Hundreds of people will be protesting outside their local Costa to take a stand against the dairy industry this weekend.
Organised by one of the UK’s leading vegan charities, Viva!, this Saturday is the second of several ‘Days of Action’ this year, and it’ll see activists assemble outside branches of Costas nationwide in an attempt to “educate members of the public about the modern dairy industry”.
They’ll also be encouraging people to opt for plant-based milk alternatives like oat, soya, or almond, and sharing the benefits of switching to them.
Protests will be taking place in 40 towns and cities across the UK – including here in Manchester.
Vegans to protest against the dairy industry outside Costa in Manchester this weekend / Credit: Viva! Vegan (via Facebook)
Campaigners will be taking a stand outside Costa on Market Street in Manchester city centre this Saturday 11 March to hand out leaflets, holding placards, and have “friendly open conversations with customers” about why they should consider choosing plant-based alternatives.
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Viva! says its ‘Days of Action’ were set up after the charity conducted a recent undercover investigation into Home Farm – a Red Tractor-approved dairy farm that supplies milk to Freshways, which in turn, supplies milk to Costa Coffee.
The charity says it found cows at Home Farm that were emaciated, lame, and struggling to walk, while others were manhandled, slapped, and shoved, and some were even visibly-injured or in shackles.
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But despite the shocking revelations from the investigation, and what Viva! has called a “mountain of evidence indicating breaches of animal welfare laws”, Home Farm is continuing to deny any wrongdoing, according to the charity, and Red Tractor claims that Home Farm abides by their standards.
Campaigners will be taking a stand outside Costa on Market Street in Manchester city centre / Credit: Costa
“After seeing first-hand the despicable conditions that these poor cows and calves are being kept in at Home Farm, I knew Viva! had to act,” said Viva!’s founder and director Juliet Gellatley ahead of Saturday’s protests in Manchester.
“It was heart-rending to see these gentle curious animals being treated so badly.
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“So that’s why we’re taking to the streets to educate people about the dairy industry – one that profits from exploitation and suffering.
“We’ll be having judgement-free, positive conversations with Costa Coffee customers, helping them see that dairy alternatives are delicious, and don’t involve suffering.”
Get involved with our next Day of Action on Saturday 11 March!✊🐮
We will be holding protests outside Costa stores all across the country – check to see if your local Costa is covered! 🙏 #ScaryDairy
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.
Emily Sergeant -
8th March 2023 
