Any self-respecting fan of a good portion of salt and pepper chips should know that we have our neighbours in Liverpool to thank.
First originating there in the 90s, the Chinese-Scouse chippy hybrid has become something of a northern takeaway staple and most places in Manchester offer it as par for the course.
But now, this week, a group of Scouse cooks has moved into the Sadler’s Cat pub to show us how it’s really done – with a menu that offers up salt and pepper chickn dumplings, salt and pepper hash browns, and, naturally, huge trays of salt and pepper chips.
Did we mention that it’s all vegan? Because it is.
Image: Desert Island Dumplins
Specialising in fusion dumplings, Desert Island Dumplings has previously popped up at the likes of Grub so eager street food fans may already have them on their radar.
ADVERTISEMENT
The menu at The Sadler’s Cat pub, served from 4pm in the week and 12pm on the weekend, offers a selection of different dumplings along with sides like drunk Teriyaki noodles, salt and pepper hash browns or chips, as well as chips, cheeze, and gravy.
Dumpling flavours are far from traditional, with choices spanning the likes of smoky cheez pizza, hoisin mock duck, cheezeburger, lobster and salt and pepper chickn.
The menu also includes a regularly-changing dumpling ‘flavour of the week’, as well as two sweet pudding options in lemon drizzle and Lotus banoffee, both served with a sweet dip.
Prices start at £7.50 for 5 of one flavour, or £8.50 for 5 mix and match dumplings. Sides, meanwhile, start from just £3 for a portion of chips up to £5 for a portion of drunken noodles.
ADVERTISEMENT
Alternatively, if you’re in a big group you can opt for a sharer box, priced from £22 for 10 dumplings, salt and pepper chips and drunk Teriyaki noodles, or £32 for 25 dumplings, salt and pepper chips, noodles and hash browns.
Image: The Sadler’s Cat
Formerly known as The Pilcrow, The Sadler’s Cat changed hands last year after it was sold by the Common Group to Manchester’s Cloudwater Brewery.
It is the first proper pub for the brewery, which also has a taproom at the Piccadilly Trading Estate and is planning to open a new beer hall in the city centre waterside neighbourhood Kampus later this year.
Head down for your alternative dumpling fix and wash it all down with a range of locally-sourced beers from Cloudwater and other Manchester breweries, or if that doesn’t do it for you, choose from the pub’s selection of natural wine, spirits and softs.
Kids can now travel on Greater Manchester buses for FREE all summer long
Emily Sergeant
Young people across Greater Manchester will benefit from unlimited free bus travel this summer.
As part of the Government’s Great British Summer Savings campaign – which was announced back in May – Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has revealed that all children aged five to 15 can travel for free in England, including on Bee Network bus services, during the school summer holidays throughout August.
Not only that, but 16-year-olds will be able to activate their ‘Our Pass’ one month earlier (from 1 August instead of 1 September), giving them an extra month of free bus and cheaper tram travel.
The move means that all young people in Greater Manchester will be entitled to free bus travel for the whole month.
Children under five already get to travel for free on the Bee Network all year round.
From 1-31 August, children aged 5-15 can travel FREE on all #BeeNetwork buses across Greater Manchester as part of the government’s Great British Savings scheme.
And if you’re turning 16? You can activate your @OurPassGM a month early from 1 August, unlocking free bus travel and… pic.twitter.com/BM9vIEnNfH
The Great British Summer Savings scheme has introduced a temporary reduced rate of VAT – down from 20% to 5% – on things like travel, children’s meals in restaurants, and family leisure activities over the summer period.
The Government says the aim of the initiative is to make family days out more affordable, while also supporting businesses through increased footfall.
No registration or sign-up is required to benefit from the Summer Savings scheme on the Bee Network, TfGM confirmed, with anyone aged between five and 15 instructed to just ask the driver for a free ticket as they board the bus.
“We’re pleased to be taking part in the Greater British Summer Savings scheme which will mean free bus travel on the Bee Network for everyone aged five to 15 in August,” commented Fran Wilkinson, who is the Customer and Growth Director at TfGM.
“This will help make days out more affordable for families this summer.
“The Bee Network is all about making it easier and more affordable to get around Greater Manchester and this national scheme will help us do just that.”
Featured Image – TfGM
News
Andy Burnham announces ‘fundamental’ changes to the UK’s education system
Emily Sergeant
The Prime Minister will unveil a fundamental change to the education system today with the launch of new prestigious technical educational routes.
Andy Burnham says he is ‘determined’ to put technical education on an equal footing with the traditional academic path to ensure there are no so-called ‘dead ends’ for young people coming out of the education system by providing them high-quality alternative routes that are valued and respected by students, parents, and employers alike.
The new pathways will provide 14-year-olds with ‘valuable’ early access to technical skills, work experience, and connections with local employers.
Building on successful local initiatives – such as the MBacc, launched by Andy Burnham here in Greater Manchester when he was Mayor – the new technical routes will mean young people can develop the technical knowledge and skills needed to progress in areas like engineering, healthcare, and digital technology.
It will aim to ‘skill them up’ with the specific knowledge and capabilities that local employers need.
Andy Burnham has announced ‘fundamental’ changes to the UK’s education system / Credit: MChe Lee (via Unsplash) | Wikimedia Commons
So, how will it all work then? Well, when students enter Year 10, they will have the chance to combine core academic subjects – including English, Maths, and Science – with a high-quality technical education that’s linked to the jobs available in their area.
During these courses, students will be able to spend time with employers and gain valuable real-world experience.
Regional mayors, local leaders, schools, colleges, and employers will work together to shape these new technical education pathways, rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all system.
To support this, the Government says it will prioritise funding towards high-quality technical education and practical routes into work, and will also change the way school performance is measured so that inspectors recognise the schools support young people to develop the skills, experience, and confidence employers want.
This way, no matter whether young people choose university, an apprenticeship, further education, or direct entry into a skilled profession, they will able to see a clear route from education into employment.
“For too long in this country, students have been told that you must take the academic path to do well and to be respected,” explained Prime Minister Andy Burnham.
“The whole school system has been built around it and that has let down young people seeking technical qualifications.
Georgina Pellant -
13th May 2022 
