Manchester

You can send messages of hope to a veteran in Greater Manchester this Christmas

What a wholesome way to spread the festive cheer.

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia - 10th December 2024

A Manchester veteran is urging local people to show support by writing messages to other veterans who suffer with physical and mental challenges.

Lamin Manneh, who served in Afghanistan, is fronting this initiative alongside Help For Heroes with the aim to deliver as many uplifting messages as possible to veterans who need a little pick-me-up this Christmastime.

The Manchester-born veteran experienced his own struggles while serving for the Armed Forces losing both legs and an arm whilst on patrol.

There are at least 7,700 veterans in Manchester and there are even more that can be supported by Help For Heroes.

Their latest campaign ‘Send A Christmas Message To A Veteran’ allows anyone to upload their own words and pictures of support that veterans can access virtually.

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It’s easy to access and the message is uploaded straight away meaning people can reach it through any digital or desktop device whenever they need.

Last year, Christmas cards with some inspiring messages and words of support were distributed between more than 9,500 veterans and the Armed Forces charity are hoping to reach even more.

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These cards are vital to any retired soldier as Help For Heroes knows for some people this may be the only card they receive this year.

Pairing this with the fact that many veterans are affected by both physical and mental challenges which limit socialising, Christmas can be a tricky time for them.

Some of the messages posted to the online wall have images attached to them too, which you can also do, including some of the cutest dogs, that’s sure to put a smile on anyone’s face.

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Manneh said: “During military service, service men and women have a strong support network and a close-knit community, but transitioning to civilian life can destroy that.

“Coupled with physical and mental health issues, which can prevent them from socialising, Christmas can become a time filled with dread rather than a celebration.

“Loneliness can lead to unnecessary thoughts coming to you, which can cause so much harm. Therefore, it is paramount for anyone who needs help to reach out. 

“I know from last year that receiving messages from Help for Heroes supporters made a massive difference to some people and showed there are people out there who care. It also encouraged veterans to come forward and get support.”

If you want to get involved and show your support with a few words of encouragement and empathy, you can do so via their virtual message wall here.

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Featured Image: Supplied

Manchester

I went all the way to Paris to test out Big Mamma ahead of Manchester’s most exciting new restaurant opening

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Libertino in Paris

Hospitality heavyweights Big Mamma Group are finally heading to Manchester, opening a Circolo Popolare Italian restaurant in the city centre – so we nipped over to Paris to see exactly what’s in store for us.

In the 10 years since launching their very first restaurant, East Mamma in the 11th arrondissement of Paris, the group have spread their wings wide.

There are Big Mamma Group restaurants, under several different names, all over Europe – and although they all belong to the same family, each one is treated like a total individual.

Some have maximalist, kitsch interiors with animal print furniture, gilded ceilings and retro prints of men in Y-fronts; others are more traditional trattorias with exposed brick, terracotta floors and crisp white tablecloths.

These interiors are fun, which is so refreshing in an industry which sometimes takes itself a bit too seriously.

On our tour of Big Mamma restaurants in Paris I came across delightful details like a loo wallpapered in pictures of Rod Stewart, a cocktail menu designed like a retro football sticker book, and an ice cream parlour built into an old train station carriage.

Every corner is packed with whimsy and wonder and there’s a whole team dedicated to sourcing these little touches from antiques fairs, second-hand shops and independent makers, stashing them all in an Aladdin’s Cave of a warehouse. Each restaurant even has its own crockery pattern.

East Mamma, one of Big Mamma's Paris restaurants
East Mamma, one of Big Mamma’s Paris restaurants
No Entry cocktail bar
No Entry cocktail bar
A Big Mamma speakeasy
A Big Mamma speakeasy
Pink Mamma
Pink Mamma
La Felicita food hall
La Felicita food hall
La Felicita food hall
La Felicita food hall

So yes, the interiors in Manchester will be similarly interesting and lavish.

Big Mamma Group has already confirmed that the huge two-storey Circolo Popolare trattoria will be inspired by a Sardinian Festa, meaning cosy alcoves, more than 8000 bottles of vintage booze, and a vast room inspired by an overgrown Mediterranean courtyard.

As it takes shape in Gary Neville’s £400m St Michael’s development, they’ll be moving in big sharing tables, antique trinkets, reels of twinkling lights and even an Italian wishing well ahead of the big launch next month.

But not enough of us are talking about the food yet – this is a restaurant group that sources its produce from 160 different Italian artisans to ensure that everything you’re eating as authentic and delicious as possible.

Food at Big Mamma
Food at Big Mamma
Food at Big Mamma
Food at Big Mamma
Food at Big Mamma
Food at Big Mamma

While the menus shift between restaurants you can expect hearty bowls of handmade pasta laced with truffle or tomato or cheese, crispy-soft pizzas layered in creative sauce bases (like zucchini cream or black truffle cream, along with their classic San Marzano DOP tomato sauce), and per iniziare starters like giant burrata balls, melt-in-the-mouth croquettes, and slivers of cured meats – all prepared in an open kitchen run by Campanian-born Alfonso Esposito.

And a show-stopper for Manchester will be an outrageous six-inch lemon meringue pie, with a wibbly wobbly tower of Italian meringue on top.

Circolo Popolare will officially open its doors on 6 June – and before then, there’ll be a very limited soft launch where you can snag yourself 50% off your bill. Sign up HERE, with bookings live on Monday 12 May.

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Featured image: The Manc Group

Manchester

Lorde to play massive Manchester gig later this year as part of world tour

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant Lorde publicity shot

Lorde has announced she’s heading out on a massive world tour later this year, and of course she’s stopping off in Manchester.

The New Zealand-born singer-songwriter undeniably burst onto the music scene at the tender age of 16 with her runaway number one hit ‘Royals’ all the way back in 2013, and has been successfully cementing herself as a household name ever since.

Following her debut single, she has gone on to break several records with the releases of her first three studio albums.

She has also scooped up a handful of GRAMMYs and BRIT awards along the way.

Lorde is set to play a massive Manchester gig at the AO Arena later this year / Credit: Supplied

The 28-year-old – who is known and loved for her unconventional style of pop music and introspective songwriting – has recently delighted fans by confirming that she’ll be releasing her fourth studio album, titled Virgin, towards the end of next month, and not long after that highly-anticipated release is when you’ll be able to catch her taking to one of Manchester‘s biggest stages.

Fans of the critically-acclaimed pop star will be able to grab tickets to see Lorde when she performs at Manchester’s AO Arena on Saturday 15 November 2025 as part of the Ultrasound Tour.

Other major UK cities she’ll be stopping off at include London, Birmingham, and Glasgow – making this a somewhat exclusive ticket to get your hands on.

Lorde Ultrasound 2025 UK Tour Dates

  • Saturday 15 November – AO Arena (Manchester)
  • Sunday 16 November – O2 Arena (London)
  • Wednesday 19 November – OVO Hydro (Glasgow)
  • Thursday 20 November – Utilita Arena (Birmingham)

Tickets are set to go on general sale next week, following several pre-sales in the days leading up to it.

Support for Lorde’s Manchester gig is to come from equally-revered singer-songwriter and record producer, Dev Hynes – better known by his stage name, Blood Orange – who is believed to have lent several co-production credits to Lorde’s upcoming fourth studio album.

Fellow producer Jim-E Stack will also provide support in Manchester.

Lorde will be taking to the AO Arena stage here in Manchester on Saturday 15 November, and tickets officially go on general sale next Friday 16 May at 10am.

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General sale follows two pre-sales – a Three+ Presale on Wednesday 14 May, followed by an AO Arena-specific Presale on Thursday 15 May, both going on sale again at 10am.

Find out more and get tickets when they go on sale here.

Featured Image – Thistle Brown (Supplied)

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