Manchester-based property developers and community-led residential brand, Affinity Living, are bringing the world of renting and pets closer together with their brand-new dog adoption fair this month November.
The first of its kind Manchester city centre has ever seen, the ‘Doggy Adoption Fair’ by Affinity Living is part of their new charity partnership with Manchester Dogs’ Home (MDH) and is totally free to attend.
Aiming to find rescue dogs their fur-ever home, the event of open to anyone interested in taking the leap and adopting a dog as well as any furry friends they might want to have a sniff around as well.
Visitors will be able to learn more about the wide range of breeds up for adoption at Manchester Dogs’ Home and, of course, there will be plenty of pictures and information on all of the rescue pups who are ready to be picked up and petted as soon as possible.
Credit: Affinity Living
MDH will also have a team of experts on hand to chat with guests about the prospective adoptee doggos and give special insights into the quirks and unique personalities of each pooch looking for a new home and loving family.
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Guests will also be able to meet some of the happy hounds who have recently been successfully rehomed with the help of the organisation and there’ll even be an urban-pup masterclass giving top tips on how to best raise a dog in an urban environment — especially in apartments like Affinity’s.
Volunteers from the dogs’ home will be able to introduce guests to the dogs being brought along on the day, provide eye-opening stories of rescue dog adoption in action and stress the importance of rehoming dogs in need of a home rather than shopping around for one.
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Manchester Dogs’ Home will even be selling customisable mugs on the day, with guests and potential pet parents able to take home a custom-printed mug for just £5 featuring themselves and their four-legged friend. 100% of the proceeds go straight to the charity, of course.
But the fun don’t stop there. As well as Affinity Living’s on-site Loaf MCR coffee shop serving up refreshments for humans and their ever-hungry guests — pupcakes and puppicinos incoming — there’ll also be pop-up stalls organised by Manchester-based dog treat brand, All You Need is Woof.
Once again, proceeds will be going towards Manchester Dogs’ Home and whilst you’re busy deciding whether you need a new companion around the flat, there’ll be a host of canine carnival games to keep them busy throughout the day.
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At Affinity Living, unlike most other city centre apartments, pets (not just dogs) of all shapes and sizes aren’t just allowed: they’re welcomed with a warm embrace only man’s best friends themselves can rival.
With no additional fees and almost instant pet agreements on offer, Affinity Living not only want to put an end to the anti-pet landlord culture, but they also want to help make sure all dogs have a chance to find their forever home.
Taking place at their Riverview Apartments on New Bailey Street over in Salford, right next to Spinningfields, their dog adoption fair won’t just be the first Manchester city centre has ever seen but hopefully it will be the start of a change when it comes to pets and renting policies.
Better still, the entire event and all of the funds raised will go straight back into one of the region‘s most beloved charities in Manchester Dogs’ Home who continue to carry out their vital work for the purest souls on this planet year in, year out.
The 2023 Doggy Adoption Fair starts at 2pm and runs until 5pm on Sunday, 26 November. You can grab your completely free tickets HERE.
Tribute paid to husband and wife whose car plunged into Greater Manchester reservoir
Daisy Jackson
The couple who died after their car plunged into a reservoir in Greater Manchester have been named, as their family pays tribute.
John and Marilyn Saxon, both 78, were pulled from the water at Crook Gate Reservoir in Saddleworth last weekend.
Emergency services had been called to reports of a collision on Huddersfield Road, with one vehicle entering the reservoir.
The collision occurred shortly after 10am on Saturday 15 March.
Tragically, both John and Marilyn died in the incident.
Their family said: “The family of John and Marilyn want to pay tribute to a kind, caring and generous husband and wife who sadly passed away following an incident at the reservoir on Saturday.
“The family ask for privacy during this difficult time.”
Greater Manchester Police are investigating the incident and into how the vehicle entered the water.
A statement released last weekend said: “At around 10.10am Saturday 15 March 2025, we were called to reports of a road traffic collision at Crook Gate Reservoir on Huddersfield Road in Denshaw.
“Officers attended the scene and following investigations, it is believed that a vehicle has entered the Reservoir.
“Sadly, the bodies of a man and a woman in their 70s were recovered. Their next of kin have been contacted and are being supported by specialist officers.
“A scene remains in place and an investigation is continuing in relation to how the vehicle ended up in the body of water. The family ask for privacy at this time.”
Anyone who witnessed the incident or has any information is asked to contact police via 101 or gmp.police.uk, quoting log 851 of 15/03/25.
Local Adolescence actor urges everyone to watch Netflix hit after ‘overwhelming’ reaction
Danny Jones
One of the actors from Netflix’s new smash hit, Adolescence, is a Greater Manchester-born and bred talent and has now taken time to reflect on the “overwhelming” response the show has seen thus far.
You’ll recognise her from countless roles in British films and TV over the years, including multiple Shane Meadows projects, but Jo Hartley is one of several stars to have impressed audiences across the globe with her performance in the incredible new drama.
Topping the streaming giant’s charts after just four days, Adolescence is one of the biggest shows of the year and most streamed UK exports in some time, receiving rave reviews across the board, as well as serious plaudits for how it tackles some seriously tough subject matter.
With most having now made it through all four extremely heavy episodes, the local actor from Oldham hopped on social media not only to express her gratitude for having been part of the project, but also the incredible reaction it received and why so many feel it’s an important watch.
Overwhelmed by so many kind and generous messages about #Adolescence we are so grateful to you all! Thanks.
Sharing a lengthier response spotlighting episode two, when we first meet her character, on Instagram, Hartley wrote: “Overwhelmed by all the generous messages we are getting so far. Being part of such a groundbreaking project has given me deep joy.
“Seeing people respond so abundantly is very moving and feels quite wonderful. These kids are epic! They smashed it. Cast and crew too. I loved our downtime, we’d all hang out and play games, chat and laugh, we became a family. What a team of talented artists and creators.”
Speaking more broadly in an earlier post, she said of the early reviews: “I’ve been so overwhelmed by such powerful messages over the last few days. THANK YOU. Thank YOU!!! It’s been wonderful to see this show make such an impact on the world.
“Adolescence asks questions… It presents us with a fatal situation caused by one unconscious act of violence – actions have consequences. Over the four ‘one shot’ episodes we see how it devastates not only a family but a whole community. If Adolescence saves one life, it will have worked.”
Before the limited drama had even dropped, she described it as a “life-changing experience” as an actor and, from a viewer’s perspective, nothing short of a “heart-wrenching and powerful one-shot drama that’ll blow your mind and take your breath away.” We can only echo her words.
As well as Oldham‘s finest being celebrated for her extremely believable, accurate and nuanced performance as teacher Mrs Fenumore, audiences are hailing not only the impressive talent of Owen Cooper, who plays the lead role of Jamie Miller but also the sublime Stephen Graham as his father.
Graham, who also shared the screen with Hartley in This Is England, has been praised for numerous roles in recent years – including director Philip Barantini’s equally talked about Boiling Point (2023) – but many viewers are saying he has officially cemented himself as “one of Britain’s greatest-ever actors.”
If you’ve still not seen anything about it, we won’t dare spoil a morsel more but we will sincerely recommend that you join the millions of others in watching it – though we’ll warn you, Adolescence is by no means easy-going.
You can see the trailer down below:
The Greater Manchester actor is one of numerous show-stealers in Adolescence.
Danny Jones -
3rd November 2023 
