The “heartbroken” family of a man who’s ashes were stolen from a house in Bury are appealing for information alongside police.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) has explained that, back on Tuesday 19 September, officers were called out to reports of a burglary at a woman’s home on Brandlesholme Road in Bury, and it’s believed that a number of power tools were stolen from the garage.
Not only that though, as in what is a truly upsetting incident, the ashes of the woman’s husband were also stolen.
Given the distressing nature of the theft – especially after the couple had been married for nearly 50 years before the man sadly passed away earlier this year – GMP has now launched an investigation, and is following a number of lines of enquiry at the moment.
In the meantime though, the family of the man have issued a joint appeal with police to the public for further information.
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#APPEAL | Family appeal for information after husband's ashes stolen from their house.
On Tuesday (19/9/23) GMP were called to reports of a burglary on Brandlesholme Rd, Bury. A number of power tools were stolen from the garage, but also a man's ashes. https://t.co/3xyFZogVnRpic.twitter.com/cXwrvsO3Hj
“Earlier this year, I lost my husband Nigel to pancreatic cancer after being married for nearly 50 years,” the family’s public appeal begins, “Nigel’s death has completely devastated our family, and to say we are heartbroken would be an understatement.
“On Tuesday 19 September 2023, I discovered that the garage at the rear of our home had been broken into and a number of power tools had been stolen from inside.
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“Also stolen from inside the garage, from the wooden workbench, were Nigel’s ashes. Nigel’s ashes were in a mint green coloured box, inside a burgundy coloured tote bag.
“Nigel spent the majority of his time in the garage, as he was a passionate handyman who would turn his hands to absolutely anything and loved spending time at his workbench. When we received Nigel’s ashes, we decided as a family that we would place them on his wooden workbench in the garage, as this is where he loved to be, and where he was his happiest.
“One of Nigel’s last wishes was that he wanted to have his ashes scattered at Woodbank Cricket Club. A place which held a special place in his heart, he loved spending time here, but as a family, we decided that we would wait until the cricket season was over to scatter Nigel’s ashes.
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“And now the season is over, we cannot fulfil his wishes as someone has stolen them from us.”
GMP issues appeal after a man’s ashes are stolen from a house in Bury / Credit: GMP
The family’s appeal continues: “I am appealing to the local community and the people of Bury, and I ask that anyone with any knowledge of this crime come forward with information.
“There must be someone who knows or has any information about this.
“I am not interested in the return of the power tools, all I want is for my husband’s ashes to be returned to us, so as a family we can fulfil his last wish and lay him to rest.
“I have already lost my husband, and now I have lost him for a second time.”
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Anyone with any information is asked to call GMP on 0161 856 8222 quoting log 2738 of 19/09/23, or alternatively contacting the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Featured Image – GMP
News
‘Prolific’ South Manchester burglar jailed for thefts which included peanuts…
Daisy Jackson
A ‘prolific’ burglar has been jailed for just over two years, for numerous thefts including sunglasses, airpods, and peanuts…
The man was caught red-handed inside someone’s property, where he claimed he was just wanting a glass of water – but was found by police officers to have the resident’s car keys in his pocket.
Fazal Alnesi, 26, from Moss Side, was then linked to a number of other burglaries, attempted burglaries, and thefts across South Manchester.
Fazal was sentenced to 27 months at Manchester Crown Court last week after pleading guilty to offences including six counts of burglary in June of this year.
He was arrested on 12 June, when a man returned to his home in Fallowfield in the early hours of the morning and discovered Fazal inside his address.
He claimed he was there because he wanted a glass of water but subsequently refused to leave, which led to police being called.
Officers placed Alnensi in handcuffs and found the resident’s car keys in his pocket, as well as indications that he’d been rummaging through the man’s drawers.
He was later linked to other thefts include a wrench set from a car, a pedal cycle worth £350, airpods, sunglasses – and even peanuts from one address.
He additionally took an electric bike charger from one address worth hundreds of pounds.
PC Jon Holden, from GMP’s City of Manchester district, said: “Alnensi took various items from several homes and cars across a two-week period earlier this year, making off with hundreds of pounds worth of goods.
“Ultimately, Alnensi left people feeling unsafe in his own home, and I am glad he is now behind bars.
“Our team will investigate all burglaries, and I would encourage people to get in touch with us – all intelligence helps us lock up criminals and bring them to justice.”
The top 10 ‘happiest’ places to live in the North West in 2026 have been named
Emily Sergeant
The top 10 happiest places to live in the North West have been named for 2026.
It comes as Rightmove has published its annual ‘Happy at Home’ index this week, just as it has done for the last 14 years now, exploring exactly what it is that makes people feel content about where they live, and highlighting the happiest places nationwide ahead of the new year – with thousands of residents across more than 200 locations providing feedback.
The residents told the leading property listing platform what they love (or don’t love) about their community, from the friendliness of their neighbours, to job opportunities, access to green spaces, and so much more.
The survey also outlined the differences in happiness in rural, urban, and suburban environments, as well as the way our sense of ‘home happiness’ changes as we age.
So, when it comes to the North West as a whole then, where do we have in the top 10?
Well, to kick things off, you may have already seen that one Lancashire market town has earned its place in the top 10 nationwide, not just for the North West region – and that’s Chorley.
Closest to the Bolton and Wigan boroughs, Chorley – which is is about a 40-minute drive outside of Manchester, and sits on a direct train route into the city centre.
But aside from the national top 10, when it comes to the regional top 10, the next two towns following Chorley in second and third are both in Greater Manchester.
The North West’s top 10 happiest places to live 2026
Chorley
Stockport
Altrincham
Chester
Macclesfield
Southport
Kendal
Wirral
Northwich
Carlisle
Altrincham has been named one of the North West’s happiest places to live / Credit: The Manc Group
The ever-thriving Stockport comes in at number two, followed by Trafford favourite Altrincham directly behind it at number three.
Other of the region’s inclusions like Bury, Bolton, Wigan, and the Manchester borough itself all ranked towards the bottom.
Speaking on this year’s list, Colleen Babcock – a property expert at Rightmove – explained: “The balance between greenery and everyday convenience runs through the wider findings. Even among people who would ideally choose a rural setting, access to amenities, parks and public transport remains important.
“This year’s results suggest that the places people rate most highly aren’t simply urban or rural, but often bring together some of the best elements of both.”
Featured Image – Roger Kidd (via Wikimedia Commons)
Emily Sergeant -
23rd October 2023 
