In a wholesome bit of news that has left us both moved and inspired, a 68-year-old Brit has raised nearly £14,000 for The Christie Hospital in Manchester by completing a truly epic coastal journey.
Peter Walker, originally from Birmingham, was set to embark on the famous Land’s End to John O’Groats challenge last year with his friend Nick Slevin, but sadly his walking partner’s wife Carrie was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and admitted to The Christie last year.
As a result, the journey had to be postponed but Walker still wanted to do his bit to try and raise some money in the meantime and so decided to take on a different challenge: the well-trodden but mammoth Pembrokeshire Coastal Path.
For context, this designated National Trail runs for a whopping 186 meals and Pete managed to finish the whole thing alongside some special company earlier this month.
Peter starting at Amroth in the north.The Witches’ Cauldron near Ceibwr BayCredit: Peter Walker/GoFundMe
As if the distance wasn’t enough – we’re talking nearly 300km – the challenge was even more gruelling as the Pembrokeshire local had to train pretty intensely to be fit enough for the voyage and carry a 20kg backpack every step of the way, losing over a stone in weight during his preparation.
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Climbing more than 10,000 metres in total (that’s more than Everest by the way) ‘r Pete lost lover 3kg during the walk itself, which started at Amroth towards the north of the routeon 3 June.
So, why take this on? Well, his mate Nick, who recently retired from The Christie after 30 years of service, was a Professor of Oncology specialising in head and neck cancer and is still the Chair of The Christie Charity.
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The pair met way back in 1973 whilst Nick was at medical school and have been firm friends ever since. They both sadly lost their fathers to cancer more than four decades ago and his partner Carrie is a well-known teacher in the Didsbury area and similarly experienced fell-walker.
To make things even more heartwarming, Pete, his wife Helen, Nick and Carrie were all able to reunite for the last leg and the finish line at St Dogmaels just under a fortnight later.
Peter followed the Cicerone guide and camped at designated campsites or stayed with friends along the route, even noting how he “met a current Christie patient who was extremely complimentary of the care and expert treatment she’s received” on the very first day of the incredibly charitable undertaking.
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Speaking on the achievement, he said: “It was a challenging but wonderful experience taking on the Pembrokeshire Coast Path, and I learned a lot about backpacking after years of running and cycling… I’m extremely pleased to have been able to support The Christie, especially as they’re looking after Carrie.”
For many years Pete also organised and took part in the Tour of Pembrokeshire cycling event, so he’s no slouch but to still be doing these kinds of challenges at 68 and all for a good cause right here in Greater Manchester, he has our utmost admiration.
If you can still donate to his fundraising page HERE if you want to help do your bit for a medical institution that does so much for our area.
Elbow get behind campaign to save Jodrell Bank from closure
Danny Jones
Manc band Elbow are among the latest to get behind the campaign to save Jodrell Bank Observatory from closing permanently.
The Greater Manchester natives famously played a sold-out gig at the important scientific and cultural landmark for a very special live album recording well over a decade ago, and know all too well the site’s national and, indeed, global heritage.
Choosing the Observatory and the rare chance to perform a show in the shadow of the world-renowned James Lovell Telescope, it probably remains one of their most significant standalone UK date ever.
With that in mind, the local lads have been left just as worried by the news of its impending closure as everyone else, and have therefore issued a fresh appeal to help keep it open.
Posting a timely statement on social media, the group wrote: “Jodrell Bank has long been close to elbow’s heart. In 2012, the band played beneath the Lovell Telescope for one of the most memorable shows in our history.
“The recent news that funding for the e-MERLIN radio telescope network is set to end in 2028 puts the future of the scientific work at Jodrell Bank under serious threat. It is a remarkable place, with an extraordinary history, and one that continues to play an important role in science, culture and education.”
In addition to reliving clips and images from the historic live set all the years later, they also pointed people towards their ‘elbow – Live at Jodrell Bank‘ album documentary, which has now been made available online for the very first time as part of wider efforts to raise awareness around the cause.
Directing people to key online resources shared by the institution and astrophysics centre itself following their unfortunate update late last month, the push to not only find the funding but sustain support for the facility continues to ramp up throughout the world of science, arts and industry.
For anyone who somehow missed the news – 2028 being the current deadline handed down as per budget cuts across the sector – concerned parties here in the North West and all over the country have since started petitioning to save Jodrell Bank Observatory from shutting down for good.
In addition to being described as a “huge blow” to the field by the Royal Astronomical Society (RAS), some have even gone so far as to describe the decision as a form of “vandalism” when it comes to research and British culture as a whole.
Having also served as the host venue for the annual bluedot Festival since 2016, the multi-genre science and arts celebration could soon be forced to find a new home.
The battle is far from over yet, and the community has time to rescue Jodrell Bank Observatory from its fate, but it will take lots of money and more notable public figures to make it happen.
Once again, you can do your bit by signing the petition mentioned above right HERE.
Featured Images — Emma Farrer (via Wikimedia Commons)/The Manc Group
News
All Greater Manchester boroughs to have 24-7 night buses from next month as new services launch
Emily Sergeant
Extra night buses, new routes, and more frequent bus services are being rolled out across the Bee Network at the end of this month.
You may remember that back in March, it was announced that every borough of Greater Manchester was set to get a night bus service in what is hoped to be a ‘boost’ to the night-time economy, and now plans to introduce these from September onwards have been confirmed by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), along with a series of other measures.
Oldham, Stockport, Tameside, and Trafford will all get a 24-hour bus service by next month, meaning every part of the region will have a night bus operating Thursday through to Sunday.
It’s expected that once the new services have launched, it will help around 625,400 people working in the night-time economy across Greater Manchester, as well as those out enjoying the region’s nightlife, TfGM has said.
Some of the other changes set to be introduced from next month include a selection of brand-new bus services, and more frequent buses during the day and at the weekends.
All Greater Manchester boroughs will have 24-7 night buses from next month / Credit: TfGM
There will also be better connections overall to key employment and leisure destinations like Manchester Airport, Trafford Centre, MediaCity, Middlebrook Retail Park in Bolton, Kingsway Business Park, and Logistics North.
“The Bee Network belongs to the people of Greater Manchester and it needs to work for every community,” explained Mayor Bev Craig.
“As we build it, we’re listening and responding to what residents want with the biggest set of improvements we’ve ever made in one go.
🚌 More improvements are on the way across the #BeeNetwork.
36 service changes will benefit around 740,000 people across Greater Manchester, helping more communities access reliable, convenient public transport.
“We’re bringing night buses to every borough, launching new routes and ensuring buses run more often in the mornings, evenings and weekends. In doing so, we’re making it easier than ever for people to get around the city region by bus, but we’re also supporting our businesses, whose staff and customers need a reliable and safe way to reach them.
“Almost three quarters of a million people live within walking distance of a bus route we’re improving over the next few months, and we’ll continue improving connections for even more communities based on the feedback we get.”
Danny Jones -
25th June 2024 
