A pensioner in Chorlton has been flooded with kind messages after sending a heartwarmingly honest letter to his neighbours.
David Whitehead, 75, posted a letter to other homes on his street asking if they ‘might allow’ him to meet their dogs, writing that he ‘very much misses canine contact’.
David shared in his letter that he and his late wife had rescue dogs when they lived in Northern Ireland.
But since moving to Chorlton and into rented accommodation, he’s no longer allowed to have pets.
Since the widower’s touching appeal was shared in a local Facebook community group, he’s been flooded with kind offers of companionship – both human and four-legged.
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One person shared that he has already ‘met five dogs in four days’, along with a photo of David holding two small dogs in a coffee shop.
David’s letter reads: “Do excuse this unsolicited letter from a well-meaning neighbour.
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“Last month I came to live at Acres Rd. Because my house is rented I am prohibited from keeping a dog (or indeed any kind of pet). Which saddens me. In an earlier life – in County Down, Northern Ireland – my late wife and I homed a sequence of rescue-dogs, and I very much miss canine contact.
“I am writing to ask, therefore, whether you have a dog or dogs yourself and, if you do, whether you might allow me to meet him/her/them.
“Beyond that, occasionally joining you on a walk (not-too-strenuous: I am 75!) would mean a lot to me.
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Chorlton widower flooded with kindness after sending a letter to neighbours. Credit: Facebook, Rory Michael
“Again: my apologies if you find this approach intrusive; it is certainly not meant to be. If you don’t, please consider texting me so that we can discuss how to proceed.
“Thank you and best wishes, (Prof) David Whitehead.”
One neighbour then shared the following update: “Hello everyone! David wanted to thank everyone for their kind comments and messages, he’s now met 5 dogs in 4 days including my own dogs.
“David was the loveliest coffee shop companion and if anyone with a dog wants to reach out to him I can vouch for him not being an internet weirdo.”
Man City to open latest Greater Manchester club shop at Trafford Centre
Danny Jones
Manchester City Football Club are set to open another brand-new store at the Trafford Centre, and just in time for Christmas.
With the festive period approaching, plenty of people will be looking to buy the latest shirts and merch of their beloved team, and with the Blues now a bigger brand than ever, they’ve put plenty of time into levelling up the club shop experience.
Their third in Greater Manchester, all told, it’s also set to be one of their largest to date.
Credit: The Manc Group
Although confirmation of the plans came back in October, City have officially announced themselves in the Trafford Centre this month.
With the hoardings going up over on Peel Avenue – the section of the huge mall arguably most well-known for its multi-storey John Lewis department store – they’ll be opening their doors just next to the branch of Waterstones.
In fact, you definitely can’t miss it because not only is there a giant MCFC badge plastered over the windows, but it also happens to be right next to the big Christmas tree.
This comes after sports and streetwear franchises like Gymshark and Urban Outfitters joined the North West tourist attraction, not to mention the massive Zara and Bershka sites that opened recently, as well as other global names like Pop Mart.
An idea of what the new Man City store in the Trafford Centre could look like, based on the Arndale shop. (Credit: The Manc)
Put simply, there’s been plenty of new arrivals this year, and there are several others to come.
Although we’ve not got an exact opening date just yet, the posters displayed across the window simply read “Coming November”, so Cityzens won’t have to wait long.
Furthermore, job vacancies for retail roles working within the upcoming location are already listed on the official Trafford Centre careers page.
Last but not least, there are scheduled be a number of other new openings in the shopping arcade, leisure and entertainment destination, so keep your eyes peeled on socials for more info soon.
Manchester Cathedral to be lit up with ‘truly stunning’ new 360° walk-through projection this winter
Emily Sergeant
Manchester Cathedral is set to be lit up with ‘truly stunning’ new 360° walk-through projection show this winter.
After captivating more than a million spectators globally and illuminating dozens of the world’s most extraordinary historic landmarks over the past couple of years, LUMINISCENCE is set to make its highly anticipated UK debut this winter – and Manchester Cathedral has been chosen as the lucky location for this dazzling event.
Combining 360° video mapping, new orchestral arrangements of iconic songs, and a narrative story celebrating everything that makes Manchester and its residents so special, visitors will be invited to step into a ‘spellbinding fusion’ of light, sound, and storytelling.
LUMINISCENCE is set to pay tribute to Manchester’s rich cultural heritage through specially arranged orchestral renditions of iconic anthems – with the setlist including songs by Oasis, The Verve, Joy Division, and Elbow, just to name a few.
Manchester Cathedral is set to be lit up with a ‘truly stunning’ new 360° walk-through projection this winter / Credit: Supplied
A brand-new script has been written for the show by BAFTA award winning writer Tim Whitnall, while narration will be provided by legendary local actor, Christopher Eccleston.
The show will be brought to life further by Manchester Collectives Gospel Choir, who’ll add a soaring choral dimension to what sounds set to be an already-powerful immersive experience.
Light from a battalion of high-power projectors becomes the storyteller inside the Cathedral, transforming the ancient architecture into a vast living canvas where every statue, carving, pillar, and stained-glass window comes to life.
LUMINISCENCE takes over Manchester Cathedral from Wednesday 14 January through to 26 March 2026, and audiences are encouraged to book early to avoid missing this unique experience as there’ll be strict capacity during the limited run.
Audiences can choose between Gold and Silver ticket tiers, offering options to suit every budget.
Gold tickets include fast-track entry and a glass of fizz on arrival, while Silver tickets for adults start from £29 (including a 10% booking fee), with concession prices available too.
Tickets go on general sale on Tuesday 18 November, and you can book them here.
Daisy Jackson -
10th February 2025 
