Bury

Police raid colossal cannabis farm with 200-300 plants in organised crime ‘crackdown’

Two men have been arrested in connection with organised criminal activities.

The Manc The Manc - 4th June 2021

A colossal cannabis farm packed with hundreds of plants has been raided as part of a Greater Manchester Police operation to bring down a local organised crime gang.

Officers seized 200-300 plants from an address on Parkville Road in Prestwich on Thursday (June 3) morning.

The search was conduced following an arrest the previous day – with a driver in Harpurhey found carrying a large quantity of cash, an extendable baton, and a kitchen knife.

So far, two arrests have been made.

A 24-year-old man has been taken into custody on suspicion of the production of cannabis.

A 28-year-old was arrested on suspicion of Money Laundering, Possession of an Offensive Weapon and a Bladed Article.

Two men have been arrested as part of the organised crime operation / Image: GMP

Detective Inspector Paul Crompton of GMP’s Intelligence Development Team called the arrests an “an excellent result” in “GMP’s fight to tackle the scourge of organised crime in our city.”

He added: “Cannabis farms are well known [to] fund organised criminality, and the City of Manchester North Organised Crime Disruption Team, working in partnership with the Districts, will take every opportunity to disrupt their activities across the region.

“GMP often relies on intelligence supplied to them by members of the public. If you see anything suspicious, we encourage you to report it. You can contact Police via our LiveChat on our website www.gmp.police.uk or call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

“If you say something, we can do something.”

Bury

Bury Food and Drink Festival returns to the borough this month

Danny Jones Danny Jones

Bury, brace for unbuckling your belts, because the borough’s annual food and drink festival returns for 2025 this month.

Following the inaugural event last year, Bury Food and Drink Festival (BFDF) is officially back, hoping to go even bigger and better than last summer.

Promising more traders this time around, not to mention a more fully-fledged programme than the maiden Manc feast, BFDF ’25 is shaping up to be a brilliant weekend.

Better still, with the summer sun looking like it’s sticking around for a while, it’s set to be another scorcher across Greater Manchester – the perfect weather for some more al fresco face-stuffing.

salford rum company
Salford Rum Company
bury market
Iddons fruit and veg
Credit: Bury Market (supplied)

This year, Bury Food and Drink Festival boasts 70 different independent traders from around the local area and beyond.

In fact, over in the town centre’s Kay Gardens, there’s set to be a brand-new Hong Kong-style market featuring over 50 traders alone.

Set up by nearby favourite, Moliuliu’s Store, visitors can find gifts, jewellery and artisan craft goods, as well as tonnes of amazing flavours from around the region.

There’s also set to be a new ‘Beer and Bands’ night on Bank Street, where the festival was first born, making way for an evening of live up-and-coming local talent and brilliant Bury brews.

Organised by the Bury Business Improvement District (BID) in partnership with the world-famous Bury Market and local council, Bury Food and Drink Fest remains a completely free town-centre celebration of native hospitality, cuisine and culture.

The Town Centre Director for Bury BID, Nigel Shields, said of their sophomore event: “It’s a pleasure to be announcing the return of the Bury Food and Drink Festival to the town centre, and to be able to build on the success of last year’s event.

“We’ve got an exciting and diverse range of local, authentic traders joining us, showcasing the very best flavours and cuisine from Bury and all over the world. The festival is a fantastic addition to our town and what it has to offer – we can’t wait to welcome guests from far and wide across the weekend!”

You can see a full map of the festival down below.

Spanning across three days and multiple central sites, BFDF 2025 kicks off this Friday, 18 July from 9:30am, and will close between 4:30/5pm every day until Sunday.

Part-funded by Local Growth & Place Flexible Grant Funding, the aim is to promote and help give back to popular indies like The Finest Fudge Co, The Thai Food Van, Sip & Sparkle and Daily Grind, just to name a few favourites.

Councillor Charlotte Morris added: “We’re delighted to bring the food and drink festival to Bury town centre once again. The fantastic range of businesses involved is testament to the strength of food and drink offering here in Bury, and the appetite (literally!) for exciting events.

“The festival will be a chance to explore Bury, support local business, try something new and enjoy flavours from all over the world. We look forward to welcoming visitors from Bury and beyond!”

Find all the details around timings and all the other important info HERE.

A trip to Bury Market usually ends with us spending far too much on two things: chocolate and cheese
thai food bury
The Thai Food Van

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Featured Images — Supplied

Bury

Bee Network trams and buses hit by first wave of delays as thousands flock to Oasis gigs

Danny Jones Danny Jones Tram and Bee Network delays Manchester Oasis Heaton Park gigs

Greater Manchester’s Bee Network is now facing its first wave of congestion and delays as thousands of Oasis fans travel into the city region and towards Heaton Park by tram.

An approximate 80,000 fans are expected at each of the Live ’25 homecoming shows, with countless Oasis die-hards not just travelling from across the boroughs but up and down the county, as well as from overseas.

While additional tram services and bus provision have been planned way in advance of the huge music and cultural event, the delays and crowds are starting to gather as the show’s start times edge ever closer.

The official Bee Network social media team has now informed commuters and gig-goers of the current situation on the Metrolink lines.

As you can see, with Manchester hitting temperatures of 30C today, while it makes for the perfect weather for an outdoor gig, there are growing concerns for those on public transport and queuing to get into the park.

Warnings of “very hot weather” have already been issued by the Met Office and more, with even the band themselves urging fans to drink plenty of fluids and bring bucket hats in full force.

In terms of the trams and buses, extra services are being put on throughout the city, especially on the direct line from Victoria Station to Heaton Park along the already packed post-work Bury line.

Shuttle buses – which can be boarded from Lever Street in the Northern Quarter – are also getting progressively busier.

With “double-trams leaving full from Victoria every six minutes”, according to officials, while things are getting increasingly busier, they insist that things “are moving.”

An Oasis travel ‘masterplan’ was announced earlier this week to help deal with the hordes of fans; however, reports of those heading to Heaton Park being told to walk amid “hour and a half” wait times are already circulating online.

With more Manchester dates coming this month, and the stage times for each concert now confirmed, authorities are once again urging Oasis fans to get there as early as possible – especially if they hope to get the best spot to watch the reunion shows.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) have also urged attendees to “remain vigilant” as an increase in anti-social behaviour and more is expected.

It goes without saying that we hope everyone has an incredible time, but we can only echo their statement and would remind you all to stay hydrated, seek shade from direct sunlight when/where possible and look after each other.

And finally, for anyone with any questions ahead of Oasis’ Live ’25 reunion tour shows here in Manchester, you can find our full Heaton Park gig guide down below.

The ULTIMATE guide to the Oasis Live ’25 reunion tour at Heaton Park – tickets, times, setlist and more
Tram delays aside, don’t worry: you’ll make it there – and here’s all the info you need on Oasis’ Manchester homecoming tour dates.

Read more:

Featured Images —Megan Sheraton (via X)/Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM)

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