Bury

Tribute paid to lollipop lady who died in crash on the road she campaigned to make safer

'This tragic irony sits with us today.'

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 19th December 2022

The family of a beloved lollipop lady in Bury have paid a heartfelt tribute to her after she was hit by a van.

Irene Allen, 87, tragically died as a result of her injuries sustained in a serious road traffic collision on Walmersley Road on Tuesday 6 December.

She had notably been Bury’s first lollipop lady and had campaigned for more safe crossings on the very stretch of road that she was injured on.

Her family have said that the circumstances that led to her death are a ‘tragic irony’.

Irene’s daughter Melanie said in a tribute issued through GMP: “Irene was a much loved ex-medical receptionist at Ribblesdale House and AgeUK Jubilee Centre committee member.

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“Irene lost the fight for her life on Sunday 11th December, she had been involved in a road traffic collision on Walmersley Road Bury on Tuesday morning, and despite the best efforts of Salford Royal Rescue and ICU teams, Irene never fully regained consciousness.

“The police are continuing to investigate the circumstances but a post mortem concluded that she died of multiple injuries caused by the collision.

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“Irene, a keen walker and Rawtenstall Cricket fan, leaves behind a daughter and three grandchildren and a whole community who miss her sunny personality.

“Always putting others before herself, in the mid 1960’s Irene complained to Bury Council about the lack of safe crossings for school children across the busy Walmersley Road, and became the newsworthy first lollipop lady in Bury.

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“This tragic irony sits with us today.”

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Officers are particularly keen to speak to anyone who may have footage, including dashcam, mobile phone or CCTV/doorbell footage from the area in the moments leading up to and before the collision took place.

Anyone with information should contact police on 0161 856 4741 quoting incident 1115 of 06/12/22.

Alternatively, details can be passed via the LiveChat function at www.gmp.police.uk or anonymously via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Featured image: GMP

Bury

The best local restaurants in Greater Manchester have been named by the Good Food Guide

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson

The Good Food Guide has just released its list of the 100 best local restaurants in Britain – and there are PLENTY of entries for Greater Manchester.

From city centre gastropubs to Michelin-recommended hidden gems to proper local Italian restaurants, our city region has shone throughout the list.

And while the top spot in all of Britain went to Bavette in Leeds (a firm favourite of our friends over at The Hoot), there are plenty of restaurants to shout about closer to home too.

The overall winner in the entire North West was named as Cibus in Levenshulme, a laid-back spot that’s a huge part of Levy’s culinary levelling-up.

In fact, Greater Manchester has completely dominated the Best Local Restaurants list for the North West, taking seven out of the 13 spots.

Widely considered one of the city’s best restaurants, Higher Ground has shot onto the list, along with fellow Michelin-recommended spots The Sparrows and Another Hand.

Also featuring in The Good Food Guide’s prestigious list is The Pearl, a newcomer in Prestwich with its own wine window.

Bombay to Mumbai in Stockport made the guide too, as did the brilliant Lily’s Vegetarian in Ashton-under-Lyne, and Covino just down the road in Chester.

And completing the list for the North West is The Edinburgh Castle in Ancoats, a gastropub that’s been named one of the best in the country.

Back to the big win for Cibus though.

Cibus in Levenshulme is loved locally and beyond for its modern Italian menu, which features everything from salted doughnuts to cicchetti and pizza and pasta.

The Good Food Guide noted that Cibus’ cooking and the effort they put into their seasonal menu is so brilliant, ‘it would shame many-a fancier joint’.

They also wrote: “It has transformed the food scene in Levenshulme and is the type of place we all wished we had on our doorstep.”

The Pearl in Prestwich has made it onto the list of the Top 100 Local Restaurants in the Good Food Guide. Credit: The Manc Group
The Pearl in Prestwich has made it onto the list of the Top 100 Local Restaurants in the Good Food Guide. Credit: The Manc Group
The Edinburgh Castle also made the top 100 in the Good Food Guide. Credit: The Manc Group
The Edinburgh Castle also made the top 100 in the Good Food Guide. Credit: The Manc Group
Higher Ground is officially one of Britain's best local restaurants. Credit: The Manc Group
Higher Ground is officially one of Britain’s best local restaurants. Credit: The Manc Group

Owners Giorgio Fontana and Marco Bracchitta said of the award: “We are thrilled and humbled by the news that Cibus has been voted the Best Local Restaurant in the North West!

“It is a huge honour, and we are overwhelmed with joy. Thank you to all of our supporters.

“We feel loved and embraced by the community around us, and we reciprocate that with our love and passion in what we do here at Cibus.

“This recognition is a massive burst of morale for the Cibus team. We are like family, and we work hard together to provide a great experience for our guests. Our hard work has paid off.”

This year, more than 60,000 votes were cast in The Good Food Guide’s 100 Best Local Restaurants guide, leaving a panel of experts to anonymously eat in the front-running restaurants across the UK.

Elizabeth Carter and Chloë Hamilton, co-editors of The Good Food Guide, said: “You came out in force this year, casting an astonishing 60,000 nominations for your beloved bistros, brasseries, pubs and cafés.

“We, and our undercover inspectors, have been touring the country to ensure the list is made up of the best of their kind.

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“Places that are home to extraordinary local creativity and talent, personal hospitality and genuine community spirit, and that are wonderfully affordable too.

“Eating out locally has never been so diverse, so enjoyable, so satisfying. Let’s make sure it stays that way.”

The best restaurants in the North West according to The Good Food Guide 2024

  • Cibus Levenshulme [regional winner]
  • Lily’s Vegetarian Indian Cuisine Ashton-under-Lyne
  • Bombay to Mumbai Stockport
  • Edinburgh Castle Manchester
  • Higher Ground Manchester
  • Another Hand Manchester
  • The Spärrows Manchester
  • The Rum Fox Grindleton
  • A Se Anar Blackpool
  • The Pearl Prestwich
  • The Yan Grasmere
  • Belzan Liverpool
  • Covino Chester

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Featured image: The Manc Group

Bury

Iconic Thomas the Tank Engine replica to travel through Greater Manchester again this summer

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Everyone’s favourite little blue engine is making another return to Greater Manchester once again this summer.

Tickets are now on sale and they’re already selling fast.

After delighting little Mancs and families throughout the region during countless successful events over the past couple of years, East Lancashire Railway (ELR) has announced that the Thomas the Tank Engine replica train is back by popular demand now schools are out, and will return to its tracks next weekend.

In case you aren’t too familiar with the beloved Day Out With Thomas experience, it’s said to be “a train ride like no other”.

Everyone’s favourite little blue engine is making another return to Greater Manchester this summer / Credit: ELR

Families will have the chance to hop onboard the replica of the cult-classic blue train character when he returns next weekend for a 45-minute trip through the Greater Manchester countryside.

The journey begins at Bury Train Station, where you’ll be greeted by The Fat Controller, meet Sir Topham Hatt, say hello to Thomas on the platform, and then climb aboard a carriage, all before Thomas makes a final stop at the beautiful Ramsbottom station. 

The doors to Bury Transport Museum will also be open across the weekend and will be hosting loads of fun free activities.

There’ll be Thomas-themed stories, and engaging and interactive activities to make the most of, as well as amusing performances by Sodor’s mischievous station sweepers, Rusty and Dusty, who’ll be entertaining with singing, dancing, and laughter all day long.

Not only that, but you can also expect fun fair rides, face painting, balloon art, and so much more throughout the weekend.

ELR’s Chairman Mike Kelly is “thrilled” about Thomas’ return next weekend.

The ‘Day Out With Thomas’ experience is said to be “a train ride like no other” / Credit: ELR

Mr Kelly said Day Out With Thomas events hold “a special place” in the heritage railway’s calendar, adding that: “They remain one of our most beloved experiences, as Thomas is cherished by people of all ages and this makes the event a source of joy, not just for children, but also for parents, grandparents, and our volunteers.”

Day Out With Thomas tickets are now on sale for next Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 August – with prices starting at £13.70 for kids, and £22.70 for adults.

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Grab your tickets here.

Featured Image – ELR

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