News

Good Morning Britain pays emotional tribute to Granada Reports anchor Tony Morris

Hosts Kate Garraway and Ben Shephard covered the emotional segment - offering a fittingly professional send-off for the anchor who passed away over the weekend after a battle with kidney cancer.

The Manc The Manc - 4th August 2020
GMB

Good Morning Britain took time to deliver an exclusive tribute to ITV colleague Tony Morris this morning – whose death was confirmed this week.

Hosts Kate Garraway and Ben Shephard covered the emotional segment – offering a fittingly professional send-off for the anchor who passed away over the weekend after a battle with kidney cancer.

Morris was the face of ITV news show Granada Reports for 17 years and continued to work up until just a few weeks ago, despite being diagnosed with the illness in 2019.

He passed away aged 57 with his two daughters by his side.

Shephard described Morris as having “the most wonderful smile”, sending thoughts out to his family.

Garraway called him a “lovely, warm, brilliant broadcaster.”

Lucy Meacock, who presented the news alongside Morris for well over a decade, hosted a special show in commemoration of her former co-anchor on Monday evening, bravely fighting back tears as she spoke of her admiration for her colleague.

“He was one of the most humble, kindest, funniest people you could ever meet,” said Meacock.

“I feel so lucky I spent those 17 years sitting next to him.

“It was absolutely brilliant.”

ITV has also created an online condolences book for the presenter, which can be found here.

News

Local LGBTQIA+ football team Manchester Laces are set to play in the FA Cup for the first time ever

Danny Jones Danny Jones Manchester Laces playing in Women's FA Cup for the first-time ever

Inclusive football team Manchester Laces are set to break even more new ground are they prepare to compete in the Adobe Women’s FA Cup for the first time ever.

What a truly incredible few years it’s been for the club.

Set to play their maiden match in the female division of the sport’s oldest competition this weekend, Manchester Laces’ Yellows squad will be taking on rival Greater Manchester Women’s Football League (GMWFL) side, Northwich Victoria, in another historic milestone for the local outfit.

Announced last month, the game is now fast approaching, and they’re hoping that plenty of Manc natives will turn up in support.

For anyone unfamiliar with the story, Manchester Laces has grown to become the leading women’s, non-binary and LGBTQIA+ positive sporting bodies in the region.

In fact, as part of a wider family – which includes clubs in Hackney, South London and Limehouse Laces, not to mention players over in Canada too – they’re comfortably one of the biggest in the entire country.

Sticking with MCR Laces alone, founded by Helen Hardy, they have grown so much in reputation and size that they have six different teams besides just the Yellows: the other Manchester squads include the Blues, Greens, Oranges, Purples, as well as the budding new Reds and Blacks.

It’s this kind of impressive expansion and, crucially, representation that has seen them win two Football v Homophobia Awards and Grassroots Initiative of the Year back in 2023.

Side-note: they also happen to have one of our favourite fooy kits of the entire year so far…

Boasting a new regular stadium at Timpson Road and set to take part not only in the North West Women’s Regional Football League (NWWFL)/GMWFL, but now FA Cup and county cup games, 2025 could be their most momentous year yet.

Providing access to countless women and people from within the queer and non-binary community who love the beautiful game and may have otherwise struggled to find an outlet, their work has been crucial in and around Greater Manchester.

With that in mind, taking part in an inaugural run within the prestigious knockout tournament feels like yet another watershed moment for the organisation.

Speaking ahead of the fixture, the club wrote on social media: “In 2021, we started our journey in Div 2 of the GMWFL with the aim of creating an inclusive and welcoming space for all. After winning consecutive league titles and earning back-to-back promotions, we are now a Tier 6 team.

“Yellows are delighted to be stepping into the magic of the FA Cup for the very first time, and we would love to see you there!

Taking place at both Wythenshawe Town FC’s and the Yellows’ own new home ground of Ericstan Park on Sunday, 7 September (2pm KO), we wish them the best of luck.

Manchester Laces: the non-binary football club leading the charge on inclusivity in sport
Tickets for Manchester Laces’ debut FA Cup game are just £2 and can be purchased on entry

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Featured Images — Wythenshawe Town FC/Manchester Laces (via Instagram/Facebook)

News

18-21 year olds can now travel on Greater Manchester’s buses for half price

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

18-21 year olds can now apply to travel on Greater Manchester’s bus network for half price, it has been announced.

The Bee Network says it is ‘continuing to lead the way’ when it comes to cutting the cost of public transport, with applications for half price unlimited bus travel for 18-21 year olds now open and around 150,000 young people in Greater Manchester set to benefit.

The new pass will ‘better connect’ young people to work, training, or education opportunities.

With the Greater Manchester economy found to be experiencing faster growth compared to the UK as a whole, and with making travel ‘easier, more affordable, and inclusive’ a critical part of the Bee Network’s success, Mayor Andy Burnham announced the half-price bus travel this week, alongside a raft of other improvements across the region.

Some of the other improvements the Mayor announced include more frequent buses, cheaper travel, and new round-the-clock services.

18-21 year olds can now travel on Greater Manchester’s buses for half price / Credit: TfGM

Young people can now buy a 28-day bus travelcard for just £40, which is half the price of adult fares and the equivalent of just £1.43 per day for unlimited travel on any Bee Network bus in Greater Manchester.

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) says the new half-price travel is aimed at helping the thousands of young people once their 16-18 ‘Our Pass’ expires, and will support them as they move into further education or the world of work.

“Young people in Greater Manchester have been calling out for an affordable transport option for when their Our Pass expires and this new pass will give them that,” commented Fran Wilkinson, who is the Director for Customer and Growth at TfGM.

“We know this is such an important time in a young person’s life as they look to go into further education or enter the world of work.

“Now as they explore the many opportunities available to them they will be able to use any Bee Network bus as much as they need to at half the price.”

Fatima Bangoura, who is the Youth Engagement Officer at Youth Leads, added: “The new 18-21 pass opens doors for those who may worry about losing that support once their Our Pass ends, making travel for training, apprenticeships, education and employment far more accessible.”

Read more:

Digital applications for the new 18-21 Pass are now open via the Bee Network app, and you can download the app here.

Featured Image – TfGM

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