Greater Manchester Police are investigating after an unknown man approached a young girl and tried to run away with her.
The five-year-old child, who was thankfully unharmed, had been playing in Nuttall Park in Ramsbottom when the stranger attempted to pick her up.
The man ran away into the nearby wooded area, where the girl’s parents intervened.
The incident occurred at around 3pm on Sunday 12 February, with an investigation ongoing.
The child’s school, the nearby St. Andrew’s CE Primary School, also sent an email to parents to outline the incident so that the community could ‘be vigilant’, the Manchester Evening News reported.
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Detectives are now looking for a man who was seen the area, who is described as a tall, white male who was wearing black gloves, a red bobble hat, a black jacket and had a backpack on.
Nuttall Park in Ramsbottom. Credit: Geograph
Chief Inspector Ian Partington of GMP’s Bury District, said: “We understand that this incident has caused some concern in the community.
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“We thank the public for their patience and assistance so far, and ask that anyone with information should contact us first to aid our investigation.
“If you see the man described, call us on 101 quoting incident 1965 of the 12/2/2023.”
In the email seen by the MEN, the school’s headteacher Damian Marsh wrote: “An incident happened in Nuttall Park, Ramsbottom, yesterday (around 3pm) where a man attempted to grab one of the pupils from our Reception class.
“Mum managed to pull the child from him and the man ran away into the woods. The police were informed about the incident and are dealing with this.
“The man is described as: average build, quite tall, 40’s, stubble beard, wearing big black gloves. I have notified our school community so they are aware and can be vigilant.”
Other details can be passed to us via GMP’s LiveChat facility at www.gmp.police.uk or by calling 101.
Information can be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Featured image: Wikimedia Commons
News
Exciting new CGIs released of £500m Therme Manchester wellness resort as construction continues
Emily Sergeant
As construction continues on Manchester’s massive wellness resort, some new CGIs have now been released.
In case you need bringing up to speed, construction of the £500 million Therme Manchester wellness resort officially began last September after several years of planning, and now developers have released some exciting new CGIs – with an update on how construction is going, as a new milestone has been reached this week.
Set to open to the public in 2029, Therme Manchester will become one of the largest urban wellbeing resorts in the world.
Visitors can expect to make the most of a 10 pools – both lagoon and wave pools included – thermal bathing, multi-sensory sauna rituals, steam rooms, 18 water slides, affordably-priced luxury spa therapies, and health and fitness experiences.
Exciting new CGIs released of Therme Manchester have been released / Credit: Supplied
At the heart of Therme Manchester will be three distinct zones, each offering a different way to spend time at the resort.
Play will bring together water-based fun and attractions for families and visitors of all ages, and Restore will focus on thermal bathing and restorative experiences designed to help visitors unwind, while Relax will offer spaces for relaxation and wellbeing.
The latest CGIs showcase the design as it develops – including the resort’s extensive indoor and outdoor spaces, and its 53,000sq ft wellbeing garden.
Construction is still underway on the £500m wellness resort / Credit: Supplied
The plans also feature a new public plaza designed to strengthen connections between the resort and the Bridgewater Canal.
Professor David Russell, CEO of Therme UK, said: “We have taken the opportunity to refine the design, improve how traffic and parking are managed and create a more welcoming environment for everyone arriving at the resort.
“We are creating an even better experience for visitors while supporting more efficient and sustainable operations.”
Therme Manchester was initially touted as a £250m project that would complete in 2025, but it’s now up to £500m and is scheduled to complete it 2029.
It marks one of the most significant building developments to ever take place in the North.
Featured Image – Supplied
News
All students in England to be offered the chance to do a new Ukrainian GCSE
Emily Sergeant
All students in England are soon to be offered the chance to do a new Ukrainian GCSE.
Said to be part of the UK’s ‘enduring support’ for the Ukrainian community and continued commitment to stand with Ukraine and its people, young people in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland will now have the opportunity to study for a new Ukrainian GCSE, the Government has announced.
While the qualification will be open to all students, it marks a ‘particularly significant’ milestone for Ukrainian children and young people living in the UK.
It’s hoped that the introduction of the new GCSE will help Ukrainians to preserve a vital connection to their language, culture, and identity.
It’s also hoped that it’ll open pathways to future education and employment for all pupils.
In line with the other modern foreign language GCSEs that are currently on offer, the qualification will assess listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills, while also recognising the cultural and historical contexts that shape the Ukrainian language.
Examination board AQA will now begin the next phase of development, bringing together language and subject experts to design what will be a ‘high-quality’ qualification reflecting the richness of Ukrainian language and culture.
Education Secretary, Lucy Powell, commented: “As they build their lives here in the UK, it is right that Ukrainians and their children should have every opportunity to maintain that connection to their heritage and to be proud of who they are.
“This new qualification is available to all pupils and will give them the chance to develop their language skills and celebrate Ukraine’s rich culture and history, while also opening pathways to future study and employment and strengthening our partnership with Ukraine.
“Through that enduring partnership, we are building the lasting ties between our countries that will see the young minds of the future move forward together, and foster connections that transcend borders.”
The Ukrainian GCSE is expected to be available for first teaching from September 2028 – with first assessments taking place in 2029.
Daisy Jackson -
14th February 2023 
