QUIDDITCH...FOR REAL AND TAKEN SERIOUSLY - MM INVESTIGATES PAGE 14 @MM_newsonline www.mancunianmatters.co.uk September 2018
RAF at 100: Legends of the air celebrated
page 3
Protest against no DSS housing policy
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FREE
End of an era for the Warehouse Project
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£100m Tameside drug bust By Samuel Port A MANCHESTER drug ring worth over £100 million have been given hefty prison sentences for their crimes. Kingpin of the operation Marcus Callaghan was sentenced to 24 years in prison at Manchester Crown Court. He ran the operation out of a flat in Tameside and funnelled drugs throughout the North East. Raiding the flat, police discovered: An estimated £31 million worth of class A drugs. Over £100,000 crammed into a sports bag and a list of debtors’ receipts going into the millions of pounds. Callaghan, 34, treated the operation like a legitimate business – treating his clientele with lavish trips and expensive corporate entertainment. He employed a team of henchman to do the street work and money laundering. Right-hand man Theodore Henry was jailed for 21 years. His brother Kaneil Henry – described as the ‘right-hand man’s right-hand man’, a trusted courier was sentenced to 12 years. Money launderers Jerome Hamilton and Rui Zhu were jailed for four and six years, respectively.
Thomas Jaffrey was handed 13 years and four months. Stephen Sewell was given 10 years. Kristian Moloney was sentenced to 11 years and four months. Official owner of the flat Richard Llewellyn was sentenced to seven years. North West Regional Organised Crime Unit (NWROCU) discovered that the gang had a supply line running from Stalybridge to Middlesbrough – prosecutor Jaime Hamilton described it as on “an almost industrial scale”. The NWROCU seized 10kg of amphetamine powder, five 10kg blocks containing heroin and cocaine and 40kg of cannabis. Over £118,000 in cash was discovered in a Nike bag and over £14,000 in a black bin bag. Counterfeit money and an extensive list of debtors going into millions of pounds were also found. Upon further investigation, a semi-automatic pistol known as a MAC-11 along with 50 bullets was discovered. Detective Inspector Jason Pye said: “This was a sophisticated and very well organised crime group that flooded Middlesbrough and the North East with heroin and cocaine, blighting the lives of some of the most vulnerable.” Hamilton described Callaghan as the ‘controlling
mind’ of the operation. Theodore Henry was the operations manager. Large bags of drugs would be driven to the North East in hire cars and then given to buyers for further distribution. Zhu was key to the operation. He converted the street money into Chinese currency Yen and then in to smaller amounts before the vast sums of money were laundered in to the banking system. After sentencing, Pye remarked: “Today, Callaghan and his criminal associates are beginning incredibly long sentences. Whilst lining their own pockets, the members of this crime group never gave a second thought to the harm and misery class A drugs cause within our communities.” The latest NHS study into drugs misuse found that drug related deaths are at their highest level since records began in 1993. They recorded 2,593 registered deaths related to drugs misuse. There were also 7,545 hospital admissions with drugrelated mental health disorders. In 2016, 24 per cent of school pupils reported they had taken drugs.
Matilda the Musical: Top of the class at Palace Theatre
See our review on page 10
POLITICS
September 2018
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McD onn ell u nd ermi nes People's Vote By Samuel Port
AMID the party conference, the Labour leadership draws a line under the proposed “People’s Vote.” Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell has indicated that a “People’s Vote” on the terms of Brexit would only offer a “Deal” or “No Deal” option, with no option to stay within the EU. The People’s Vote comes after calls from Pro-European Labour MPs and members for a second referendum on the decision to exit the EU. Vocal supporters include Deputy Leader Tom Watson and Shadow Brexit Secretary Keir Starmer . A two page motion was hashed out between Starmer, key delegates and trade unions on Sunday evening, stating: “If we cannot get a general election Labour must support all
options remaining on the table, including campaigning for a public vote.” However, on BBC Radio 4’s Today Programme McDonnell said that the People’s Vote would merely be on “a vote on the deal itself.” “If we are going to respect the last referendum, it will be about the deal, it will be a negotiation on the deal,” McDonnell said. He added: “Parliament will determine the nature of the question that will be put, but the first stage of that is to see if we can get a deal that is acceptable and brings the country together again. And I’ve always thought we could.” The Shadow Chancellor’s stance has received uproar from the party. Labour MP David Lammy, took to twitter to say: “Dozens of motions were submitted to #Lab18, thousands have marched on the
‘Heartless’ council slammed by Leech By James Moules
LIBERAL Democrat Councillor John Leech condemned the Manchester City Council’s policy towards refugees at the Liberal Democrat conference in Brighton. Speaking at the party’s Autumn Conference, he declared the Council to be “heartless” in a call for the city to take in more refugees from Syria. The call came with policy proposal by the Liberal Democrats to make it easier for people to find refuge in the UK. Leech said: “In the years since the Syrian conflict began, Manchester has only taken desperate refugees, including children, in single numbers and it's simply not good enough. “Together we can force the hand of heartless councils like Manchester and face up to our duty.” The Liberal Democrats have also proposed scrapping the net migration target to help ease the process of refugees entering the UK.
In addition, Leech called on MPs who voted in favour of the 2014 Anti-Immigration Act to apologise, calling it a "divisive, dehumanising and catastrophic lapse in judgment." Other policies proposed at the conference include the introduction of Single Transferable Vote at local elections and live streaming of Together we can force the hand of heartless councils like Manchester and face up to our duty.
John Leech, councillor
all council meetings. This has been suggested as a measure to challenge super majority councils, with Liberal Democrat Communities Spokesperson Greg Stanton pointing to Manchester as an example. Stanton said: "Manchester is a
textbook case of what happens when a party gets a super majority elected under an outdated electoral system; opposition questions are banned, live-streams mysteriously stop working, contractors are not held to account, decisions are made behind closed doors and everyone passes the buck. “The Lib Dems will tackle supermajority problem councils like Manchester head on." The Liberal Democrats currently have two of Manchester City Council’s ninety-six seats. All the other council seats are held by the Labour Party. The party is also campaigning for a People’s Vote on EU membership. Greg Stanton said: "Despite voting to remain, communities across Manchester and the North West will be left poorer after Brexit. “The only way to resolve the complete mess that the Tories and Labour have sleepwalked us in to is to hold a People's Vote with the option to remain.”
SPEECH: Labour deputy leader John McDonnell
streets, and millions more have called for a #PeoplesVote. “They did not do this to be offered a farcical referendum on No Deal or a Bad Deal. It absolutely must include the right to remain in the EU.” Starmer slammed MacDonnell’s comments: “We weren’t ruling out options and nobody was ruling out Remain.” The Labour Party haven’t formally rejected the notion of a People’s Vote – although Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has stated that he would be in favour of a general election. This contradiction between the Labour leadership and key remain MPs highlights the leadership’s anti-remain stance and exacerbates further confusion over the party’s Brexit policy. Corbyn is due to make his leader’s speech at the conference on Wednesday afternoon.
ATTACK: John Leech has hit out at Manchester City Council
NEWS
Video game addiction on the rise as more people seek help from experts www.mancunianmatters.co.uk
By Samuel Port
WORLD Health Organisation (WHO) classified videogame addiction as an official illness in June. Don’t panic, it’s not an epidemic – it’s a pathological disorder – published in the 11th revision of their International Classification of Diseases book. The gaming disorder refers to people whose lives have been consumed by videogames to the point where their health is in jeopardy. UK Addiction Treatment (UKAT) an organisation that have offered private therapy centres for gaming addiction alongside drugs and alcohol rehabilitation - conduct an abstinence based policy across the board, an approach to treatment where one size fits all. UKAT Head of Communications Claire Havey had this to say about gaming addicts: “Something in their lives has gone very wrong for them, they’re almost putting a plaster on an open wound and whether that plaster is gaming 18 hours a day or whether
that plaster is injecting heroine: the wound is still there. They will carry on doing that and re-applying the plaster until [they believe] that wound is healed.” The abstinence treatment extends to mobile technology. They are only allowed access to a smart phone one hour a day after completing the initial assessments and treatments. This
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Claire Havey - UKAT Head of Communications
hour is closely monitored by therapists to ensure they don’t play games. However, Stockport based psychotherapist Barbara Wallace believes that an abstinence lead treatment can ultimately be more damaging for a patient’s long-term health: “They might have withdrawal
RAF lands in Manchester to celebrate 100 years in skies By Michael Berry MANCHESTER Town Hall’s backdrop provided a unique location for the display of several aircraft, including a replica of the Typhoon Euro Fighter, World War II Spitfire and a recently completed front section of the S for Sugar Lancaster Bomber. Those who experienced the war first hand were given specially arranged tours by Flight Lieutenant Joe Marlowe. Veterans visiting Manchester were clearly moved by seeing the aircraft and current generation of pilots. Flight Lieutenant Marlowe explained: “This is a very special year for the RAF, celebrating its 100th Anniversary. “What we want to do is get the Air Force in the public, while celebrating its history, but also celebrating the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain.” Flying Officer Damian Shorten, who has been with the RAF for six years said: “The event here was to celebrate the centenary of the RAF and to expose the general public to the things we do.” During the day, the visitors interacted with the aircraft on display and had the opportunity to sit in the cockpits while gaining knowledge of the RAF and the technology of the future. He added: “We had quite a few different events on the weekend which explained to the public what we do and how they can get involved.” The RAF aims to develop skills especially those used in every day careers that can be transferred to the services. Officer Shorten explained: “In the RAF people could be caterers, technicians, plumbers and photographers. “A chef could want more adventure in the world and join the service and get deployed in another country and come
Photograph: Michael Berry
CELEBRATION: People flocked to Albert Square to see aircraft replicas
back and get a job in a civilian job.” Lewis Heald, from the 146th Northwich Squadron Cadets, who was celebrating turning 18 explained: “I’ve been in the cadets for just under three years. “My Mum rang up the squadron leader and then I contacted him and took it from there.”
Cadet Heald said: “I may go in to the RAF as a firefighter and then come out to get a pilot’s license.” Having a career in the Cadets inspires youths to gain a career in the forces, such as the Royal Navy, Army and RAF. Life skills is one the key aspects of the RAF,demonstrated by the different levels of employment as
”
They’re almost putting a plaster on an open wound.
Squadron Leader Tim Schofield explained: “I’ve been in the RAF for 20 years and played at various levels in the football team. “It is good for fitness, as well as personal resistance and mental wellbeing and we aim to drive that at people when they take part.” The tour ended in Manchester after visiting other cities.
September 2018
symptoms. So depending on the person, we’d have a plan of action to ween the person off gradually or to just abstain. I’d look at what impact that is going to have on them. We wouldn’t know what the particular withdrawal symptoms were going to be.” Comparing it to her treatment of sex addiction, she stated that patients would usually want to return to a healthy sexual relationship post treatment and the same applies to gaming addicts. Wallace proposed a plan where patients cut the gaming time down and worked in healthier activities alongside it: “If you take away a coping mechanism, you might be setting them up to fail – if you think about it, drug addicts get methadone.” Ultimately, both courses of treatment target the addict’s compulsion to receive the dopamine fix that gaming provides – examining their triggers. Setting up the patient for life posttreatment is where the opposing treatment methods come in to contention.
Hate crime fight bags nomination By Olivia Baron
A GREATER Manchester Police Constable has been recognised nationally for his profound efforts to combat hate crime. PC David Willetts, was shortlisted for the NO 2H8 Awards 2018 for his work within the City of Manchester borough. Hate crime is a prejudice-motivated crime occuring after a perpetror targets a victim due to their membership in a certain social group or race. Nominated in the ‘Supporting Victims and Reporting Hate Crime’ category, PC Willetts was invited to a celebratory gala dinner in central London on Thursday 13 September. The awards recognise the important work that people do in communities to stand against hatred, intolerance and prejudice. PC Willetts has played a vital role in supporting victims of hate crime and ensuring that hate crimes are reported in Manchester. Policy makers, senior officials, hate crime agencies and community members all attended the gala dinner. PC Willetts said: “I’m very pleased to be shortlisted for the award. The nomination is in recognition of the work which is being done within the City of Manchester to ensure hate crimes are reported and victims are supported.” NO2H8 Crime Awards are a coalition of organisations that work together on tackling hatred, intolerance and prejudice, including the Community Security Trust, GALOP, Stonewall and the ‘NO to Hate Crime’ campaign. The awards recognise individuals within communities who work tirelessly to ensure that dignity of individuals is protected and that everyone in the country should be able to live their lives free from fear. This year’s theme was ‘Upstanders and Not Bystanders’, reflecting the need to challenge hatred, intolerance and bigotry safely. Spokesperson for NO2H8 Crime Awards 2018, Lisa Wadham, said: “We are delighted to confirm that David Willetts has been shortlisted for the Supporting Victims, Reporting Hate Crimes Award at this year’s award.” PC Willetts did not win the award but his work in Greater Manchester has been widely praised.
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Photograph: Michael Berry
NEWS September 2018
Gathering storm of names in Britain and Ireland By Nathan Okell
HAVE you got a thunderous personality or love to rain on people’s parade? Well you could soon be sharing your name with one of the storms braced to hit our shores in the coming months! The Met Office and its Irish counterpart Met Éireann have recently released a list of 21 names to be given to the storms which will hit our shores in the coming months as part of their ‘Name Our Storms’ scheme. Starting from the beginning of September, we have already seen storms Ali and Bronagh sweep through the UK, with an alternating male/female naming pattern being used. Evelyn Cusack, Head of Forecasting at Met Éireann, welcomed the new set of names, stating: “The last 12 months have seen some extreme weather around the Globe as well as here at home. “While it is too early to say whether the coming winter will be a stormy one or a quiet one we are prepared with a whole new set of 21 names for what-
ever nature may throw at us. “As before, our forecasters will work to keep all the people of these islands warned of severe weather." Derrick Ryall, Head of Public Weather Services at the Met Office, also added: “Naming storms has been proved to raise awareness of severe weather in the UK, and crucially prompting people to take action to prevent harm to themselves or to their property.” A recent YouGov survey seemed to support this view, with almost 80% of people questioned agreeing that naming storms was useful for raising awareness of their greater than normal impacts. Despite this, another survey found that only one third of respondents proceeded to make changes at home, such as fastening windows and securing loose items outside, while only one fifth stated they would check on the safety of family and neighbours. A storm is given a name on the basis of it being awarded an amber or red weather warning by the Met Office, meaning it has a medium-to-
What’s in a name?
high potential impact from wind, with a further potential impact of rain and snow. The 2017-18 season saw the UK and Ireland face ten named storms, from Aileen in September to Hector in June, whilst also experiencing the remnants of Ex-Hurricane Ophelia in October. See if your name is included on the list to the right, however the letters Q, U, X, Y and Z are always omitted to meet with international storm naming conventions. Until the early 1950s, storms and hurricanes were tracked by year and the order in which they occurred during that year. It then became clear, as demonstrated in the above poll, that the use of actual names meant reduced confusion and made people more alert when preparing for storms. This was then adopted by the UK in 2015, with Abigail becoming the UK's first named storm in November 2015.
By Lorna O’Brien
THE Office for National Statistics has revealed the top baby names for 2017 in England and Wales. The statistics are based on live births and gathered from first names as part of civil registration, a legal requirement for new babies. Oliver and Olivia remain the most popular names for the second year running. Oliver has been the most popular boys' name since 2013 and Olivia took the top spot in 2016. Harry and George were also in the top three - no doubt inspired by the Royal Family - with Amelia and Isla taking second and third place respectively. There were six new entries to the top 100 for girls, including Aurora, Orla, Edith, Bonnie, Lyla and Hallie, which replaced Lexi, Zoe, Maddison, Sarah, Felicity and Lydia. Two new boys names made it to the top 100; Hunter and Ralph. Ralph was last seen in the top 100 in 1944 and Edith in 1934, showing a rise in popularity for more traditional names. Nick Stripe, Vital Statistics Outputs Branch, Office for National Statistics said: “Although Oliver and Olivia remained the most popular baby names in 2017, some fascinating changes took place beneath them. Leo entered the boys’ top 10 for the first time, whilst Hunter rocketed into the top 100, reaching 78. Sarah, the most popular name for baby girls throughout much of the 1970s and 1980s, dropped out of the top 100 for the first time since our records began in 1904.” Baby names vary depending on the mother’s area of residence. Oliver was ranked most popular in five out of the nine regions of England and Wales, while Muhammad was the most popular in Yorkshire and London. Olivia was the top baby
girls’ name in all nine regions, including Wales. The largest decrease in boys’ names was Daniel, down 26 places since being in the top 10 in 2007. Chloe has the largest decrease in popularity since being in the top 10 in 2007, down 25 places. So far in 2018 the most popular girls’ name is still Olivia, based on findings from Nameberry, which measures a general interest in names to help predict what parents will choose. Amara - a multicultural girls' name with roots in three continents - is in second place
with Cora, Isla and Charlotte making up the top five. "Amara is climbing official popularity lists in the US, England, and Germany," Nameberry said. "Think of it as today's answer to Amanda and Mary and you'll understand the source of its appeal." The most popular name for boys in 2018 so far is the unusual Atticus, while a mix of traditional names such as Milo, Jasper, Jack and Asher round out the top five. Milo has steadily grown in popularity, being ranked the 224th most popular boys’ name in 2017.
Airport goes East with Jet Airways
MANCHESTER will take off on its first direct flight to Mumbai on 5 November, increasing connectivity to Europe’s second largest digital hub. This flight will be the 66th addition to the Jet Airways network, and the fifth non-stop service between the UK and Mumbai. Operating five days a week, this new service will deliver a major economical boost to businesses and help attract Indian visitors and investors to the North, strengthening business and cultural ties between the two economies. The launch of the new service will also support recommendations of the UK Government, which has been promoting connectivity to other key cities in the UK, besides London Heathrow. Andrew Cowan, Manchester Airport CEO, said: “Securing a direct service to one of India’s major cities is the product of a lot of hard work over a long period of time to forge closer ties between Manchester and this globally significant economy.” “We have worked, along with a range of partners, to create a compelling case for why our city - and the wider North - is a great place to visit, invest in and do business with.” The airline’s wide body Airbus A330-200 service, operating five days a week, provides passengers with the luxury of spacious seating in quiet cabins where guests can enjoy fine dining and hours of the airline’s Inflight Entertainment System, JetScreen. Vinay Dube, Chief Executive Officer, Jet Airways, said: “The new service will bring Manchester into our global network, reinforcing our global footprint, as well as expanding the choice of connectivity to and from the United Kingdom for our guests. “This will deepen both commerce and tourism ties between the two countries.” Flights from Manchester to Mumbai are available to book now through jetairways.com or by downloading the Jet Airways mobile app.
NEWS
September 2018
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SNOOP: Sackville Street car park, run by National Car Parks, is the latest in Manchester to have ANPR cameras installed. PIC: Mikey
Surveillance creep on Sackville Street as car park adds cameras By Jarrod Kay
AUTOMATIC Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras are to be installed at the car park on Sackville Street, increasing the spread of surveillance throughout the city. These devices go some way towards tracking and evidencing vehicles’ movements. This can contribute to a bigger picture being created on an owner’s movements, such as the times they leave and return home, along with their address. Operated by National Car Parks, Britain’s biggest commercial car parking provider, Sackville Street is merely the latest in a large-scale initiative to install these devices at sites across Manchester. Given the potential that exists for considerable personal intrusion and harm, should this data be mishandled, questions have been asked of NCP concerning their data management procedures. In correspondence with season pass holders for Sackville Street, Danny Hiorns of the NCP stated: “Over the last few months we have started to install ANPR cameras at
most of our pay and display car parks, and your car park is also due to have these installed.” The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), which is responsible for regulating organisations holding and processing data of this type, has issued guidance on the use of ANPR. The ICO states that the amount of data collected, analysed and used, and the increased ease with which ANPR systems can now be linked to databases, means it is a technology that requires particular attention. The Commissioner’s office also advises organisations using ANPR to conduct a Privacy Impact Assessment; a practice designed to establish whether the introduction of this technology is needed. NCP did not confirm whether or
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Just because policies and procedures are in place doesn’t mean that data is safe. The people factor is just as important. - Craig Proudfoot GDPR consultant
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not they completed such an assessment prior to installing the cameras at its Manchester sites. Similarly, they declined to explain why they deem such equipment necessary at all. Police forces routinely deploy ANPR cameras to detect and prevent criminal activity, and it is clear to see why it is necessary for them to do so. These cameras provide evidence and lines of enquiry that are used by law enforcement agencies throughout the UK. It is perhaps less clear why it could be considered necessary for a car park operator to use this equipment. Residents may well ask what place such intrusive technology has in a car park they pay large sums of money to use. NCP’s terms and conditions do require customers to consent to be surveilled in this way when they purchase their parking pass. NCP operates more than 570 car parks nationally and an estimated 15 sites across Manchester City Centre. The company has confirmed in a formal statement that they utilise ANPR enforcement “like many other parking operators.”
And so it may seem that if the people of Manchester need to use the services of NCP and other such providers, they will have little choice but to consent to intrusive monitoring. Like any other organisation, NCP must ensure that it complies with the new General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), as of May 2018. This law requires organisations to store customers’ personal data securely and be open with them about how it will be used and with whom it will be shared. Police forces have strict policies on the management of this data. It can only be stored for two years and can only be accessed by staff if relevant to their role, and in most cases only for 90 days after it was collected. Every organisation nationwide is required to have a data controller who has overall responsibility for data security. In the police, this role is taken by the Chief Constable but NCP declined to name theirs. Mancunian Matters also approached NCP to establish how long it retains an individual’s data when they are parking legally. The company chose not to answer this
question, but did state if it has cause to issue a penalty charge notice that is not subsequently overturned, that data will be kept for three years. The company claims this is a legal requirement. NCP’s policy document ‘Drive your business aims using ANPR’ is a 13-page booklet highlighting the benefits of ANPR to the business, stating that it ‘can be a powerful tool to understand, influence and predict customer behaviours.’ Yet it makes no reference at all to the organisation’s obligations under GDPR. The NCP website states there may be instances when customers’ information is disclosed, ‘if we have a duty pursuant to the law to do so, or if the law allows us to do so.’ The first example seems to suggest that potentially personal information will be shared with law enforcement agencies where NCP is obliged by law to do so. In which case residents may feel this equipment is unnecessarily being installed in a commercial enterprise and may in effect become an extension of law enforcement surveillance. The second example could cause residents to ask if such
devices have any place in this and other car parks, as it appears to imply that NCP reserves the right to share the data they capture with any third party that the law does not preclude. In response to Mancunian Matters’ enquiries, NCP said: “Our ANPR processes are fully compliant with the legal requirements set out by the General Data Protection Regulations.” The company added: “Over the last 3 years, NCP haven’t had any legislative breaches that have warranted an investigation or sanction by the ICO.” Craig Proudfoot, GDPR consultant and managing director of Alfoot Business Solutions, explained to Mancunian Matters that: “Just because policies and procedures are in place doesn’t mean that data is safe. The people factor is just as important.” And so it seems that people are the pivotal factor in the security, or otherwise, of individuals’ data. Perhaps if NCP had been prepared to state the rank of their data controller, Mancunian Matters would have been able to report more positively on the company’s surveillance methods.
Buildings in the city leave locals behind
NEWS
September 2018
www.mancunianmatters.co.uk
By Rhys Thomas
NORTHERN Rail and Transport for the North have agreed an improved compensation scheme for disrupted regular travellers following a string of cancellations in May. Non-season ticket holders can claim, and the existing deadline for season ticket holders to claim compensation has been extended. Passengers must evidence that they travelled on at least 12 days in a space of 28 on the most affected routes, or 3 days within a 7 day period on some of the less affected routes. The level of compensation will vary depending on the severity of the disruption on the specific line of travel. A statement from Transport for the North says that the scheme should be ready to accept compensation claims from Tuesday 9th October and will stay open for 8 weeks. Strike action from Northern Rail staff has been running on a Saturday for a number of weeks and has already been scheduled for every weekend until late October. A statement on the Northern Rail website says “This Saturday, 29 September – the sixth Saturday of RMT strike action – we will be operating a reduced timetable with very few trains running before 9am and after 6pm.”
Manchester City Council in particular have allied themselves with developers to get things built. Prof Karel Williams
focus on city centre housing only serves young white-collar workers, a relative minority of the Greater Manchester population. According to the most recent census, home ownership dropped in the previous decade, the first time ever since the census records began.
Whilst Williams lays the blame with the Government, he says that local councils have failed to prioritise the housing problem. “The buck stops with national government, but local councils have simply lost control of the situation. As you can see if you stand at the bottom of Deansgate and look at all the cranes on the skyline. “Yes, they’re operating under constraints, but they haven’t been jumping and shouting loud enough. Manchester City Council in particular have allied themselves with developers to get things built.” For Williams and his team, the lack of development in the outer boroughs highlights the real-life effects of the problem. “If you look at the outer boroughs like Bolton, there isn’t much sign of developer led regeneration – there’s almost nothing that’s new in Bolton centre.”
Bridgfords targeted by protest because of no DSS policies
DEVELOPMENT: A new report has been damning of the city council
Refunds for disgruntled passengers
‘OUT of control’ developer re-generation has Manchester on course for a major housing crisis, says a damning new report. The report says that Manchester will fail to provide an adequate level of housing or transport to match an estimated 110,000 extra jobs in the city by 2040. The team was chaired by Karel Williams, Professor of Accounting and Political Economy at Alliance Manchester Business School. According to the report there are 50,000 mostly private new homes planned in the city centre, all the while there is a long waiting list for social housing and well-documented homelessness problems continuing to increase in frequency. The report says that over 11,000 one-to-two bed flats for private rent are under construction in the city centre currently, whilst social housing construction has slowed significantly. “The fact of the matter is that there
are 80,000 on the waiting list for social housing and the truth is we’ve done nothing for them for the last 20 years.” Williams said. “It is true that the city centre has been transformed, and nobody wanted a city centre as it was in the early 90’s, but the truth is that the scale of present development is out of control.” Williams says that developer-led
By Patrick Jack
A GROUP of Manchester-based organizations protested Bridgfords over a policy that has seen housing benefit claimants banned from renting properties in September. Bridgfords, was one of the six national chains mentioned in an August report by Shelter as operating a ‘no DSS’ policy, discriminating against disabled people and women, under the Equality Act 2010. The protest took place outside the Bridgfords branch on Oxford Road on Saturday 15th September. Ben Clay from the Tenants Union and a Labour councillor for Burnage, hopes the protest will bring pressure on Bridgfords’ ‘indirect discrimination’ and a change in policy to a case-by-case basis. “It’s not about putting people out of business...it’s about saying these are the minimum standards we accept in a civilised society and you need to bring yourself up to meet those standards.” He commended the “strong radical tradition” of Manchester and urged local residents to help put more pressure on discriminatory letting agents. Just two of the twenty-five branches called operated a blanket ban, but Clay was eager to point out that a further eight branches claimed to have no properties ‘cur-
rently available’ and a “de facto” policy may be in place. Clay noted the Manchester City Council policy of selective licensing as a way of combating poor housing standards and cleaning up the letting industry. The policy covers just a few Manchester areas so “universal landlord registration” should be the next step, he said. “We’re a civilised society, we do protect the poorest and most vulnerable”, he said. Penny Hicks, convenor of Manchester’s branch of the People’s Assembly, a national movement against austerity said of the DSS ban: “It’s not just an economic policy, it’s an ideological attack. “Why else would you say people on benefits can’t rent houses?” Co-founder of Manchester’s branch of Disabled People Against Cuts, Rick Burgess spoke of a member of DPAC who has been between homes for eight months because of alleged discrimination. “It’s creating a social apartheid of who can live where”, he said. Clay warned that failure to prevent the ban could see a rise in homelessness that would add to the city’s current housing crisis. He placed the brunt of the blame on the Conservative party; their “rampant free-market system” and issues with Universal Credit are both to blame. Research from Shelter has shown
that 60% of adults on housing benefits are women and those on disability benefits are three times as likely to also receive housing benefits. Rosie Keogh, a single mum from Birmingham, won a landmark case against a lettings agent who admitted
indirect discrimination in February of this year. This case has opened up the possibility of more legal challenges to come. The estate agent declined to comment as we went to press.
NEWS
Mayor vows to end HIV scourge in the next 25 years at Pride vigil
September 2018
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By Tim Gallagher
Pic: David Bridges-Fine
GREATER Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has unveiled a £1 million plan to prevent new infections of HIV in Manchester in the next 25 years. At the candlelit vigil that closed Manchester Pride 2018, the Mayor announced that Manchester would be joining the Fast-Track Cities network. This is a group of 250 cities across the globe with higher than average rates of infection, committed to stamping out HIV. The Fast-Track Cities initiative is supported by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), International Association of Providers of AIDS Care (IAPAC), United Nations Human Settlement Programme (UN-Habitat), and the city of Paris. The initiative is being led by Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership, the body responsible for health and care devolution. Andy Burnham said: “We are doing ground-breaking work in Greater
Manchester to tackle HIV, and by joining Fast-Track Cities we will be part of a global network of cities committed to ending HIV where we can share expertise and speak with a united worldwide voice.” Deputy CEO of the LGBT Foundation, Rob Cookson, added: “HIV is such an important issue for so many people. We will be part of a global network of cities committed to ending HIV. Andy Burnham - Mayor of Greater Manchester
“This now gives Greater Manchester the opportunity to create zero HIV infections and zero stigma.” The plan will be implemented later this year and measures include providing PEP and PREP for the most at-risk groups and peer led services and tailored support for individuals.
Research names Northern men as highest suicide risk
PLEDGE Plans to eradicate new HIV infections by 2043 were announced at the Pride vigil
By Yemaya Marsden
THE latest figures for male suicide rates demonstrate a clear north-south divide, despite suicide rates for UK males being at their lowest since the time series began in 1981. The data provided by the Office of National Statistics show that in 2017, 5,821 suicides were registered in the UK and 75% of suicides were committed by men. The suicide rate for males in the UK was 15.5 deaths per 100,000 (4,382 deaths), a dramatic decrease from 19.5 per 100,000 deaths in 1981. However, age-standardised male suicide rates for English regions show a startling 15.6 for the North West, compared to 11.6 for London, displaying a north-south divide. The Samaritans’ booklet ‘Men and Suicide: Why It’s a Social Issue’ identified a social inequality issue as men in mid-life from the lowest social class are up to ten times more likely to commit suicide than those from more affluent areas. Social-economic backgrounds, however, cannot be directly attributed as the cause of suicide. Mark Rowland, Director of Fundraising and Communications at the Mental Health Foundation, said: “The reasons behind suicide are complex and different in every Via Office of National Statistics case. “However, we also know that for many men when they reach middle age, they are called LIVE, which stands for: Look out for the signs of distress – often facing multiple pressures including any unusual behaviour. increased isolation from friends, young Investigate further – ask people families often, pressure at work and sometimes the breakdown of key relationships if they are having thoughts of suiwhich leave them especially vulnerable and cide. Vision for the future – offer hope without a network of support.” The Mental Health Foundation has that things can change. Expert help – let people know released new advice on suicide prevention there is help if needed.
Rowland added: “We are facing a real cultural sea change around mental health. For the first time in human history, mental health is being discussed more openly and publicly.” It is important to encourage men to reach out for support. If you wish to speak to someone for confidential support or for more
information, please contact: CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably), 0800 58 58 58. Services are open 5pm-midnight daily and are free, anonymous and confidential. Samaritans: Helpline: 116 123 (24 hours, 7 days a week). Manchester MIND 0161 769 5732.
Also, increasing home screening and maximising prompt effective treatment and challenging the stigma around HIV. Finally, it aims to address the social and cultural barriers for accessing help and support and to promote safe sex practices. HIV rates in the UK are at the lowest for 18 years, with a 17% reduction in diagnoses last year. The number has also decreased by 25% since 2015. However, in the Greater Manchester area the infection rate per 1000 is higher than the national average: three times higher in Manchester and nearly double in Salford. The announcement, a collaboration between Manchester Pride and George House Trust, was particularly fitting at an event commemorating those who have lost their lives to HIV and AIDS. Manchester will now be at the forefront of HIV prevention and lead the way for cities across the country in the fight to end the spread of HIV and saving lives.
Charity award nomination By Tim Gallagher
MANCHESTER Cares has been honoured at the National Diversity Awards for its work creating community networks in Manchester. The event took place at Liverpool Anglican Cathedral on 14 September and honours grass-roots organisations that make a difference in their communities. Nominees also tackle contemporary issues and display a commitment to enhancing equality, diversity and inclusion. Manchester Cares was nominated in the Community Organisation Age category. The charity facilitates relationships between the elderly and young professionals to combat the social disruption caused by a rapidly changing city landscape. Vicky Harrold, Project Officer for Love Your Neighbour at Manchester Cares, said: “We were very honoured to be recognised for the work that we’ve done in terms of bringing different generations together, especially when we’re so new to Manchester.” The organisation’s founder Alex Smith said: “Our work is designed to reduce loneliness and social, generational and attitudinal divides and to help people share power, purpose and belonging at a time of rapid change. “Our programmes seek to help older and younger people alike to feel part of that changing landscape, rather than left behind by it. “So we were proud that we were nominated for a National Diversity Award. The organisation runs three core programmes across Manchester including Love Your Neighbour which builds one to one friendships between neighbours of different ages. It also includes social clubs that bring communities together through various activities from contemporary dance to craft and Winter Wellbeing, that keeps people active and connected during cold months. Manchester Cares began operating in Ancoats and the Northern Quarter in November 2017 and now has programmes all over the city region.
NEWS
September 2018
www.mancunianmatters.co.uk
Airbnb rentals through the roof say new stats By Matthew Reeve
Virgin extend ‘Flexible Friday’ offer
CHANGING SCENE: A shake-up is set for short term rentals within Manchester City Centre
NEW figures show Airbnb properties in Manchester have increased 2000% in four years. Manchester is now the third most visited city in the UK after London and Edinburgh. Last week, Edinburgh Council called for a licence to limit the number of days Airbnb properties could be let, to 45 days per year, with London already setting a cap at 90 days since 2017. The data insight company AirDNA shows Manchester has 8,688 Airbnb rentals at the time of writing. This number is only expected to rise to meet the demand for Manchester’s growing tourism industry. As with Uber and other new platforms taking billion dollar industries by storm, the debate of Airbnb is well documented. Its properties can be more affordable, offering exclusivity and preference that their hotel counterparts cannot. Its users also praise a more authentic feel to their
accommodation; an experience more akin to the reality of living in the neighbourhood. Airbnb also provides extra financial income for its hosts, with a spare room able to earn homeowners up to £7,500 tax free per year. But for all of its qualities, Airbnb is not without its critics. The number of properties being Current legislation does not offer any control over homes or apartments being used for temporary sleeping accommodation. Cllr Suzanne Richard
bought solely for the purposes of short term rentals is increasing. Although Airbnb is intended for homeowners, its platform is providing lucrative business for investors and landlords. The fear is that the investment opportunities these properties repre-
By Olivia Baron
TRAVELLING to Manchester has just been made cheaper after Virgin Trains extends its ‘Flexible Friday’ deal. Passengers travelling from London Euston can flock to the city on Fridays for £125 less as afternoon peak restrictions have been removed. Following the success of the train company’s summer offer, the weekend deal has been extended to Friday 26 October. The extension will see passengers save hundreds of pounds for eight weeks longer than the deal was initially meant to end. Commercial Director at Virgin Trains, Sarah Copley, said: “Britain’s had an amazing summer and here at Virgin Trains we’ve done everything we can to help people enjoy it. “The nights may be getting shorter and the temperature gradually dropping but we want to keep summer going by extending this promotion and making spontaneous travel easier in September and October too.” Cheaper off-peak tickets are now available any time after 9.30am on a Friday, meaning customers don’t need to wait until the usual off-peak period at 7pm. The deal applies to destinations across the West coast route including Birmingham or Glasgow, so Mancunians who fancy a spontaneous weekend getaway can benefit too. Manchester is the most talked about city along this popular Virgin Trains route, according to research conducted by social media insights platform, Blurrt, on behalf of the travel company. A spokesperson for Virgin Trains said: “We did some social listening research earlier in the summer and excluding the capital, Manchester is the most talked about city along the Virgin Trains West
GOING CHEAP: Rail users can take advantage of the new Flexible Friday deal
Coast route, accounting for just over half (51%) of all city-specific conversations on Twitter. “This suggests it’s a go-to place for spontaneous travel and, judging by their social media posts, the places to which last-minute leisure travellers are most likely to head are John Ryland’s Library, Chetham’s Library, Victoria Baths, and
The Washhouse.” Travellers have until the end of October to take advantage of this deal, making spontaneous weekends away just that much easier. Despite driving up numbers of people travelling, the promotion has also led to a reduction in overcrowding by spreading passenger demand more evenly through-
out the day. Initial results from the promotion, which originally ran between July 20 and August 31 show that the most popular destinations for weekend travel were Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow, Preston and Coventry
sent will increase rent and housing prices. As a result some residents may be forced out and areas undergo gentrification with affordable residential housing becoming scarce. Many fear these rentals risk breaking down a sense of community. Businesses and residents will no doubt feel the effects of a constant stream of tourists replacing genuine local people in occupying nearby properties. Councillor Suzanne Richard, Manchester City Council’s executive member for housing and regeneration, said: “Current legislation does not offer any control over homes or apartments being used for temporary sleeping accommodation through third parties, like Airbnb. “We are currently looking at ways we can tighten the holiday housing market to bring cities like Manchester in line with the capital. “We will also take up Airbnb’s offer to work closely with them to address any issues around temporary holiday lettings.”
Fund fight for new sculpture
A CROWDFUNDING bid has been launched to raise £17,950 for an iconic Manchester sculpture damaged by vandals. The artwork, called At the End of the Day, has been enjoyed by generations of locals in Irlam for 40 years, but has since been dented and moved to safe storage after miscreants tore off its leg in 2017. The full-scale replica of a man in a flat cap relaxing on a bench was restored in 2016 and took pride of place on a platform at the refurbished Irlam Station House, where it gained a new audience of admirers – many keen to take a selfie with it. Thought to represent an exhausted shift-worker from the town’s nowdefunct steelworks, it has come to symbolise the regeneration of Station House from a run-down building to a vibrant community hub. Campaigners want to mark its 40th anniversary by raising enough money to recreate it in bronze before restoring it to its rightful place at Station House. In 1978, the 15-year-old aspiring sculptor Simon Law created At the End of the Day for his O-Level art exam using clay, plaster of Paris, mesh and cloth, with a metallic paint coating finish. Simon, now a senior design manager for John Sisk and Son, said: “I was devastated when I heard what the vandals had done to it. If we can recast it into bronze and make him more robust, that would be astounding.”
NEWS
Airlines use beer to sell US cities
September 2018
www.mancunianmatters.co.uk
By Liam Beard
VIRGIN Atlantic and Delta are harnessing the pulling power of beer to entice Mancunians to their 230 unique American destinations. Manchester residents were the honoured guests at an initiative on Friday 15th and Saturday 16th September that introduced quintessential flavours of American beers representing their cities. The focal point of the free event in Spinningfields Square was a large vending machine housing 230 different beers from the 230 different destinations like a graphic, appetising map of the US. From this initiative the two companies desire to expand the scope of their customers and also expand Mancunian’s travel habits. Diane Selby, 54, Senior Account Manager for Virgin Atlantic’s leisure channel said: “We want to open up America to central Manchester and we thought there was no cooler way of doing that than bringing 230 speciality beers from these destinations.” The queues stretching back from the event support that sentiment.
Customers could not resist the lure of free beer and proved her claim that “we know Mancunians love a beer.” However, even the spectrum of beers couldn’t quench their thirst for all things America. That is why our city was chosen as the perfect location to host such an event. Diane added: “We’re dedicated to
“
Diane Selby – Virgin Atlantic
Manchester. It’s the second biggest hub for Virgin from the UK.” Delta’s message to Mancunians outlined by Cornell Koster, Senior Vice President Europe, was: “Come down and have a special beer on us and be inspired to make the U.S. your next destination.”
A close look at ‘exceptional women’ from Manchester
CHEERS: VIrgin used free beer to tempt travellers in Spinningfields
By Lorna O’Brien
though unsuccessful, fought for educational opportunities for people who would otherwise be denied them. She had a lifelong interest in university education for women and in 1941 published a book on the topic: The Education of Women at Manchester University, 1883 to 1933. In 1966 she was made a Dame. Her personal letters can be found at the John Rylands Library.
THE John Rylands Library is celebrating one hundred years since some women were given the right to vote with the ‘Women Who Shaped Manchester’ exhibition. It tells the stories of “exceptional women from Manchester’s past”, including Emmeline Pankhurst – leader of the Women’s Social and Political Union - and Enriqueta Rylands, the first free woman of Manchester who founded the John Rylands Library in 1892. The exhibition runs from 6th September 2018 to 10th March 2019 and entry is free. Though most people are familiar with the work of Emmeline Pankhurst and her daughters Christabel and Sylvia, the exhibition explores the lives of some of Manchester’s most influential women that are less well known. Below are four of the most inspirational women featured in the exhibition.
Annie Horniman (1860-1937)
Catherine Chisholm (1878-1952)
Catherine Chisholm was the first female graduate from the University of Manchester. In 1904 she became the first woman to qualify as a doctor at Manchester Medical School. She pioneered medical care for newborns at Manchester Babies’ Hospital, which opened in 1914 and was staffed entirely by women doctors. She was committed to helping women gain work experience in hospitals, training over 150 women. She also worked closely with Margaret Ashton, who helped fund the Babies’ Hospital and became Manchester’s first female City Councillor in 1908. Madeline Linford (1895-1975)
Madeline Linford was the founder and first editor of the Manchester Guardian’s women’s
page. The publication started in 1821 but it wasn’t until 1922 that a dedicated column for women appeared, titled ‘Mainly for Women’. She started out as an assistant in the newspaper’s display advertisement department in 1913 before becoming the personal assistant of editor W.P. Crozier and remained the only woman on the editorial team until 1930 when Crozier’s daughter Mary joined the
paper. During the 1920s she wrote a biography of women’s rights advocate Mary Wollstonecraft and two novels. Mabel Tylecote (1896-1987)
Mabel Tylecote worked tirelessly for social reform in Manchester, improving lives through better schools, housing and healthcare. She ran for office as a Labour party candidate several times and
”
We know Mancunians love a beer.
Annie Horniman opened the Gaiety Theatre in 1908, Britain’s first regional repertory theatre. She managed all aspects of the venue and gave a platform to emerging playwrights such as W.B. Yeats and George Bernard Shaw. She gave actors 40 week contracts, with plays ranging from Greek tragedies to Shakespearean dramas. The Manchester School of playwrights also got their start at the Gaiety. According to theatre critic James Agate, she could be found holding court at the Midland Hotel, dressed extravagantly and openly smoking cigarettes, which was considered scandalous at the time. Horniman became a wellknown figure in Manchester, lecturing on women’s suffrage, and was given an honorary MA degree in 1910. For more information go to http://www.library.manchester.ac.u k/rylands
A first-hand recipient from this aim was Tom Harris, 26, who won free tickets to one of the 230 destinations, simply because he craved a beer and struck lucky. He has never flown with either airline before and claimed: “It is definitely a good way to do it.” In the future, he would consider the airlines to fly to the US because of the amazing hospitality they have provided. Virgin Atlantic flies to seven destinations from Manchester including Orlando, Las Vegas, San Francisco, Boston, Atlanta, New York and is due to start flights to Los Angeles. Manchester has now moved into the top 18 busiest airports in Europe after a 9% increase in passenger numbers in 2017 from the previous year. It also offers the greatest number of destinations from any UK airport. Virgin and Delta are tapping into Manchester’s rapidly growing profile as a destination and also Mancunian’s unrelenting appetite for travel.
Bike scheme to return to the city
By Mark Sleightholm BIKE sharing schemes could soon be making a comeback to Manchester. Mobike withdrew from the city on 5 September after 13 months of operation, but cyclists, city authorities and other bike-share companies are all keen to arrange a replacement scheme. Mobike allowed users to hire the orange bikes using an app but suspended its Manchester operations after losing 10% of its stock each month to theft or vandalism over the summer. NextBike, which uses docking stations to keep its bikes more secure, is now hoping to move into the city and is holding discussions with the council and Transport for Greater Manchester. NextBike already operates in cities including Cardiff and Glasgow, while other bike sharing companies have successfully launched in other UK cities. Mayor Andy Burnham and cycling and walking commissioner Chris Boardman were both quick to assure residents that they were looking into alternative schemes after Mobike's withdrawal. Boardman said: “I want to assure Greater Manchester residents that the learning is already being put to good use and that they can expect some very positive news in the not too distant future.” Mobike blamed a spike in vandalism for the withdrawal of the bikes, which are now being redistributed to its other sites in Newcastle, Cambridge, Oxford and London. Shortly after Manchester became the first city to lose the bikes, Mobike announced that it would be operating in a reduced area in London and Newcastle, where there have also been problems with vandalism. Crime statistics show a rise in bike thefts over the summer in central areas of Manchester, Newcastle and London. Boardman said: “Anti-social behaviour is not a problem unique to Manchester, it has been encountered in other UK cities and other bike operators have found ways to deal with it. “The problem here has been that we just haven’t seen the right level of engagement from Mobike.” Pete Abel from Manchester cycling group Love Your Bike warned against seeing such schemes as “magic bullets” but recognised their role in encouraging more people to cycle. “We need long-term investment in safe, convenient and comfortable cycle routes,” he said, “so that people want to cycle, whether on their own bike or one from a bike share service.” In its 13 months of operation in Manchester Mobike reported 250,000 journeys were made on its bikes.
ENTERTAINMENT
September 2017
www.mancunianmatters.co.uk
Da hl a nd Sh ak es pea re colli de a s Ma til da h it s M an ches t er
R EVI EW
James Sproston checks out the opening night at Manchester’s Palace Theatre MATILDA, who travelled all over the world while sitting in her little room in an English village, finally opened in Manchester this week as the Royal Shakespeare Company’s award-winning adaptation of Roald Dahl’s 1988 book came to the Palace Theatre. Though the show was half an hour late in kicking off, Dennis Kelly and Tim Michin’s impeccably written and composed musical was well worth the wait. As soon as the stage was revealed, the audience were given the opportunity to appreciate the impressive set, with a teasing introduction to the impressive company of children that are the essence of the production. “My mummy says I’m a miracle,” chant the ensemble for the opening number. It is a perfect inception for the evening as Michin’s witty humour proves to be pan-generational, tickling both adults and children in the audience alike with that dry sarcasm. It is the title character Matilda Wormwood, portrayed by Sophia Ally, who contrasts this humour by providing a sense of innocence, balancing an otherwise inherently cynical story. Our first encounter with Matilda’s family highlights the polarity of the situation for our protagonist and the other children, thriving despite growing up unwanted and emotionally abused. Sebastien Torkia and Rebecca Thornhill tread the line between depicting that abuse and providing comedic value aptly as Mr and Mrs Wormwood, whether that be forgetting Matilda’s gender or wishing she didn’t exist at all. With an element of villainy and dilemma established, we find Matilda in a library with one of the few adults that possess sympathy and kindness, Mrs Phelps. In this environment Matilda flourishes, and the stage evolves with her. As she tells Mrs Phelps a story of love and tragedy, we begin to see the world through the eyes of the truly miraculous five-year-old, manipulated by her interaction between imagination and knowledge. Matilda’s tale about her fabricated escapologist and acrobat is a narrative that continues throughout the show; we often revisit Mrs Phelps in the library, sat on a stool whilst battling with her emotions as Matilda relays a further chapter in the account of the two characters she has contrived. Away from the library, we often follow Matilda at school. This is where most of the action happens, commencing with the brilliant School Song, within which the cast combine electric visuals with pinpoint choreography to put together one of the standout routines of the night. School also becomes a conflict zone, where the truly terrifying Miss Trunchbull pales Matilda’s parents into looking like Wills and Kate. Craige Els puts in a sterling performance as the production’s leading role, especially impressing in The Smell of Rebellion, where a personal highlight is the headmistress being transported across the stage on a vault box with a stentorian brass accompaniment. For Matilda fans, Trunchball is the source of so many of the book’s most iconic moments. Amanda Thripp’s
punishment for having pigtails is ingeniously complemented by old school sports commentary. Similarly, hearing Bruce Bogtrotter’s side of the story when faced with the chocolate cake is extremely entertaining. Despite the humour, the show is not short of poking your emotions. When I Grow Up speaks to so many children, and touches on the theme of helplessness explored in the book. Equally, Matilda’s duet with the Escapologist in I’m Here becomes so much more pertinent when considered alongside My House, which is faultlessly performed by Carly Thomas. As a standalone production, Matilda the Musical has everything that any theatre-goer could want. It is emotive, it is funny and it is visually spectacular. However, sitting on the far right, my obstructed sightline did occasionally cause me to miss key components of the scene. Nevertheless, it would seem that the process of anglicising the show for the British audience has not taken away from Matilda the Musical’s stellar appeal. Roald Dahl, dare I say it, would be very proud of what this creation has become.
September 2018
M C R t o h o s t f i rs t ever podcast fest
ENTERTAINMENT wwww.mancunianmatters.co.uk
By Marthe de Ferrer
THE inaugural Manchester Podcast Festival will be held at venues across the city next, with eight shows taking place from 4-7th October. Performers include Richard Herring, Russell Kane, and James Richardson, each hosting a live recording of their respective shows The festival is the brainchild of Michael Clapham and Emma Zillmann, both of whom come from live entertainment backgrounds, in comedy and music respectively. The pair have worked together before, with Clapham producing comedy at one of the music festivals Zillman was managing. Both podcast aficionados, the festival came about after a casual chat in a pub after a comedy event spun out into the project. Blending their complementary backgrounds in music and comedy, the festival is a natural combining of their respective skills, with the 2018 festival operating as a litmus test for future events. “Initially we planned to do like, 15 shows? But after a while we decided to strip it back and test the concept first,” says Zillman. “We wanted to do fewer shows, prove ourselves, and get it ready for next year, where people should already be kind of aware of it.” “Next year we are looking to run workshops and have a more practical element to the festival” adds Clapham. Looking to this year though, the line-up includes “pretty much the best of British podcasts,” Clapham explains. From The Guilty Feminist to The Two Shot Podcast, the eight shows on offer cover fields as varied as football, food, feminism, music, mental health, and everything in between. It was a deliberate choice to not have solely comedy, as although “comedy podcasts work best live, it was important to have diversity here.” Selecting their personal highlights for the festival, Zillman reveals that singer-songwriter Jane Weaver will be joining Gabriel Ebulue’s Three Track Podcast as a guest for the event on 4th October at the Union Theatre. “I’m also a massive fan of the Guilty Feminist, so I’m really looking forward to that too.” Clapham is excited about local involvement in the festival, and getting podcast fans from the North West engaged in the festival. “Meeting James Richardson will also be a highlight, as he is literally my hero.” While it is a small line-up this year, there is undoubtedly something for everyone, whether you choose to see an old favourite or try something new. More information on the shows and to buy tickets visit: www.manchesterpodcastfestival.com.
Russell Kane & Richard Herring to feature
A century of suffrage to be celebrated at Five feminists on the Manchester Literature Festival functions of the F-word By Yemaya Marsden
to present such a strong line-up of multi-talented and outspoken women writers and activists.” IN the centenary year of women’s suffrage in the Other treats in store include young creative UK, Manchester Literature Festival 2018 will honworkshops with Beano artist Kev F. Sutherland our pioneering women from past to present, both and stand-up comedians Kate McCabe and internationally and closer to home. Sean Mason. Now in its 13th year, the festival welcomes naCouncillor Luthfur Rahman, Manchester City tional and international literary talent, such as Poet Council’s executive member for leisure, culture Laureate Carol Ann Duffy, Booker Prize winning and schools, added: “Once again Manchester author Pat Barker, and broadcaster and anchor of Literature Festival has lined up an exciting proBBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour Dame Jenni Murgramme of events, walks, and talks for this vital ray. celebration of the written word. Literary Manchester is explored through a series “From poetry to Scandi thrillers and from of walking tours, sponsored by Weightmans. memoirs to children’s events, this thriving and Suffragette City will explore historical landmarks energetic festival reaches out to every part of in this important 100 year anniversary and CSI the community. Manchester will show you where the bodies are reManchester Literature Festival takes place ally buried in the city that has become such a popin a variety of venues that highlight the city’s ular location for crime dramas. rich cultural heritage, including The Royal Cathy Bolton and Sarah-Jane Roberts, co-Direc- POET: Carol Ann Duffy Northern College of Music, the Midland Hotel, tors of Manchester Literature Festival, said: “As a Manchester Cathedral, Manchester Central LiUNESCO City of Literature we are delighted to welcome so many inspira- brary, Elizabeth Gaskell’s House and many more. tional authors from across the globe to share their stories and ideas with Manchester Literature Festival takes place from 6-21 October 2018. Manchester audiences, as well celebrating our own rich and radical liter- Advance tickets on sale for MLF Members from Friday 10 August and ary heritage. from Wednesday 15 August for general sale: www.manchesterlitera“In the birthplace of the suffragette movement, we’re particularly thrilled turefestival.co.uk or 0843 208 0500
By Marthe de Ferrer
THE Lowry will host the launch of the much anticipated Feminists Don’t Wear Pink (And Other Lies), a new book from the founder of the Pink Protest, Scarlett Curtis. The book is a collection of writings from women around the world from Hollywood actresses to teenage activists, discussing what feminism means to them. At the launch on 3rd October in Salford, five feminists will come together to discuss the various myths surrounding the feminist movement. “The discussion aims to bridge the gap between the feminist hashtags and scholarly texts”, says Curtis. The event features Deborah Francis-White, host of The Guilty Feminist podcast, entrepreneur Sharmadean Reid, actor Amy Trigg, comedian Grace Campell, and Curtis herself. The launch promises to be a “lively discussion” touching on “being a woman in today’s society, why we need to bang the drum for feminism and why feminists really do wear pink.” The book itself has been described by Reese Witherspoon as “Brilliant, hysterical, truthful and real”, and received praise from the likes of Fearne Cotton and Mindy Kaling. Curtis says the compilation of the book was “one of the most incredible and complex experiences of my life. The launch takes place at 7.30pm at the Lowry on Wednesday 3rd October. Tickets start from £10 and include a £1 donation to Girl Up, a global leadership development initiative positioning girls to be leaders in the gender equality movement.
September 2018
ENTERTAINMENT wwww.mancunianmatters.co.uk
Warehouse Project gets ready for Store Street swan song
Mike McCartney opens Manchester’s new Wex Photography store
OPEN: McCartney cuts the ribbon Wex store (Wex Photo Video)
By James Moules
Rock photographer Mike McCartney, brother of Beatles star Paul McCartney, was
WHP will depart “spiritual home” after current run By Rhys THomas THE Warehouse Project kicks off the final season at their iconic Store Street venue this month. WHP returned to their ‘spiritual home’ in 2014, and, after spending four years there, it is supposedly goodbye for the final time. The Manchester clubbing institution brings some of the world’s biggest acts to the city every year – and the former WW2 airraid shelter on Store Street is steeped in history. An extensive mix of the biggest acts from dance, techno, grime, house and more have lit every dark corner of the space underneath Piccadilly station. Founders Sacha Lord-Marchionne and Sam Kandel cited the HS2 re-generation project surrounding Piccadilly Station as a contributing factor to the permanent move. "The Warehouse Project will bid a final farewell to the infamous Store Street venue following the forthcoming 2018 season. With Manchester in constant evolution and the zone around Store Street undergoing incredible transformation, our time here is drawing to a natural conclusion. “When WHP returned to Store Street in 2014 it was intended for one season only. Four years later we are calling time. There will be no return “Whilst we are of course looking forward to the next chapter and discovering new places to dance, Store Street will forever be con-
sidered the spiritual home of the Warehouse Project by around a million who have danced under those arches. “We hope you join us for this final season beneath the streets. ‘For twelve weeks the city is ours’.” WHP began at Strangeways Brewery, the
ing international stars such as Frank Ocean and Snoop Dogg. They have yet to confirm where WHP will re-emerge. Manchester has a rich musical history encompassing The Smiths, Oasis, Joy Division and more – and WHP has been a major factor in Manchester retaining its status as a cutting-edge musical hub even as the ‘old days’ drift further and further away. Seth Troxler was the headline act on the opening night of the 12-week calendar, and all of the seven opening nights are sold out already. The final season at Store Street begins at an exciting time for Manchester nightlife, with large live music venue WORK: Much of the area around Piccadilly station YES opening in has been earmarked for development. September. former home of Boddingtons Bitter situated The old auction house on Charles Street just north of the city centre, also spending will host four floors of live musical acts and three years at Victoria Warehouse near Old DJ’s, including a basement club and a roof Trafford between 2011 and 2014. terrace. Lord-Marchionne and Kandel also organThe new club has been launched by pro ise several music festivals, including the moters Now Wave. Parklife Weekender at Heaton Park, attract-
at the opening of the new Wex Photo Video store in Manchester. The store opening on September 14 was a big event for the company, featuring seminars and workshops throughout the day from numerous photography experts. Mike McCartney spoke about the state of the photography world, especially in the age of the smartphone. He said: “originally when it came out, iPhones, if you think about it, spelt the end of photography. “I came from no iPhones. The only camera we had in our house was the Kodak Box Camera.” He recalled how his interest in photography started as a child, when he saw seagulls in the back garden of his parents’ house in Liverpool. When they were out, he took the family camera to get a picture of the birds, but when the photo was developed, they could not be seen, they were just black dots. There was more to photography than meets the eye, he realised. He read about photography extensively after his attempt with the seagulls, and his brother Paul bought him a camera in Hamburg.That was where it all started. When asked what his favourite things to photograph are, he said: “Anything.” In spite of the prevalence of smartphone photography, Mike believes there is
ADVICE: Photographers at the store opening (Wex Photo Video)
cause to be optimistic about the future of the medium. “There’s only one reason this place is here today, that’s the interest of the public. “Today’s good photographs will be tomorrow’s history.” Wex Photo Video CEO Louis Wahl shared Mike’s sentiment, saying: “This is like a new generation, it’s a new era.” Mike went on to describe the atmosphere in Liverpool in the 60s, when he worked as a women’s barber before pursuing photography. “The whole place was cooking,” he said. “We could risk, we could go for it, thank God it worked but for kids of today, it’s safer, it’s much safer.” Wex Photo Video is at Unit 4, Downing Street Industrial Estate, Charlton Place, Manchester M12 6HH.
FOOD AND DRINK
September 2018
Manchester to get first Veggie Pret outside of London
By Yemaya Marsden THE first Veggie Pret outside of London will open its doors to Manchester, Deansgate, next month following an overwhelming demand. The new menu will include Veggie Pret favourites, such as Pret’s vegan take on macaroni cheese and the Veggie New Yorker Sandwich, along with new menu launches such as Butternut and Cauliflower Gratin and indulgent Almond Butter Bites. Veggie Pret will offer a range of barista-prepared organic coffees and teas, which can also be made with soya or ricecoconut milk alternatives, perfect for vegans and those with milk allergies and intolerances. Gluten free diners can treat themselves to Pret’s first glutenfree brownie made with ground almonds and dark chocolate topped with a swirl of raspberry jam and almond butter. The Veggie Pret concept came to fruition when Pret’s CEO, Clive, started talking about Vegetarian food on his blog and noticed sales of vegetarian and vegan food growing. Pret a Manger opened its first veggie shop in Soho, London, but the pop-up quickly became a permanent shop due to its success The Manchester branch will be the chain’s fourth Veggie Pret. Hannah Dolan, Head of Food Development at Pret, said: “When we asked customers on social media where they’d like to see the next Veggie Pret, Manchester was the top request. “Veggie Pret is still growing and the future is looking as green as ever.
Ciaoooo Pizzeria, Northern Quarter
BY James Moules CIAOOO Pizzeria opened earlier this month on Swan Street, serving Neapolitan sourdough pizzas. The pizzas they serve have a very distinct look, featuring a very large and doughy crust. Manager and owner, Loredana Grigore, explained their method: “Our Pizza is made from slow-rising sourdough and is baked at 450C for 60-90 seconds. “The slow levitation and blast cooking process lock in the flour’s natural aroma and moisture giving a soft and easily digestible crust, as a result, the edge (cornicone) is excellent and shouldn’t be discarded.” Indeed, the pizza’s fluffy crust is one of the best parts, benefitting from not being dry and brittle at all. The ‘Vesuvio’ pizza I had, topped with cherry tomatoes and rocket, was absolutely ripe
with all manner of flavours. The cheese ratio was also just right, neither being overly rich with it or too sparse. After the pizza I was treated to a tiramisu, which was also fantastic. It was not too creamy at all, with just the right level of flavour. I’m not usually a tiramisu fan, but I feel I might have just been converted. The restaurant has a pleasant atmosphere as well. It feels buzzing with life without being frantic. The staff were enormously friendly and the service was speedy.
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REV IEW It’s not just the location that dazzles at Shack By Marthe de Ferrer NEW to West Didsbury as of August this year is The Shack, a cocktail and taco bar from the Liquid Art Group. The Shack’s location is fantastic, settling in well among the other trendy bars, cafés and restaurants for which Burton Road is known. While the menu is small, there is a great range of dishes catering for more adventurous eaters as well as those who prefer a simpler option. Last week I had the opportunity to sample some of the menu highlights, and as an avid foodie I was not disappointed. We started with the steak taco, to open with a more traditional Mexican combination, which was unbelievably good - complete with an excellent citrus guacamole. After we went for the chicken shawarma taco, served with feta and a stunning aioli, giving an unusual Middle Eastern twist, without feeling like an uncomfortable fusion of cuisines. Continuing with the fusion theme, we tried the tofu kimchi taco next, which was a much more unexpected combination, yet a really strong pairing which should satisfy meat-eaters and vegetarians alike. The final taco we sampled was one entitled ‘Comfort Food’, which is effectively a fancy full English with a Mexican twist. with incredible smokey Boston beans and chorizo throughout. This dish worked well largely because of the high quality of the ingredients, The standard of the food is why the Shack has proved to be so popular already, as diners looking for something a bit different are not then let down by poor quality. There also has to be a special mention for the salt ’n’ pepper chicken, which was absolutely exceptional as a side, and owners Oliver Calvely and James Fennell confirmed that this was a customer favourite. The variety on offer at the Shack cannot be overstated, and is an incredible feat given such a concise menu. Having opened early in order to be a part of WestFest, West Didsbury’s annual celebration of local business, the Shack is not actually quite finished - although you would be hard pressed to find faults with the either the interior or the menu. Originally “it was going to be much more traditional” Calvely told me, but after working with their chef, Robert Johnson-Dutoit, the menu became the inventive range it is now. “Our chef is really talented. He’s been doing it for 20 years. He created the menu and we’ve left him to have his creative flair,” said Fennell. Calvely added: “You can order anything and it’ll be great food.” For vegans and vegetarians there is also plenty of choice, “a necessity round here” Fennell confirmed. As West Didsbury continues to be known for its vibrant food scene, the Shack is certainly going to increase that reputation.
City slackens its PREVIEW belts ready for Food & Drink fest
ON THE MENU: Manchester Food and Drink Festival will return to the city this Thursday, 27th September, for its 21st edition.
FOOD lovers will be pleased to note that there will be a food and drink village in Albert Square daily from 27th September to 7th October, which is totally free to enter. The village will be complete with dishes and drinks from some of the city’s top chefs, restaurants, street food vendors, and bars. Events will take place daily around the city, featuring collaborations from Manchester’s most renowned foodies, from beer brewers to ice cream makers. The festival began in 1998 in order to show off the city’s culinary breadth, and prove there is more to the North West than pasties and pies. Over the years the event has attracted many stars of the food world, including Jamie Oliver, Gordon Ramsay, Michel Roux and Bill Wyman. The event culminated in the MFDF awards on the 8th October, where foodies around the country will congregate to celebrate the best in the industry.
The School of Journalism is a unique collaboration between News Associates and Marjon University. Each year we will offer a select group of students the chance to study in our London or Manchester campus and join the most innovative and practical BA (Hons) Journalism degree in the UK. This is the only UK journalism degree programme designed and delivered by a news organisation, so don’t expect 12 hours a week contact learning. You will become a journalist from day one: you will write, produce and edit stories straight away.
Find out more at www.schoolofjournalism.co.uk
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September 2018
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Quid dit ch: The sport wher e in clusivit y and ge nd e r f l ui di t y i s a t t he he a r t o f th e g am e
S v a r Na n a n - S e n j oi n s f re s h er s a t a ‘ g i v e it a g o’ s es s i on t o f i n d ou t m o re . . . MANCHESTER was declared the birthplace of Quidditch via a J.K Rowling tweet in 2017 and on earlier this month, I visited the University of Manchester’s (UoM) Quidditch team’s ‘give it a go’ Freshers’ Session, to see how the sport is both played and developing within Manchester and the UK. On arrival, everyone was given a sticker for their name and the pronouns they felt comfortable with. Larissa Taylor, who was the Inclusion Officer for UoM Quidditch during the 2017/18 season said: “It’s just to make sure people of all gender, race, religion, ethnicity and sexuality can come and feel comfortable.” She added: “Everything is very fluid and a lot of people here would say they are only ‘out’ to us and not to their family or close friends, because this is very much a place you can come and feel like you can be yourself and no one will judge you for that.” During the session, which was led by team captain Tua Karling, the rules of Quidditch were explained and several demonstrations on how the sport is played were given. Each team has seven players on the pitch at one time; these are made up of three Chasers, two Beaters, one Seeker and a Keeper (substitutions are
unlimited within Quidditch). Each position has a different role on the field of play: Chasers aim to score goals with the Quaffle by throwing or kicking it through the hoops. Each goal is worth 10 points. Chasers move the ball down the field by running with it, passing it to teammates, or kicking it. Two Beaters use the Bludgers to disrupt the flow of the game by “knocking out” other players. Any player hit by a Bludger is out of play until they touch their own goals. Each team also has a Seeker who tries to catch the Snitch. The Snitch is a ball attached to the waistband of the Snitch runner; a neutral athlete in a yellow uniform who uses any means to avoid capture. The Keeper’s role is to guard the hoops and stop the Chasers from scoring with the Quaffle. All players must play holding a ‘broomstick’; a stick which can be held by the hand or between the thighs and must not touch the ground. The different balls used within a game of Quidditch are as follows: There are three Bludgers on the field of play; these are dodge-balls used by Beaters to set back other players. When a player is hit with a Bludger,
they must drop any ball they are holding and touch their own goalposts before re-entering play. The Quaffle is a volleyball used to score goals. Chasers can also use the Quaffle to block incoming Bludgers. The Snitch is a neutral athlete dressed in yellow with a Velcro tail attached to their shorts. They are released onto the field on the 18th minute and must evade capture. Once one of the Seekers captures their tail, the game is over and the team that obtains the Snitch is awarded 30 points. If the score is tied after the Snitch catch, the game proceeds into overtime. Team captain Tua, who is beginning her third season as a UoM Quidditch player, said that she chose to play Quidditch because: “It seemed very interesting and new and I came to the ‘give it a go’ and it was really fun and different. The thing that got me to stay was the community, as compared to any other sports societies I’ve been to, it’s very welcoming to people from different backgrounds and different sports experiences.” Regarding the potential of the sport within the UK, Ms Karling, who this summer represented team Finland at the Quidditch World Cup, said: “I think it has enormous potential in the UK, because there are
essentially three different games within the game of Quidditch so it’s very inclusive of different abilities. It can become a really big nation-wide sport because it’s so interesting and different from everything else, so even people who have played other sports for years will find it interesting because it’s such a tactical sport.” The game of Quidditch has a specific gender rule in place where a team may not have more than four
SNITCH: Team captain Tua Karling demonstrating how to catch the snitch.
players who identify as the same gender on the pitch at the same time. Referencing the gender rule Larissa Taylor stated: “I find this is very much a sport for trans and non-binary people who can come and play with people of all genders if they don’t feel comfortable going to ‘men’s or women’s sport; this is the sport where they can play and feel validated in themselves and their identity.” Following the end of their Freshers’ Session, the University of Manchester Quidditch team had their first ‘Social’ of the 2018/19 season at a pub where board games were played so that the option of drinking alcohol was there but by no means compulsory. A fitting ‘Social’ for a team and sport that wants everyone to feel comfortable.
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September 2018
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Coach aims for pro futsal
S t an w ay : C ity w o men ta rge t E urop ea n c r o wn By Sam France
MANCHESTER City forward Georgia Stanway is dreaming of European glory – but knows they face a stern challenge against Atlético Madrid in the last 32 of the Women’s Champions League. City looked to have delivered a perfect smash-and-grab away performance in the tie’s first leg, but the Spanish champions equalised in the last minute of normal time to leave things finely balanced at 1-1. Nick Cushing’s side breezed through this stage 6-0 on aggregate last season, but 19-year-old Stanway is itching for a chance to test herself against a top European side. “I think this is the first time where in the first round we’ve had [to face] a very, very high-quality team,” she says. “Obviously we’ve got so much respect for Atlético, they’re a very good side. They’ve won trophies in Spain, and we’ve won trophies in England, so it’s good competition for both teams. “It’s good to be able to play that type of opposition. You’ve got to beat the best to be the best and that’s something that
we’re willing to do.” Having fallen at the semi-final stage in each of the last two seasons, City are hungry for more. But can this be their year? “Hopefully!” Stanway replies. “That’s the aim, to go one step further. To get to the final of the Champions League would be absolutely unbelievable. “The fact we’ve got to the semi-final two years on the run is still an unbelievable achievement but to go that one step further would be extra special, it’s something that everyone in our team would love to do.” After ten years of Sheikh Mansour’s investment, Manchester City’s ambition is to dominate European football with both their women’s and men’s teams. But despite both sides vying for the same European crown, Stanway laughed off any suggestion of a rivalry between the City men and women – and said she wouldn’t take any extra satisfaction from lifting the club’s first-ever European Cup before the men’s team. “Definitely not! I think we’re a club that likes to see both sides – likes to see the
Pictures via @ManCityWomen/@StanwayGeorgia, Twitter
women do well, likes to see the men do well, likes to see the academy do well. Whoever lifts it first, I’m sure the other side will be very happy!”Despite her youth, Stanway has a growing reputation within the game as a scorer of stunning
STAR: Stanway hit ten goals last year
goals. After ten goals last season, she recently got off the mark against Everton with another trademark screamer, a thunderbolt on the half-volley from the edge of the area. The bar is set high. But she doesn’t have a specific target this season, focus-
ing on performances rather than numbers. Even so, the numbers are impressive. A one-in-three strike rate at City is eclipsed by a record of close to a goal every game across two international youth levels. If she continues in this manner, a full international call-up is surely just around the corner. “It’s something I’d really love to do,” admits Stanway on the prospect of joining the ranks of the Lionesses. “I’d love to make my international debut within my career but whether that happens soon or whether it happens later, I’m just focusing on the now. “I’m putting in the work now to hopefully stand me in good stead for the future.” City’s game against Atlético Madrid kicks off at 7PM on Wednesday at the Academy Stadium. Georgia spoke to MM at an event at the City Football Academy with one of the partner schools of City in the Community, the club’s foundation which delivers health, education and social inclusion programmes across Greater Manchester.
FIFA 19 REVIEW: The beautiful game has returned
THE FIFA 19 demo rounds the keeper and is ready to put the game to bed once and for all. When EA Sports coined the phrase “it’s in the game”, it was perfect; a catch-all phrase that encapsulated their vision for how they would present their latest series. Somewhere along the line though, EA Sports forgot that football was the most integral aspect that should be “in the game”. Last year EA Sports finally addressed many fans’ concerns and introduced the fantastic “Frostbite” engine, a potential game-changer. As with any overhaul, it was clear it was going to take time and so it proved. FIFA 19 is proof that it was time well spent. The biggest addition to the game is “Dynamic Tactics”, a simplified but improved version of the arbitrary “pick a number from one to hundred” setup of yesteryear which left custom tactics feeling a little random. A range of easy to understand and use options sees teams switch between a range of options including “constant pressure”, “press on a heavy touch” and “press after possession loss”.
In terms of gameplay, 50/50s are no doubt the biggest addition. Stronger players play a more important role in the game, able to win possession more easily through their physicality. Aside from than the occasional cartoon-looking player
like Leroy Sané, FIFA’s graphics are excellent. It’s both unerring and unsettling as you question if Diego Costa is actually staring you right in the face such is the accuracy of the modelling.
Overall what matters most is gameplay and FIFA delivers in abundance. Whether it is improved goalkeepers, crisper passing or more fluid shooting mechanics the gameplay is better in every conceivable way. Heading may have become overpowered - MM actually scored from outside the box with a header from a corner - and passing may seem more difficult despite the increased options of how to pass, but this is due to the AI’s smarter defending. All this comes before we even talk about the new game modes like survival mode which sees a player sent off when your team scores or the schoolyard classic “headers and volleys,” plus more which will be added to the final release. FIFA has been top of the league for some time now in sales but when they take the title again this year, it won’t just be down to their superior spending and marketing capabilities. Thanks to a concerted effort to focus on the mechanics of football, this year will be a victory defined by substance and a true representation of the beautiful game.
MANCHESTER Futsal Club coach Sergi Saldana hopes to see professional futsal in England in the near future – and thinks Manchester can lead the way. The Barcelona-born coach has seen improvements in recent years, but the sport in England is still a long way behind its traditional leading countries such as Brazil and Spain. England’s national team sits outside the top 50 of the world rankings, behind the likes of Uzbekistan, Guatemala, and Lebanon. “More than just Manchester, I want to see the whole league improve,” Saldana said. “I want to see professional, or almost professional futsal. In ten years, maybe it can happen.” Baku United, based in London, became the country’s first profes-
GURU: Saldana brings prowess
sional futsal club in 2012 and participation rates in the sport have been steadily growing in recent years. Saldana said: “Most of the young players here have played futsal with another team team in the past, which is good. “We have players who have been playing for two or three years and they are still at the club, and that’s nice.” Manchester is one of the few English futsal clubs with specialist coaching for a full range of youth teams, ranging from under-8s to under-16s. “Here, we have futsal for everyone,” Saldana said. “There are more young players trying to play futsal but this is a young sport in England. It needs time to succeed. “Maybe in ten years or so, I think it will be important here. Manchester will be at the top of the league, I think.” Manchester kick off the new futsal season on Sunday 30th September, with a home match against last year’s runners-up, London-based Helvécia.
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September 2018
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JAGTAG CONTEST ARRIVES IN FALLOWFIELD
By Richard Lunt
MANCHESTER is known as a world-renowned destination for football and so it proved once again – only this time it was of the American variety. It seems fitting that the tournament was held at Platt Lane, the former training ground of Manchester City because as City know all too well, it takes marketing, investment and community involvement to grow. As MM found out, the Jaguars have all three. Ryan Moore, UK Events and Marketing Executive was keen to emphasise the community aspect. “We’ve got a schools program that started in Manchester from September and we are working with a group called ‘EdStart’ – who are coaching primary school and secondary school kids, as well as another group called ‘Active Communities Network’. “We’ve been given government funding to support England to put three satellite programs in to Manchester.” The school programs are known as “JagTag”: a
simplified version of the sport for kids aged 12-16 of varying abilities.It introduces the basics and allows children to grow in to the game and encourages teamwork and tactical thinking. Thanks to JagTag, American Football is being played up and down England with the ambition being to push this to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. On an overcast day at Platt Lane, MM experienced first-hand a microcosm of the spirit of American Football akin to exactly what JagTag looks to achieve. Nowhere was this more evident than when we chatted to West Bromwich’s Wayne Drew, 27, playing for the Leamington Spartans. “I run a group called ‘Lifting the Lid’ – a mental health campaign developed for American Football and the community as a whole.” Wayne’s program invites people to share their story of mental health issues either by name or anonymously to let people know they are not alone. In terms of on the field, on one end you had people like Leah Mashitter, 29, from Lancaster who played for the Lancaster Lightning. Leah was a first-time player of the sport who had an
Great Britain national team by night. “The level of the competition is high, playing against that Vienna team (the runners up), they were the best team we’ve played against all day,” said the Irlambased player, fresh off the back of an incredible catch. “Even the guys that throw teams together though, it’s just great and it’s a 20-minute drive from my house. “My main focus from 13-24 was full contact, I absolutely love it but what you get here is when you play five-a-side with your mates, you just have fun.” To the casual observer, what you would have seen was a set of 3G football pitches with 14 people looking to throw, catch or intercept a different shaped football but what the Jags know and the reason they sponsor these events is that there is so much more to it than that. This is a community, a community that cares about each other, looks out for each other and it is that community that the Jags are helping to foster, the fact they have chosen Manchester to further this aim should be a sign of great pride for Mancunians all over.
NL Wanderers: Salford City By James Sproston
IMAGE: ALEX HENDLEY
“amazing” time; her team weren’t there dreaming of glory and a trip to the Super Bowl, they were there to enjoy themselves and that’s exactly what they did. At the other end of the spectrum you had eventual winners the Danish Dynamite – a team consisting mainly of Danish national team players who were playing some simply sumptuous American Football. Led by their quarterback Frederik Ermler, 27, a Pittsburgh Steelers fan from Copenhagen, they were merciless as they seemed to reach their peak when it mattered most in the final. “It [the competition] hasn’t been to Denmark, once we saw that they were arranging it here again after last year, we definitely knew we wanted to come. “All the guys here are proud and used to representing Denmark, with this prize on the line though it is really something special. We are looking forward to celebrating and seeing more of Manchester.” Denmark wasn’t the only country proudly showing off national team players however. Glasgow’s David McInally, 25, was the tournament’s answer to Superman as a mild-mannered insurance broker by day but wide receiver for the
IMAGE: JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
A WET and windswept North West weekend played host to the first instalment of the Non-League Wanderers, as Maidstone United made the long trip up to Salford City in the Vanarama National League. City may be the closest non-league team to Ordsall, but a brief glimpse at a map would indicate that it was beyond conventional walking distance. However, since we’re still living in austere times, both Alex Hendley and myself braved the journey in the interest of journalism. Having survived the harshest conditions that Poseidon could throw at us, we arrived at the Peninsula Stadium. Resembling a remodelled hash of old shipping containers, Salford’s ground screams grassroots. However, as most of us will be aware, under the guidance of the ‘Class of ‘92’ the Ammies are anything but normal. Having enjoyed three promotions in the last four seasons, fans have experienced a meteoric rise to the highest tier of non-league football. Recent success has been accompanied by a growing fanbase. Not only have average attendances risen from 139 to 1,626 over the last five
years, but Salford now have over 141k followers on Twitter, and have been the subject of a BBC documentary. Their reputation and financial backing also give Salford an edge over their rivals. Recently, the signing of EFL veteran Adam Rooney drew criticism from Accrington Stanley Andy Holt, but it’s not just the team’s new captain that possesses ample quality. Salford’s midfield combination of Danny Whitehead, Mark Shelton and Rory Gaffney looked a level above their Maidstone counterparts, as they dominated possession and utilised their vast range of passing to regularly unlock the opposition defence. Though it was backs against the wall stuff for The Stones, they did hit the home side on the break on a number of occasions, but Shamir Mullings’ miss when faced one-on-one with the Salford keeper epitomised the gulf in class between the two sides. Despite their dominance, Salford left the field without a goal, and with it all to play for. For us, it was time to sample the non-league delicacies that are synonymous with grassroots sport. Mirroring a low-budget food market, we were presented with a choice of cuisines. On first glance, the Balti stall seemed to be the popular
choice among most fans, though it soon transpired why. In search of a burger, I approached the no nonsense food shed, but they were entirely sold out of all but one option. After overcoming the initial disappointment of the burgers being sold out, I was sufficiently satisfied with the pie, peas and gravy offering from one of the several food outlets on site. Though the peas may have proved too watery for my fork, the proper thick northern gravy could warm the hearth of any supporter. Salford opened the scoring just after the restart, with Mullings putting the ball past his own keeper. The goal sparked Maidstone into action, and the game opened up to the delight of the neutral. Despite both sides’ best efforts, neither team could alter the scoreline further, but surprisingly neither resorted to the long-ball game. Ammies boss Graham Alexander has been applauded in the past for his teams’ style of football, and that was on display on the day, despite the persistently miserable weather. For the journey home neither of us fancied a repeat of the hour-long hardship we faced on the way there, so with our socks still saturated, we opted for the bus back having witnessed nonleague football at its most glamorous.
Rebuilt Giants start season with a win SPORT
September 2018
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By Mark Sleightholm
THE Giants extended their strong pre-season run with an opening 92-87 victory over Sheffield Sharks. James Jones, returning to the side after four years away as a coach, and new signing Torry Butler played key roles in the win. The new-look Giants had trailed the Sharks for most of the match but Jones scored a three-pointer in the final quarter to put his team ahead. The win was all the more impressive given the Sharks’ 5th-placed finish last season, compared to secondbottom for the Giants. Butler scored 19 points for the Giants and converted two free throws in the final minute to seal the game. Fellow new signing Mike McCall Jr. praised the teamwork of his new side. “We played with great chemistry, fought hard and we wanted to get that first win on the first game of the season,”he said. The win over the Sharks marked an important stage in the Giants
rebuilding, following last season’s second to last placed finish. They won five of their six preseason friendlies, including easy victories against local rivals Manchester Magic both home and away. The NBL side - more used to playing a division below the Giants fielded an inexperienced team for both legs of the game dubbed the “Battle of
“
We played with great chemistry, fought hard and we wanted to get that first win on the first game of the season. Mike McCall Jr
”
Manchester”, giving four 16-year-olds game experience before their opening league match on 7 October. Top scorers across the friendlies were the Giants’ three new American signings, Willie Clayton, McCall Jr and Butler, all three hitting double figures against Sheffield.
Also joining the side this season is Vlatko Granic from Croatia, while Barry Webster and James Jones have returned to the club. Jones and his brother Callum are playing together for the Giants for the first time since 2013/14 - the last time the Giants made the BBL playoffs. Since then the side have struggled, racking up just four wins last season. Their last win in a BBL Cup or Trophy match was in January 2014. Their opening Cup match is on 28 October, with their Trophy campaign kicking off in December. This season marks the Giants last at the Trafford Sportsdome. Plans were announced in February for a new stadium at the nearby Urmston Leisure Centre, with the Giants hoping to move in time for the 2019/20 season. The Giants first home game is against new side London City Royals on 30 September. The Royals won their opening league match against the Bristol Flyers but will travel up to Manchester the day after hosting the Surrey Scorchers.
Brook next up for Khan? NEW SEASON: Things are looking up for Giants
By James Sproston
MOST boxing fans will know there is nothing more box office than watching an Amir Khan fight. Crowds love punches, wobbles and dogged determination, so Khan rarely disappoints. The Bolton-born welterweight recently overcame Colombia’s Samuel Vargas, his second win since his comeback to the sport and to the welterweight division following a first round stoppage over Canadian Phil Lo Greco. Most would have been excused for thinking Khan’s career was over after being floored by Canelo Álvarez’s right hand back in May 2016. Many had the fight as neck-and-neck on points, but the Briton’s greatest weakness was exposed yet again. For Khan, time and time again his ‘glass chin’ has let him down, so this is what potential future opponents will often look to target. In their press conference, Álvarez had claimed: “If I touch him on the chin, he’s going down. That’s a guarantee.” Khan’s chin is not his only weakness either. Directly after going on the offensive, Khan often leaves himself woefully exposed, and he also gets dragged into dogged fights despite being technically superior. Khan may have Manny Pacquiao at the top of his list, but Ezekiel “Kell” Brook looks most likely to be next in line. The two fighters share promoter Eddie Hearn, and the Sheffield boxer had a front row seat to see both Khan and Vargas hit the canvas in Birmingham. Speaking to Sky Sports after the fight, Brook said: “He hasn’t got the greatest chin and I definitely wouldn’t have let him get up off the canvas, he would have been
staying down there.” The 32-year-old added that he feels more comfortable welterweight than Khan: “He’s trying to shut every single door for [the fight] not to happen. “I will come down to 147lbs because I am the governor of this division.” Brook may rate his chance against his British rival, though he does have weaknesses of his own. Mirroring Khan’s step up to middleweight, Brook fought Gennady Golovkin in September 2016 but lost
by TKO after being on the receiving end of some trademark heavy ‘Triple G’ punches. The damage was a broken eye socket, which was then aggravated in his loss to American Errol Spence Jr. Brook returned with a second round knockout of Sergey Rabchenko in March, having had surgery to repair his eye socket, but Khan will no doubt target the root of Brook’s two defeats in the ring. Other than his eye socket, in order to win Khan will have to put Brook under a lot of pressure. In both his defeats,
Brook has struggled when on the back foot, failing to cope with the number of punches being fired at him. Both Golovkin and Spence threw more punches than Brook, so Khan will have to put his opponent under constant pressure, whilst shoring up his own patchy defence. Hearn revealed on Twitter that the Khan-Vargas fight was “the biggest live UK audience on subscription TV (not PPV) in boxing history.” If the bout with Brook is pulled off, it could just be one of the biggest fights in British boxing history.
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September 2018
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UK’s first Down’s Syndrome running club l e ad s th e wa y in Dids bur y
By Olivia Baron
THE UK’s first ever Down’s Syndrome running club is up and running in Manchester. Didsbury Runners have become the first to host the session as part of the Down’s Syndrome Association’s DSActive programme. They aim to provide activities nationwide for people with Down’s syndrome, and are introducing athletics sessions with the help of DSActive and England Athletics. The first session was the launch of a running club with the Didsbury Runners, which took place at Didsbury Sports Ground.
Sports
Spokesperson for Disdbury Runners, Yvonne Hung, said: “Didsbury Runners were approached earlier this year by the Down’s Syndrome Association who were looking to pilot running sessions as part of their DSActive programme. “We were recommended to them by England Athletics. DSActive is designed to encourage people with Down's syndrome to be active and healthy as many adults and children with Down's syndrome have a sedentary lifestyle resulting in obesity and health issues. “Didsbury Runners were delighted to be part of this as the club already has a strong emphasis on inclusion.”
quiz
1. The Manchester Giants, Mystics and Magic are all teams based around which sport? 2. Where do Salford City FC play their home games? 3. What are the nicknames of Manchester’s two main ice hockey teams? 4. Who defeated Lancashire Lightning in the semi-finals of the T20 Vitality Blast, going on to beat Sussex to claim their first Blast title 5. Who did Bolton boxer Amir Khan defeat recently in his second fight following his comeback? 6. What sport do the Manchester Titans play? 7. In their Champions League group this season, Manchester City are faced with trips to Lyon, Shakhtar Donetsk and which other European club? 8. In a milestone year for the Belle Vue Aces, what anniversary does 2018 mark? 9. In what year did Manchester United last win the Champions League? 10.The Hornets are a sports team based in Greater Manchester, but which town are they based in and what sport do they play?
The Down’s Syndrome Association delivered training to Didsbury Runners to help them cater for the specific needs of people who would come to these sessions. At the start of June, the group held its first run at Didsbury Sports Ground. Yvonne continued: “Three runners joined our first session where the run leaders led a walk-jog session around Fletcher Moss Park with lots of laughter and positive feedback. “We’ve gradually grown since then with up to 20 participants and carers joining us each week, but those three runners are still regular members. “There are lots of opportunities for high fives with
other runners and a chance to socialise afterwards with a well-earned drink at the Didsbury Sports Ground club house.” Following the club’s success, the sessions are now open to adults with any learning disability, and it also has a walking-only group to give those who are not yet ready to run an opportunity to be more active. Sessions are held at 6.45pm on Wednesdays to coincide with a Didsbury Runners training session. Lasting around 40 minutes, sessions are free and open to anyone 16 or over with any learning disability. Didsbury Runners are always happy to welcome new participants of any ability.
End-of-season scrabble for rugby league sides By Nathan Okell
WITH the rugby league season approaching its close, there is still much to play for by the sports Greater Manchester sides. A defeat for Salford in their penultimate qualifying game meant they will have to wait until the final round of the season to secure their place in the Super League for 2019. The Red Devils suffered an 11-8 away loss at London on Saturday, with influential half back Jackson Hastings serving the final game of his ban sustained against Toronto two weeks ago. Salford started their qualifying campaign in blistering fashion, winning their first five games but the absence of Hastings has hit them hard and they lost their last two. This week’s crucial clash at home against promotion hopefuls Toulouse looks to be an exciting match-up with both sides favouring an attacking style of play. Wigan secured second place and a home
semi-final in the Super League play-offs with a 13-6 victory away at Huddersfield last Thursday. Tries from Morgan Escare and Oliver Gildart gave the Warriors the win, meaning they will play the Castleford Tigers next week for a place in the Grand Final at Old Trafford. Wigan will be determined to send departing head coach Shaun Wane and players Sam Tomkins, John Bateman and Ryan Sutton out on a high, so do not be surprised if they rest a number of key players for this week’s final round tie against Hull FC. Leigh fell just short of being crowned Championship Shield winners after falling to a 30-16 home defeat to the Batley Bulldogs. It marks the end of a disappointing campaign for the Centurions, who missed out on promotion to the Super League after a dismal start to their season and were forced to release a number of key players. With Featherstone winning their penultimate league game against Swinton, Leigh sit 4
points behind the Yorkshire side in the standings with one game to go. Swinton and Rochdale both found themselves relegated to League One after finishing in the bottom two places of the Championship. Rochdale actually recorded a rare victory last weekend, seeing off Dewsbury 26-22; however it came far too late in the competition for the Hornets, who had lost their previous eight league games. Swinton meanwhile fell to a 34-18 home loss to league leaders Featherstone. A 46-18 victory for Oldham at London Skolars and a defeat for promotion rivals Whitehaven at York meant that the Roughyeds secured the final play-off place for promotion from League One. Oldham will now face the losers of York and Bradford for a place in the promotion final, where they will take on either Doncaster or Workington to achieve Championship status for 2019.
Answers Basketball, Moor Lane, Storm and Phoenix, Worcestershire Rapids, Samuel Vargas, American Football, Hoffenheim, 90th, 2008, Rochdale and Rugby League
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Manchester’s Sled god
F r o m M os s S id e t o th e W i n t e r O ly m p i c s . . . v i a th e A r my MM EXCLUSIVE
By Julian Perreira
MANCHESTER-RAISED British bobsleigh pilot Lamin Deen has his sights set on the 2022 Olympics and breaking more track records. With two Winter Olympics, and a silver medal at the World Cup 2017, under his belt Deen, 37, has vowed to make even more history. Deen and his crew are now beginning a four year training cycle in preparation for the next olympic games to be held in China — although there is a lot he wants to achieve before then. Looking forward to the 2019 World Cup in Canada, Deen said: “Whistler is the fastest track in the world but I’m the fastest man on that track.” Deen made history there at the World Cup last year to become the first British bobsleigh pilot to not only break a track record, but to beat the fastest four man Bobsleigh speed ever recorded – his sled clocking 156.27 kmph. Since the disappointing results in PyeongChang at the 2018 Olympics, the eternally-upbeat Deen has had time to reflect and told MM: “We had a great build up and were expecting big things. Unfortunately things Just didn’t go right on the night.” Bobsleigh funding is very much results-based and, due to the lack of medals at the last Olympics, money has been reduced. So it’s now back to the drawing board for Deen and crew, to secure future funding through raising money and sponsorship deals from national businesses. Deen says that with the correct set up and equipment his team can go on and break his current track record at the World Championships in March 2019 in Whistler — the highlight of the sliding
calendar. The two-time Olympian, still a serving soldier, was born in London and raised in Manchester’s Moss Side, deciding to join the British Army at a young age, going onto see active service in Northern Ireland, Bosnia and Kosovo.
how bad it used to be with the guns, drugs, and knife crime. “Some of my childhood friends went on to choose a life of crime and spending time in prison. “It doesn’t have to be that way.” Deen said he’s thankful that he chose a different route, and joined the British Army, because the military has taught him the discipline and dedication that is needed to achieve success. In the early days he started as a push athlete, then as the brakeman, but he knew eventually it was his time to shine. He said: “I had been training with the best and doing very well, so I decided it was time to try my hand at being at pilot. “Being a push athlete sometimes you’re replaceable, I wanted to make myself irreplaceable, so that meant becoming a great pilot.”
GUARD: Deen is still a serving member of the British Army
Life could have been very different for the athlete had he not taken the path he chose. He said: “Manchester in the early 90’s was a really bad place especially growing up in Moss Side. “I was recently back in Manchester speaking with my barber that I have been going to since the age eight, we were talking about
HOPES: Deen has set his sights on more records in next year