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Bev Craig announced as the first female leader of Manchester City Council

"I am committed to ensuring that Manchester is not left behind."

The Manc The Manc - 6th October 2021

Bev Craig has been announced as the new leader of Manchester City Council, becoming the first woman to take up the role.

Councillor Craig was selected for the position at a Labour meeting on Tuesday evening, and she replaces former leader Sir Richard Leese – who will step down as later this year after 25 years in the role.

Cllr Craig – who moved to Manchester from Northern Ireland in 2003, was elected as a councillor to represent Burnage in 2011, and is openly gay – has played a prominent role in Manchester’s response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and was recently made deputy leader of the council.

She will officially take over from Sir Richard Leese on 1 December.

“It is the honour of my life to be elected and offered this chance to lead Manchester,” Cllr Craig said of her new appointment.

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“I stood on a platform of Labour values, committing to further regeneration of the city and continuing the commitment to a greener, cleaner, and more equal city.

“From Blackley to Wythenshawe, I am dedicated to making sure that residents can be proud to live in Manchester [and] now more than ever, we need to make sure Manchester isn’t forgotten in post-pandemic recovery, and that the city’s progress isn’t stymied by Tory incompetence.

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“I am committed to ensuring that Manchester is not left behind.”

Sir Richard Leese added: “I am delighted with the new elected leader and she has my full support.

“It is a great honour to take on this role, and I am confident that Bev is committed to ensuring Manchester continues to be the best city in the world.

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“I look forward to seeing Manchester go from strength to strength under her leadership.”

Featured Image – Manchester City Council

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

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia

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.

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.

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.

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.

Read more:

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

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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

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