After thunderstorms, heavy downpours, and dropped temperatures over the past week, Greater Manchester is set to welcome another heatwave.
While it may already feel like a lifetime ago, Greater Manchester joined much of the country in basking in glorious sunshine as temperatures soared to highs of 33°C mid-July, with the hottest day of the year so far recorded on two separate occasions.
And in just a matter of weeks, we’re set to do it all again.
The Met Office has already predicted that a 14-day heatwave would arrive in the UK later this month, and now weather forecasters have revealed that an African plume is expected to bring soaring temperatures into the high 20°Cs once again.
Forecasters are predicting that temperatures will be higher than average, as current unsettled conditions become warmer.
Weather outlook forecaster Brian Gaze told The Express that: “There are tentative signs of an improvement in the middle third of August [and] high pressure may build towards the UK from the Azores, but there is a lot of uncertainty about this.”
Revealing that while the first half of August is likely to be more mixed, with showers or longer periods of rain but also warm and fine spells, he said that warmer temperatures will come towards the end of the month, adding: “If it happens, temperatures in southern and central areas could climb towards the upper 20°Cs, and in the north the mid 20°Cs.”
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“The driest weather will probably be in the south and east,” he continued, “but a heightened risk of heavy showers or thunderstorms means local variations could be large.
“Temperatures should be above average when aggregated over the period as a whole [but] showery spells of rain are still probable, particularly in the north and west.”
Forecasters have predicted temperatures will be higher than average, as current unsettled conditions become warmer / Credit: Pxfuel
He’s not the only weather expert to predict glorious sunshine, as Met Office spokesperson Nicola Maxey also predicted that “hotter spells” to develop as we get into August, adding: “The start of the month is expected to remain changeable, with temperatures most likely close to normal for the time of year or slightly below.
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“During the second half of the month there is a tentative signal for more settled conditions to develop with high pressure becoming slightly more likely.
“If this does occur, we could see drier conditions.”
The BBC’ s long-range forecast currently predicts unsettled weather for the next few weeks.
Featured Image – Flickr
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Morrisons is introducing ‘sensory support boxes’ in stores for autistic and neurodiverse customers
Emily Sergeant
Morrisons is introducing ‘sensory support boxes’ for autistic and neurodiverse customers shopping in its stores across the UK.
Supermarket shopping isn’t always the most pleasant or manageable of experiences for everyone, especially for those who are autistic or neurodivergent – with bright lights, loud sounds, strong smells, and crowds of people making it a rather overwhelming and overstimulating atmosphere.
This is why Morrisons has decided to collaborate with the National Autistic Society to introduce dedicated ‘Sensory Support Boxes’ at its stores nationwide, as a way to both mark World Autism Acceptance Month, and help autistic and neurodivergent customers have the positive shopping experience they deserve.
These boxes have been carefully-developed in consultation with the National Autistic Society to ensure they include the most helpful items.
A range of toys like fidget balls, spinners, and squish mats can all be found inside the boxes – which will be eventually be available in all 500 Morrisons supermarkets by May – to help encourage calmness and focus.
All that customers wishing to access the items need to do is simply speak to a colleague at the customer service kiosk of their local Morrisons store.
More than one in 100 people are autistic, and there are 700,000 autistic adults and children in the UK.
Morrisons is introducing ‘sensory support boxes’ in stores for autistic and neurodiverse customers / Credit: Morrisons
Speaking on the decision to introduce the Sensory Support Boxes into UK stores, Joseph Clark-Bland, who is the Community Manager at Morrisons, said: “It’s a priority for us to ensure all Morrisons customers feel welcomed and understood.
“We’re proud to be leading the way in creating a more inclusive shopping environment for autistic people, their families and all neurodivergent people across the UK.
“World Autism Acceptance Month has been a key moment for Morrisons for many years, and we look forward to supporting even more customers via our new Sensory Boxes.”
The introduction of the Sensory Support Boxes comes after Morrisons first trialled a ‘Quieter Hour’ in some of its stores back in 2018, before rolling it out nationwide in 2024 due to its success and positive feedback.
Featured Image – Morrisons
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Greater Manchester cinemas to screen family-favourite films for just £2.50 this spring
Emily Sergeant
Greater Manchester cinemas will be screening family-favourite films, and some new releases, all throughout this upcoming spring holidays.
The best bit? Prices start from a massively-affordable £2.50 a ticket.
With Easter right around the corner, and schools across Greater Manchester set to be on their spring holidays in a couple of weeks time, parents and carers will likely be looking for ways to keep the kids entertained while schools are out.
But now it’s time to take care of those film lovers… and also those keen to plan budget-friendly events that also take into account the classic Manchester April showers.
Cinema chain Vue has announced its lineup of family blockbusters showing at venues across Greater Manchester this spring – including Printworks, Lowry, Bolton, Altrincham, and Bury.
Arriving in time for the school holidays, A Minecraft Movie welcomes fans to their favourite cubic wonderland, while the whole family can instead transport themselves into Disney’s reimagining of the 1937 classic Snow White if they’d prefer.
Also returning to the big screen are childhood classics like Wallace & Gromit: Curse of The Were-Rabbit, 20 years after its original release, and the beloved Babe, to celebrate the film’s 30th anniversary.
Greater Manchester cinemas will be screening family-favourite films for just £2.50 this spring / Credit: Disney | Aardman Animations
And as part of Vue’s ‘Mighty Mornings’ offering, film fans can enjoy pre-releases of family-friendly flicks like Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and Moana 2 every day throughout half term, all from just £2.49 per ticket when booked online.
“A trip to Vue this Easter break is the perfect opportunity for families to immerse themselves in the magic of their favourite big screen characters,” commented Rob Lea, who is the Head of Screen Content at Vue UK & Ireland.
Emily Sergeant -
2nd August 2021 
