The moment when eight-year-old Tallulah surprised her local deaf delivery driver by greeting him in sign language has gone viral online.
Tallulah and Tim’s friendship is one of the most heartwarming things to come out of lockdown and in a video shared to social media by her proud mother, we are lucky enough to see this unlikely bond being formed.
Proud mother Amy Roberts, from Ashton-under-Lyne, captured the moment her eight-year-old daughter Tallulah stood near the garden gates and greeted Hermes delivery driver Tim Joseph with the words “have a good day” in sign language (BSL).
Mr Joesph, who had been regularly delivering parcels on the street multiple times a week during lockdown, is seen understandably surprised in the video and smiles back at Tallulah before giving her a thumbs up.
In the video posted on Twitter, Amy Roberts said: This is our Hermes delivery man, we see him 1 or 2 times a week [and at the] start of lockdown, Tallulah drew him a [thank you rainbow].”
“He still has it proudly on show in his van [and] they have built up quite a friendship over these last few weeks”.
The video has generated widespread support online, not just from the local community here in Greater Manchester, but right across the UK.
It has gone on to amass well over 7.6K retweets, 49K likes, 760K views and hundreds of comments heaping richly deserved praise on Tallulah for her efforts to make her delivery driver’s day and on Mr Joesph for his continued hard work at a time when the world needs it most.
You are a very special and beautiful little girl Tallulah ? he is the best delivery driver we have round here! He’s always so pleased/happy when we sign hello and thank you to him #proudfriends#bekind
Awwww Tallulah! This is beautiful… we are all so very proud of you! ??? My delivery driver is sick of the sight of me… and the pug who escapes every time! ??? x
Yeah he is, always smiling and friendly, they always have their little sign language conversations, so cute. Tallulah’s always asking me…. have you bought anything mum? Is MY friend coming today?? ???
Yes, the parcel man is deaf, Tallulah isn’t but has learned some signing at school. They both look out for each other even if he’s not delivering to her house ??
Hermes UK also replied expressing intent to reach out to Mr Joesph to “get him the praise he deserves”.
Speaking to BBC North West about his new-found friendship, Mr Joesph said: “Tallulah realised I was deaf and then one day she surprised me when she signed to me ‘have a good day”.
“I think she learnt sign language at school.”
“I was vey happy and I then showed Tallulah how to sign, ”good morning, have a good day” and then she signed it perfectly and it made my day”.
Mr Joesph is said to be “overwhelmed” with all the positive comments he has received.
There’s no denying that lockdown has brought some tough times with it over these past few months, but we can be so grateful that we are able to witness moments of light such as this.
Hats off to you Tallulah and Tim – thank you for making Manchester proud.
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Salford City FC have signed an exciting Under-20 World Cup winner on loan
Danny Jones
Salford City FC have quietly done arguably one of the best little bits of business this summer with their new signing, picking up an exciting youth forward and Under-20 World Cup winner on loan.
Announced this week, 21-year-old striker Nicolás Siri has joined Salford City on a season-long loan deal from Montevideo City Torque.
That same season, he scored 10 goals in a total of 30 games across all competitions, before going on to play his first minutes in Europe last term – and now he’s getting a first taste of English football.
Siri, who began impressing at an early age as part of the under-15s national team, began his club career at Danubio FC in 2020.
Joining Montevideo a year later, he secured a loan move to Belgian side Lommel SK, scoring twice in just 10 appearances, becoming a first-team starter.
After being scouted by Salford, who are hoping to have a resurgent campaign, with co-owner Gary Neville targeting promotion to the Championship over the next few years, he is one of several signings made in this ambitious transfer window.
Taking the number 27 shirt, he’s made his first cameo against Cheltenham Town, being subbed on in the 67th minute as the Ammies went on to score a late equaliser thanks to a Kadeem Harris header in the 93rd minute of stoppage time.
Speaking of numbers and stats, Siri boasts a very impressive one; he’s in good company with it, too.
Sitting down with club media after his arrival at the Peninsula Stadium on Thursday, the youngster said: “I’m pleased to be here and I can’t wait to start playing. I’m a player who likes running into space, who constantly tries to hit the target and looking to score as much as I can.
“Lommel was a great opportunity, I really enjoyed it, and it helped me prepare for my next career step in Europe. I believe being here is a great opportunity that I am going to make the most out of, and that I am going to enjoy.
“If you do well at this level, you can set yourself up to have a great career. That’s my goal, and that is what I want to achieve here.”
He speaks with plenty of sense for his age. You can see his first full interview in Salford red down below.
A new music showcase is taking place at a beautiful and historic Stockport venue
Danny Jones
A new live showcase is coming to Stockport town centre as part of a wider music, art and cultural celebration next month.
And by new, we mean the artists; if you went to the last edition, you’ll know it delivers some serious talent.
Teaming up with the likes of Manchester-based music magazine and promoters, The Rodeo, as well as ticketing platform Skiddle, Stockport is set to welcome the return of Mercury Climbing Festival.
This week-long celebration of music, art and culture around parts of the Greater Manchester borough’s historic old town, and there are some exciting names on board already.
As for Mercury Climbing 2025 itself, the multi-day festival spread across several locations boasts the best in native and Northern music, visual arts, and comedy.
Popping up across a total of eight different spaces, including the likes of the brand-new Stockroom, pubs, and headline music venue St Mary’s Church – quietly one of the coolest places we’ve ever seen a gig – you have plenty of reason to be excited about this one.
Speaking of St Mary’s, while artists such as local legends Badly Drawn Boy, Manc indie outfit The Covasettes and Riding The Low – fronted by actor Paddy Considine – are set to play the stunning ceremonial space, The Rodeo is also hosting its own dedicated stage at the church.
Highlighting emerging new talent on Saturday, 20 September, Manchester-based solo indie project Better Joy is set to headline, with Denver County Council (who featured on our Manc artists of the month round-up), Henry Webb-Jenkins, Katie & the Bad Sign, plus more to be announced in support.
The last time we saw a ‘Live at St Mary’s’ event, we can’t stress this enough: it was nothing short of an unforgettable experience.
You don’t get to enjoy a ‘religious’ gig experiences like this often…
Taking place from Friday, 19-26 September, the festival as a whole will transform Stockport’s historic Old Town into a vibrant cultural hub.
And it isn’t just music: there are local food and drink traders getting involved, artwork from the one and only Stanley Chow, as well as plenty of other entertainment.
Above all else, the event is not only steeped in SK and Greater Manchester’s rich heritage, but it’s a great way of supporting new art coming out of the region.
The Rodeo’s St Mary’s stage gets underway from 4pm and is scheduled to finish at 10:30pm, but the wider Mercury Climbing programme is an all-day festival that won’t end until late. You can grab your tickets right HERE.
Emily Sergeant -
2nd July 2020 
