Giant Hogweed, the plant known as ‘Britain’s most dangerous weed’, has burst back into life across Greater Manchester once again in recent weeks.
The plant comes with a serious health warning, because coming into contact with its sap can lead to painful blistering and even blindness.
It’s easily recognisable, often growing along waterways and climbing to as tall as five metres (15ft) in height.
Giant Hogweed has large jagged leaves, according to the Royal Horticultural Society, and thick, bristly stems which often have purple splotches.
It also has flat-topped clusters of small white flowers, which can be as wide as 60cm (2ft) across.
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It looks a lot like its harmless relative cow parsley, but grows much, much bigger.
People around Greater Manchester have once again been reporting it growing along waterways, like the Manchester Ship Canal towpath in Salford and along the banks of the River Irwell around Prestwich, Salford and Bury.
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A map of Giant Hogweed growth around Greater Manchester. Credit: Plant Tracker
It’s even been spotted in the city centre, growing around Angel Meadows near the Green Quarter – though these plants have since been destroyed.
It appears that much of this year’s plant growth is being treated, with the huge Giant Hogweed plants already dying off.
If you get the sap from Giant Hogweed on your skin, it can cause photodermatitis or photosensitivity, meaning the skin can’t protect itself from sunlight.
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Giant HogweedDying-off Giant Hogweed towering overhead in Prestwich Clough. Credit: The Manc Group
It can lead to blistering, pigmentation and scarring, and could leave you blind if it makes contact with the eyes.
It can also affect dogs, as well as humans – so pet owners are advised to keep dogs on leads in areas where the plant has been spotted.
If you come across it, you should avoid contact with any part of the plant, and report it to your local council.
And if you do get Giant Hogweed sap on your skin, the following advice is issued by the Woodland Trust: “Be sure to wash the area thoroughly and immediately. Seek medical advice and do not expose the area to sunlight for a few days.”
Premier League Darts is returning to Manchester’s AO Arena in 2027
Lydia Mastrolonardo
Premier League Darts is confirmed to be returning to Manchester next year.
Now’s your chance to see the youngest world champion in darts history, AKA Warrington’s very-own Luke ‘The Nuke’ Littler, show us how it’s done, as next year’s BetMGM Premier League Darts lineup has just been announced this week – with various dates confirmed across 17 different cities in the UK and Europe.
And Manchester is one of those cities, as the AO Arena has shared that they are set to host an evening next April, and we couldn’t be more excited about it.
This means that we will be lucky enough to witness the biggest names in world darts all under one roof, including headliners Gian van Veen and Luke Humphries, as well as Littler.
Manchester is the only northern city to get the pleasure of hosting the event next year, as Liverpool is also on the lineup, as is Leeds, Sheffield, and Newcastle, while elsewhere in the UK, the stars will travel to Glasgow, Birmingham, London, and several other major locations.
BetMGM Premier League Darts is to be held on Thursday 8 April at the AO Arena in Manchester, and to avoid being disappointed, fans are advised to register for presale ticket access.
Following a successful season of events in 2026, tickets are expected to be like gold-dust, so don’t say you haven’t been warned.
To access the first wave of tickets, fans must become an active PDCTV Annual Member before 23:59pm on Friday 9 October. Alternatively, general sale is on Thursday 22 October 2026, but make sure not to hang about.
Featured Image – Sandro Halank (via Wikimedia Commons)
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Andy Burnham wants to scrap the ‘unfair’ ban on drinking alcohol in football stands
Emily Sergeant
Andy Burnham has claimed he wants to scrap the ‘unfair’ ban on fans getting to drink alcohol in football stands.
It’s a ban that’s been in place in the top five tiers of men’s football since 1985, when fears over violence and hooliganism were at their height, but now the Prime Minister has raised the question of whether drinking in football stands – or ‘drinking in sight / view of the pitch’, as it’s known formally – is actually unjust, due to the fact that same rules don’t apply to fans of other sports.
“I don’t think it’s fair for football fans to be singled out in that way,” Andy Burnham has declared this week, grabbing headlines in the process.
He continued: “I think that legislation dates to an era where football was very different, and I do believe there is a case to remove that discrimination.
“I’m not going to back away from what’s been a long-held view of mine. I don’t see how it can be fair that some supporters of one sport can be treated differently.”
The Prime Minister’s comments have been met with mixed response.
Andy Burnham wants to scrap the ‘unfair’ ban on drinking alcohol in football stands / Credit: James Kirkup | Julia Nastogadka (via Unsplash)
The Football Supporters’ Association (FSA), for example, has very much welcomed the idea, saying that it ‘totally agrees’ the legislation is ‘outdated’ and ‘deserves to be reviewed’.
Tom Greatrex, chair of the FSA, said in a statement: “The FSA has always argued that it’s unfair to criminalise football fans for having a pint while watching the match – especially since you can sit in the same seat drinking alcohol whilst watching an Oasis gig or rugby league.”
However, on the flip side, the UK Football Policing Unit said it would be ‘incredibly rash’ to change the rules without proper consultation.
“Other sports simply don’t see the violence and criminal behaviour from their supporters that football does, albeit a minority, with alcohol often playing a significant part in violent and disorderly behaviour,” it said in a statement on the matter.
The Prime Minister did state in his initial proposition though that ‘there are different ways it could be done’, hinting that it could be done ‘on a trial basis’ perhaps.
The English Football League (EFL) added that it would be ‘receptive to discussions around reviewing current legislation and permitting alcoholic drinks within view of the pitch’.
No formal details on a review have been confirmed as of yet, so fans are encouraged to stay tuned for updates in due course.
Daisy Jackson -
14th July 2023 
