UK News

Hundreds hold vigil for Ukraine as Manchester lights up blue and yellow in solidarity

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 25th February 2022

Hundreds of people gathered in Manchester city centre for a vigil for Ukraine last night.

The Central Library was lit up in blue and yellow, the colours of the Ukrainian flag, as a sign of solidarity with the nation.

Joining the crowds at St Peter’s Square was Manchester City’s Oleksandr Zinchenko, who has also spoken about the situation in his home country to his 1.5 million followers on Instagram.

Ukraine has been invaded by Russia this week, with reports of Russian troops now entering its capital city Kyiv.

Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine has also seen its troops seize control of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant.

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At last night’s Manchester vigil, around 400 attendees sang the Ukranian national anthem and listened to speeches, the Manchester Evening News reports.

The paper said that there were at least two Russians in the crowd last night protesting the actions of President Vladimir Putin.

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Oleksandr Zinchenko attended a vigil for Ukraine in Manchester last night. Credit: Instagram @yuliecler

Manchester City Council lit up one of the city’s landmarks in the colours of the Ukranian flag overnight.

Zinchenko said on Instagram: “The whole civilized world is worried about the situation in my country. I can’t stay away and try to convey my opinion.

“In the photo – my country. The country where I was born and raised. A country whose colors I defend in the international sports arena. A country that we try to glorify and develop. A country whose borders must remain inviolable.

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“My country belongs to Ukrainians and no one will ever be able to appropriate it.

“We will not give up! Glory to Ukraine.”

This morning, Ukraine’s Defence Force tweeted to call for civilians to join the resistance, writing: “The statement, attributed to the Commander of Troops, Yuri Galushkin, reads:

Read more: Northern teens who made animal cruelty TikTok videos banned from keeping pets

“Today, Ukraine needs everything. All procedures for joining are simplified.

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“Bring only your passport and identification number.

“There are no age restrictions.”It tells people if they face problems signing up, they just need to refer to this official tweet.

Featured image: Instagram @yuliecler

UK News

Two Greater Manchester towns have been named in The Sunday Times’ best places to live

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia Two Greater Manchester towns named in The Sunday Times' best places to live in 2025. Credit: Instagram, @eddie3hundred

Esteemed UK newspaper The Sunday Times’ has published its list of the ‘Best places to live in the UK 2025’, and it features two Greater Manchester boroughs.

Us Mancs didn’t need anymore clarification to know that where we live is incredible but we’ll always take it, especially when the compliment is coming from none other than The Sunday Times.

The publication revealed its annual guide of ‘Best places to live 2025’ which featured more than 70 different locations throughout the nation.

Although we may have been pipped to the top spot, Greater Manchester is featured not once, but twice, which is pretty impressive.

Claiming the victory this year is the market town with a name as pretty as its surroundings, Saffron Walden, which is only 15 miles from Cambridge.

The locations were ranked through a number of key categories including transport, house prices, broadband, schools and a new addition, mobile signal.

All the contributors to the full list acknowledge the obvious missing puzzle piece, food, and we know if this was factored in a few more Greater Manchester locations may have nabbed the ‘Best places to live’ honour.

The first Greater Manchester based entry is The Heatons, a hotspot nestled between the city centre and the city of Stockport, which is actually four neighbourhoods – Heaton Chapel, Mersey, Moor and Norris.

These areas are home to living history in the form of the iconic century old Savoy Cinema and lots of open green spaces.

Food may have been missed off The Sunday Times’ list but it certainly didn’t go a miss on ours.

Mossley has been named on The Sunday Times Best Places to Live list. Credit: Instagram, @ariadneexplores
Mossley has been named on The Sunday Times Best Places to Live list. Credit: Instagram, @ariadneexplores
The Heatons also made the list. Credit: Instagram, @fourtheheatons
The Heatons also made the list. Credit: Instagram, @fourtheheatons

Keep yourself fuelled with some good grub through our own, A Manc’s Guide to: The Heatons.

The second spot which managed to grab the title of ‘Best places to live 2025’ is Mossley, a town packed to the brim with cosy cottages, blissful walks and a close-knit friendly community.

It’s not too far from Dovestone Reservoir and the Peak District National Park – when you’ve got all this greenery on your doorstep you’re bound to be in a good mood.

As well as catching the attention of The Sunday Times, just 15 minutes down the road, Lily’s Vegetarian in Ashton-under-Lyne has been named one of the best local restaurants by the Good Food Guide, clearly Tameside is doing something right.

Our friends over in Leeds at The Hoot have lots to cheer about as Ilkley, Hebden Bridge, Easingwold and Ripon all got a mention.

You can find out the full rundown on all the spots up and down the country that have been selected as part of ‘The Sunday Times’ Best places to live for 2025′ HERE.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Image: Instagram, @eddie3hundred

UK News

A Salford student has made history as BBC Radio 1’s newest presenter

Danny Jones Danny Jones Young University of Salford student becomes new BBC Radio 1 presenter

A University of Salford student has made history after becoming the latest radio presenter for mainstream national station BBC Radio 1.

And he’s only 20 years old.

Matt Hallsworth from Harleston in Norfolk has become the first ever Salford student to sign a contract with the station whilst still studying, and is now set to join fellow alumni such as Vicky Hawkesworth and Katie Thistleton in working for the BBC’s biggest radio station.

If that isn’t hitting the ground running in your career, then we don’t know what is.

Set to host the spin-off online stream ‘Radio 1 Anthems’ – available via BBC’s digital Sounds platform, which hosts live and pre-recorded broadcasts, podcasts, music playlists and more – Hallsworth will be taking charge of several shows in the coming weeks.

The BA Television and Radio Production student, who is currently Head of Radio at the University’s in-house station Shock Radio, has already won a number of awards in his fledgling broadcast career and is now set to present a total of 16 shows through next month, starting from 8am on Tuesday, 2 April.

Matt has already had a glimpse of life at the BBC, having joined in as one of their Christmas Presenters back in December; he won the coveted slot after being crowned winner of ‘Best Presenter’ at last year’s Student Radio Awards (SRAs) and was the youngest out of a total 27 guest hosts that got the chance.

In addition to that accolade, he also collected the Gold Award for ‘Best Chart Show’ at the 2024 SRAs, with his on-air partner and fellow student Issy Brand also joining him in earning the title of ‘Best On-Air Team’ for the second year in a row in the International Student Broadcasting Championship.

Since then, he’s already enjoyed experience as a freelance presenter for nearby Hits Radio, working and is now the lead host officer for The Student Radio Association’s annual conference over in Salford.

You can listen HERE. (Credit: BBC)

Speaking on the unbelievable opportunity, the rising radio star said: “I am so excited to be joining the BBC Radio 1 Anthems family across April! Since the stream’s launch in October, it’s been evident the BBC is using it as a platform to nurture new presenters, and I feel thrilled to be able to join that.

“I was working on some university assignment work in January when I got the text and call from Aled [Hayden Jones, Head of Station at BBC Radio 1], with feedback from my Christmas show and offering the opportunity.

“The shows have the best playlists, full of songs that I grew up with, forgot about, and play anyway. I can’t wait for people to hear them.”

As for UoS‘s Programme Leader for BA TV and Radio Production, Louise Ready-Syrat, she says: “I’m hugely proud and pleased for Matt, he is such a lovely person and a huge talent that will be amazing in every capacity.

“Watching his development over his time with us on the BA Television and Radio Production course has been a privilege and a real inspiration to his fellow students.

“Always quick to help out on our Open Days, award shows and as Head of Shock Radio, he has proven himself to be a true professional and a genuinely great guy! Super pleased for him, he will smash this!”

Read more:

Lyndon Saunders, Senior Lecturer and Subject Group Head for Broadcast Media, went on to add: “As soon as we heard Matt take to the student airwaves at Salford, we knew he would be snapped up by somebody big before too long. It’s just amazing to discover that he’s going national on BBC Radio 1.

“He’s so hard working, so determined, but so humble about his on air talent. I’ve worked with Matt in a producer capacity as well and he has an incredible work ethic – a gift for the journalism and storytelling side of radio too. In short, radio is in his veins, and we’re thrilled he’s making his dream a reality.”

You’ve done your department, Salford and Greater Manchester as a whole proud, Matt – we look forward to hearing you on the airwaves for years to come!

As far as universities go, UoS continues to be a brilliant proving ground for up-and-coming media talent.

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We can’t guarantee every Salford student will go on to be a BBC Radio 1 presenter, but they’ll certainly stand you in good stead.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — University of Salford (Supplied)

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