A Chadderton couple who overcame a number of hurdles have proved that nothing gets in the way of true love by finally tying the knot in a special service at a local hospice.
Donna Friar and Mark Davis marked their big day at Dr Kershaw’s Hospice in Royton.
The pair have been together for 11 years – five of which they have been engaged after they met in their local pub, the Colliers Arms – and they became a happy couple thanks to the keen matchmaking skills of both their friends.
The hospice managed to organise the couple’s ceremony within 72 hours to make their wedding dreams come true after various obstacles, including a last-minute postponement, got in the way.
Donna thought she’d ticked all the boxes when she’d arranged to marry Mark Davis – who has been receiving pain management at Dr Kershaw’s Hospice – but when she first turned up for her big day, which she’d planned with the registrar that very morning, she was told that Mark was on strong pain relief, was not fit enough for the ceremony, and that he would prefer to wait to properly mark the occasion the following week.
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Understandably emotional and disappointed, thinking “he didn’t want to marry me”, Donna walked away ready to plan the day again.
Second time round though, she had another worry that the latest local lockdown restrictions would mean they would have to choose between family and friends to keep it to the rule of six, however with help from the hospice staff who contacted Oldham Council, they confirmed that current COVID-19 regulations for weddings state that 20 people are able to attend, as long as it was outside and social distancing measures were observed.
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All that prior disappointment soon changed when the couple finally married just a few days later surrounded by their close family and friends.
Those unable to attend the service also watched via a live stream link monitored by staff nurse, Chloe.
Dr Kershaw’s Hospice
Speaking about the service, Donna said: “It was such a magical day. Words can’t even describe the feeling, we can’t thank all the staff at Dr Kershaw’s enough for organising it for us and making it so special.”
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Mark added that the staff at the hospice had been fantastic in their care for him: “I’ve been looked after so well since being here. The staff at Kershaw’s have been brilliant and have bent over backwards to help me and to make our day so special,”
Hospice Nurse Beth – who has been caring for Mark – said: “Mark and Donna’s wedding day was a true example of what Dr Kershaw’s is all about, making patient’s wishes come true no matter how big or small.
“It was amazing to see how many people came together to pull off their special day, from the nurses and doctors, to the events team, maintenance team, florist, bakery and even our very own Dr Kershaw’s shop who kindly lent our nurses fascinators so staff could look the part.
“I was privileged to be able to get so involved and to make it a day Mark and Donna could cherish forever, especially after being engaged for five years”.
From everyone here at The Manc, we wish Donna and Mark a lifetime of happiness.
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Manchester has been named one of the most ‘affordable’ cities in the UK – this is why
Emily Sergeant
A list of the top 10 most affordable cities in the UK has been revealed, and Manchester has made the cut for one very specific reason.
On a bit of a budget? Aren’t we all.
The cost of living crisis has been raging on for quite a few years now, and unfortunately, despite how much we all wish for it to, it doesn’t appear to be slowing down – with prices for everyday items, especially typical fridge and cupboard stables, shooting up by the day, even though supermarkets are showing efforts to prevent it.
And it’s the noticeable price increases in groceries that led delivery insurance provider, Street Cover, to uncover which UK cities don’t strain your food shopping budgets too much just yet.
As it was found that food and non-alcoholic drinks inflation reached 1.3% this past summer, a new study has revealed that Sheffield is officially the most affordable city in the UK, with several other northern locations on the list.
Manchester has been named one of the most ‘affordable’ cities in the UK / Credit: MCC | Aldi
The study compared the 2026 Grocery Index for the largest UK cities with the UK average, as well as available 2025 Grocery Indices, to track the changes in food affordability.
The cities are ranked by the index difference from the national average – which is 67.3 – but the report also uses direct monetary values for a grocery basket to provide some additional context too.
Manchester took sixth place on the list, with an average grocery basket price of £23.08, while some of the other northern cities in the top 10, besides Sheffield at number one, include Liverpool, Leeds, and Newcastle.
Top 10 Most Affordable UK Cities For Groceries
Sheffield
Milton Keynes
Liverpool
Reading
Newcastle
Manchester
Leeds
Bristol
Cardiff
Southampton
As the only other North West city in the top 10, Liverpool may have come in third place overall, but the study found that the grocery bill here is the smallest in terms of actual monetary numbers – with it setting shoppers back £22.08 for a regular supermarket basket, which is a whole £1 cheaper than in Manchester.
“Data shows households in the North East of England have the lowest average food spend in the country, around 11% below the UK average, while Yorkshire sits 6.6% below,” Al Taylor, who is the Head of Street Cover, commented on the study’s findings.
“Sheffield’s position at the top reflects lower property costs for retailers, less competition from premium chains, and a supermarket landscape dominated by value-led options.
“The practical implication for household budgets is significant – the difference between budget and premium shopping can easily be £1,000 or more per year for a family, which can be spent on other things or saved for future plans.”
Featured Image – Aldi
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Mancs wanted to take part in a new series of the ‘hardest quiz show on TV’
Emily Sergeant
Call yourself a clever clogs? The BBC is currently looking for contestants to take part in what is widely considered the hardest quiz show on TV.
That’s right – Only Connect is back for another series on BBC Two.
Presented by Victoria Coren Mitchell and first broadcast all the way back in 2008, Only Connect takes TV quizzing to the next level, as it sees two teams compete against each other by finding connections between seemingly unrelated clues.
In this quiz show – which viewers have dubbed one of the most challenging there is – knowledge only takes you so far, as the ability to think laterally is also deemed ‘vitally important’.
A casting call for the upcoming 2027 series has been shared on the BBC website, with people from Greater Manchester encouraged to apply.
Mancs wanted to take part in a new series of the ‘hardest quiz show on TV’ / Credit: BBC
The casting call reads: “The popular BBC Two quiz show presented by Victoria Coren Mitchell returns for a new series in 2027.
“Only Connect is seeking teams of three players OR single applicants or teams of two looking for like-minded teammates to pool their combined wits to solve fiendish conundrums and vexing puzzles.
“This is the quiz series where, as in life itself, knowledge will only take you so far: patience and lateral thinking are also vital. It’s all about making connections between things which may appear, at first glance, not to be connected at all.”
Reckon you’ve got what it takes then? Applications are now open, and all applicants must be aged 18 or over and a resident in the UK or Channel Islands.
Emily Sergeant -
18th September 2020 
