead of UN World Drowning Prevention Day on July 25th. The campaign will be promoted nationally to raise awareness of key safety advice and support the Forum’s mission to reduce drowning.

Dawn Whittaker, CEO East Sussex Fire Rescue Service & NWSF Chair said:

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“The pandemic continued to present considerable challenges at our coastal and inland waterways last year as more people had staycations. The #RespectTheWater campaign is designed to help prevent further deaths and injuries in water.

“We urge the public to understand the dangers, to learn the importance of knowing how to float to live, and to call 999 if others are in trouble and if there is a water related emergency.

“We have seen increased numbers participating in water sports and water-based activities and consequently a rise of the number of incidents associated with activities such as Stand-up Paddle boarding and Open Water Swimming. We want people to enjoy the water safely, so we will continue to focus on guidance, education and awareness for the public. 

“We will continue to work together to reduce deaths caused by drowning and water related injuries in the UK, and endeavour to reach our collective goal of halving accidental drownings in the UK by 2026. The global water safety community is onboard with a UN resolution recognising the scale and burden of drowning, calling for urgent international action.”

 

To view and download the WAID 2021 report visit: https://www.nationalwatersafety.org.uk/waid

Broughton House Veteran Care Village in Salford has hailed the financial support of three armed forces charities for helping it through the pandemic.

Grants from the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust, ABF The Soldiers’ Charity and the Veterans’ Foundation have helped to ensure financial stability for Broughton House during a testing period. Karen Miller, chief executive of Broughton House, said the grants totalling £220,000 from the three organisations have proved crucial in enabling the home to weather the Covid storm.

To help Broughton House cover its core costs during a period in which regular fundraising activity was severely curtailed by Covid restrictions, the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust provided £100,000 and The Veterans’ Foundation, which raises money through the Veterans’ Lottery and donations to helps fund charities and other organisations that help serving and former members of the Armed Forces, and their dependants, who are in need, provided £30,000.

ABF The Soldiers’ Charity, which was formed in 1944 to provide a lifetime of support to soldiers, veterans and their families when they are in need, gave £90,000 to cover operational costs for ex-army residents of Broughton House.

Broughton House has been transformed into the UK’s first Veteran Care Village in a £12.5m scheme, which has recently been completed.

The modern complex has been developed on the site of the original home, which opened in 1916.

The Veteran Care Village features a 64-bed care home including a specialist dementia facility, six retirement apartments, a museum, gym, hairdressing and barber’s salon, restaurant and bar for residents, and an Armed Forces Support Hub which provides welfare support and counselling for ex-service people of all ages living in the local community.

Karen said:

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“Our new building enables us to support more veterans in a specialist environment and we are currently welcoming two new residents a month. “

"The future of the charity is bright, and the support of the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust, the Veterans’ Foundation and ABF The Soldiers’ Charity has been vital as we have progressed and completed our redevelopment during a difficult period for all care homes and charities.

“We’re extremely grateful to them all for their generous support.”

 

You can sign up for the Veterans’ Lottery here https://www.veteransfoundation.org.uk/lottery/join

Operation Loire is the investigation into 15 thefts in Rochdale, Bury and Salford. The first happened at Morrison's in Rochdale in January 2022 and the most recent yesterday (Tuesday 26 April 2022) at Asda in Bury.

The victims, who are all females between the ages of 63 and 94, have had their purses stolen whilst in supermarkets. Their contactless cards have subsequently been used to pay for shopping elsewhere.

Following an extensive review of CCTV footage, it is believed the woman in the images is the same individual despite the differences in appearance.

Anyone with information should contact police via DBIRochdalegroup@gmp.police.uk quoting Operation Loire. Information can also be shared anonymously via the independent charity - Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Police are appealing for further information after a four-year-old boy was left with a serious head injury following a collision at around 3:30pm on Tuesday 26th April, which happened close to Patricroft bridge in Eccles.

The youngster was taken by ambulance to Greater Manchester Children's Hospital for treatment.

Police are now asking for witnesses or anyone with dash-cam footage from the area around that time to get in contact with them.

Police say that the child is thankfully in a stable condition in hospital, and the driver of a silver Ford Focus involved in the incident remained at the scene and is assisting them with enquiries.

Information can be called in to police via 0161 856 6025 or 101 quoting incident 2045 of 26/04/2022.

Details can be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

We are being informed that a child has been seriously injured as a result of road traffic accident reportedly involving a lorry on Liverpool Road in Eccles at around 3:30pm this afternoon (Tues 26th April), close to the junction with Patricroft bridge. 

As a result, congestion in the area is to be expected.

Northwest Ambulance Services (NWAS) have confirmed that a child was taken via an ambulance to Greater Manchester Children's Hospital. The age and sex of the child have not been disclosed but they are said to have sustained serious injuries. The air ambulance was also deployed to the scene, landing in a nearby field.

A spokesperson for the NWAS said: 

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"We took a call at 15:24 today for reports of a person being hit by a car. We sent an ambulance, RRV, advanced paramedic and air ambulance to scene and treated a child with serious injuries and took them to Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital by land ambulance."

Both Barton Road and Liverpool Road were closed as a result, with heavy congestion forming on surrounding roads.

Drivers are being warned to avoid the area if possible and to seek alternative routes whilst emergency services deal with the ongoing situation.

GMP have said via Twitter:

Buses are being diverted around the area so check with the company for updates.

Additionally and unrelated, the anti-clockwise carriageway between J11 (Eccles / Irlam) and J10 (Trafford Park) has seen a broken down vehicle this afternoon, which has caused further impact on roads around the area.

Innovation hub HOST, the Home of Skills & Technology, is launching HOST Social Giving to support Salford-based Kidscan children’s cancer research as its nominated charity over the next 12 months.

The staff team from IN4 Group, the operator of HOST, will fundraise throughout the year and hold quarterly events at its HOST Social venue in MediaCity.

As a show of solidarity for their fellow workmates observing Ramadan, including the Group’s CEO Mo Isap, staff from across the business will be fasting for a day to raise money for the charity.

Alongside this, HOST Social Giving is holding a charity Iftar dinner on 26 April, sponsored by IN4 Group, so the team, partners and supporters can break the fast together by sharing a celebratory meal at HOST Social. The event is open to all, and the three-course Indian meal is supported and catered by Manchester restauranteur Zouk.

Kidscan works to actively fund research across the UK to create a world where every child can both survive cancer and go on to live the long healthy lives they deserve.

Currently, only 3.5 per cent of cancer research spend is dedicated to childhood cancer research. In the last 20 years, only four new treatments have been designed specifically for children in comparison to 190 for adults.

Laura Cleverley, Head of HOST Social Giving, said:

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“We’re proud to support Kidscan as our nominated charity and as an organisation, we are committed to fundraising for this fantastic cause throughout the year.

“Kidscan is a brilliant local charity and the perfect fit for us, as they fund innovations into childhood cancer research that improve survival rates and make a real difference. This life-changing research helps find new treatments for children with cancer and reduces the lasting damage that is caused by current treatments.” 

 

Kelly-Anne Perera, Kidscan Trustee, said:

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“We are delighted to be working in partnership with HOST Social Giving to raise money to find safe new treatments for children with cancer. 

“Sadly, 104 children living in the Salford area will get cancer before the age of 14. 20% will not survive and over 60% of those will go on to develop life-altering disabilities further down the line, because the treatments currently used can cause lasting damage to their growing bodies. 

“With links throughout Salford to tech innovators, digital disruptors and creative business leaders, the partnership with HOST provides Kidscan with an exciting opportunity to increase our network, raise the profile of childhood cancer and ultimately continue to fund the vital research we invest in across the UK."

 

HOST Social Giving’s Charity Iftar Dinner supporting Kidscan children’s cancer research is open to everyone to attend on Tuesday 26 April, 7.15pm at HOST Social.

Tickets are free and you can register here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/charity-iftar-dinner-supporting-kidscan-tickets-318695566017

A 76-year-old man from Townsgate Way in Irlam had previously been serving a sentence of 30 months after after travelling over 150 miles back during 2016 to have sex with an eight-year-old girl who unbeknownst to him at the time was actually an undercover police officer posing as a decoy.

As a result of that case, two further victims bravely came forward and last month he was convicted of a series of sexual offences against minors dating as far back as the early 1980's.

Peter Byrne had used alcohol to subdue his victims as he set about abusing them, on a number of occasions filming it on a camera for his own gratification.

Appearing from HMP Leeds for sentencing today, he was handed a 17-year jail term for rape, indecent assault and buggery for which he is expected to serve at least two thirds of his sentence.

Due to the nature of the horrendous crimes, the victims, a male and a female, have not been named for legal reasons as the case had already caused significant psychological impact upon them.

Judge Hatton who proceeded over the trial said that the impact statements from his victims made "Harrowing Reading".

Paedophile Byrne, who formerly lived in Calderdale before moving to Irlam was already known to police after at age 25, he indecently assaulted a number of girls under the age of 14 back in the 1970's. He was already subject to a lifelong notification requirement as a sex offender as a result of his previous crimes.

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) has reaffirmed its commitment to all veterans, reservists, and their families by signing the Armed Forces Covenant.

Chief Fire Officer Dave Russel was joined by Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester Paul Dennett, Deputy Lieutenant of Greater Manchester Carl Austin-Behan and Colonel Darren Doherty last night (21 April) to officially sign the Covenant. 

The Armed Forces Covenant is a pledge that together we acknowledge and understand that those who serve or who have served in the armed forces, and their families, should be treated with fairness and respect in the communities, economy, and society they serve with their lives.

Chief Fire Officer Dave Russel said: 

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“Signing the Armed Forces Covenant demonstrates the Service’s support for veterans, reservists, and their families.

“We have a significant number of current and former members of the armed forces working at GMFRS and we feel keenly that we have a responsibility to those who have given so much for this country.

“Signing the Covenant shows our commitment to them, and we will continue to drive practical action to make sure GMFRS is a forces friendly employer.”

 

Alongside signing the Covenant, the Service officially launched the Armed Forces Network, an internal staff support network for all colleagues currently serving as a reservist, military veterans, and forces family members.

Watch Manager Jayne Jeffery, Tactical Lead for the GMFRS Armed Forces Network said: 

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“I am proud that we have signed the Armed Forces Covenant as well as launched our Armed Forces Network. We have a large armed forces family at GMFRS, and I want us to be the best possible place to work if you have served.

“We will continue to make progress against the Armed Forces Covenant and work with partners and other fire and rescue services to look at how we can all make a difference for the armed forces community.”

 

In national recognition of GMFRS’s commitment to the armed forces community, the Service has previously been awarded the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Silver Award.

The Award is given to employers who support and employ reservists, armed forces veterans, cadet instructors, and military spouses or partners and aligns their values with the Armed Forces Covenant.

Signing the Armed Forces Covenant puts GMFRS on a clear path to receiving the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award in the near future.

The signing of the Covenant builds on the work being done across Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) to make Greater Manchester the first city-region in the UK that has one approach to delivering the Armed Forces Covenant.

Greater Manchester wants to become a centre of excellence for research into the Armed Forces community and for piloting new ideas and fresh approaches and make the city-region the place of choice for families and individuals transitioning out of military service.

An 18-year-old man was stabbed during a fight in Eccles close to the shopping centre in the early hours of this morning (Friday 22nd April).

Police received reports of an altercation between to men on Church Street at around 3.20am and whereupon a teenager was found to have received a stab wound. The area was quickly cordoned off as police forensic officers scoured the scene for evidence. The man was taken to nearby Salford Royal but was later discharged as his wounds were fortunately not life threatening.

There have been no arrests so far and police investigations continue.

A spokesperson for GMP said:

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"We were called at about 3:20am today (22 April) to reports of two males fighting on Church Street, Eccles. An 18-year-old male was treated in hospital for a stab wound that is not life-threatening and he has now been discharged. No arrests have been made and enquiries are ongoing."

A spokesperson for North West Ambulance Service said: "We received a call at 03.15am to Church Street in Eccles and dispatched an ambulance and rapid response vehicle to the scene. The ambulance crew then conveyed a patient to hospital."

 

A miniature schnauzer called Kurt put his best paw forward to make history in Salford.

The one-year-old pup who belongs to couple Ben Barnes and Leona Armstrong became the first dog to 'lead' a couple down the aisle at Salford Register Office at the Civic Centre, Swinton thanks to a change in policy.

The plan to allow dogs to attend weddings was to be launched in 2020 but the pandemic put it on ‘paws’. With restrictions now lifted canine companions can now walk their humans up the aisle and share in their special day.

John Searle, Place Director at Salford City Council said:

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“Dogs are very much part of people’s families and we want to make them welcome too. Our plan was to start this in 2020 but Covid restrictions made it impossible so I’m delighted we can now go ahead.”

Ben, 35, a freelance cameraman who films for Love Island and BT Sports and Leona, 30, a wellbeing lead who works with neurodivergent young people at a specialist arts college, have been together for eight years after meeting through friends. The couple, who live in Middleton, had always planned to marry in 2022 so their plans were not affected by the pandemic.

Ben said:

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“We were over the moon that we could have Kurt with us as this is just a small, simple ceremony for us and our parents before a big wedding celebration in May.

“We can’t take Kurt to the big wedding as it would be too much for him and a nightmare keeping an eye on him all day so this was perfect. He had a bath and his fur blow dried for the occasion and dressed up in his best collar and bow tie.”

Ben and Leona were married on Thursday 21 April, we wish the happy couple and their furry child all the best for their future.

The inquest into the death of a man from Astley who was killed after a fatal motorcycle collision with a Vauxhall Astra has been opened at Bolton Coroners Court this afternoon.

35-year-old Simon Reeves sadly died at the scene on Leigh Road in Boothstown on Friday 18th March of this year.

It was determined that the cause of his death was due to intra-abdominal and pericardial haemorrhage due to blunt trauma causing liver and heart tears.

The inquest was adjourned until September 14 2022.

We wish to offer our heartfelt condolences to his family.

Friends of Parr Fold Park recently announced the reopening of its new look dog friendly cafe and now the historic park is set for even more good news with a cash injection of over £300,000 from section 106 monies to help improve facilities.

The funding will go towards making the park more accessible, improvements to infrastructure and its open spaces, as well with a much welcomed refurbishment of sports facilities and tennis courts as the council strives to make the beloved green space a key hub for the development of Tennis in Salford, with related work worth £71,700 set to be carried out on resurfacing six courts, and providing training and coaching sessions.

Local councillors along with the parks friends group are said to be supporting the cash injection which would see public accessibility and usability of the park greatly improved.

It is hoped that once the improvements have been carried out, Parr Fold will take its place alongside other parks within the city in holding a coveted Green Flag status.