Manchester-based fashion brand Drama Call invited along Manc music star Aitch to help them pass out early Christmas presents and supplies to local families this week.
As part of their final winter giveback event of 2023 dubbed, ‘The Big Drama’, thriving fashion label Drama Call put boots and wheels on the ground on Tuesday night to hand out hundreds of freebies to those in need throughout the community.
Enlisting the help of plenty of volunteers, the Moston-born rapper and a fleet of vans packed with everything from his drink brand SYPS, Christmas turkeys from Zouk and even a shed load of PlayStation 5s, Drama Call helped spread some extra festive cheer out on the streets and in person.
Legends.
Aitch and dozens of others dished out Christmas presents, groceries, clothes and more on a frosty night in 0161. (Credit: Alfie Wheeler)
Setting up outside of Old Trafford Sports Barn near Seymour Park, just down the road from the Trafford Bar tram stop, the heartwarming handout of valuable supplies and gifts went directly into the hands of those who otherwise couldn’t afford to give their families everything they want/need this holiday season.
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Starting from 6pm onwards, those involved passed out PS5s to wide-eyed little kids, big joints of meat to parents looking to make sure no one goes hungry this Christmas, Adidas trainers, nappies, toys and more.
Founded by Charlie Bows and having recently celebrated its fifth anniversary, the brand has carried countless community-driven and led activations across Greater Manchester and the team prides themselves not only on being “made in Manny” but also on being much “deeper than clothes”.
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They say they have been overwhelmed by the flood of messages thanking them for the touching gesture. You only had to spot the look on the faces of the mums, children and all those who turned up to see how much it meant to everyone, especially at this time of year.
As for Drama Call, this is their bread and butter: they’re all about encouraging other brands to use their platform for the greater good and make an impact in their local communities. Alfie Wheeler of Arumba Cokctails, who also chipped in on the event, said in a LinkedIn post that it was “personally the best night of my life… spirits were high, vibes spot on and some of the reactions/smiles were priceless.”
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Committed to much more than just flogging any old thread with a logo on, this was just the latest in a long line in a series of similar events and clearly brought joy during what is often such a difficult period for so many.
Well done to everyone who took part in spreading some positivity this December and we hope you all have a wonderful Christmas.
You can check out Drama Call’s brand and past community events HERE.
An iconic vintage train is set to pass through Greater Manchester this summer
Danny Jones
Calling all railway enthusiasts: another historic vintage locomotive is set to visit two Greater Manchester train stations this summer.
Whether you’re a passionate trainspotter or just a nearby resident curious to see what all the fuss is about, the cult favourite retro carriages will pass through the pair of Manc boroughs and surrounding areas early next month.
Despite an adjustment in the initial plans, locals will still be able to witness and board the train at multiple stops along the way in the Stockport (Reddish South station) and Rochdale areas.
So, if you consider yourself a bit of a ‘Francis Bourgeois’ figure, or a general public transport connoisseur, pay attention.
Designed by Sir Kenneth Granger and officially launched back in 1976, the fleet was named as such after the top speed of 125mph – simple as that.
Once again, it’s worth noting that the originally proposed route and stops have now been changed due to issues with Network Rail.
As a result of there currently being no standing approval to use the connection from Paignton to Bury on the East Lancs Railway line, they have been forced to change the start and terminus points.
Writing on the dedicated 125Group website, they say: “We are reviewing our options to start as close as possible to the advertised departure point, and it seems likely that Rochdale will become the start and finish point, with all other previous pick-ups retained.
“For those in the far south west, we are looking to see whether we can offer an Exeter to Paignton return – subject to availability of space. We will add this to the booking site shortly, although we may have to limit numbers sold until we are more certain of booking levels to Bristol and Exeter.”
Two 125s, including ‘The Mancunian Princess’, travelled through the SK region earlier this year.
They have reassured that the journey will still be going ahead and have simply advised those hoping to catch it to keep their eyes peeled on the website and their socials for the latest updates.
Kids’ tickets start from just a tenner, and standard passes for the full tour cost £99, with first-class the class option priced at £149 (there’s also a table for two supplement available for £50).
You can see the full map, find out more information, and grab your seats right HERE.
Bet the internet signal on this relic isn’t far off the current standard either, to be fair…
Temporary location for ‘Number 10 North’ in Manchester city centre reportedly confirmed
Emily Sergeant
The temporary location for the new Number 10 North project has been announced.
You may remember that earlier last month, it was revealed that Andy Burnham had intentions to create a Number 10 North if he was to become Prime Minister, and now that he is, more details on this move to Manchester have been revealed.
Number 10 North is expected to be a ‘dominant driver of the UK’s economy’ once it’s officially up and running, Government ministers say.
According to BBC News reports, civil servants working for Government departments based in London have been offered relocation packages to encourage them to move to the northern base in Manchester, which is said to be being overseen by cabinet minister and ally of Andy Burnham, Louise Haigh.
The temporary location for ‘Number 10 North’ in Manchester city centre has reportedly been confirmed / Credit: gov.uk (via Wikimedia Commons)
Haigh – who is the first secretary of state – has reportedly been asked, according to the BBC, to have been asked to lead a new Office for the Prime Minister and the Cabinet (OPMC), which will give her control of key decision-making bodies across Government.
The OPMC will include No 10 and No 10 North, as well as other teams within the Cabinet Office.
It is understood, according to the same BBC reports, that the initial temporary location of No 10 North will be Heron House, just off Albert Square in central Manchester, which is the same building that currently houses offices for the intelligence service GCHQ, and where eyewitnesses have spotted police officers guarding in recent days.
🚨 NEW: No 10 North will temporarily be based at Heron House in central Manchester
Whitehall civil servants have been offered relocation packages to encourage them to move pic.twitter.com/BVyUkNfxRr
The longer-term base for Number 10 North, however, is expected to be at the new Government ‘Digital Campus’, which is currently under construction in the Ancoats and is not due for completion until 2032.
Alongside Whitehall officials who are willing to move to Manchester, it is also likely there will be a significant movement of staff from Burnham’s former mayoral team at the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), the BBC reports.
You can discover more about the plans for Number 10 North here.
Danny Jones -
20th December 2023 
