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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

Iconic Manchester nightclub Panacea reopens as IKaro, a new grill and champagne bar

The Manc The Manc

This week, an iconic Manchester venue will reopen its doors with a brand new concept.  

The legendary city centre nightclub known as Panacea is about to reopen as IKaro, a new grill and champagne bar on John Dalton Street.

The move follows an application for planning permission earlier this year and sees a new team into the former popular celebrity hotspot Panacea, which has been closed since 2015.

At the restaurant, diners will find two menus focusing on two different elements, fire and ice. On the first, you’ll find Grilled Lobster Tails, Japanese A5 Wagyu Ribeye, and Australian Wagyu Tomahawk. 

On the second an array of Sushi and Sashimi such as Torched Hand Dived Scallops and Bluefin Tuna Otoro. 

Behind the menus are talented sushi chef, Lattawan Buchanan, who’s spent time at popular restaurants Ivy Asia and former ‘Masterchef: The Professionals’ finalist, Exose Grant. 

Head Chef Exose Grant, said, “Our menu showcases the best of the land and sea. We’ll be using fresh, quality produce in the best possible way. Innovative and impeccably presented dishes that don’t compromise on flavour.”

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Behind the bar, you’ll find countless varieties of Champagne including a frequently changing sommelier’s selection of rare bottles which, in keeping with the venue’s reputation as a go-to late-night haunt, will be served up until doors close at 2.30am.

Head of bars, Sean McGuirk, said: “Alongside our extensive ‘by the bottle’ offering, you can expect elevated classic cocktails, as well as some uniquely extravagant options.

“Our team will play with flavours and theatrics to deliver an experience like no other.”

IKaro will mark its launch with a VIP event on Saturday 23 September before doors open to the public on Wednesday 27 September. 

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Company director, Zack Issak, said, “It’s long overdue that this popular space opened its doors once more and we’re thrilled to be able to do that.

“IKaro will create an unforgettable experience from start to finish. Guests will enjoy a choice of the world’s finest Champagnes, paired with the best Wagyu steaks and seafood on the market.”

Bookings for the intimate, 84-cover restaurant, are open now and can be made online at www.ikaro.co.uk for Wednesday 27 September onwards. 

Featured image – The Manc Group

News

Trafford dog owner jailed after six-year-old girl was ‘savaged’ during attack

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

A man from Trafford whose pack of dogs were described as having “savaged” a six-year-old girl during an attack has been handed jailed time.

Bernard Valentine has also been banned from owning dogs for life.

It comes after the 36-year-old appeared at Minshull Street Crown Court last week (22 September) in relation to the distressing attack involving a six-year-old little girl and his pack of Pocket Bulldogs at his address on Ackers Lane in Carrington back on Sunday 26 March.

The court heard how the attack took place as the youngster walked to her friend’s house.

As she walked past the address Valentine was staying at in his camper van outside, she was set upon by a pack of six dogs that were being kept both in the back garden and in the defendant’s camper van, according to Greater Manchester Police (GMP).

Ackers Lane in Carrington, where the attack took place earlier this year / Credit: Google Maps

The little girl’s older sister then bravely tried to wrestle the dogs off her as she was being attacked on the pavement.

It was only when her mother picked her up that the dogs ran off.

The little girl sadly sustained “serious injuries” to her face, scalp, hand, abdomen, arms, legs, back, and shoulder during the attack – which she has since had surgery for.

Following the traumatic incident, Valentine was arrested on Tuesday 28 March when his van was traced to Fallowfield in south Manchester, and the dogs were subsequently seized, before he was also arrested in connection with another incident back in December 2022 when a man was walking his pet Dalmatian.

Both the man and Dalmatian were injured after being set upon by the dogs, and a member of the public was said to have had to intervene.

Following his trial last week, Valentine was handed a 49-month prison sentence.

He was also banned from owning dogs for life, and has a 10-year restraining order after pleading guilty to eight charges of being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control, and possession of Class B drugs.

Speaking following the trial, DC Goodhand, of Trafford CID, thanked the victims for supporting the prosecution, adding: “Whilst nothing can take these experiences away from them, we hope that today’s sentence goes some way to allowing them to heal and move on.”

DC Goodhand also urged anyone with information relating to dangerous animals to report this to the police, so that “appropriate action can be taken”.

Read more:

Any information can be reported via 101, or anonymously through the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Featured Image – GMP

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