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A number of primary schools across Greater Manchester have remained closed today

It comes amid fears over spiking COVID-19 rates nationally.

The Manc The Manc - 4th January 2021

A number of primary schools across Greater Manchester have chosen to remain closed today amid fears over spiking COVID-19 rates.

Despite the latest average infection rate numbers in England increasing by 23% week on week to 509 cases per 100,000 people, the UK government announced that primary schools in Tier 4 areas – outside of London – should remain open.

Throughout Greater Manchester, the rate still remains below that of the national average at 278.5 per 100,000 people, but it is seen to be increasing at a sharper speed, with the region recording a 36% rise in cases week on week.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced yesterday during an interview on The Andrew Marr Show that “schools are safe” and primary school parents should send their children back as they reopened their gates today, despite growing pressure from unions to keep them closed.

Paul Whiteman – General Secretary of school leaders’ union NAHT – said it was “very hard to tell” how many schools would be open for the start of the term. He added: “Some schools in Tier 4 areas will be open for vulnerable pupils and key worker families and will be providing remote learning for others, yet in other areas also in Tier 4, all pupils will be admitted,”

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“That’s a confusing picture for school leaders and families alike.”

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer also said it was “inevitable” that more schools will close and urged the government to come up with a plan on children’s learning and for working parents.

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This has lead a growing number of primary schools across the region to remain shut today.

Unlike other areas, the majority of councils across Greater Manchester have not called on all their schools to close, but have said they will support any individual school that makes the decision.

Headteachers at each of the schools to announce closure so far across the region have stated that staff members being advised by teaching unions not to attend work on to health and safety grounds as the reasoning for remaining closed.

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22 primary schools across the region have already confirmed they will not be reopening today, with more expected to keep their doors shut throughout the morning.

The institutions which have remained closed today are:

  • St. Mary’s C.E. High Crompton Primary School, Oldham
  • Knowsley Junior School, Oldham
  • Holy Trinity C of E School, Oldham
  • Mount Carmel R.C, Blakley
  • Oswald Road Primary, Chorlton
  • St Peter’s Catholic Primary School, Wythenshawe
  • Birchfields Primary School, Fallowfield
  • Pictor Academy, Altrincham
  • Longford Park School, Stretford
  • Barton Clough Primary School, Stretford
  • St Mark’s CE Primary School, Newtown
  • Lowercroft Primary School, Bury
  • Lily Lane Primary School, Moston
  • New Moston Primary School, New Moston
  • Abbott Community Primary School, Collyhurst
  • Mills Hill Primary School, Chadderton
  • Ashfield Valley Primary School, Rochdale
  • Little Heaton CE Primary School, Middleton
  • St Anne’s RC Primary School, Crumpsall
  • Manor Green Primary Academy, Denton
  • Broomwood Primary School, Timperley
  • Acre Hall Primary School, Flixton

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For the latest information, guidance and support during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in the UK, please do refer to official sources at gov.uk/coronavirus.

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The Japanese takeaway with a Michelin-trained chef serving a secret omakase menu out back

Georgina Pellant Georgina Pellant

Good sushi is a hard thing to find in Manchester nowadays. To be honest, ever since the demise of Umezushi, it has felt out of reach.

Average sushi, however, is suddenly available in abundance thanks to an explosive proliferation of trendy, if soulless, Pan Asian restaurants.

You know the sort. The spots with the claggy, dried-out rice on ostentatious platters, whose chefs stuff cream cheese into the middle of their maki, or disguise its lack of freshness with cascading waterfalls of dry ice.

These spots, with their fake flower walls and neon signs that scream “Pick me!” seem, depressingly, to be taking over. So it’s with relish I can reassure you at least one place in Manchester city centre is doing its bit to remind us what real sushi should actually taste like.

Image: The Manc Group
Image: The Manc Group

Even better, it’s entirely missing the gaudy flamboyance of Manchester’s glitzy Pan Asian sushi scene – so if, like me, you’re not into superficial sushi, you should feel right at home here.

I’m talking about One Sushi, formerly known as Ikkan – a tiny Japanese takeaway shop on Oxford Road filled with little more than a few wooden counters and a cash desk topped with metallic maneki-neko, or beckoning cat.

Opened last year by the team behind China Buffet, a popular Chinese restaurant in the heart of Chinatown, its takeaway cabinets are stuffed with California and red dragon rolls, deep-fried ebi, and various tempting combo platters.

Read more: Manchester Food and Drink Festival reveal 2023 awards shortlists as voting opens

These lovingly packaged takeaway morsels are already considered by sushi fiends in the know to be amongst best in the city, but – whilst they are really good – they are nothing compared to what is coming off the kitchen’s near-invisible pass.

Hidden at the back by a blue flag featuring the One Sushi logo and rolling waves that resemble Japanese ukiyo-e artist Hokusai’s famous Great Wave off Kanagawa print, it’s here that you will reconsider whether you’ve ever really had a good piece of sushi before in your life.

Prepare to be blown away.

The no-frills setup for the omakase, which literally translates as ‘I leave it up to you’. / Image: The Manc Eats
A piece of Otoro tuna nigiri. / Image: The Manc Eats

We’re talking otoro belly tuna, A5 seared wagyu steak (that’s the highest grade you can get), sweet Japanese scallops and prawns, all prepared right in front of you by master sushi chef Eddie who trained at two Michelin star Hong Kong restaurant Zuicho.

All the fish here is super fresh, and the entire style of the menu is down to chef Eddie – meaning he chooses for you, preparing the best of the best from that day.

Read more: Inside the underground Manchester noodle bar serving Chinatown’s spiciest scrans

Priced at £58 per person, Eddie can accommodate up to four people at once for this incredible omakase sushi experience. There’s really nowhere like it in Manchester for this price, in fact the only other place where you can go to experience something like this will set you back at least £200.

For sushi lovers, this is a dream come true.

Featured image – The Manc Group

News

Manchester United confirm Antony will return to training following assault allegations

Danny Jones Danny Jones Antony back in training Manchester United

Manchester United winger Antony is heading back to training amid his multiple assault allegations.

The 23-year-old Brazilian and Man United mutually agreed that he would take time away from the club while the investigation was ongoing earlier this month but has now been green-lit to return to Carrington and first-team training.

Antony‘s case is still ongoing, with a total of three women coming out to accuse him of domestic abuse — chiefly, his ex-girlfriend Gabriela Cavallin, who was first to raise concerns surrounding his alleged behaviour — but his cooperation through the investigation has led them to revise their position.

Issuing an update on Friday morning confirming that the forward with be brought back into the fold until the situation is resolved.

A club statement reads as follows: “Since allegations were first made in June, Antony has co-operated with police inquiries in both Brazil and the UK, and he continues to do so.

“As Antony’s employer, Manchester United has decided that he will resume training at Carrington, and be available for selection, while police inquiries proceed. This will be kept under review pending further developments in the case.

“As a club, we condemn acts of violence and abuse. We recognise the importance of safeguarding all those involved in this situation, and acknowledge the impact these allegations have on survivors of abuse.”

Read more:

With Antony having denied the claims throughout and one woman reportedly having withdrawn her complaint against him, the United star and Brazil international was also spotted heading into a Manchester police station on Thursday afternoon.

Erik ten Hag‘s side plays their second game against Crystal Palace in less than a week after beating them 3-0 in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday and while it is not thought Antony will be brought straight back into the team, he will be available for selection moving forward.

United currently sit ninth in the Premier League with three wins and three losses to their name.

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

Featured Image — Antony (via Instagram)

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