Bury

Bury AFC pays touching tribute to dedicated super fan Amanda Freeman after her death

'She was the epitome of what our club stands for'

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 4th May 2023

Bury AFC has shared a moving tribute after the death of one of their most dedicated supporters, Amanda Freeman.

The fan-owned Greater Manchester club described her as a ‘dedicated volunteer and loyal Shaker’, who was ‘always smiling’.

Amanda, known to most as Mandy, was the daughter of legendary super fan Keith Freeman, who died in 2014.

Speaking of her passing, Bury AFC wrote: “We are devastated to report the passing of a well-loved and dedicated Bury supporter, Amanda Freeman. A ‘Her Game Too’ advocate, fundraiser & tunnel steward.

“Always smiling, go a million miles for anyone, dedicated volunteer and loyal Shaker who will be dearly missed by all.

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“Mandy competed in her beloved maroon team Bury AFC Women Recreational, being a valued member of the team.

“Our thoughts are with partner Martin & all their friends and family at this sad time. Sleep well, Mandy.”

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They then added: “Mandy was not only a team member, she was the epitome of what our club stands for. Passionate, loyal, selfless and gave her all to her beloved club and her team maroon. She will be missed by all, sleep well Mandy.”

Bury FC also shared a tribute, writing: “REST IN PEACE MANDY. We are saddened to hear about the loss of Mandy Freeman.

“Mandy was not just a Bury fan through and through, but also much-loved and will now be sorely missed. Our thoughts and condolences go to her family. From her #ShakersFamily.”

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Tributes and well-wishes have been pouring in from other members of the club’s community.

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Her Game Too, a non-profit that raises awareness for sexism in the game, wrote: “We are so saddened and heartbroken to hear of Mandy’s passing, she truly was a lovely lady and she will be missed by so many, RIP Mandy.”

Another person commented: “Our Mandy! You beautiful lovely lady- such a wonderful smile and such a friendly loving person- sleep well Mandy Jane – I’m absolutely heartbroken that you have gone – but so humbled to have called you a friend. We had such good times in our Bury AFC family – you will always be apart of us.”

Someone else posted: “A massive loss to everyone, can’t believe we will never play alongside each other again I’m absolutely gutted. The most kind, caring and selfless person you could meet who always had a smile on her face. Glad we met you will always be our teammate and with us always. A true legend! x”

Featured image: Facebook, Bury AFC

Bury

Tributes pour in for bar owner and ‘Prestwich legend’ after sudden death at 45

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson

The Prestwich community has been left shaken by the sudden death of visionary local figure Mike Price, who ran the Cuckoo bar and restaurant.

Cuckoo and his family announced yesterday that Mike had unexpectedly passed away at the age of just 45.

His passing has triggered a huge outpouring of grief and gratitude for the work he did for Prestwich, where he has been described as a ‘pioneer’ and ‘pivotal driver’ in the town’s development.

Mike has run Cuckoo since it first opened way back in 2013, when the town’s high street looked very different.

Since then, the neighbourhood has blossomed around it and was this year once again named one of the UK’s best places to live by The Times.

Many of those businesses that have sprung up over the last decade were first to issue tributes to ‘Prestwich legend’ Mike after Cuckoo broke the heartbreaking news.

The bar wrote: “The family and Cuckoo team are devastated to share our sadness that our beloved Mike unexpectedly passed away yesterday. We love you so much Mike.”

It later shared: “Mike would want Cuckoo to continue, so we will be open [today] from 3pm. We would love for anyone to pop in, speak to the team, have a drink and take time to reflect. This is what Mike would have wanted.”

Tributes have poured in for Mike Price, a 'Prestwich pioneer' and co-owner of local bar Cuckoo. Credit: The Manc Group
Prestwich bar in Cuckoo - tributes have poured in for Mike Price, a 'Prestwich pioneer'. Credit: The Manc Group
Tributes have poured in for Mike Price, a ‘Prestwich pioneer’ and co-owner of local bar Cuckoo. Credit: The Manc Group

Award-winning chippy Chips @ No 8 wrote: “Devastated and heartbroken to hear the news this morning. His legacy is all around us. Prestwich wouldn’t be what it is without his vision.”

The Goods In said: “A massive shock & a massive loss. Sending all our love to the team & his family” while its sister cafe All The Shapes shared: “We just can’t believe this heartbreaking news. Unbelievably sad. We are thinking of you all and are here if you need any support. Xxxx.”

Freehand artist Myro Doodles – whose work is visible in windows all across town – said: “Just can’t believe it. A Prestwich legend, how much joy have we all had from what he created eh. Love to his girls and the whole Cuckoo family. we’ve got you xxx.”

Indoor plant business Nonsense, which used to have a presence on the Prestwich high street, said: “Oh wow such a shock, thoughts go out to Mike’s family and friends. A pioneer of the Prestwich we see today! such sad news xx”

Artist Stanley Chow said: “OMg… so sorry to hear this devastating news…”

Another person wrote: “Lost for words… Mike was a key player in making Prestwich the vibrant town that it is today. I am absolutely heartbroken and shocked to see this. I can’t believe it. Sending so much love to you all at this time…”

Someone else shared: “Gutted seeing this and reading it over and over again. Mike inspired me, taught me, mentored me and guided me as a boss and as a friend in the early days of my career and I could never thank him enough for that. He also introduced me to music, shops, new artists and designers and talked nonstop about “amaaayzin’ paaarties with the best viiiiibe”, just because he wanted me to feel as happy in the discovery of new stuff as he did. A selfless man. Love you, Pricey. Thanks for everything.”

One tribute said: “Heartbroken. Mike has been a pivotal driver in making prestwich what it’s had become and is still becoming. Lost for words”

Similarly, one person wrote: “Lost for words really. Mike leaves such a legacy in what he’s done for Prestwich but most of all a big hole in our hearts. Sending lots of love to his family and to all at @cuckoo_prestwich.”

And finally, one tribute said: “Lost for words. What Mike did for my home town, I will never be able to thank him enough for. Mike brought Prestwich together as a community and made it what it is today. Big love.”

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Featured image: Cuckoo Prestwich

Bury

Inside Popeyes as fried chicken restaurant opens its first Manchester drive-thru

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson

Popeyes is ready to open its first-ever Greater Manchester drive-thru restaurant, where you can pick up its legendary Louisiana-style fried chicken and shakes.

To celebrate its launch, Popeyes will be giving away free chicken sandwiches for a year to the first people in the queue – and when it launched at Piccadilly Gardens, someone waited outside for 16 hours.

People really love this chicken…

In the blink of an eye, the colourful orange and blue building has taken shape on Bury New Road, where hungry diners can pick up meals in the drive-thru or order ahead for curbside collection.

Customers dining in can order through a QR code or touch-screens, before sitting down at one of the many orange booths to tuck into trays piled high with sandwiches, tenders, mac and cheese, and more.

There are 72 indoors plus an outside dining area, dual-ordering lanes, and designated bays for pre-orders.

Popeyes is famed for its viral ‘shatter crunch’-coated fried chicken, its Southern US biscuits and gravy, and its brekkie menu where British classics are given a New Orleans twist.

Inside Greater Manchester's new Popeyes drive-thru
Inside Greater Manchester's new Popeyes drive-thru
Inside Greater Manchester's new Popeyes drive-thru
Inside Greater Manchester’s new Popeyes drive-thru

The doors and lanes to the new chicken shop will officially open on Friday 26 April at 11am.

The first three people queueing both on foot and in cars will win free chicken sandwiches for a year, and the first 25 in both queues will get a free chicken sandwich and exclusive merch.

This new Popeyes marks the brand’s 11th opening in 2024, and 47th since launching in the UK in 2021.

You’ll find it at 288-292 unit Bury New Rd, M7 2YJ, right next to the McDonald’s and Tim Horton’s on the border of Prestwich.

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Featured Images — The Manc Group

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