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A literacy charity is making its way to Manchester bringing lots of FREE books

I like big books and I can not lie.

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia - 28th April 2025

A charity dedicated to literacy is coming to Manchester in May providing families and individuals with plenty of free books.

Led by Bookbanks, this London-founded organisation was set up in line with food banks to provide people with access to free books and now they’re coming all the way to Manchester.

This charity started in 2022 all thanks to writer and journalist Emily Rhodes, who has read her fair share of books and wants to give this privilege to anyone who might not be able to get their hands on any.

The charity has seen widespread positive reception quickly expanding into Norfolk and is now partnering with various food banks in Manchester, marking the organisation’s first Northern venture.

Bookbanks gives out an average of 30 books per week, per site and has distributed over 5,000 books so far at food banks.

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Crates being organised in Manchester food bank.
Crates being organised in Manchester food bank.
Credit: Publicity Picture (via Supplied)

Titled Bookbanks after the fact that they work very closely with food banks to provide books far and wide to food banks across the UK, they also host a range of interactive events.

Alongside all the fantastic work the team do, there’s a handful of free workshops and author events on offer for all ages and backgrounds, to further build the connection between people and their books.

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Currently, there are two famous figures backing this book-based charity, Elizabeth Day and Andrew O’Hagan, both of which are no stranger to a pen and paper.

Day is an award-winning author who has written nine fiction and non-fiction books to date, while O’Hagan is Booker Prize nominated and is London Review of Books’ Editor-at-Large.

Bookbanks relies on the general public to spread their message further and there’s even a section on their website detailing how you can get involved to continue distributing books within food banks.

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One of Bookbank's many free author events, some of which will hopefully take place in Manchester.
One of Bookbank’s many free author events, some of which will hopefully take place in Manchester.
Credit: Publicity Picture (via Supplied)

Whether you’re an avid runner or keen to try something new why not raise money for and be sponsored by Bookbanks, knowing you’ve done your bit to bring books to those who need them most.

If you don’t fancy lacing up those trainers and heading out for a run, why not donate any old books you’ve finished reading to this book-focused charity and allow others to discover a whole new world of reading.

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Bookbanks first official Manchester site will launch on Friday 2 May at Manchester Central Food bank and a second site is already in talks at Greater Together Manchester’s Social Supermarket in Miles Platting.

To find out more ways to get involved as a company, publisher, member of public and more, you can find all information on their official site HERE.

Featured Image: Publicity Picture via Annabelle Williams

News

Touching tribute paid to man and his dog who died together in fatal collision

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Touching tribute paid to man and his dog who died together in fatal collision

The family of a man who was killed in a fatal collision last month, alongside his beloved dog, have paid tribute to him.

Andrew Old, 61, had been walking along Greenwood Road in Wythenshawe when he was struck by a vehicle that had been involved in a collision.

He had been waking his ‘lovely’ dog, Liddy, who also died at the scene.

Emergency services rushed to the scene on Sunday 9 March but tragically both Andrew and his beloved pet passed away.

Paying tribute to him, Andrew’s family said: “Andrew was our happy go lucky brother and he is so sadly missed by us all.

“We miss his smiles, his laughter, his jokes and his hourly phone calls.

“Words cannot describe the shock and disbelief that we feel due to the loss of Andrew, we are absolutely devastated.

“Andrew tragically died only metres from his home, whilst walking his lovely dog Liddy.

“The only solace we have is that Andrew and Liddy were not alone at such a horrific time and that they were together. Andrew and Liddy will always be in our hearts.”

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Featured image: GMP

News

You can live in a Greater Manchester manor house from the 1700s

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia

There’s a manor house which dates back to the 1700s that’s just gone on the market in Greater Manchester.

Now, obviously, we know Manchester is the best place on Earth and, naturally, people have been wanting to live here since the 18th century (and even earlier).

Westerhill House in Ashton is a property that dates back to 1764, and now you could be the next lucky owner to live in this five-bedroom property, which really is a piece of living history.

The legacy of this property spans more than just this country house site, as the previous tenants – who inhabited the house until 1964 – actually provided the rivets for the Eiffel Tower on behalf of their company, Park Bridge Ironworks.

The grand entrance to this 1700's manor house in Ashton.
The grand entrance to this 1700’s manor house in Ashton.
The hamlet in which this Greater Manchester property resides.
The hamlet in which this Greater Manchester property resides.
Credit: On The Market

One particular room in this manor house features the work of a well-known Mancunian architect, Donald Reeve Buttress, who spent more than a decade at Westminster Abbey until his departure in 1999.

On the estate agent’s website, each room is described as being individually detailed with its specific role in the house, and if you think you don’t have enough space for all your stuff, think again.

This 1700s character manor house has a room for just about anything you could possibly think of, including a billiard room (posh word for pool) and a wine cellar – I know which room I’ll be accidentally getting myself locked in once a week…

This Ashton historical property spans three floors, with the downstairs being the smallest in size with only one room, while the ground floor boasts 10 and the first floor has eight designated rooms.

As you enter the living space, there is an entrance hall that leads to a bigger hall and a staircase; meanwhile, there is a breakout room immediately on the right side leading to a toilet and a dedicated boot room. Handy.

On your left-hand side as you step through the front door, there is another bigger breakout room which hosts the impressive billiard room and seating area, which is a considerably large space.

The conservatory designed by architect from Westminster Abbey.
The conservatory designed by architect from Westminster Abbey.
The main hall which leads to various rooms in this 1700s Ashton manor house.
The main hall which leads to various rooms in this 1700s Ashton manor house.
Credit: Supplied

Step through to the main hall and you’ll find doors leading to the dining room, kitchen space and a lounge which has an adjoining conservatory.

It’s this very conservatory that was designed by none other than Buttress himself, who worked at Westminster Abbey for 11 years as the ‘Surveyor of the Fabric’.

Any loyal Ashtonians will also be impressed with the stained glass window in the inner hallway, which also happens to contain a depiction of the ‘Black Knight of Ashton-Under-Lyne‘.

Moving upstairs, you find a wide landing which leads to all four bedrooms and three bathrooms, two of which are en-suites.

This 1700s manor house is currently listed for offers in the region of £750,000, and although it may be historic in age and interior, in terms of broadband, the property apparently has super-fast broadband.

The billiard room with adjoining seating area.
The billiard room with adjoining seating area.
Curved seating area overlooking the stunning garden space.
Curved seating area overlooking the stunning garden space.

Ever get bored of looking around this magnificent and interesting mansion’s four walls? This house is situated in a lovely hamlet located close to Daisy Nook Country Park.

Of course, we understand that a lot of us reading certainly can’t afford a property of this nature, but when the manor house is rooted in this much history, it would be rude not to have a snoop on the official site.

Oh, and if that wasn’t enough browsing for you, there’s a three-bed coach house up for sale in this same exact Ashton hamlet, also dating back to the 1700s. Cool, right?

Check it out HERE.

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Featured Image: Supplied via On The Market

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