A new Community Fridge pilot has just opened in Oldham this week, and it’s aiming to help “fight food insecurity”.
As the rising cost of living crisis sadly continues to make its impact felt across Greater Manchester and nationwide, Community Fridges are spaces that bring people together to eat, connect, and learn new skills, all while reducing food waste.
Announced by the leader of Oldham Council, Amanda Chadderton, and Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, the new Oldham project has opened at Greenacres Community Centre to give local people the chance to share food.
This includes surplus from supermarkets, local food businesses, producers, households, and gardens.
The project will be run by community groups from across the borough.
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As well as tackling food insecurity, Oldham Council says one of the other main purposes of the project is “saving fresh food from going to waste”.
The new Oldham Community Fridge follows on from the success of the ‘In Our Nature’ programme – a partnership between the Co-op, Hubbub, Manchester City Council, and several other local environmental organisations.
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“Our recent Greater Manchester Residents Survey found that eight in 10 people say their cost of living has increased over the past month and around 70,000 more households are experiencing food insecurity compared to last spring,” Andy Burnham said.
“People are clearly struggling and that’s why projects such as Community Fridges are so vital in providing a safety net for those who need it.
“This community-led approach can help residents access healthy, nutritious and culturally appropriate food in a dignified way whilst also helping the environment.
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“I hope this pilot is a success and I look forward to seeing it rolled out across Greater Manchester.”
/ Credit: Oldham Council
Oldham Council Leader, Amanda Chadderton, said the region needs to “urgently address the issue of food waste and food insecurity” as costs continue to soar.
“That’s why I’m so pleased to see this scheme taking place as I know it will make a real difference to families and those who are struggling,” she added, “one step at a time, ideas like this will help us work toward our goal of ending food insecurity and the inequalities it brings.”
Featured Image – Oldham Council
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Iconic Manc movie 24 Hour Party People is set to return to cinemas for its anniversary
Emily Sergeant
One of Manchester’s most iconic movies is set to return to the big screen next month.
Remastered in 4K and returning to UK cinemas to mark 24 years since its original release, Michael Winterbottom’s 2002 biographical comedy drama film, 24 Hour Party People, tells the story of Manchester‘s popular music community from 1976 to 1992 – specifically about Factory Records‘ founder Tony Wilson.
The film begins with the punk rock era of the late 1970s, before moving through the 1980s into the rave and DJ culture, and of course, the ‘Madchester‘ scene of the late 1980s and early 1990s.
The narrative largely follows the career of Tony Wilson, played by Middleton-born actor Steve Coogan, while also covering the careers of the major Factory Records artists – especially Joy Division and New Order, as well as A Certain Ratio, The Durutti Column, and Happy Mondays.
If you haven’t seen 24 Hour Party People before, it’s a dramatisation based on a combination of real events, rumours, and urban legends, as the film is sure to make clear.
Coogan is joined by a cast by a mixture of big names and, at the time, rising stars like Paddy Considine, Shirley Henderson, Lennie James, John Simm, Ralf Little, Andy Serkis, Sean Harris, John Thomson, and even Peter Kay, alongside cameos from other figures connected to the Manchester music scene.
Before it returns to cinemas, the film will first open music and media festival/conference, Beyond The Music, at MediaCity in Salford on 6 October.
The screening at the festival will also be followed by a Q&A with Coogan, Winterbottom, and producer Andrew Eaton.
24 Hour Party People will then be re-released in UK cinemas from 9 October, and you can check your local cinema for screening times and book tickets online now.
Featured Image – Altitude
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Bury actress Kate O’Flynn wins big at 2026 Emmys with record-breaking comedy show
Emily Sergeant
Did you know that one of the big winners at the 2026 Emmy Awards last night was actually an actress from Bury?
In case it wasn’t on your radar, American television‘s biggest night, the Emmys, took place yesterday evening over in Los Angeles, and several records were broken in the process – including Apple TV’s comedy horror Widow’s Bay taking home the most Emmys ever for a single series of a comedy show, with 14 of them.
Widow’s Bay tells the story of mayor Tom Loftis, played by Welsh actor Matthew Rhys, who is trying to boost tourism on his rugged New England island, but must navigate several strange events that suggest it might be cursed.
Created by Katie Dippold, and executive produced and directed by Hiro Murai, Widow’s Bay was released in late April to widespread critical acclaim.
At the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards last night, the show scooped a record 14 awards, including for Outstanding Comedy Series, several acting wins, and wins for directing and writing too.
One of those acting wins was Kate O’Flynn for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series – an actress who hails from the Greater Manchester town of Bury.
Kate stars as Patricia Moyer, mayor Tom’s eccentric assistant in the show.
She grew up in Holcombe Brook near Ramsbottom, and was educated at Bury Grammar School, before she went on to train at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Acting in 2006.
Taking to the stage to accept her award last night, Kate said in her speech: “I want to thank our mayor [Matthew Rhys] and all the residents of Widow’s Bay, in front and behind the camera – you’re amazing. This is the role of a lifetime, thank you Katie and Hiro for trusting a Lancashire lass to play a sassy broad like Patricia. And thank you Apple [TV] for saying yes.
“Thank you Nicky and Tony for looking after me, my family back home, my mum and dad, and the loves of my life, my husband and our darling daughter – another sassy broad in the making.
Emily Sergeant -
2nd March 2023 
