Mancunian Matters e-Edition September 2017

FOOTBALL’S WONDER WOMAN

Female referee, Yasmin Saeed, targets Premier League p14 @MM_newsonline www.mancunianmatters.co.uk Friday, September 29, 2017

Undercover cop calls for drug legalisation

page 9

Review: Take That musical is a big hit

page 10

FREE

Girl Guides’ badge to help the elderly

page 7

‘We can stop it’: Brexit u-turn hope

By Faye Brown

PRO-EU activists will be marching in the streets of Manchester this Sunday with the ultimate aim of stopping Brexit.

The event will take place on the first day of the Tory Party Conference and coincides with a separate ‘Take Back Manchester’ anti-austerity festival.

The protest, organised by campaign group Stop Brexit, will begin with a speakers debate in All Saints Park followed by a march to the doors of the Convention Centre, where the Conservative Party Conference will be in full swing.

Peter French, founder of Stop Brexit, told Mancunian Matters: “The people in charge created a mess and ran away. Nobody took responsibility for what they did.

“This is our chance not only to have our voices heard and to have speakers at the debate.

“It’s also our chance to take our message right to the doors of the Conservative Party Conference whilst it’s in session and let them know just how we feel.”

Alistair Campbell and A.C Grayling are amongst the promi-

FURY: Pro-EU protest at the vote

nent individuals who’ll be speaking at the debate, as well as MP for Manchester Central Lucy Powell and writer and broadcaster Bonnie Greer.

Mr French says the debate will readdress the misinformation given on both sides of the Referendum campaign, and offers a chance for locals to hear how Brexit will affect the country in general and the North of England in particular.

He said the march was one step in the campaign towards reversing the referendum decision, adding: “I absolutely, 100% whole heartedly believe that we can stop Brexit. I also think in time a lot of the country will come to that conclusion as well.”

Greater Manchester voted to remain but, out of the area’s 10 Boroughs, 7 voted to leave.

Despite the divisive result, campaigners insist they don’t wish to criticise or patronise anyone.

Brenda Ashton, a spokesperson for remain group Liverpool4Europe, told MM: “We want people to have their say based on correct information, not on £350 million a week is going to the NHS type of claims”.

Tens of thousands of people are expected to turn out to the march, which Mr French hopes will be the biggest student demonstration there’s been in years.

In an impassioned plea for student supporters he said: “This is your future we are fighting for. You will be denied the choices that we have had if this goes ahead, so please think about that and please come and join us.”

Thousands of protestors expected to rally at Tory conference

By Dan Taylor

POLICE have upped security in Manchester city centre ahead of the Conservative Party Conference this weekend.

Barriers have been erected in the area around Manchester Central convention centre, where the

conference will begin on Sunday.

Protest events will continue throughout the week, with actors Julie Hesmondhalgh and Maxine Peake taking part.

Thousands of people are expected to turn out in protest against the Tories and their plans for leaving the European Union.

A police spokesman said: “We’ve made it clear we will do to facilitate the protesters, because that is their right, but if it gets into intimidation, then obviously we will step in.”

The conference-goers will be confronted by thousands of protesters in a mass demonstration

organised by the People’s Assembly Against Austerity.

Police say there will be more armed officers visible than when the party last came to Manchester in 2015, following the terror attack in May. The People’s Assembly’s national secretary, Sam Fairbairn,

says that thousands of people will be bussed in from across the country for a centrepiece march in Manchester city centre on Monday.

Sam said: “Why they think it is appropriate that Manchester is a place to hold their conference and not be met with opposition I

don't know,” he said.

It’s only a few weeks since Manchester Arena reopened following the May 22nd suicide bombing and the current terror threat level stands at severe.

Continued page 2

Manchester hosts Tory conference

2 NEWS

September 2017

www.mancunianmatters.co.uk

Continued from page one...

Hijab may be used as disguise

A 16-YEAR-OLD, epileptic girl from Bromley has been missing for over a week and officials believe she could have made her way to Manchester.

Police are searching for Mya Recardo after she was reported missing from a Beckenham facility on September 17.

A girl staying with Mya in the facility said Mya wanted to change her appearance to avoid being identified.

It is believed she may now be wearing a white hijab or a short black wig.

A statement by the Metropolitan Police says: “Officers and Mya's family are very concerned that she may be at risk of exploitation and ask that she make contact.”

Mya was last seen wearing a blue jacket, a white long-sleeved top, grey trousers, black footwear and carrying a black handbag.

Family and officials are worried about her mental health and say she does not have her mobile or Oyster Card with her.

The teen is also carrying a blue zip hooded top, a grey tracksuit, and a white jumper with lace down the side but it is thought she could have since bought more clothes.

Anyone who has seen Mya or knows where she is should call Bromley Police by dialling 101 or call Missing People on 116000.

Conservative Party members and MPs will come together for the first time since Theresa May’s party lost their majority in June’s election for a four-day event running from October 1-4.

It will be the fifth time the party have come to Manchester for conference since 2009.

Delegates will stay at the Midland Hotel on Peter Street, where a number of fringe events will take place.

After public disagreements in the party on issues such as Brexit, the conference will be a chance for Theresa May and her party to project an image of unity.

She will also have to respond to Jeremy Corbyn’s speech at the Labour conference on Wednesday, when the Labour leader claimed the government was “holding on to power by its fingertips.”

But Dr Nick Turnbull, who lectures in politics at the University of Manchester, thinks after her general election underperformance, that will be a tall order for the prime minister.

“What she says at the conference will be important and the overall tone of the conference will be crucial,” he said.

“Lots of party conferences are quite dull and nothing much happens but on occasions like this one, given the context, it’s extremely important.

“If her speech is fudged or hedged then it will look like her whole leader-

Oxford Road's 'pioneering' work finally completed

By Charlie Cocksedge

AFTER more than four years in the making, the transformation of Oxford Road is finally complete.

Boasting new bus facilities, ‘Dutch-style’ cycle lanes, improved pedestrian spaces and better public transport links, Transport for Greater Manchester have called Oxford Road a ‘real benchmark for highway design in the city.’

Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, is amongst the many officials who are celebrating the result by praising the ‘monumental scheme’ and ‘pioneering project’.

He said: “My office is on Oxford Road and I have seen for myself just how many people are taking to two wheels now the new infrastructure is in place. The cycling facilities are second to none and it’s most definitely a cleaner and greener gateway into the city centre.

“Looking ahead, I hope that we are able to deliver more schemes like this to give people real choice around their transport options.”

One of the most notable improvements to Oxford Road are the new cycle lanes, which

are separated from the road, making it easier and safer to travel along this busy commuter route.

Chris Boardman, Greater Manchester’s Cycling and Walking Commissioner, said: “It’s a fantastic piece of infrastructure which I hope we’ll be able to replicate in many other parts of the region.”

He further explained: “The cycle lanes are really important – they were designed in close consultation with walking and cycling groups, creating segregated lanes to make a safer and ultimately more appealing space for everyone.

“This is the kind of thing that will get more people out of their cars and on to their bikes and so I hope to see many more schemes like this going forward.”

Along with the Leigh to Ellenbrook guided busway, Oxford Road forms a key part of the wider £122 million Bus Priority Package – a five year programme that set out to deliver quicker and more reliable bus journeys for thousands of people each day.

The guided busways have been open since April 2016, and see 50,000 passenger journeys made

“

“If nothing much happens that will be seen as a disaster because on things such as Brexit, discussion has got to move on.”

”

ship is falling to bits and then there’ll be speculation about a leadership challenge or an election.

“If nothing much happens that will be seen as a disaster because on things such as Brexit, discussion has got to move on.”

The chairman of Manchester Con-

each week, with that figure steadily growing.

Elizabeth Tasker, Managing Director at Stagecoach Manchester, said: “These positive changes on Oxford Road will make access to public transport more streamlined and efficient for the customers using this road.

“The improvements have helped to ease congestion issues and highlight the need for the council to implement further investment into other core public transport corridors.”

TfGM worked closely with key Oxford Road institutions and businesses throughout to ensure that the final design met with the needs of some of the region’s best education, health, employment and leisure facilities.

Diana Hampson, Director of Estates and Facilities at the University of Manchester said: “The new look Oxford Road is great news for students, staff and visitors, many of whom already cycle or travel by bus to the University.”

Oxford Road is one of Europe’s busiest bus routes, with a rate of over one per minute during peak times.

servatives agreed, saying that the Prime Minister had to take notice of party members’ concerns.

“I don’t know if she has the ability to regain support through her speech.

She is not a natural public speaker in the way that David Cameron was.”

“Party members are not happy after we blew the election,” he added.

“We don’t mindlessly support a leader. We will criticise and we will be divided.”

Mr Semple added that there will be discussions among the members at the conference about any discontent with Theresa May’s leadership, but there would be no outright leadership challenge.

He also emphasised the importance of holding the conference in Manchester, criticising the party for being too London-centric.

“I think we need to listen to Manchester and try harder in Manchester, Liverpool and other parts of the country.

The party is only concerned with the areas that are obviously blue.”

‘Stop Brexit’ protesters will march from All Saints Park to the convention

SAFETY FIRST: Chris Boardman has praised the improved cycling lanes

Manchester’s classroom crisis

3 NEWS September 2017

www.mancunianmatters.co.uk

By Charlie Cocksedge

DJ ABUSED WIFE SO BADLY SHE GOT PTSD

OVERCROWDED: Lib Dems John Leech criticises government negligence on classroom sizes

NEW research, based on a Freedom of Information request from Manchester Council, has revealed that in September 2017 almost every secondary school in Manchester will be at full capacity, with 11% of the city’s secondary schools over capacity.

Former Manchester MP and sole opposition councillor John Leech has warned of a “school places crisis,” saying: “Each year, our classrooms are getting more overcrowded and our teachers more overworked.”

However, this fact is not unique to Manchester. Across England, over half of all secondary schools are either full or over capacity in Year 7 this September, up from 44% just two years ago, while 40% of schools are full or above their overall net capacity.

This means that there is not enough teaching space available for the number of pupils, and that the schools have had to admit more pupils than their published admissions

number.

The Lib Dems obtained this information after submitting Freedom of Information requests to 100 councils.

They said that urgent investment is needed to ensure that every child has equal schooling opportunities.

Lib Dem Shadow Education Secretary Layla Moran has vowed that the

“

“Each year, our classrooms are getting more overcrowded and our teachers more overworked.”

”

John Leech - Lib Dems

party would invest £7billion into education to expand schools.

Labour MP and Shadow Schools Minister Mike Kane said: “Labour’s Shadow Education team have been holding the Government’s feet to the fire on school cuts.”

Commuters set for bus chaos

By Isobel Cotogni

By Mark Thompson

A RADIO DJ has been jailed at Manchester Crown Court for causing actual bodily harm in domestic violence attacks that left his wife with PTSD. Marc Henry-Wallis admitted to five counts of the charge, in incidents which happened between October 2012 and October 2014, and has been sentenced to four years in prison. Henry-Wallis, also known as Marc Henry, was a DJ for Wish FM, a local radio station serving the Wigan and St Helens region.

His wife only came to see herself as a victim a year after she left the relationship, and was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder when she went to see a GP in March 2016.

It was after this that she went to the police, unable to remember how many assaults she had suffered due to the number of them.

Prosecutor Marie Brannan said that Henry-Wallis “expressed remorse and blamed tiredness from his job as a DJ”.

However, the court was told that he would punch his wife in the head, back and arms, taking care not to strike her in the face, so he could continue his campaign of violence without her injuries being noticed.

Judge Redland, who presided over the case, said that the case was extremely serious.

“You have bullied and demeaned your wife,” he said to Henry-Wallis “through your constant and unremitting violence towards her and reduced her to a form of life that was hitherto unknown to her.

“From being outgoing and person-

He added: “We continue to seek guarantees from the Government that school funding will not be cut in real terms, [however] there have been no such guarantees.

“Under this Government, schools are facing the first real terms cuts to their budgets in nearly 20 years […]

This means that schools in every region, every city and every town will lose money because of the failure of this Government to protect funding for our schools.”

The National Audit Office has revealed that, under the Government’s current spending settlement, there will be an 8% cut in pupil funding between 2015 and 2020.

Councillor John Leech has said: “It’s time for ministers and councillors to stop wasting cash on vanity projects.”

If this trend continues, the Local Government Association has warned that in the next five years 125,000 children face missing out on a secondary school place.

JAILED: Marc Henry-Wallis, 44, sentenced to four years in prison.

able, holding down employment and enjoying herself as people do, to someone who is a prisoner in her own life. That’s a consequence of what you have done to her.

“You used her as a punch bag for all your demons, all your frustrations and all your anxieties. She’s the one who bore the brunt of that.”

Prosecutor Marie Miss Brannan

said: “She continues to suffer the symptoms of PTSD...with regular panic attacks, flashbacks, trembling, and being left continually on edge and feeling something was about to happen.”

The victim read out her impact statement in court, tearfully stating that “It’s broken my heart that the person who loved me turned out to

abuse me.” She is so traumatised by the experience that she now carries a panic alarm and attends counselling.

She revealed how she met HenryWallis ‘after leaving a previous abusive relationship’ and believed she would be ‘safe’ with him.

COMMUTERS are being warned to plan ahead and expect disruption to bus services across Manchester starting next week.

Staff from First Manchester’s Bolton and Rusholme depots plan to take strike action during October. The dispute follows the rejection of a recent pay offer by First Manchester despite an equivalent offer being accepted by other First Manchester staff.

Services from Rusholme and Bolton depots are not expected to run, including the V1 and V2 guided bus way. The company has advised customers to visit its website where a list of affected services is provided.

All public transport and Greater Manchester’s roads are expected to be busier, with key routes forecast to face the most pressure as people affected by the strike make alternative arrangements.

Phil Medlicott, Managing Director at First Manchester, said: “We’re extremely disappointed that staff from two of our depots have decided to take strike action despite a very reasonable pay offer.

“We are working with the Union to try and come to a solution that will avoid strike action but it’s clear that the Union is intent on causing the maximum amount of disruption and inconvenience.

“I am truly sorry that our customers will be affected if the industrial action does go ahead.”

The strikes are due to take place every Monday in October.

Scientology’s bad rep: is it deserved?

4 NEWS

September 2017

www.mancunianmatters.co.uk

By Alice Richardson, Elisa Menendez, Faye Brown and Kate Oglesby

AFTER Emmy-award winning documentary ‘Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath’ raised concerns of abuse within the Church of Scientology, four journalists walked into Manchester’s Scientology Centre.

After fumbling and bumbling for what felt like an age, we plucked up the courage to ask for a ‘Free Personality Test’.

Whilst two of us filled out a questionnaire, including questions like ‘Do you think people enjoy being in your company?’ and ‘Do you dwell on the idea of death?’, the others poured over the leaflets promoting Scientology’s human rights campaigns.

‘The Way to Happiness’ and‘Parenting Teens and Tweens’ were just some of the books lining the shelves, all written by the same author – L Ron Hubbard.

Hubbard was originally a sci-fi writer who went on to found what is now one of the youngest religious

CEOs gather to sleep rough in bid to raise vital funds HERO WORSHIP: The works of L Ron Hubbard lined the walls

By Sophie-May Clarke

CEO SLEEPOUT has arranged for prominent Manchester business women to sleep rough for charity, in an event that will see the participants bed down to fight homelessness in Manchester.

October is a time of year that a lot of people consider to be the start of the winter. It’s when we dig around in wardrobes and attics in search of thick hats and scarfs, ensuring we stay warm on the morning walk to work, often longing over the moment we can set foot back over the thresholds of our own homes, back into warmth and safety.

Unfortunately, this isn’t the reality for everyone and in 2016 there were 189 recorded rough sleepers on the streets of Greater Manchester.

But now, CEO Sleepout is coming back to the city and encouraging high-profile business men and women to ‘swap their briefcases for a sleeping bag, for one night only’.

The aim of the charity is to raise awareness of the homeless crisis across the country; something that CEO Sleepout founder, Andy Preston, believes can only be achieved through “joint-working.”

Preston founded CEO Sleepout in 2013 and rolled the idea out across the country after two successful Sleepout events were held at Middlesbrough FC and Newcastle United FC. Speaking about the return of the event to Manchester, he said: “We’re really pleased to have a number of prominent women from around the city joining us for the

Sleepout who will help highlight the needs of women sleeping rough.

“This year we have had a great response from Manchester’s business community and other leading figures from the city’s civic life.”

One of those figures is Jenna Bowyer, a Business Intelligence Developer from Boohoo.com, who is one of the many women who will be taking to Old Trafford on the October 16th to sleep out for the night.

Talking about the event, Ms Bower described the plight of homeless women in Manchester and across the UK as a major issue.

“Whilst most rough sleepers tend to be men, those that are women often have a different and perhaps worse experience of being on the streets, so it is important to highlight what they are going through and ensure that the right care is available for them.”

Along with Jenna, Julie Wilson, co-founder of Rule 5; the Media City based Communications and Social Media company is also taking part on the night.

Speaking about signing up, she said: “Homelessness is an issue close to my heart and I’m delighted to join an increasing number of women in this year’s sleep out, raising not only vital funds, but awareness of local charities such as MASH.” Since the inauguration of the event in 2013, CEO Sleepout has raised more than £1million for great causes across the UK. Over 100 business men and women from around Greater Manchester have so far signed up to take part in the event.

philosophies in the world. Hubbard’s dystopian-looking books act as guidance for any aspiring Scientologist.

We chatted to Volunteer Minister Jon Swales to find out more.

He explained the celeb-endorsed philosophy is based on ideas of empowerment through knowledge and is a very practical way of life. Scientologists play an active role in

“

”

The truth will out...

Minister Jon Swales

community and international projects, most recently they provided “physical and mental support” for those affected

by Hurricane Irma.

The question on everyone’s mind was ‘why the bad rep?’.

Minister Swales believes Scientology’s infamous image comes down to people’s natural suspicion of anything new. He also feels elitists fear the power of knowledge that the every-

day person could gain from adopting the “misjudged” philosophy.

He said Scientology is “a broad science of life that treats you as a spiritual being”. He told us the philosophy focusses on making your own and other people’s lives better through use of information and data.

The Scientologist of 30 years is convinced that “if there was anything bad” about his philosophy, “it would have come out” by now. He believes “the truth will out”.

The recent testimonies in Leah Remini’s documentary may challenge this somewhat, however. The young religious philosophy is not exempt from allegations of abuse.

Pretty heavy stuff, right? But you can see how thousands have been drawn in.

Minister Swales makes a great salesman and an even better counsellor. After analysing our personality tests, we felt we knew more about ourselves than about Scientology. But isn’t that what it’s all about?

SLEEPOUT: a selection of highflyers from a 2016 CEO Sleepout event

Help for boozy students

September 2017

By Elisa Menendez

SAFETY WRISTBANDS: Too much information?

STUDENTS have been given wristbands printed with their vital details to get them home safely – is this more of a risk?

Ever been so drunk that you stumbled into a taxi, slurred some words at your driver and hoped to get home safe? This will be a familiar story for many students Jägerbomb-ing through Freshers’ Week this September.

In a bid to improve students’ safety, freshers from Salford and Manchester universities

have been handed festivalstyle wristbands printed with their address and emergency contact, so they can find their way home.

Campus Living Villages has created wristbands for 13,000 students.

But is this as safe as it sounds?

Dr David Holmes, Criminal Psychologist at Manchester Metropolitan University told MM: “Emergency contact is one thing as it can be used for accident or illness.

“Having the address lets the

unscrupulous know where is empty for burglary, or is one of the three bits of information needed to hack a person.”

Last year the wristbands were piloted by University of Salford students, with many saying they felt safer carrying their vital details as they acclimatised to new surroundings.

CEO for Campus Living Villages, Richard Gabelich said: “We believe these festivalinspired wristbands will go some way to ensuring safety and reduce any concerns for our residents.

NEWS

wwww.mancunianmatters.co.uk

“The wristbands have already received extremely positive feedback from parents, guardians and residents during orientation.”

Last year, a survey by InsureTAXI revealed more than 75 per cent of taxi drivers regularly deal with passengers who’ve drunk too much alcohol on a night out.

Dr Holmes added: “My main grievance is the message it’s sending that it’s ok to be incapably drunk and a false sense of security for those who think it's ok to do this.”

5

Attempted abduction

NEWS IN BRIEF

A PROWLER is on the loose in Salford, after an attempted abduction.

Police are warning residents to be on the lookout after a man who tried to kidnap a ten-yearold boy in Castleway, as he walked home from school in Clifton on Wednesday afternoon.

The boy was grabbed and taken down an alleyway.

Fortunately, he managed to escape and ran home where his mother called the police.

Police have launched an investigation into the attempted abduction.

Extra officers are patrolling the area and police have called for any witnesses to come forward immediately. The man is described as black and in his late twenties.

Anti-terror campaign

REVEALING: The show gives an honest glimpse at what goes on in schools CREDIT: CHANNEL 4

#Educating star lifts lid on school's support system

By Alice Richardson

CHANNEL 4’s BAFTA award-winning observational documentary series has found a new home in Salford’s Harrop Fold School.

Bottle-flipping teacher Simon Humphreys, who appears throughout Educating Greater Manchester, has now lifted the lid on the secondary school and how its strength rests in its student support system.

In September 2016, Mr Humphreys started as the new Head of Geography at Harrop Fold School, in one of the most deprived areas of Salford.

When he first walked through the doors, he had no idea that staff had already voted to allow 60 Channel 4 cameras to be spread out throughout the premises starting from January 2017.

With nowhere to hide from the lenses, except the toilets, his start at the school was a self-professed ‘baptism of fire’.

Now, a year on from his first day in the role and with filming over, Mr Humphreys has been watching as the first episodes of Educating Greater Manchester have gone out and is pleased with the ‘very honest’ image that’s been broadcast to the nation.

The teacher told MM: “It doesn’t hide anything and it shows that schools are not perfect all the time.”

Mr Humphreys also notes how the series has brought renewed respect for the school in the surrounding community and that improvements in the area have

“

”

Teachers can only do so much.

Simon Humphreys, Head of Geography at Educating Greater Manchester’s Harrop Fold School

occurred with the school ‘at the heart of the change’.

The role Harrop Fold’s Student Development Department (SDD) plays both in its students’ lives and in the wider community is a huge part of this change.

Mr Humphreys believes that this department is such an asset to the school’s framework and to the surrounding community that he would recommend that all education facilities should have one.

He explained: “Our kids do come to us with a lot of issues. Teachers can only do so much. “[The SDD is] such an important tool. The kids appreciate it and they know they can open up.”

Each year group has their assigned Student Development staff member and these individuals all have a background in social work and provide professional support to students.

But, as Mr Humphreys tells MM, the duties of the SDD extend

beyond the school’s grounds.

He added: “In here, [the students] are safe. We are that bubble.

But that doesn’t stop at the gates.”

“It’s very, very rare that a student is naughty for no reason.”

SDD staff go out into the community, getting students into school – by knocking on their doors and getting them out of bed – and providing individual and family support for those who need it most.

Mr Humphreys praised a positive attitude within his school of facing mental health problems head on and encouraging open and frank discussion.

Harrop Fold has a dedicated counsellor, who works closely with the SDD, available to students.

Old trends in the area of staying quiet and suffering in silence are now being tackled both inside and outside the school walls.

The geography expert elaborated: “In the past, people haven’t been honest. Emotional and aca-

demic struggles are linked.”

By bridging the gap between home and school, the protective bubble the SDD provides for Harrop Fold students is extended into their home lives, which Mr Humphreys believes is ‘making the difference inside and out there’.

The SDD also support the school’s staff. Mr Humphreys speaks fondly of Mrs Bland, an SDD staff member, who he says is ‘always there as a rock of support’ for him and his colleagues.

The Student Development Department and all Harrop Fold’s staff adopt what Mr Humphreys calls the “ABCD” approach (going Above and Beyond the Call of Duty).

Perhaps other schools could learn a lot from them and their journey. Maybe Harrop Fold really is educating Greater Manchester.

A NEW campaign, ‘Run Tell Hide’ has been launched by the police to ensure children and teenagers stay safe during terror attacks.

‘Run Tell Hide’ is a new initiative aimed at young people to make them aware of the dangers of stopping to film terrorist incidents.

After the recent Parsons Green attack, police chiefs are concerned that too many people stopped to film the incident, rather than moving to a safe area.

The UK’s counter-terrorism police force is calling for the ‘Run Tell Hide’ message to be taught in schools as part of the national curriculum.

2017 has seen a horrific wave of terror attacks, including the bomb at Manchester Arena.

UK’s first electric bus

THE UK’s first fully electric, zero emission bus has parked up in Manchester.

Part of Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham’s ‘congestion conversation’, the Volvo 7900e, – charged by a pantograph – will be trialled for eight weeks on the city’s free Metroshuttle 2 service.

Residents of Greater Manchester lose nearly 40 hours a year due to congested roads and according to INRIX, Manchester is the second most congested city in the UK. The Mayor, said: “[Congestion] affects people’s quality of life, it costs our businesses and it creates poor air quality that contributes to illness and premature death. This can’t carry on.”

The Mayor is asking the public and local authorities how to encourage people to leave their cars at home.

Have your say until November 3 at www.tfgm.com/congestion.

6 NEWS

September 2017

www.mancunianmatters.co.uk

“Ta-ra chuck”: City’s grief for Corrie legend Liz

By Kate Oglesby

Manchester’s big city clean up has begun

”Do you love me anymore Jack?” Liz Dawn was best known for her potrayal of Vera Duckworth

By Isobel Cotogni & Sophie-May Clarke

MANCHESTER is saying ‘ta-ra chuck’ one last time after Coronation Street actress Liz Dawn passed away after a long battle with emphysema.

Sylvia Dawn MBE, known professionally as Liz Dawn, passed away on the 25th of September 2017, in her home in Whitefield, Greater Manchester.

The actress who was born in Leeds, West Yorkshire was best known for playing iconic Coronation Street character Vera Duckworth between1974 and 2008.

Her performing career began in the 1960s as a nightclub singer, and it was in the early 1970s that she ventured into acting. She appeared in supporting roles in programmes such as ‘All Creatures Great and Small’ and Colin Welland’s television play, Leeds United.

But, it was in 1974 when the actress first stepped onto the cobbled streets of Weatherfield as factory worker Vera.

Originally only cast for a few

episodes Liz became a permanent fixture on the programme when her husband Jack Duckworth, played by actor Bill Tarmey, joined the cast. Little did she know she would become one of TV’s most-loved characters.

She was easily recognisable with her gaudy jewellery; colour print shirts; blonde perm and loud mouth. The latter of which she often used to throw

“

”

Liz Dawn was a true Coronation Street legend, a brilliant actor and a wonderful person.

Kieran Roberts - Executive Producer of Coronation St

insults at her on screen husband Jack.

Despite their turbulent relationship, the pair quickly became one of TVs most popular soap couples. They could often be seen arguing with Vera famously saying, ‘Don’t you love me anymore Jack?’

Yet Vera Duckworth’s spark did not

MANCHESTER business people have swapped their suits for boots in a bid to help clean the city centre.

A team of around 45 volunteers, coordinated by the management company CityCo, headed to Piccadilly Gardens and carried out activities including weeding, jet washing, litter picking and cleaning the fountains.

“We found a pair of false teeth in the borders which was nice,” joked Alexandra King, Partnership Director of CityCo and founder of the clean-up project.

Talking about the work done by CityCo and the businesses they have partnered with in the city centre of Manchester, Ms King told Mancunian Matters: “We wanted the volunteering days to have a positive impact on the business community and the public realm to make sure people realise that everyone has a hand in keeping the place nice and clean.”

For expert advice and specialist cleaning equipment, the team have partnered with Biffa, a leading waste management company, who have the contract for the city centre cleaning.

“Obviously this is a public space, you can’t just get a bowl of hot water and start scrubbing, you need to have a bit of professional guidance on what you’re doing.”

The small army of high visibility jackets turned heads in Piccadilly Gardens and Ms DOWN AND DIRTY: Jessica Cox, Richard Elliot, Alexandra King and Emma Cooke of CityCo King explained how people are naturally inquisitive about what the team is doing.

Community Police Officers working with that alleviate the pressure just a little bit, I and getting to know the council and police “99% of people are positive about what the community and someone will say they think that’s really good.” officers. we are doing because they know the public should be doing anything else. You have to Our Manchester is the new city centre Ms King added: “We don’t have a huge purse is really tight and we have to prioritise take their comments with a pinch of salt.” strategic plan as a result of city council residential population in the city centre what the money is spent on.”

In a busy and compact city centre such doing a big piece of consultation work but this is one step in enabling these But Ms King described how not everyone as Manchester, public sector cuts have with residents and businesses. Asking things to happen through the business is so appreciative of their work. resulted in tough decisions about where to what the people of Manchester want to network.”

“Everyone has an opinion on how you spend money. see more of, activities such as communiThe team meet once every quarter and should spend your time. In Piccadilly GarMs King explained, “If the business ty engagement days came out high along have their buckets and sponges ready for dens we have the City Council and community can come in and do things with more opportunities for volunteering St Anne’s Square next.

stop there and she could often be found causing mayhem on the street.

In 1980 she famously took on character Hilda Odgen and in 2003 Vera was still causing a stir when she hurled a rock through Gail Platt’s window.

It was on the 18th of January 2008 that her character died of heart failure. Two years later in November 2010 Liz made a haunting last appearance on the street as a ghost, when her on-screen husband Jack passed away.

After leaving the street she became the ‘Celebrity Ambassador’ for the British Lung Foundation in 2009.

The actress who was diagnosed with emphysema in 2004 became the ‘Celebrity Ambassador’ for the British Lung Foundation in 2009 after leaving the street.

Later that year Liz spearheaded the campaign ‘Breath Easy Week’ working to raise awareness of her condition.

Liz was well loved on and off the screen and hundreds of tributes have been paid to the actress.

DID YOU KNOW?

THE employment rate has reached a record high in the North West with figures showing that 3.4 million people are in work, by Isobel Cotogni.

According to the Office for National Statistics, the employment rate stands at 74.5%.

Unemployment dropped to 4.0% in the region which is lower than the national average of 4.3%.

Minister for Employment, Damian Hinds said: “It’s great news in the North West where the number of people in work is 3.45 million, up 75,000 on the year.

“The strength of the economy is helping people of all ages find work, from someone starting their first job after leaving education, to those who might be starting a new career later in life.

“But there is more to do, and we will continue to build on our achievements through our employment programmes and the work of Jobcentre Plus.”

Nationally, the employment rate is also at a record high of 75.3% with 32.14 million people in work. Youth unemployment has fallen by over 40% since 2010 and the number of workers aged 50+ has reached a record 9.94 million.

Employment figures show that there are now a record number of people in work, the highest level since records began in 1971.

These record figures have been driven by increases in fulltime and permanent work.

The female employment rate is also at a record high of 70.8%.

Girlguiding initiative to tackle elderly isolation September 2017

Creating a spark: Manchester Girl Guides close the gap between young and old

By Sophie-May Clarke

GIRL Guides from Manchester have launched a new badge created to tackle loneliness within the elderly community.

The badge, an idea from Manchester Health and Care Commissioning (MHCC), is intended to bridge the gap between the youngest and eldest members of the community, creating relationships that are set to be beneficial to both parties.

Helen Salvini, Assistant County Commissioner for Girlguiding Manchester, explained how the new pin should help youngsters develop important new skills: “The badge has been designed to encourage our young members aged five and up to learn new skills, to help them look after themselves and others and to build bridges in their communities, especially with those who are older and may be lonely.”

In a survey carried out for the Jo Cox Commission on Loneliness in 2017, findings suggested that as many as three-quarters of older people in the UK are lonely, further cementing the importance of the badge.

As the UK’s only national charity dedicated to tackling loneliness and social isolations, Mancunian Matters

spoke to Contact the Elderly, “The younger generation rewho ‘wholeheartedly support’ ally learn from some of the the decision taken by Girlamazing stories that out older guides UK to roll out the badge. guests have to offer, while the “Introducing the badge will guests benefit from the enthusiundoubtedly increase support asm and energy of having for isolated older people across young people around.” the city, as well as encouraging the younger generation to get involved with volunteering,” said acting CEO of Contact the Elderly, Cliff Rich.

“From our own experience and numerous other studies, reducing loneliness in HEARTWARMING: Bridging the gap older people has been shown to have an invaluOne person who shares this able impact on their wellbeing, point of view is Veronica Armwhile volunteering also boosts strong. the happiness of those taking She is a gran-of-sixteen and part. herself a former Brownie, who “Our research shows that agrees that the elderly community enjoy giving the youngvolunteers who work with Consters ‘a different view on life’. tact the Elderly feel like they are Speaking about the critical more part of their community as skills that can be gained from a result, with 92% feeling that intergenerational relationships, they are giving something back.

Ms Armstrong said: “Me and my age-group have the time to spend with children and we can give them a different view on life.

“We also have skills we can show them like sewing, learning to knit and doing gardening.”

Ian Williamson, Chief Accountable Officer for MHCC, described how these relationships could help to resolve issues of loneliness within the elderly community: “We know that loneliness can be devastating in both its physical and psychological effects, especially for older people.

“There’s so much evidence to show how it contributes to lowering the immune system and making people more prone to illness as well as a major impact on wellbeing.

“If youngsters know this, they can lead by example and raise awareness of an issue that we can all help to solve.”

The initiative was piloted just before Christmas and is set to be expanded to all 5000 Rainbows, Brownies and Girlguides, before a potential nationwide rollout.

NEWS

wwww.mancunianmatters.co.uk

7

Waste not, want not: ‘Pay-As-You-Feel Café’ hits Manchester

THE Real Junk Food Project Manchester is the city’s first waste food restaurant with a hunger to ‘feed bellies not bins’, by Elisa Menendez.

Every year the UK throws away an estimated 15 million tonnes of food, all of which is perfectly edible food.

The non-profit organisation - founded in Leeds by Adam Smith - intercepts waste food and cooks it into nutritious, tasty meals.

Customers pay what they believe is a fair price for them, even if that’s nothing.

Corin Bell, 36, Director of Real Junk Food Manchester told MM: “It’s about the customer, not us.

“You get a lot of people asking, surely if people can give nothing, then they’ll give nothing? But it just doesn’t happen.”

Bell added: “A table of four guys came in, obviously homeless.

“I think they appreciated being able to sit in a nice place and not be looked down upon.

“Those guys haven’t got a roof over their head, they scraped together some money and left us something to say thank you.”

Bell’s passion is infectious and makes it clear that this is not your typical waste food project, it’s about including everyone.

“If you target people in food poverty, you also separate them.

“The danger is you end up inadvertently delivering the message that this is second-class food for second-class citizens and we didn’t want that.”

Dependent on ingredients received on the day, head chef, Matt Bailey and sous chef, Anna Town create daily menus, ranging from fine dining dishes, to toasties and “one pot wonders” – including vegan, veggie and glutenfree options.

Dishes of the day included bubble and squeak patties with a poached egg and hollandaise sauce, roast veg and toasted pine nut pasta with a tree nectar honey mustard dressing, and an impressive slab of banana bread.

Set-up by former environment and sustainability project managers, the organisation attracted a strong following after successful pop-up events and launched a Crowdfunder campaign for something more permanent.

Their target was £20,000 but donations quickly came flooding in to raise over £39,000.

With a generous budget, cast-off film props supplied by Stockyard North, and a mountain of donated upcycled furniture, Bell asked: “Can we have the coolest restaurant in town?”

Expect neon flashes over bathtubs fashioned into sofas, complete with old coffee sacks turned cushions, and walls adorned with bicycle seats that resemble taxidermy stag heads – this is like no other restaurant in the city.

“It literally has been cobbled together,” chuckles Bell.

You can already see its ethos spreading across the city – former owner of Aumbry, Mary-Ellen McTague, has been involved with the Manchester venue since day one and created a pay-as-you-feel kids menu at Manchester Art Gallery’s café, using only waste food.

Open for breakfast, lunch and private events, Real Junk Food Manchester’s food sources include Ocado, New Smithfield Market, Nando’s and local artisan cafes, with plans underway to work with the Co-op and Morrisons.

The 60-cover venue is also set to start an evening service in October. Alcohol will soon be available on the drinks menu but naturally, this part won’t operate on a pay-as-youfeel basis.

True to their word, Real Junk Food Manchester hasn’t bought or wasted a single ingredient and delivers unused food to women and family hostels.

So, why do we throw away so much food?

Bell uses the example of supermarket home deliveries – if a customer doesn’t answer their door, the food is driven back to the depot and unpacked. The food reaches its ‘best before’ date and isn’t suitable for another customer.

The profit margin is too small to cover fuel costs and staff wages, so that shopping goes straight in the bin.

After spending some time in the restaurant, it’s clear the project is not only positively tackling food waste but is already uniting people from all walks of life.

Bell believes economic segregation is complex but it’s simpler to tackle than we think: “Put two people together and put food in front of them, they’ll find something in common.”

She’s right – who couldn’t bond over a big slice of cake?

Real Junk Food Manchester is open Monday – Friday, 8am – 3pm.

8 NEWS

September 2017

www.mancunianmatters.co.uk

M a nc h e s t e r G i rl s C an ca m pa i gn cele bra tes la un ch

MANCHESTER’S women and girls have been rocking sport and fitness for years.

Cyclist Laura Trott; swimmer Keri-anne Payne and gymnast Hannah Whelan, amongst others, show how inspiring taking up a sport can be.

This week marked National Women’s Health and Fitness day with Manchester’s women and girls continuing to inspire other women to take up fitness and sport.

Not just at national or Olympic level, but locally.

The Manchester Girls Can campaign continues to inspire women to get active.

Over a year and half ago Sport England’s This Girl Can campaign was launched.

The campaign, funded by the National Lottery, encouraged

women to get involved in sport and get active while having fun.

At the same time, Manchester Girls Can’s online community was established.

They encourage girls and women in Manchester to come together and take part in sport and fitness activities in the community.

33-year-old mum, Steph, used to take part in exercise classes regularly, but found it difficult to keep up when she had her youngest son.

Now, she does ‘Buggy Bootcamp’ and yoga classes and brings her son with her. The classes mean she can be active whilst enjoying time with him.

When asked what advice she would give to others wanting to start something new, Steph told MM: “Everyone’s there for the

Charity launches Myanmar appeal

By Kate Oglesby

A MANCHESTER charity has launched an emergency appeal for the Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar after the latest eruption of violence.

The Muslim faith-based charity, Human Appeal, has worked in the Rakhine State, Myanmar since 2012.

Before the intensification of violence in August, Human Appeal worked on health-care and educational development projects in the Rakhine State.

With a population of 48.7 million, Myanmar is predominately Buddhist, with only 1.1 million Rohingya. Neither the Bangladeshi nor Myanmar governments will grant them citizenship which means they are technically stateless people.

Facing persecution and discrimination from the Myanmar Government for many years, they don’t have access to freedom of movement, state education or voting rights.

Since the escalation of violence last month, thousands of people have been arriving at camps on the Bangladeshi border every day.

Resources such as food, water and shelter are already in very short supply.

Othman Moqbel, CEO of the charity, told Mancunian Matters: “Our team arrived yesterday to the Since the conflict started again it has been difficult to reach some areas and we have to get permission for food distribution in the area

capital of the Rakhine State where they are already doing work and waiting to reach other affected areas in the Rakhine State as well.

“Since the conflict started again it has been difficult to reach some areas and we have to get permission for food distribution in

the area.”

Food and hygiene facilities are the two priorities during any crisis.

After that follows shelter and emergency health treatment.

Yet the main problem for aid agencies is gaining access in the Rakhine State; many of them are still prevented from delivering emergency aid.

In terms of numbers, Othman said: “There are 350,000 refugees that fled the country to Bangladesh, internally there are no statistics because there is no access to reach them, but I expect hundreds of thousands.”

Othman believes that the conflict, which recently escalated, needs a long-term solution, “This is a continuous problem and needs a political solution and we hope that our Prime Minister and other western countries will work together with the UN to find a solution.”

The charity has been astounded by the response to its appeal and hopes to raise £500,000 by the end of the week.

same reason - to get out and about and to do something for themselves - as well as seeing other people, so give it a try.”

Nicky, 40, teaches 10 Zumba classes a week in Manchester.

She discovered Zumba four years ago after losing her dad to cancer. It brought her back to life and gave her back her energy and enthusiasm.

Nicky gave anyone wanting to start something they’ve never done before this advice: “Everyone can feel self-conscious at some time or other and the first step is the hardest. Take a friend, make that step together.“ Check out Manchester Women’s website: https://manchestgirlscan.co.uk/ or follow them on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MCRgirlscan

HUMAN CRISIS: Hundreds of thousands of Rohingya Muslims have fled

NEWS

September 2017

wwww.mancunianmatters.co.uk

Metrolink prices to rise again

By Isobel Cotogni

PRICE HIKES: Council bosses will talk fare rises

A NUMBER of proposed changes to Metrolink fares are to be discussed by the region’s council bosses as prices are set to rise again from January 2018.

Leaders will be asked to approve the introduction of a phased three-year fare increase, which will see prices soar 5.98% in line with the results of a Metrolink fares survey which ran over the summer.

Of the 5,025 people who responded to the survey, 3,944 opted to spread the increase over three years.

Other changes to Metrolink fares include: increasing the cost of a special event ticket from £3 to £4, matching all child fares across the Metrolink network bringing them to 50% of the adult fare across the board and introducing a dis-

counted 5 to 18 special event ticket price.

The paper also sets out proposals that would cut the cost of travel for young people aged 16 to 18.

If approved, the change would see the cost of an off-peak day or weekend ticket cut in half. The fare increases that were discussed over the summer do not subsidise the fare cut for 16-18 yearolds.

This latest move to support young people across Greater Manchester comes just weeks after the launch of a similar scheme introduced on Greater Manchester’s bus network.

Both moves support Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham’s manifesto to extend discounted travel to the region’s young people, with those who have a 16-18 ‘Get me there’ smart card

UNDERCOVER: Neil Woods spent 14 years infiltrating Britain’s drug gangs -- now he is a leading drugs reform campaginer

By Max Chesterton

FOR 14 years Neil Woods served as an undercover drug squad officer on the front line of Britain’s war on drugs.

Now, he is the chairman of LEAP UK (Law Enforcement Against Prohibition), an organisation campaigning for the complete regulated sale of drugs in Britain.

A report released in August by the Office of National Statistics found that the number of people who were fatally killed as a result of taking illegal drugs reached a record high of 3744 causalities in Britain in 2016.

Synthetic cannabinoids – otherwise known as Spice, a drug notorious within Manchester – contributed to 123 deaths nationwide in 2016 and the problem is only set to get worse according to campaigner Mr Woods.

He told MM: “There are always new products coming out, there will

be more deaths and there will be more harm.

“Since drugs were banned in 1971 in this country, they have got stronger, they have got cheaper and they have got more varied and that is because the market is run by criminals instead of a proper regulated system.”

In January this year, Spice was reclassified under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 as a Class B controlled substance, making possession punishable with up to five years imprisonment.

However, since the change in

“

They want the best, strongest product, which people want and keep coming back for and they take advantage of the most vulnerable people

”

the law, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of crimesrelated to Spice that the police have dealt with.

According to Mr Woods, this legal reclassification has only made the problem worse by handing the ‘legal high’ market to the illegal drug trade.

He explained: “As soon as the market was handed completely towards organised crime, gangsters or even small time drug dealers were able to make as much money as possible.

“They want the best, strongest product, which people want and keep coming back for and they take advantage of the most vulnerable people.”

From Mr Woods’ perspective, homelessness and the lack of mental health support are fundamentally interlinked with the increased problematic use of Spice in Manchester.

Figures released in January

eligible for the offer.

The Mayor, said: “I am committed to putting young people at the heart of my manifesto and a key part of that was to open up opportunities for 16 to 18 year olds in Greater Manchester.

“There is still a way to go but halfprice travel on our Metrolink, together with half-price bus travel, are steps in the right direction.

“I remain absolutely committed to the introduction of free travel for all 16-18 year olds and will continue working towards that ultimate goal, ensuring young people can more easil access jobs, training, education and all the other opportunities that Greater Manchester offers.”

TfGM aims to make the city cleaner and greener through its 2040 Transport Strategy and Air Quality Action Plan.

‘If I was stuck on the streets I would be getting high’ 2017 revealed that homelessness in the Greater Manchester area had risen by 41% over the previous year and had quadrupled since 2010. This growth, according to Mr Woods, is fundamentally behind the increase in Spice use.

He said: “If I was stuck on the streets, I would be getting high because there is a lot of time in the day to kill, feeling you have got nowhere to go to, no connection, no security and you constantly feel vulnerable.

“Homeless people are picked on, they are assaulted, and they are pissed on sometimes, so you aregoing to feel vulnerable, which increases the demand.”

Despite spending over 14 years in the police, Mr Woods firmly believes that that the war on drugs is an unwinnable one for the authorities.

“Police are already struggling with austerity, they are already struggling with cuts, they are

already struggling with morale because they have got too much work to do and they want to be helping people,” he explained.

Mr Woods added: “If money was moved away from policing drugs and into helping people that is how you get to the root of the problem.”

As the chairman of LEAP UK, an organisation that campaigns for the total decriminalisation of drug use, Neil Woods argues that the only solution is to now totally regulate the drugs market.

“The existence of a regulated market would satisfy the needs of the vast majority of people because people would rather go to a licensed outlet where they know exactly what is in it and they know exactly what the dosage is.

“You would take the power away from organised crime because the money disappears.”

9

Austerity protesters will march in their thousands

By Faye Brown

ANTI-AUSTERITY protesters will be gathering in Manchester this Saturay to mark the beginning of the five day ‘Take back Manchester Festival’.

The festival has been organised by the People’s Assembly Against Austerity as a demonstration against the Conservative Party Conference being held in Manchester for the second year running.

Five days of cultural events, film screenings, rallies, comedy, music and public meetings will underpin a national demonstration taking place on the first day of the Tory party Conference on Sunday 1 st October.

The demonstration will begin with a rally of speeches, music and performances at Castlefield Bowl, followed by a march from Liverpool Road to Piccadilly Gardens for more speeches.

Maxine Peake and Julie Hesmondhalgh are just two of the stars who’ll be appearing at the festival.

Other key speakers include journalist Owen Jones and Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell.

The People’s Assembly Against Austerity was launched in 2013 with a letter to the Guardian that has the signatories of, amongst others, filmmaker Ken Loach, comedian Josie Hall, playwright Lee Hall and actor Roger Lloyd Pack.

It was launched with the aim of providing a national forum for anti-austerity views, and stands for investment into housing as well as the reversal of recent austerity cuts including those employment and support allowance (ESA) and those to disability allowance.

They are hoping the festival will challenge the status quo of Tory economics and usher in a new economic way of thinking.

They say austerity isn’t the answer and call for the nationalisation of the railways.

10 CULTURE September 2017

www.mancunianmatters.co.uk

PREVIEWS Boyband musical will take you back, take you Manchester Literature Festival

The Original Punk Poet Pub Tour: 7 October, 12pm – 3pm Put on your skinny suit and sunglasses and head to the pub for some poetry. This literary piss-up celebrates Salford’s bard, John Cooper Clarke.

Roddy Doyle: 8 October, Central Library, 7pm The Man Booker Prize-winning author of The Commitments will be in conversation with Alex Clark to discuss his books, films and forthcoming novel, Smile.

Will Self: 10 October, Central Library, 6.30pm The cult author returns to Manchester to talk about his new novel, Phone, a wildly witty send-up of contemporary British life. An acerbic, merciless commentator, Self is a prolific and celebrated author, journalist and broadcaster.

Harriet Harman A Woman’s Work: 12 October, Central Library, 6.30pm The veteran Labour MP recently called Jacob Rees-Mogg a “deadbeat dad” after he revealed he has never changed his childrens’ nappies. Here she discusses her new memoir, A Woman’s Work, which tells of her 30 years in politics as a champion of women’s rights.

Jon Savage, Burgess, Punk and the Sex Pistols: 17 October, International Antony Burgess Foundation, 7pm In Antony Burgess’ centenary year, this specially commissioned talk reflects on Burgess, youth culture, the 40th anniversary of the Sex Pistols’ Never Mind the Bollocks, and the continuing relevance of punk. Jon Savage is a writer, broadcaster and music journalist, best known for his award-winning history of The Sex Pistols.

Howard Jacobson: 18 October, Central Library, 7pm The award-winning Howard Jacobson is in conversation with MLF patron Rachel Cooke to discuss his new novel, Pussy, the art of satire, and writing as a form of resistance in the current political climate.

Michael Rosen, So They Call You Pisher?: 19 October, Waterstones Deansgate, 6pm Former children’s laureate Michael Rosen comes to MLF to discuss his new memoir, which tells the story of his childhood in London, early communist camping holidays and his first adventures in activism as a young man. Rosen is the author of over 140 books of poetry, stories and political commentary.

Nigella Lawson in conversation with Jeanette Winterson: 20 October, RNCM, 7pm Saucy TV cook Nigella Lawson talks about her latest book, Christmas Days: 12 Stories and 12 Feasts, with author Jeanette Winterson.

Jennifer Egan: 15 November, Central Library, 7pm American author Jennifer Egan won the Pulitzer Prize for her sprawling yet captivating novel, A Visit From The Goon Squad.

She makes a visit to the UK to talk about her forthcoming novel, Manhattan Beach.

Jackie Kay & Ali Smith: 5 December, Martin Harris Centre, 7.30pm In this joint event, writers and friends Jackie Kay (the Scottish Makar and University of Salford Chancellor) and the Costa Novel Awarding-winning Ali Smith will read their worand discuss the art of creativity.

Grimmfest

Manchester’s very own festival of horror, cult and fantastic film comes to the Printworks Vue cinema for its 2017 run.

Here are MM’s top tips and ones to watch.

Habit: Thursday 5th October, 7pm (World Premiere, with Q&A): Set in the dark heart of our fair city, this adaption of Stephen McGeagh’s cult novel, filmed on location, is sure to bring that dangerous feeling of a seedy underworld closer to home.

Short Film Showcase: Friday 6th October, 12.30pm: Elder Gods, demon births, urban legends and white rabbits for luck, the short film showcase guarantees something for everyone.

Leatherface: Saturday 7th October, 7pm: Some people might roll their eyes at the idea of yet another addition to the Texas Chainsaw Massacre legacy, but this origin story is sure to wring fresh blood out of the classic cannibal family scenario.

Dave Made A Maze: Sunday 8th October, 12pm: This US film makes its UK premiere at Grimmfest. Described as a manic mash-up of all sorts of horror genres, this visually striking and oddball film matches wildly creative set design with a sharp, sardonic script.

Borley Rectory: Sunday 8th October, 4pm: Six years in the making, Borley Rectory finally gets its world premiere at Grimmfest. Starring The League of Gentlemen’s Reece Shearsmith, this movie combines a heady mixture of traditional filmmaking techniques, live action, stills, animation and model work to produce an elegant and immersive exploration of the Most Haunted House in Britain.

Attack of the Adult Babies: Sunday 8th October, 8.30pm: Closing the festival this year is this satirical shocker, which pokes horrific fun at the rich and powerful. An utterly outrageous dark comedy, the film skewers the British Nation’s sexual hang ups and social division with puerile glee and savage abandon.

b ac k f o r g o o d

A GENUINE feast for the eyes, ears and soul, The Band is successfully taking theatre-goers on a rollercoaster journey of feel good emotions, writes Sophie-May Clarke.

Anticipation levels are high on the official opening night of The Band, but the question on everybody’s mind is: can this record-breaking musical live up to expectations?

Tim Firth’s epic show takes you on a trip through the nineties, beautifully soundtracked to Take That’s classics, energetically performed by Five to Five, the boy band who were crowned winners of BBC’s hit talent show Let It Shine.

The five lads, who are by no means the protagonists of the story, feel like the devil on your shoulder throughout the show – constantly teasing the audience with their flawless vocals and dancing, appearing when you least expect them.

Performances of Take That’s greatest hits are beautifully interwoven into the story of five girls as they transition from band-obsessed teenagers growing up in the 90s, to current-day women with real responsibilities and woes.

The production opens with the brilliant 16-year old Rachel (Faye Christall), describing her love of the band to the audience, whilst her modern-day self (Rachel Lumberg) watches on.

The storyline springs into action by following Rachel and her best buddies.

However, tragedy strikes as the group return from seeing Take That in concert, ultimately resulting in the untimely ending of their friendships.

Fast-forward 25 years, and it’s here that the musical really hits its stride as the clique reunite.

Much like Take That’s real-life reunion in 2005, when the girls meet for the first time in years they slowly realise just how much life has changed.

Visually, Act Two has some of the best scenes in the show, with incredibly designed sets, moving moments and amazing choreography.

A Million Love Songs Later and it’s time for a conclusion that makes theatre-goers laugh and cry.

Audience members on the night were in for a treat when the real Take That appeared on stage after the show, with a guest appearance from Lulu.

With Take That as co-producers on the show, it’s easy to see that their vision was carefully created with passion and pride, resulting in an incredible pairing of pop and plot.

It’s fair to say that this performance does not ride on the coattails of Take That’s greatest hits, the story is a standalone success with the music merely enhancing what is already an incredible piece of theatre.

To answer the question set out at the start of this review, then yes, The Band more than lives up to expectations – it supersedes them!

Breaking the mould of rom-com female leads SET in a gritty area of South East London, Daphne – a vivid character study from Peter Mackie Burns that's coming to HOME – opens in a dimly lit bar in Elephant and Castle, writes Faye Brown.

Its lead, played by Manchester born Emily Beecham, tells an old friend, ‘I’ve sort of given up on people, haven’t I?’ over the first of many tequilas she consumes that night.

Followed by a string of casual hook ups and some recreational drugs, it’s an instant insight into the complexity and three-dimensionality of our eponymous heroine.

Daphne – a cynical and promiscuous 31year old-chef – is both a free-spirited party girl and an isolated misanthropic, probably not living the way she wants to be living and yet seemingly content with her hedonistic lifestyle.

She’s convinced herself that ‘healthy cynicism and neurotic cynicism are, like, different’ whilst remaining wilfully ignorant to the fact her views on love (‘an illusion to bind us all together to propagate our shitty species’) amount to the latter.

She’s clearly on the verge of a muchneeded change. The plot twist? Change does not come in the form of a man.

When Daphne witnesses a brutal crime, it triggers a downward spiral of self-destructive behaviour.

With no one to talk to about the incident, she uses alcohol to self-medicate, exposing a layer of vulnerability beneath her anti-social façade.

Director Peter Burns told MM: “She’s in a bit of a rut and she’s found an identity for herself which doesn’t fit her anymore.

“Essentially the film is asking ‘what do you do when you become the

person you’re pretending to be?’”

The film poses this question with darkness and humour. A self-described ‘romantic comedy without the bullshit’, it skilfully avoids the typical tropes and clichés often used in rom-coms about an uninhibited female lead.

Daphne is uneasy with the lack of empathy she’s developed, but unlike Amy Schumer in Trainwreck for example, she knows settling down isn’t the answer to her existential crisis.

Refreshingly, Daphne portrays being a single woman as a choice, putting to bed that Bridget Jones-eque myth that it’s a sad, tragic punishment for being a size 10, careerfocused or having the sexual appetite ‘of a man’.

Burns explained: “We wanted to make a story where the central character was an accurate portrayal of women we know.

Where a man didn’t come in and solve her problems.

“From my experience, men don’t solve problems. They tend to make them!”

Not everyone will see themselves in Daphne, but in creating a character of such depth and complexity, most women will identify with at least some aspects – such as ‘I’m still wearing a sports bra because I can’t be arsed’ – of her vivacious and witty personality.

Indeed, the film may have been written and directed by men, but it’s overwhelmingly female – a reflection of both Beecham’s input into the character profile and her mesmerising execution of the role.

Daphne is an authentic, funny take on modern city life and hopefully a sign that things are surely changing for portrayals of women in cinema.

CULTURE 11

September 2017

wwww.mancunianmatters.co.uk

“ I’ m rea dy t o s ho ut m y head off...”

Out of touch plot means Sixties trip misses mark

MOST of us know Son of a Preacher Man as the swinging 60’s classic from legendary artist Dusty Springfield.

But anyone praying that the jukebox musical will live up to its name are in for a sad case of the blues.

The production – now playing at the Palace Theatre in Manchester – focuses on a popular bar in 1960s London The Preacher Man, as it’s called, was Soho’s hottest music joint, where kids danced the night away to the latest crazes and dared to dream of love.

The joint’s legendary owner was famous, not only for his vinyl records but also for curing lonely hearts with his coveted words of wisdom and advice on love.

Fast forward 50 years and three lovelorn strangers meet on a quest to find ‘the Preacher Man’.

The characters consist of Paul (Michael Howe), a former member of the 60s in-crowd still yearning for a man he met there many moons ago; Alison (Debra Stephenson), a recently widowed teacher with a disturbing crush on her teenage student; and Kat (Diana Vickers), a bereaved millennial heartbroken over a man she’s been rejected by on a dating website but never actually met.

Unlucky for them (and the audience as well) all that remains of the Preacher Man are memories.

The group arrives simultaneously in the capital to discover the bar has been converted into a coffee shop by the Preacher Man’s son.

There they are greeted by the Cappuccino Girls – a waitressing trio who are presumably intended to pay homage to the sixties but in fact are closer to resembling residents from the Hunger Games Capitol.

It is this unusual mismatch of genres in the script and stage design that let Son of a Preacher Man down.

60s music is met with pantomime acting and High School Musical-style dancing, whilst the costume design borrows arbitrarily from all eras.

One character looks and sounds like Nancy from Oliver Twist, another like Effie Trinket from District 12.

The play is actually set in the present day, but you wouldn’t always guess it from the out of touch plot.

A one-liner early on in the show lures you into a false sense of security that you’re in for a musical comedy about dating in the modern age.

Tom Robinson chats to Simon Pilkington about mental health, penning LGBT hits and his upcoming tour TH E

BIG

INTERV IEW

TOM Robinson says he is “back to shouting my head off and playing at 100-miles an hour” as he marks the 40th anniversary of one of his classic hits with a tour this October.

The veteran musician and radio presenter will be playing every track from the Tom Robinson Band’s debut album, Power In the Darkness, including the raucous single ‘2 4 6 8 Motorway’ from October 1977.

“There’s some big surprises going back to some of the songs – not least how fast they are.

They’re unbelievably fast!”

Formed in 1976, the Tom Robinson Band captured the spirit of the punk era on their incendiary records. In an interview with Mancunian Matters, Tom talked about the political climate in which he wrote Power In the Darkness and the parallels with today’s society.

“It was a time of flux and uncertainty – which bizarrely does chime with the present situation.”

“There was a possibility that you could work for a better world… but at the same time, deep uncertainty. And here we are in Brexit-land, and [with] Donald Trump.

“Nobody knows where we’re going to be a year from now.”

Tom champions new music on his BBC 6music shows and believes some of today’s young musicians, particularly on the grime scene, are challenging the recent turn towards political reaction. However, he believes music now has less of an influence on society.

“In this internet era, I don’t think music plays the same role. People don’t buy music with

quite the same passionate intensity community, they’d only have to open that they did because there are so that page and they’d see right there many other ways in which you can what they need.” transmit ideas and In the years culture.” since his troubled Tom’s bravest youth, Tom has and most defiant spoken openly song is arguably about mental ‘Glad to be Gay’, health issues. He which was released praised the chariseparately from ty CALM, which Power in the Darkaims to prevent ness in early 1978. male suicide by, Tom had a nervamong other ous breakdown as a things, encouragteenager in the ing men to talk 1960s when he fell about their feelin love with a boy. ings.

Inspired by the “Mental health androgyny of David ICON: Robinson is back on tour is one of those Bowie, he became things, like being one of Britain’s first openly gay song- queer, that doesn’t get talked about. writers.

“Therefore, the people who are Tom now has a wife, who he affected feel they’re alone. If only describes as the “love of my life”. people were a bit more open and However, he remains a vocal advo- honest about it, it would encourage cate of LGBT rights. He explained people to go and seek whatever it is how ‘Glad to be Gay’ became an they need.” anthem for young LGBT people.

Tom also explained how he helps to “Those kids always have that thing support new talent in the music indusof feeling isolated at first and have to try, which has failed in the past to find their own community. support artists with mental health diffi“The hope with a song like ‘Glad to culties. be Gay’ is that it would flag up a big “I have a whole website that’s ‘over here!’ that would point to where aimed at providing free advice to they would find their community.” emerging musicians.

He said it was “so great” that Man“Freshonthenet is dedicated to cunian Matters put LGBT on the trying to pass on the insider knowledge of how things work, how best to masthead of its website.

“For people who need to find a get your music heard, how to

approach all kinds of things, including mental health.”

Tom’s long-standing support for good causes has given him an admirable record. He said he is most proud of being part of Rock against Racism, a campaign group that held a momentous concert at Victoria Park, East London in 1978.

The event brought anti-racism to the forefront of music and popular culture. The Tom Robinson Band appeared alongside acts including The Clash, X-Ray Specs and Steel Pulse.

Despite all the talk of politics and campaigning, Tom believes that what matters most in pop is “great tunes” – of which ‘2 4 6 8 Motorway’ is surely an example.

He said his audience could expect this and other classic songs at his upcoming gig at HOME, which is being held as part of Manchester Folk Festival.

“Everyone who missed Power in the Darkness at the time in ‘78 and who wishes they caught it – this is the chance to finally make it up and hear those songs.”

Playing cracking tunes and, in his words, “fighting the good fight”, Tom is a countercultural hero.

Here’s to you, Mr Robinson.

Tom Robinson plays Manchester HOME on 21 October 2017. He hosts three shows a week on BBC Radio 6 music. freshonthenet.co.uk is his independent music blog.

“Love is an easy thing to lose” says Paul. “If you ever find it in the first place,” quips Kat self-deprecatingly.

Sadly, this is quite literally a one-liner and most of the laughs that follow come for all the wrong reasons.

What follows is the Preacher Man’s Son, Simon, setting out to channel the spirit of his father, helping the lovesick strangers find ‘the look of love’.

This is a big task for a two-hour production, meaning none of the main characters get the chance to fully develop.

Both Alison and Kat are driven to find the Preacher Man by grief and loneliness, and yet their back stories are given so little stage time that they feel cliché and trite.

We learn about the death of their loved ones in a bizarre, Pitch Perfect-style grief-off that’s more likely to make you vomit than laugh or cry – though which one it was going for remains unclear.

This is a shame because both actresses give strong performances and don’t really get the chance to truly shine because of the limiting, somewhat farcical script.

The show does pick up in the final half but it’s hard to tell if that’s because it gets better or because the end’s in sight.

To be fair, the final sequence is a lively showcase of musical talent and it must be said that the singing is consistently strong throughout, especially from former X Factor semi-finalist Diana Vickers.

The on-stage musicians also shine through but not enough to disguise the fact that Son of a Preacher Man is an altogether lazy, corny attempt to shoehorn a story onto a Dusty Springfield soundtrack.

At the climax of the play, one character professes ‘clichés are the best when it comes to telling the truth’.

Sadly, the show itself begs to differ.

Son of a Preacher Man is showing at Palace Theatre, Manchester until Saturday, September 30.

SPORT

September 2017

wwww.mancunianmatters.co.uk

S t ok es : O n t h e ro p es a n d ou t f o r t h e c o u n t?

12

Crolla career rests on Burns night

MANCHESTER’S Anthony Crolla is set to take on Scotland’s Ricky Burns on October 7 at the Manchester Arena in a fight which has been described as “make or break” for both fighters’ careers, writes Max Chesterton.

Both Crolla and Burns are at a boxing ‘crossroad’ after losses to Jorge Linares and Julius Indongo respectively.

With the winner getting another world title shot, there is added pressure for both fighters.

“I don’t believe the loser has to retire, but the loser does have to rebuild or it is a long tough road back,” said Crolla.

“The winner will almost be guaranteed to get a world title fight.”

At the age of 34, and on the

NO

By M a r k T ho m p s on

Look, we all make mistakes.

Maybe Ben Stokes has seen Rio Ferdinand’s recent career change and thought ‘I can do that too’.

Unlike Rio, Stokes has the street smarts to try his luck against a lesser, non-professional opponent before hitting the big time.

Then again, maybe this is just another drunken punch up.

Anybody who’s had a few vodka spritzers or a particularly bad vintage of Sauvignon Blanc knows the feeling.

You’re on a night out, having a good time and then you encounter the Guy. The Guy that’s always in your face, always too loud and always ready with a bottle in case he runs into England’s Vice-Captain.

It just so happens that early on Monday morning, he did.

There is even a video of the events that on the surface are quite damaging to Stokes’ character.

However we don’t really know what truly went on.

Scuffles never just start happening, there is always build up and the video doesn’t show any of that.

When a man swings a bottle at one of your friends, tell me you wouldn’t back them up.

Perhaps not in the same way as Stokes, who looks as though he’s auditioning for the next film in the Fast and the Furious franchise, but you’d have their back.

T h e B I G D e b a te

I’m not condoning Stokes’ actions,but there is an argument to be made that they were violent in selfdefence.

Consider also that his actions won’t be going unpunished.

Stokes has already spent time in a jail cell, an experience which I assure you he will not want to repeat.

The all-rounder is also going to miss games for England and rightly so.

He’ll play no part in the conclusion of the West Indies series and will probably miss the opening matches of theAshes tour.

Add to that a financial penalty that the ECB will undoubtedly bestow upon him, as well as potential prosecution and he’ll have suffered enough.

Remember that cricket is Stokes’job, as well as the world’s greatest form of sporting entertainment.

To cut him completely from theAshes tour down under would not only hurt him, and the England team but it would also be a punch in the face to the fans.

Being a professional cricketer, let alone the England vice-captain, brings along a reputation which you have to uphold.

The video does show Stokes acting in defence of a couple in the late hours of Monday morning.

Unfortunately, however, this would not cut it in a court of law.

Stokes’ character has always been as fiery as his hair colour but this altercation is too far.

His questionable antics when representing England have cost his country in a number of circumstances.

Moments which spring to mind include his sledging of Marlon Samuels.

This only made the bowler more determined to get him out, which he inevitably did.

It was in that same game that James Anderson attempted to sledge the batter. This again only spurred him on where he ended up scoring 117.

Following the game, Samuels said: “Because whenever they talk to me, I continue to score runs and they keep talking, but I guess they can’t help it.”

Another similar instance involving Stokes

By F r a s er S m i t h

YES

happened in the 2016 t20 World Cup, where he ended up getting hit for four six’s off the final over, resulting in England losing the title.

Stokes, who became the most expensiveplayer in IPL history this year, was depicted as the victim by many in England, however he should have been chastised for his antics.

The only effect Stokes’ sledging did was to make his opposite number more determined to win the trophy for his country,.

The Durham man’s idiotic behaviour in this case looks set to cost his team again.

England cricket’s treatment of Stokes has to be compared to the case of former England international Kevin Pietersen.

The ECB were widely criticised over their treatment of the prolific batsman whilst Pietersen, rightly, continued the debate over his removal and subsequent isolation from the squad in years to come.

Due to the media furore over Pietersen’s treatment, is it not right to presume that they are treading on eggshells with Stokes due to fear over a similar backlash?

On the field, words are left back in the pavilion but in public such an action cannot be and should not be forgotten.

Dropping him from at least one of the Ashes tests will send a strong message to any professional or up-and-coming cricketers that such an action will be reprimanded.

Despite being harsh, a punishment for Stokes is justified and will only help England cricket and the game in the long-term.

back of a humbling defeat to Julius Indongo in April, Ricky Burns simply has to impress.

Despite the high stakes, Burns remains coy about his chances: “I’m not technically the best boxer ever, but if you are going to beat me, you are going to have to be really good or you are going to have to work for it,” added the boxer from Coatbridge.

With the home advantage many are tipping a Crolla points victory. But Hughie Fury’s controversial defeat proves the sport of boxing remains unpredictable.

WBO heavyweight contender Fury was left reeling last Saturday after a controversial judge’s decision to award victory to Kiwi Joseph Parker.

“We are going to put an appeal in straight away and protest this,” Fury’s promoter Mick Hennessy blasted after the 118-110 defeat at the Manchester Arena.

The fight itself was dull and disappointing, hardly living up to its £14.99 pay-per-view billing.

After the bout, Fury’s entourage spilled into the ring in anticipation that their man had done enough to claim the belt, before being left disappointed by the official verdict.

Fury had been out of action since April 2016 due to a fatiguing skin condition.

SPORT

September 2017

wwww.mancunianmatters.co.uk

Giants start new season

F r o m d y i n g P h o e n i x, t h e Ma y h e m r is e s

MANCHESTER Giants’ rookie coach, Danny Byrne, hopes for a much improved season after last year’s disappointing campaign, writes Nathan Jacobs.

Byrne, assistant coach in 201617, has been busy this summer signing four new recruits in a bid to right the wrongs of last season when the Giants finished bottom of the BBL with a 5-28 record.

“My hopes are to be a lot more competitive. There’s no disguise from the fact that the top half of league will be expected to beat us, but as long as we compete it will be a very big improvement on last year,” Byrne added.

The 41-year-old is not banking on a miraculous revival, though.

Rather, he has worked tirelessly during the summer to eke out last season’s flaws.

“We have put the emphasis on new defensive systems and sticking together, improving the team mentally. Chemistry has been the biggest part of our pre season.

Two of the new signings come from America, David Kadiri and Austin Rettig, and Byrne is all too aware of the pitfalls that come with a failed recruitment strategy.

M anch es t er para ice h o c k e y c l u b d e fy o dds in t it le t riu mph

By Tom Harle YOU’D think the odds were stacked against you if you had to conquer brain and spine injuries to play ice hockey.

But this year Manchester Mayhem - the Northwest’s only para ice hockey club - have gone one better.

In a turbulent first year of existence, the Mayhem won the British Para Ice Hockey playoffs in dramatic circumstances.

“It’s been a heck of a year,” head coach Peter Hagan ruminates, and he’s not kidding.

The club were formerly part of Manchester Phoenix, who were turfed out of their Altrincham base due to a dispute with Silver Blades ice rinks.

Phoenix provided the majority of fans for the para team and offered a guarantee of good ice time – a huge obstacle to growing the sport in this country.

Hagan says it was ‘sheer stubbornness’ that saw his team ignore the option of leaving.

“When Phoenix folded the players could have left, joined other clubs and competed that

way,” Hagan acknowledged.

“In fairness, it would have been the easiest option.

“We moved over to Fylde where we were paying half-price for the facilities but then we lost players and had nearly no-one turning up to train.

“We knocked that on the head and then went to train in Hull, which was cheap but the journey was too much for some and I couldn’t make some of the sessions.

“In the end we decided we’d have a clean break and start from scratch, to control our own destiny as it were.”

In the two months before the start of the season in April, they renamed, arranged new training times split between Widnes and Altrincham, new kit, and entered competition.

This was upheaval enough, before a spate of injuries took hold.

One of their defenders suffered a broken ankle and GB star Dominic Cosgrove suffered a horrific broken back two weeks before the first game of the season.

Backup goaltender Doug Hankinson was pressed into action for away games as firstchoice stopper Steve Midghall could not manage away travel due to his brain injury.

After all this, the team squeezed into fourth short, which they did with seconds to spare.

A casualty of that game was Midghall, who place and qualified for the play-offs at the end was not fit enough to start the final against the of the season.

2nd placed Cardiff Huskies so the inexperienced Hankinson had to step in.

There was no cause for alarm, though, as the backup goalie kept a stunning shutout to seal a 5-0 victory.

“The two final games were the best two performances of our season,” Hagan said.

“We controlled the final from start to finish and I was hugely proud of the lads.”

Among several, the story of Dean Lagan stands out – ‘the fingerless magician’ – who has qualified as a member of the Magic Circle and is the youngest member of the team.

Pat Bailey is the oldest player, a former Great Britain competitor at 50.

After a turbulent year, Hagan is looking to put Mayhem on a firmer footing next season.

“It was just a case of getting through this season and coming out the other end,” he said.

MAYHEM: Aiming to win the title again “We now have 20 weeks of ice time booked The semi-final was a ‘bizarre’ end-to-end up until February and are in the process of setaffair against league champions Kingston ting up proper accounts.

“Our biggest challenge is now trying to Kestrels, with Dominic Cosgrove still missing.

The two sides exchanged blows and with a strengthen for next year, and who knows after minute left Mayhem had to hold out with a man this season, to win the title again.”

GB capture hearts and medals in Invictus Games

THE third Invictus Games began last Saturday (23rd) in Toronto, Canada with Mancunian Army veteran Bernie Broad captaining the United Kingdom contingent, writes Mike Jones.

The Games were created by Prince Harry as a type of Olympics for wounded, ill and injured military personnel and veterans.

The first Invictus Games took place in 2014 in London where more than 400 competitors from 13 nations took part.

Now an annual tournament, the Invictus Games has more than 550 competitors from 17 nations across the globe.

UK Captain, Bernie Broad, is a former Army Major with the Grenadier Guards. He lost both his legs below the knee in an explosion in Helmand Province in 2009.

He underwent four and a half years of surgery and rehabilitation before competing in the 2017 games, representing the UK in Golf.

Sadly, for Bernie, he only managed 7th place but his compatriot David Scott took the gold on Tuesday.

It is one of many that team GB have earned in this year’s games with Lindsay Chapman securing the UK’s first gold in

the Women's IT5 100m on Sunday.

Lindsay was a Private in the Army before a road traffic collision left her paralysed from the chest down.

The physical and mental challenges this brought saw her struggle with her self-worth and she fell into depression, unable to leave the house for days at a time.

For her, the games have provided a road to recovery and have helped in many aspects of everyday life.

“Invictus [has helped] me feel a sense of worth and purpose again by having a goal to aim for, as well as building my confidence and independence back up.”

Success is being seen across Team GB. Former Army captain Luke Sinnott watched the 2014 Games from a hospital bed, following surgery on his double above-knee amputation, but this year has won two golds and a silver on the athletics track.

The unique ability of the Invictus Games, and adaptive sport in general, is that it allows athletes to successfully cross disciplines and nowhere is that better seen than with Great Britain’s Jen Warren.

Veteran Army Major, Dr Jen Warren works as a hospital

13

anaesthetist but is also a triathlete. In 2008, she was in a skiing accident and now uses a wheelchair.

A competitor in 2016 as well as this year, Jen has already won 6 medals in Toronto, including gold in Women's Handcycling IHB1/IHB2 Criterium and 3 silvers and a bronze.

Jen is also due to compete in the swimming events, which start on Thursday, so more medals are a real possibility.

Jen said: “Sport gives you fixed goals and a sense of achievement that is impossible to miss when you produce a personal best. I have really struggled with the psychological aspects of my injury but sport keeps me calm and in control.

“Engaging in sport has made me more physically able to get out and enjoy life with my family and the demands of a very stressful job.”

With over 50 medals already won at this year’s Games, Team GB’s success seems set to continue but the Invictus Games are ‘about much more than just sport – they capture hearts, challenge minds and most importantly change lives.’

The Invictus Games 2017 take place in Toronto Canada from 23rd-30th September, highlights can be seen on BBC1 and on BBC iPlayer.

The Giants’ play Leicester Riders tonight at 7.30pm at Trafford Sportsdome.

Tickets are available online and on the door.

“We wanted a pair who were going to fit the system I wanted to play so we went through their stats analytically and considered what they could do productively per minute as opposed to turnovers to assists which doesn’t give you a great picture.

As a rookie coach and with it being the first time the Giants have signed two Americans, I felt it was something I had to get right.” he added.

Throughout the interview, the Plymouth-born coach appeared enthused about his side's chances this season despite a daunting opening fixture at home against the 2016-17 champions, Leicester Riders.

However, Byrne, who led the Giants’ second team to the NBL4 title last season, knows that it is not games like this weekend’s which will define their campaign.

“Our long term plan for the season is to target certain games and certain teams which are pinpointed as ‘must wins’ and then there will be some teams where we will want to pinch a sneaky surprise win.”

Leicester will be in the latter category but Byrne believes a strong home crowd could really aid the Giants’ fortunes.

“We were terrible last year but as soon as you have a good spell and the fans see you fighting for each other, they’re on your side.”

14 SPORT

September 2017

www.mancunianmatters.co.uk

Female ref targets Premier League bow

IN the month where a female official took charge of a match in one of the top five European leagues for the first time ever, it is reasonable to wonder when the same courtesy will be offered to the array of female referees available in England.

One of those tipped for a big future in the game is Yasmin Saeed, a 19-year-old currently enjoying life as a Level 5 referee for the Manchester FA. Her determination to become a professional referee is made clear throughout our twenty minute exchange as she enthusiastically discusses the art of refereeing, her current milestones and prospects for female officials in the future.

“If you’re working with assistant referees there’s an ideal position, a ‘control path’ that you’re supposed to follow but I read play well so I’m not usually

Exclusive by Nathan Jacobs

following that because I’m in a good position, checking my shoulders and seeing what’s ahead of me.

Incredibly, Yasmin’s fledgling refereeing career began at the tender age of 16 when she reffed her first open age game, three years on she became the first female referee in England to have an all-female team to officiate a men’s football match.

There is still a long way to go before officiating in the Premier League could become a reality but there is plenty of competition for that opportunity.

“There are females ahead of me in other counties and hopefully one of those girls will get there, but if not, I’m willing to take up the challenge.”

“One of us will make it, definitely,” she added with conviction that makes you automatically believe her.

However, one feature of the profession that might dissuade trainee referees are the streams of vitriolic abuse and as a young female in a traditionally maledominated field, the abuse can be intensified even more. Yet, in keeping with her character, Yasmin hasn’t let that get in the way of her progression.

“At the end of this season, I was sending someone off but in the same instance a teammate turned to me and said ‘this is a man’s game – why are you here?

“So obviously I sent him off too – and he got a lengthy ban and a fine.”

“If it’s a spectator you can’t do much about it but when you hear something like ‘oh it’s a female – can she keep up with the game?’ I actually take that on board and thrive off it to prove them wrong. Whereas, if it’s a player you have the appropriate tools to discipline.”

The inspirational teen isn’t content with only progressing her own career as she coaches younger referees who are just starting their journey.

“When I started, I had no female role models but these girls hopefully see me as something to look up to and I’m happy to help them.”

Sian Massey is the only female official part of the Premier League’s roster in a lineswoman capacity, but hopefully Yasmin will become one of many to grace the Premier League as a referee in the future.

City Women prioritising European success Bowling treat for as expectations are soaring in Manchester loyal City support

MANCHESTER City opened their Women’s Super League title defence against Yeovil last Sunday, convincingly beating the Somerset club 4-0, writes Mark Thompson.

City are the holders of all three domestic trophies, the league and both the FA and WSL cups, and will be looking to defend their dominance this season.

However, it may be the Champions League that is their primary objective this year, having been knocked out in 2016/17 by the eventual winners, Lyon, at the semi-final stage.

“We have unfinished business with that competition because we want to get to the final,” manager Nick Cushing said. “But at the same time we have no right to get to the final of the Champions League.”

Cushing points out that City have achieved their objectives in each year since they joined the WSL in 2013 – first to be competitive, then to reach the Champions League, and then to win the WSL 1 title – so if they’re setting their sights on Europe, they could complete the set.

This season’s Champions League kicks off

on October 4 in Austria, against SKN St. Pölten.

Before that comes the first home match of the season, as long-time giants of women’s football, Arsenal, visit the Academy Ground.

The Gunners narrowly beat Birmingham at home 3-2, after twice falling behind.

The game on Saturday will be a chance to face one of City’s main contenders for the league early on, in what Cushing says will be “the hardest season that we’ve had.”

Cushing believes that City’s competitors will be more motivated by their success, and the fact that the end of the last WSL season came almost exactly a year ago.

The Women’s Super League has transitioned from a summer league to a winter system – like the men’s Premier League – with just cup games and the WSL Spring Series played since.

Chelsea, City’s other major competitor, pipped Cushing’s side to the title on goal difference then, and were runners-up in 2016. They also won the WSL in 2015, and are likely to be the main threat for the league this time around.

FANS of Manchester City Women were surprised as team members joined them for a friendly game of bowling, writes Nathan Jacobs.

City stalwarts Steph Houghton and Jill Scott were the two captains with fellow Blues Nikita Parris and Megan Campbell taking part at All Star Lanes in Manchester.

Club captain Houghton said: “We always want to get to know fans better. It’s important for us to give something back.”

Midfielder Jill Scott echoed her teammate’s sentiments: “It’s nice to actually do something in person, engage with the fans and hopefully beat them at bowling!”

Sadly for Jill, Team Steph were victorious, defeating her side 3-2, but the occasion wasn’t about the winning.

Andy Glanville, a City Women’s seasoncard holder said: “I think it shows that they appreciate us as they’ll go the extra mile.”

City boss, Nick Cushing, capped off a marvellous day for the supporters, providing the winning team with the trophy.

SPORT

September 2017

Rowley ready to get Alty back where they belong

The

BIG

Interview

ALTRINCHAM Football Club holds a very dear place in chairman Grahame Rowley’s heart, by Jordan Elgott His son Chris runs the reserve side. His wife Karen works in the club’s office.

Altrincham Football Club is at the centre of his life.

“I’m in it for the love,” he tells MM. Rowley himself has been involved with Altrincham for over twenty years, starting out by editing their match-day programme with his brother.

With the club on the brink of bankruptcy in 2001, he was asked to form a new board alongside previous chairman Geoff Goodwin and local businessman Andrew Shaw, who immediately set about repaying Altrincham’s £750,000 of debt.

When Goodwin stepped down as chairman in September 2010, Rowley took the reins and while his first season as chairman resulted in relegation, The Robins regained their place in the Conference National in 2014.

The past couple of seasons have been a low point in the club’s history, however, suffering successive relegations down to the Evo-Stik League.

Typically, when things go wrong on the pitch people off the pitch get the blame, something which Rowley has learned the hard way.

There have been campaigns to remove him from his position at the club, such as the @GoodbyeRowley Twitter account, but he believes that the criticism has been unfair.

“The rest of the board haven’t been blamed,

the managers haven’t, nor have the players. I have,” Rowley notes.

“I can’t take responsibility for the bad things that happen on the pitch, the same way I can’t take responsibility for the good things.

“My job is to run the club and the company in the best way possible and my track record shows that I am still more than capable of doing so, as have the financial results over the past few years.”

Rowley has been criticised by the fans for poor decisions regarding the management of the club, but this may be due to the inaccurate perception of his role.

Neil Young and Jim Harvey both had disappointing spells at the club following Lee Sinnott’s untimely departure, something the club did not expect.

“We spent a lot of time appointing those managers,” Rowley confesses.

“We did our homework. It wasn’t just my decision to appoint Neil Young, the board were unanimous in their decision. If the fans could see inside the club and how it actually works then maybe they wouldn’t blame me.

“The best person for the job gets the job.

Nothing else matters. I honestly believe that we appointed the right people at the right times but it unfortunately didn’t work out.”

Altrincham now find themselves in a precarious position, but Rowley believes that the key to getting the club back where they belong is fan unity.

“It’s very important to have a unified fan base. People talk about the crowd being the 12th man. I don’t think the supporters realise themselves just how much they can help by supporting the team when things aren’t going well. Encouraging fans turn teams into a real force. The fans can really play a big part this

15

wwww.mancunianmatters.co.uk

the club for me to move aside, I’d go, because year in our success.”

“I just wish I could get the unhappy ones I don’t want to hurt my football club. I still feel I back on board again. The sooner we are point- have something to give to this club. I’ve got to get them back to where they were. I honestly believe I can steer this ship in the right direction.

Meanwhile, Altrincham have adapted well to life in the Evo-Stik League given the severe financial implications of successive relegation.

“There’s no parachute payments in the lower leagues, that’s for sure,” Rowley says, referring to the generous payments made to clubs who drop out of England’s top flight.

“Vanarama give a decent sponsorship package to Conference National teams. In the Conference North you get a fifth of what you get in the National. When you get to the Evo-Stik, there is very little. A three figure payment.”

“We’ve actually backed the manager very well, budgeting to make a substantial loss this year, because we know how imperative it is to get out of this league. Everyone wants to get promoted and get back where we should be.”

Rowley’s familysupport Altrincham Altrincham have won their last three games, ing in the same direction, the sooner we will get keeping three clean sheets and scoring ten goals in the process and the chairman is optiour club back where it belongs.

It strikes me how often Rowley refers to mistic about their hopes this season.

“We certainly want to get straight back up to Altrincham as ‘our club’, ‘us’ and ‘we’. He is an Alty supporter. He travels to every game. He is the Conference North,’ Rowley says adamantdevastated when they lose and thrilled when ly. “We recruited a manager who knows the league and gave him one of the league’s best they win – just like those who criticise him.

“We all want the same thing for our football budgets. Phil Parkinson is very ambitious, both club. Success. Let’s put the past aside and put personally and for the team. He’s got the spirit our strength behind getting this football club of Alty in him already. I do believe that we will be back where it belongs. If we all pull in the same there or thereabouts by the end of the season.

“We’ve got our winning mentality back a bit direction and support the club, it would make it now, the dressing room is the best we’ve had for a lot easier.”

While Rowley understands the supporters’ years. Phil deserves great credit for that. He’s frustration, he believes that he is the right man brought together a group of players with great attitudes who will take us far.” to lead Altrincham into the future.

Let’s hope that Rowley’s words ring true.

“If I was thought it was in the best interests of

O’Connor set for Sale bow

SALE Sharks director of rugby Steve Diamond has confirmed that James O’Connor will be available for Friday night’s Aviva Premiership match against Gloucester.

"James will come on from the bench at some stage,” Diamond announced.

"He has trained well for the past two or three weeks and he’s probably 95 per cent there.

"And with Johnny and Will being out injured, James has stuck up his hand and said he is ready for action for Sale so it is really good.”

The Australian fly-half joined from Toulon last summer but has been side-lined with an ankle injury.

However, the Southern hemisphere star began training with the club two weeks ago and has made his way onto the bench for the game at the AJ Bell Stadium.

Sale will be looking to bounce back from their 41-13 defeat to European Champions Saracens last week. By Fraser Smith.

Red Devils handed over

THE owner of Salford Red Devils has handed over ownership of the rugby league club to a supporters’ trust.

Marwan Koukash has said in a statement that he has instructed his legal team to “establish a trust to take ownership of the club for the benefit of the fans and the local community of Salford.”

A board of trustees will, he plans, include local business people and a fans’ representative who will be elected by season ticket holders.

Koukash took over the club in 2013, following a period of financial instability for the team.

The club were thought to have debts of £600,000 and there had been real concerns about whether they would be able to complete their fixtures that season.

Under Koukash, the Red Devils have reduced their operating losses to 20 percent of 2014 levels and are now more financially stable.

“I am confident that the new structure at the club under the guidance of the Trustees will see the club continue to make progress on and off the pitch,” he said. By Mark Thompson.

@MM_newsonline www.mancunianmatters.co.uk

Pe r c i va l : ‘We’re ready for the Jungle ’

By Mike Jones in Leeds

THE Super League Super 8’s are over and the road to Old Trafford has been paved.

Regular season winners Castleford face the five-times Grand Final winners St Helens tonight whilst Leeds Rhinos square off against an in form Hull FC tomorrow.

Castleford come into the game on the back of an outstanding season.

Head coach Daryl Powell has transformed the team into a dominant defensive force.

“To finish top was awesome for us,” Powell said.

“We’ve never done it before as a club so for us as a coaching and playing group, it was pretty special but that’s all behind us now.

“A game away from the Grand Final, we’ve got to deliver.

“We’ve defended better, that’s been the biggest change, and we’ve done some smart things with the ball.”

Looking forward to the semi-final at the Jungle, he added: “We know a fair bit about Saints and they know a fair bit about us, we’ve played them four times already and it’s honours even so we’ll see how we go.”

St Helens are in good form following their 30-4 win over Salford last week and will be looking to repeat their success from earlier in the season when they beat the Tigers

away from home.

With the both teams having tasted victory this year, Castleford’s attacking options and home advantage could prove to be the difference between the two sides.

St Helens, however, have experience on their side as they have trodden this ground on many an occasion.

With the reward of a possible sixth Grand Final trophy up for grabs should they beat Castleford, their hard fought victories in the Super 8’s may just give them the mental edge to get the job done.

Saints centre Mark Percival is confident that they can cause an upset: “It’s going to be a massive game.

“We’ll be going toe-to-toe tonight and I’m sure they’re going to give us a fight.

“Cas have only been beaten there once and that was by ourselves.

“It’s given us that bit of confidence to go there and do it again.”

Leeds, like Castleford, had a relatively easy path through the Super 8’s.

They all but confirmed a semi-final place during the league matches.

Brian McDermott’s side strolled into the semi-finals following a victory against their opponents, Hull FC, and will be looking to repeat the success.

The Rhinos are a veteran team having won three out of the last six Grand Finals.

Their experience of the knockout stages may be too much for Hull to handle, espe-

cially as they have the home advantage.

Hull, however, belied their lack of experience by getting the job done at the weekend.

They went to the Jungle and beat an albeit weakened Castleford to secure a semi-final spot.

Having already tasted silverware this term, beating Wigan Warriors 18-14 in the Challenge Cup, Hull’s determination could see them force their way through Leeds and into Old Trafford for the first time since 2006.

Head coach Lee Radford certainly sees it as a possibility.

“Winning the Cup was something that we set out to do at the beginning of the year and we did that and managed to win that again.

“The second part of the deal that we set out to do was to finish in the top four and we’ve done that as well.

“So we’d like to piece it together by winning that semi-final and walking out at Old Trafford which would be such a special achievement by this team.”

If history plays a part in sporting destiny then the Saints and the Rhinos would be a shoe-in for the Grand Final.

This has been a surprising year of rugby league and as a result it’s hard to look past Castleford and Hull FC lining up at Old Trafford when the Grand Final comes around on October 7th.

Hill tips Dale starlet for top

By Jordan Elgott

ROCHDALE manager Keith Hill knows a thing or two about bringing through talented young players, having given the likes of John Stones and Craig Dawson their debuts.

He handed a start to Daniel Adshead on Tuesday night, who became Rochdale’s youngest ever debutant at just sixteen years and seventeen days old.

The Dale chief says he’ll continue to trust young players as long as they repay his faith in them on the pitch.

“As a manager I like working with players who pay me back for opportunities with energy, intelligence, commitment and pride,” he said.

“Dan Adshead is one of those players who does that - he’s grateful and respectful for the opportunity.

“He sees the big picture; it’s about winning, not showboating. He’s intelligent.

“Dan’s character reflects a winning mentality and that’s all you ask for as a manager.”

Adshead got off to a fine start in a Rochdale shirt, getting an assist as Rochdale ran out 4-0 winners at Gigg Lane against Bury in the Checkatrade Trophy.

Hill was impressed with what he saw.

“It was special for me on Tuesday night because I put my trust in Dan and he paid me back,” he commented.

“He could be a special player, but we can’t put too much pressure on him.

“He’ll be available for us in the next Checkatrade Trophy fixture and as long as we stay in the competition, Dan will play because he deserves it.”

Naturally, Hill is wary of putting too much pressure on Adshead but does believe that he’s capable of reaching the top.

“I do believe that whatever Dan wants to do in football he is more than capable of achieving.”

The Rochdale boss is a firm believer in the mantra of ‘if you’re good enough, you’re old enough.

“I give players opportunities as a reward for working hard, regardless of their age.”