News

A breathtaking red rainbow appeared over Altrincham Golf Course yesterday

On Wednesday, early birds around Altrincham Golf Course were greeted by the sight of a stunning red rainbow.

The Manc The Manc - 1st October 2020
Sally Clare / Altrincham Today

Greater Manchester residents have spent most of their mornings in 2020 being greeted by the same old sad sights.

Lockdown announcements. Pub closures. Event cancellations.

It’s enough to make you want to go right back to bed, pull the covers over your head, and wait there for 24 hours – hoping the next sunrise will bring something a little better.

This week, we got our wish.

The Altrincham community enjoyed something special to accompany their morning cornflakes on Wednesday – a view that was a whole lot more enjoyable than staring back at an exasperated Health Secretary talking about dark times ahead on the news.

ADVERTISEMENT

Early birds around the golf course on September 30 were greeted by the view of a stunning, rare red rainbow.

The amazing shot was captured by Sally Clare during a morning stroll and shared by Altrincham Today – an image of stunning beauty.

ADVERTISEMENT
Altrincham Today / Rachel Hogan / Creative Focus Photography / Lizzy Scanlon

This prompted other social media users to post their own images – with one particularly striking picture sent in by Rachel Hogan.

The photo above shows a “Protective Bubble over Wythenshawe hospital” taken by a nurse on her way to work this morning.

According to science and nature website EarthSky, “red rainbows are created when there is a low sun so that, he says, the blue and green of its rays are weakened by scattering during the long journey through the atmosphere.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Waking up feeling like you’re inside a big red dome is definitely a refreshing change of scenery in today’s world.

View the other images and read the full story over on Facebook.

News

Kevin De Bruyne confirms he is leaving Manchester City

Danny Jones Danny Jones Kevin De Bruyne leaving Man City

One of the Premier League’s best-ever players and a true Manchester City legend, Kevin De Bruyne, has confirmed he will soon be leaving the club.

Announced in a series of emotional social media posts on Friday, 4 April, the brilliant Belgian footballer will be calling time on his career at the Etihad Stadium come the end of this season.

Having spent a decade in the iconic blue of Man City, De Bruyne will undoubtedly go down as one of their all-time greats, having helped them to their first Champions League trophy during the Treble-winning year and a record four consecutive Premier League titles – of which he’s won six in total.

English football won’t be the same without him.

As you can see in the lengthy message shared on his social media, ‘King Kev’ informed City supporters that this current campaign will be his last in their colours, writing: “Every story comes to an end, but this has definitely been the best chapter.”

The 33-year-old, who has suffered from increasing injury problems over the last couple of years, goes on to say that “Nothing about this is easy to write, but as football players we all know this day eventually come. That day is here – and you deserve to hear it from me first.”

In what is clearly a heartfelt and just as difficult a post for him to write as it is for fans to hear, he added: Football led me to all of you – and this city […] This will always be our HOME.”

Blues all over Greater Manchester and beyond will be heartbroken, but many won’t be completely shocked given his in-and-out

It’s a sad day to be a Cityzen, no doubt.

Speaking in the pre-match press conference ahead of the Manchester derby, manager Pep Guardiola said: “In the Premier League, he is one of the greatest midfielders in this country and top of the Club. Great, if not the greatest.

Although his talent will never come into question, it’s no secret that he’s struggled to stay fit and be as prolific a creator in Guardiola‘s side – though this is largely in contrast to his ridiculously high levels and just how much of a talisman he has been over the past 10 years.

Starting just 19 matches this season, he’s still managed to score four goals and register seven assists, but a recurring hamstring problem has seen game time limited.

Regardless, when he’s at his best, there’s no question about it: he’s the best player in the Premier League, and the club have promised to pay fitting tributes to their generational number 17.

With 106 goals to his name in 413 appearances – the first midfielder since Colin Bell to reach over a century – across all competitions for City, not to mention 118 assists in the Premier League alone, he’s been one of the most creative and, frankly, ingenious players on the planet for more than a decade.

Whether you’re a Blue, a Red or otherwise, no one can deny the joy of watching him play football. Thanks for the memories, KdB.

Read more:

Featured Images — Brad Tutterow (via Flickr)/soccer.ru (via WikiCommons) Kevin De Bruyne (via X)

News

Prestwich’s regeneration plans take another step forward

Danny Jones Danny Jones Prestwich Regeneration plans first look

The regeneration plans being put forward for Prestwich have taken another step forward as a construction company has new been appointed to bring the vision of a new village centre to life.

With full planning permission for phase one of the redevelopment granted back in July 2024, it’s been pretty much full speed ahead on lining up one of Greater Manchester’s latest regeneration projects and adding more to what is already one of its best up-and-coming suburbs.

Prestwich Village Regeneration LLP are pumping over £100 million into developing the main square, and with Chroma Consulting having now passed on the baton to those erecting this new-look town centre, the joint venture between Bury Council and national ‘place maker’ Muse, work can soon begin.

You can see one of the first early renders down below:

CGIs of the new space around the Longfield Centre. (Credit: Supplied)

VINCI Building were officially appointed as construction partners last month, and with enabling works (surveys, ground investigations and so forth) now complete, the contractors are expected to get underway soon.

Additions to the vibrant new village centre will include a multi-storey Travel Hub, which will also see 301 new parking spaces, along with electric vehicle charging points, cycle storage and a car club. This will replace the Fairfax Road car park, which closed when the early stage began last December.

Beyond this, the Prestwich regeneration plans are set to include a community hub, library and flexible community space for arts and cultural events, a new Prestwich Health Centre; a fresh village square with ‘family-friendly social places’ and room for open-air markets, festivals and more.

A dedicated Prestwich Village Market hall will be the perfect place to house local retailers as well as food and drink vendors, not to mention a much better entry point into the village courtesy of plans to transform the “arrival experience from the tram” by integrating with surrounding green spaces.

Speaking of which, there will also be extensive landscaping in and around the village centre, with the existing fountain set to be removed and new public art installations created in its place.

prestwich village market
A glimpse at the new Prestwich Village Market.
prestwich new village plans map
An overview of all three phases.
Credit: Supplied

Beyond the public spaces, over 200 new homes – which made up a big part of the initial application – are also included in the wider vision, with a mix of affordable housing and FTB (first-time buyers) properties.

Leader of Bury Council, Eamonn O’Brien, said of the latest developments: “We are thrilled to announce the next stage in this multi-million pound transformational regeneration scheme, which marks a significant step towards revitalising the heart of Prestwich Village and creating a vibrant, sustainable future for all.

“As well as enhancing local infrastructure, our ambitious plans will foster economic growth and improve the quality of life for the whole community.” A final completion date is yet to be confirmed, but work on the Travel Hub specifically is set to carry over into next year.

Exciting times are ahead for Prestwich. It’s not the only borough making plans for the next chapter and set for a bit of TLC.

Consultation begins for plans to regenerate Strangeways neighbourhood and beyond

Read more:

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Press Images (supplied)

More News

Co-op Live is running a limited two-for-one offer on gig tickets

News

Co-op Live is running a limited two-for-one offer on gig tickets

Herbivorous shutting down Manchester Sheffield York

Business

Beloved plant-based independent street food business Herbivorous is set to close imminently

Audio

AJ Tracey is playing a VERY intimate gig in Manchester next month

Audio

Clint Boon takes us around Manchester's iconic Deaf Institute

Eats

We go meatballs deep with Mira's traditional Neapolitan sandwiches