It’s been quite the hectic 24 hours for the country – but in case you missed it, Queen Elizabeth II paid a fleeting visit to Manchester this morning.
Headlines this morning have understandably been grabbed England’s triumphant 2-1 win over Denmark to advance to the final of Euro 2020, as well as the transport secretary’s announcement that fully-vaccinated Brits are permitted to travel to countries on the amber listwithout the requirement to quarantine on return. But a visit from Her Majesty The Queen is a no less significant event to our city.
It may not have been the most highly-publicised event prior to her arrival, but the reasoning behind HRH’s visit remains as important as ever.
From a stop-off on the Cobbles, to an unveiling at the Cathedral, she packed a lot into her short three-hour stay, but what brought Her Majesty to our region?
The Queen paid a visit to Manchester for some engagements today! Her Majesty wore a ruby and diamond brooch that originally belonged to the Queen Mother. The Queen had worn the piece for the last time at Christmas 2019. pic.twitter.com/DzAhTyBCrc
Her Majesty arrived at the famous ITV Studios set in Salford this morning around 11am, and met with TV bosses, Sir Peter Bazelgette and John Whiston, as well as some lucky cast members, before heading off on a tour of the behind the scenes of the continuing drama programme as part of her visit.
As well as getting to chat some of Corrie’s longest-standing cast members, including William Roache who has played the character of Ken Barlow since the first episode aired, Her Majesty also met the TV show’s film crew and heard of how it adapted practices to enable the show to keep filming throughout the pandemic.
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Social media was filled with images and videos of her arrival on the set of the iconic Manchester-based soap – which celebrated 60 years on air last November.
Weatherfield has rolled out the red carpet for the Queen today – sound on for the theme tune! pic.twitter.com/odKYJTroqu
Following on from her trip to Weatherfield, Her Majesty made her way over to Manchester Cathedral in the heart of the city centre.
She arrived outside the nearly 600-year-old building at around 11:40am.
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During her visit to the Victoria Street Cathedral, HRH met with several representatives and unsung heroes from a wide range of different support groups in the North West who have helped communities throughout the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Youth groups, carers, businesses, and charity volunteers were among those Her Majesty met to listen to their stories and extend her gratitude.
That’s not all either, as one of the main reasons for her visit to the 17th-century Manchester Cathedral was to unveil a brand-new plaque to commemorate the 600th anniversary of the collegiate church.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CRENKexjqpA/
Speaking on Her Majesty’s visit, David Walker – Bishop of Manchester – said: “The Queen has not done many visits in the last year, so for one of her first days out to be here in Manchester is very special.”
“Manchester has done itself proud [during the COVID-19 pandemic],” he continued.
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“The test isn’t how you enjoy the good times, but how you handle the bad times.”
The Manchester Gay and Lesbian Chorus also provided the soundtrack to the royal visit, singing songs by none other than beloved British band, Queen.
Her Majesty’s whirlwind visit has been described as “a very special day” for all involved.
Featured Image – The Manc Group
News
A third of Brits want police to immediately ban drink drivers at the roadside
Emily Sergeant
A third of Brits support giving police powers to immediately ban drink drivers at the roadside, a new survey has revealed.
Ahead of the festive travel season, where a record number of people are expected to hit the road and make journeys all across the UK over the next couple of days, the RAC has asked more than 2,500 drivers to give their thoughts on the state of the roads for 2024’s edition of the Report on Motoring, and found that tougher sentences were the most popular solution among motorists for tackling the problem of drink-driving.
With instances of drink-driving said to be responsible for the deaths of some 300 people in 2022 – which is when the latest data on this was collected – four in 10 motorists (38%) believe harsher sentences are the answer.
A third of drivers (33%) also support giving the police new powers to immediately disqualify drink-drivers at the roadside once they’ve been stopped.
A third of Brits want police to immediately ban drink drivers at the roadside / Credit – Vladimir Proskurovskiy (via Unsplash)
The idea that convicted drink-drivers should have alcohol interlocks, also known as ‘alcolocks’, fitted to their vehicles to prevent them driving if they have any alcohol in their system, was favoured by 32% of those questioned by the RAC.
A similar number of drivers (31%) also want to see roadside breathalyser testing increased.
When it comes to drug drivers, results from the RAC’s survey are a similar story, only higher – with almost two-thirds of all drivers (64%) supporting tougher sentencing for drug-drivers, and 56% saying they would like to see increased levels of roadside testing.
Just under half (49%) of motorists questioned want the police to be able to immediately disqualify drug-drivers at the roadside.
Speaking on the findings from the RAC’s survey, Chief Constable Jo Shiner, who is the National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for roads policing, commented: “In policing, we see the damaging impact of drink and drug driving all too often, and every fatality or serious injury which happens as a consequence of this is completely avoidable.
“Driving under the influence of drink or drugs puts everyone at risk – individuals, families, businesses and whole communities.
“Together we must do everything we can to put a stop to this irresponsible and incredibly dangerous behaviour.”
Featured Image – Wikimedia Commons
News
Manchester locals appealing for more information over a month after from finding family member’s body
Danny Jones
A Greater Manchester family are still calling for more information now over a month on from the discovery of a man’s body at his Chorlton home.
William Riddell, 49, was found dead in the bedroom of a property on Astbury Avenue at approximately 11:35pm on Sunday, 10 November after being found by his stepdaughter, Sarah Hayden.
Details surrounding his passing are still scarce but a 47-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder but has since been released on bail “pending further enquiries”, leaving Sarah and the rest of her family still none the wiser as to the exact nature of his death.
Preparing to spend their first Christmas without him, they have issued a desperate appeal for more information, urging anyone who might have information to come forward.
#APPEAL | The family of a man who died last month are appealing to the public for information as they face their first Christmas without him.
Billy Riddell was sadly found dead at his property in Manchester, with enquiries continuing.
Riddell, more commonly known as Billy by those close to him, was described as a “good, caring man with a big heart” and a popular figure in the local area.
Speaking via Greater Manchester Police, Sarah, said: “I want to be Billy’s voice and get answers for him. Billy was a nice and lovely man and all the community knew who he was. He was well-liked and we gave him a good send-off at his funeral.
“I would just ask anyone who knew him or has any information to come forward and tell police. Even if you think it’s a little or small thing – please come forward. We just want to get to the bottom of what has happened.”
Detective Inspector Alex Wilkinson, who serves on GMP‘s Major Incident Team, added in an official statement: “The family of Billy deserve answers following his death and we are working hard to ensure they get exactly that.
“We have closely supported Sarah and the wider family over the last month, and we will continue to provide assistance wherever we can as they face their first Christmas without him.
“While a suspect has been bailed, we are still working flat-out to understand more about Billy’s life, the people he was close to, and events leading up to his death just over a month ago.”
With that in mind, both GMP and Riddell’s family are asking anyone who might know anything or have information regarding people associated with Billy to come forward, reiterating that “even if you consider something to be small – your help could greatly benefit our investigation.”
You can contact police via 101 or by using the live chat function HERE, quoting log 3227 of 10/11/24.
Alternatively, you can contact the UK’s independent charity, Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online.
Emily Sergeant -
8th July 2021 
