News

Greater Manchester’s LGBTQ+ scene shines in nationwide Gaydio Pride Awards

Amazing stuff for our region.

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 12th January 2023

The shortlist for the first-ever Gaydio Pride Awards has been announced, and Greater Manchester’s charities, people and organisations have absolutely dominated.

The inaugural awards with Hilton will celebrate the efforts that ‘bring Pride to every corner of the UK’.

Those shortlisted across 10 categories (including Grassroots Pride, LGBTQ+ Champion of the Year, and Music Artist of the Year) were announced this week, including some big names from across our region.

The eventual winners will be crowned next month at Manchester’s Hilton hotel in a glittering ceremony, alongside performances from Raye, Sigala and Danny Beard, all hosted by Gaydio’s breakfast show presenters, Paris and Dave.

Manchester Pride has made the cut in the Major Pride of the Year category, while smaller neighbourhood prides including Salford and Prestwich received recognition in the Grassroots category.

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Then both Manchester Village Spartans and Manchester-founded Outdoor Lads are nominated for LGBTQ+ Club or Sports team of the Year.

In the Venue or Event of the Year category, our region has particularly shone, nabbing three of the five shortlisted places with Swagga, Filthy Gorgeous at The Brewers, and The House of Bridget’s in Bury all in the final stages.

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George House Trust is down to the shortlist stage for Charity in the Gaydio Pride Awards with Hilton.

Kriss Herbert, Network Content Manager for Gaydio, said: “Gaydio is Where Pride Lives and it feels only right that we celebrate the people, organisations and charities who work so hard to support the LGBTQ+ community all year round.

“We think this shortlist really showcases the huge impact people, charities and communities are making all over the UK, and we can’t wait to announce our winners at the first ever Gaydio Pride Awards with Hilton on 10th February.”

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Gaydio listeners and members of the public were asked to nominate the people, charities, and organisations they felt were making a real difference in their area, with the nominees then shortlisted by dedicated community panels, to ensure winners are chosen as fairly as possible, and represent the very best LGBTQ+ people and charities from all over the UK.

The winners of the awards will be revealed at the Gaydio Pride Awards ceremony at Manchester’s Hilton Hotel on Friday 10 February, revealed on air shortly after.

For more information and to buy tickets, head to gaydioprideawards.co.uk and keep an eye on social platforms @gaydio for more exciting announcements.

The full shortlist for the Gaydio Pride Awards in 2023

Major Pride of the Year

  • Manchester Pride
  • Pride in London
  • Birmingham Pride
  • Brighton + Hove Pride

Grassroots Pride of the Year

  • UK Black Pride
  • Trans Pride, Brighton
  • Prestwich Pride
  • Chesterfield Pride
  • Salford Pride

Volunteer of the Year

  • Michele Ralph (Crawley Pride Volunteer)
  • Joel Mordi (Nigeria’s First Ever Pride Organiser)
  • Charlie Watts (Pride in Surrey Volunteer)
  • LGBTQ+ Club or Sports team of the Year

Gay Outdoor Club

  • Leicester Diamonds Baseball Club
  • Manchester Village Spartans
  • Outdoor Lads
  • Trans Radio UK Football Club

Employee Pride Network of the Year

  • Proud at Deloitte
  • Birmingham women’s and Children’s NHS Trust LGBTQ+ Staff Network
  • Proud @ Shell UK
  • JET & Proud – Just Eat Takeaway.com’s global LGBT+ Network
  • Co-op respect
  • Bruntwood’s LGBTQIA++ Network

Venue or Event of the Year

  • Arch, Clapham
  • Swagga, Manchester
  • Filthy Gorgeous, The Brewers, Manchester
  • The House of Bridget’s, Bury
  • The Werkroom, Stoke-on-Trent
  • Planet Bar, Edinburgh

Charity

  • Spencer Trust
  • Fighting with Pride
  • George House Trust

LGBTQ+ Champion

  • Carley Owen
  • Sab Samuel / Aida H Dee / Drag Queen Story Time
  • Janusz Domagala (Finalist of Great British Bake Off)

Featured image: Manchester Pride

News

Spectacular New Year’s Eve fireworks display confirmed for Manchester

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Spectacular New Year's Eve firework display confirmed for Manchester

Manchester will celebrate New Year’s Eve with a spectacular FREE fireworks display, the council has confirmed.

This year, the dazzling display to ring in the new year will be set off from the roof of the city’s landmark Central Library building.

Mancs will be able to gather in St Peter’s Square as the city waves goodbye to 2024 and welcomes a new year.

The family-friendly New Year’s Eve celebration has never taken place at St Peter’s Square before, nor has the iconic Manchester Central library hosted any sort of fireworks display.

The fireworks spectacular and New Year countdown will take place on Tuesday 31 December between 10pm and 12.30am, hosted by local radio presenter and DJ Joe McGrath.

With a rough capacity of 20,000 people, there’ll be a festive atmosphere in the city centre – but Manchester City Council has stressed that alcohol is not permitted at the New Year’s Eve fireworks event.

Councillor Pat Karney, Christmas and New Year spokesperson for Manchester City Council, said: “If there’s something we do well in Manchester, it’s getting together for a big celebration – and there’s no better time for a big do than New Year’s Eve.

“This is the time to remember the year we’ve just had and to look ahead to the new one and all it may bring, surrounded by the people we love.

“Mancunians of all ages love a party, and this New Year’s Eve is going to be fantastic – a chance to dance the night away, with one of the biggest fireworks displays in the region for everyone to enjoy.

“All you need is your dancing shoes, party spirit and your nearest and dearest. Grab hold of those and we can’t wait to see you in St Peter’s Square for the last party of 2024.”

Manchester New Year's Eve fireworks
Spectacular New Year’s Eve firework display confirmed for Manchester. Credit: Unsplash, designecologist

There are a few things you need to know ahead of the event – attendees are asked to limit bag sizes to no larger than A4 in size, with bag searches in operation at the entrances.

It will be a standing room only event though there’ll be a managed designated accessible viewing area located on the Metrolink tram platform closest to Central Library, available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Portaloos, public toilets until 1am, and hot drinks and food will all be available on site.

Event staff will make sure St Peter’s Square is cleared promptly after the event and once the fireworks are over to minimise disruption to local residents.

Councillor Pat Karney added: “We want everyone to be able to enjoy New Year’s Eve, including the growing number of local residents who live in town.

“I will therefore be working closely with local councillors and others to ensure that we minimise any nuisance for city centre residents.”

Important road closures and event information for the New Year’s Eve fireworks in Manchester

A number of temporary but necessary traffic management measures will be put in place in the run-up to and on the day itself so the event can go ahead.

Road closures – 31 December 2024 

7.30pm–2am

  • Peter Street westbound (Mount Street to Lower Mosley Street)
  • Peter Street eastbound (Deansgate to Lower Mosley Street)
  • Oxford Street (Peter Street to Portland Street)
  • George Street (Oxford Street to Dickinson Street)
  • St James Street (Oxford Street to Dickinson Street)
  • Bale Street (Lower Mosley Street to Hall Street)
  • Hall Street (Bale Street to Oxford Street)

9pm–2am

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  • Lower Mosley Street (Windmill Street to St Peter’s Square)
  • Princess Street (Cooper Street to George Street)
  • Back George Street (Princess Street to Dickenson Street)

Parking suspensions from 8am on 29 December until 6am on 2 January

  • Peter Street (Mount Street to Lower Mosley Street)

Parking suspensions from 6pm on 30 December until 6am on 1 January

  • Oxford Street (Lower Mosley Street to Portland Street)
  • Lower Mosley Street (Windmill Street to St Peter’s Square)
  • Princess Street (Cooper Street to George Street)
  • George Street (Oxford Street to Princess Street)
  • Back George Street (Princess Street to Dickenson Street)
  • Museum Street (Windmill Street to Peter Street)
  • Southmill (Windmill Street to Bootle Street)

Accessible parking

  • Unreserved accessible event parking is available on Mount Street.

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Featured image: Unsplash, Chris Curry

News

Man charged after stealing Christmas dinner ingredients in burglary spree

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Man charged after stealing Christmas dinner ingredients in burglary spree

A man has been charged for a series of burglaries in Wigan – one of which saw him nick the ingredients for a Christmas dinner.

Gary Marsh of Heath Street in Golborne had reportedly taken a number of festive food items from a freezer at an address.

In the burglary on 7 December, the 38-year-old took items including a frozen turkey, two packs of pigs in blankets and a handful of Christmas appetisers.

Mr Walsh also made off with a pack of prawns, spring rolls and chicken satay skewers.

Police have said he has been charged for stealing ‘a Christmas dinner worth of goods’.

He’s been charged with six counts of burglary and one vehicle interference and will appear at Manchester Magistrates Court today.

Man charged after stealing Christmas dinner ingredients in burglary spree
Man charged after stealing Christmas dinner ingredients in burglary spree. Credit: Wikimedia Commons

GMP said in a statement today: “One frozen turkey, two packs of pigs in blankets and a handful of Christmas appetisers.

“Gary Marsh 16/05/1986 of Heath Street, Golborne, in Wigan, was charged on Wednesday 18 December with six counts of burglary and one vehicle interference.

“On 7 December 2024, the following items were reportedly taken from the freezer in the basement of an address: a frozen turkey, two packs of pigs in blankets, a pack of prawns, spring rolls and chicken satay skewers.”

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Featured image: The Manc Group

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