Titanic tandem-rotor helicopters may be spotted hovering above Greater Manchester this week, the Royal Air Force has confirmed.
Army pilots will be steering Chinook choppers right across the North-West over the next few days, with Lancs Live reporting that the colossal aircraft will be taking to the skies as part of a training exercise.
The helicopters are set to be visible above Lancashire, Greater Manchester and Yorkshire up until next Friday (July 2), but you may hear them before you see them.
During flight, Chinooks emit a distinctive, throbbing whir – meaning you’re likely to know when they’re nearby.
An RAF training exercise is taking place in the North West this week / Image: Wikimedia Commons
Pilots will be whisking the choppers through the Manchester skies during daylight hours.
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An RAF spokesperson commented: “The exercise is the final part of the operational flying phase of the Chinook training course run by 28 Squadron based at RAF Benson; the Operational Conversion Unit for the Puma and Chinook Forces.
“The aircraft will primarily be operating in the areas surrounding RAF Woodvale and RAF Leeming, which could include the Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, York and Middlesbrough areas.
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“The course qualifies pilots and crewmen to operate the Chinook helicopter on operations within the UK and when deployed overseas.”
The RAF emphasises that the “essential training” will provide key skills required after pilots graduate from the Operational Conversion Unit and are posted to a front-line helicopter squadron.
The spokesperson added: “The operational phase of the course is the culmination of months of training by the students and, all being well, will see them return to RAF Benson ready to graduate.”
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Keep your eyes peeled!
Featured image: Wikimedia Commons
Manchester
‘F***cia mi’: Conni’s new Manc pizza bar and bakery is looking to lock down the lunch spot game
Danny Jones
Yes, local favourites Conni’s Focacceria are well underway for 2026 with their latest venue, and besides nailing unreal Neapolitan scran like they always have, these guys are looking to be THE place to go for those on their dinner hour in Manchester– and then some.
After years of serving Salford and popping up at various events in the city centre and beyond, such as the annual Festa Italiana celebrations, Conni’s has a new home at the base of Collier’s Yard in the Greengate area.
Now looking not only to dish out their unbelievable focaccia recipe but also other baked goods and desserts, they’ve now decked themselves out with a full brunch menu that can be made bottomless too, as well as other light bites, drinks and authentic dishes from morning till night.
Aiming to be bigger, better, bolder and louder than ever this year, Conni’s over in Unit 4 at 12 Bankside Boulevard has every intention of becoming the next lunchtime hotspot and winning you over to stay there for hours and/or come back in the evening.
The star of the show – besides the ever-frenetic foodie frontman, Francesco, himself – is their now increasingly popular panuozzo.
Like a fine wine, their recipe only seems to have gotten better with age, and with Naples-rooted Manc adoptee ‘Frankie’ tossing the freshly made pizza dough right then and there in the clean and stylish new shop before baking it rapidly in their oven,
Whether you want a full ‘pie’, a classic Napoli slice or their trademark authentic twist on the pizza-inspired but still focaccia-esque sandwich, this is quite simply some of the nicest, most perfectly crispy and perfectly blistered yet soft on the inside carbage you’ll ever stick in your mouth.
The variety of flavours had us almost literally salivating all over their shiny new floor, from the highly traditional mortadella, pesto rocket and fior di latte, to the smoked salmon with lemon ricotta and capers, we almost yelped reading the new menu at one point.
Meanwhile, their antipasti, charcuterie, salads and well-honed pizza varieties, rather fittingly, it’s their absolute bread and butter. Absolutely no notes.
And then there’s Mama Conni’s (Concetta, if you want to be all formal about it) famous pasta dishes; busy experimenting in the open pass whilst we filmed, she whipped us up a quick portion of a simple but hearty and super satisfying pasta e patate. Yes, pasta and potatoes in sauce, and it was great.
Born out of the ‘cucina povera’ culture, i.e. poor kitchens simply putting out straightforward, affordable but nevertheless delicious food of the people, it was rich, creamy and perfectly filling.
It’s not exactly a revelation to state that Italian‘s like to ensure a full belly, but what we will say is that these guys do make you feel like a guest invited not only into their dining room but in full view and well within earshot of their little slice of chaos.
Francesco joked that they told his dad to crack on in the back, as he was “even crazier” than anyone else working for them, but one thing we really do love is that this place is a family-led independent through and through.
And we don’t just mean those born with the same surname…
Be it his best mates helping out behind the counter or coming in to sample the most recent iterations on the meals we’re sure they’ve had hundreds of times, to nearby residents being welcomed in as regulars, their idea of family is about building a wider community and making them feel like one of your own.
There are some big characters behind this incredible indie business that shows no signs of slowing down, arguably none more so than ‘r Frank, but one of the biggest compliments that we can give to any hospitality venue is when you can feel that it’s a team with real personalities all pulling together.
It’s that classic thing of those contributing to help this place become something greater than the sum of its parts.
Conni’s Pizza Bar and Bakery is proper song and dance, quite literally, that also happens to be delivering consistently brilliant food and drink; it’s fast, fun and noisy but in the most charming way, plus it feels like they’ve invited customers to buy into the whole package. In fact, that’s exactly what they’ve done.
Anyway, we’re off to try another type of panuozzo and see exactly where it ranks on our list of Manchester’s best butties.
Manchester named one of the UK’s ‘most entertaining’ cities for 2026
Emily Sergeant
A new study has named the most ‘fun and entertaining’ cities to visit in the UK in 2026, and it’s good news for the north.
While a new year often brings with it a renewed urge to want to jet off on holiday, it can also make us eager to see what our own country has to offer by booking a little staycation to experience somewhere new right on our doorstep.
But which cities should we be heading to for a good time?
If you’re looking for adventure and excitement out of your staycation, then travel experts at Braw Scottish Tours set out to find the most fun places in the country by analysing 50 cities and towns across the UK to uncover where visitors are most ‘spoiled for choice’ in 2026.
Whether you’re planning a weekend break or a longer city escape, the right destination can make all the difference, especially if you’re looking for a mix of nightlife, outdoor space, and good value for money.
Manchester has been named one of the most entertaining cities in the UK / Alex Bracken (via Unsplash) | The Manc Group | MCR Art Fair
The study looked at 17 key factors across three main areas – entertainment and nightlife, recreation and outdoor activities, and lifestyle and amenities.
Everything from pubs and live music venues, to parks and the cost of a pint or movie ticket were analysed, because according to the travel experts, the best cities don’t just offer fun, they make it easy and affordable to enjoy.
The north has taken the top spot on the list, as Newcastle has been named the UK’s most fun and entertaining city to visit in 2026.
Other northern cities in the top 20 include Leeds, Blackpool, Bradford, and Hull… oh, and Manchester, of course, as our city has claimed a very respectable third place on the list and even ranked first for live music venues, entertainment events, and gyms per capita, which highlights we’re a city that is as active as we are lively.
Top 10 most entertaining cities to visit in the UK
Newcastle
Westminster
Manchester
Norwich
Belfast
Aberdeen
Southampton
Glasgow
Plymouth
Oxford
Overall, Manchester racked up a score of 56.85, cementing its reputation as one of the UK’s leading cultural cities.
Manchester was also praised for its food and retail scene, placing third for restaurants and fifth for shopping centres, and although the average cinema ticket costs around £10, the city was found to balance this out with a wide range of free events, festivals, and accessible green spaces.
The Manc -
25th June 2021 
