News

Helicopter pilot flies from Salford to Preston and back for beef sandwich

A helicopter pilot's 80-mile round trip to pick up a beef sandwich from a farm shop was a "flagrant abuse" of lockdown rules, a councillor has said.

The Manc The Manc - 6th March 2021
Chipping Farm Shop

A helicopter pilot is under fire after making an 80-mile round trip in his chopper for a roast beef butty.

The incident, which has been covered by BBC News, was posted on Instagram by Chipping Farm Shop near Preston when the man landed on their property to pick up his “roast beef in gravy barm with caramelised onion.”

Sounds good that, I’m not going to lie to you.

The video posted by the shop showed the helicopter landing nearby and a member of staff delivering the sandwich to the pilot – before giving the camera a double thumbs up.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CL20W2uJ52F/

But a local councillor now says that this was a “flagrant abuse” of lockdown rules and it has been confirmed that Ribble Valley council is investigating the possible Covid rule breach.

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According to the BBC, the shop has now deleted its account on Facebook, which had also posted videos of the helicopter’s arrival.

A local resident told the BBC that the shop serves “takeaway drinks and snacks to the many cyclists who come here [and] earlier this week there were 20 plus of them and a helicopter for the second day running”.

Both Greater Manchester Police and Lancashire Police are looking into the incident.

News

Man pleads guilty to ‘preparing for acts of terrorism’ in relation to Manchester synagogue attack

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

A man with links to the Manchester synagogue terrorist attacker has pleaded guilty to preparation for acts of terrorism.

Mohammad Asim Bashir, of Shaftesbury Road in Cheetham Hill, appeared at the Central Criminal Court last week (Friday 5 June 2026) and pleaded guilty to one count of preparation for acts of terrorism under the Terrorism Act 2006.

The prosecution will consider the basis of the guilty plea, and now a two-day sentencing hearing has been set for 22-23 July 2026 at Manchester Crown Court.

In case you need a reminder, the shocking knife and car attack took place on 2 October 2025 on Yom Kippur – the holiest day in the Jewish calendar – at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue.

During the incident, two men sadly lost their lives during the attack – Adrian Daulby, 53, who was shot dead by Greater Manchester Police (GMP) while trying to stop the attacker from entering the synagogue, and Melvin Cravitz, 66, a worshipper who also helped stop the attacker.

GMP synagogue attack
A man with links to the Manchester synagogue terrorist attacker has pleaded guilty to preparation for acts of terrorism / Credit: Google Maps | GMP

The attacker was named as 35-year-old Jihad al Shamie – a 35-year-old British citizen of Syrian descent who lived in Prestwich – who at the time was on bail for an alleged rape, before being shot dead by police.

Following the terrorist attack, enquiries conducted by detectives identified Bashir as an associate of Jihad Al-Shamie, and established that the two of them had conducted ;hostile reconnaissance of a UK defence facility’ on 14 August 2025.

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The pair were seen on CCTV prior to the trip discussing criteria for potential targets to attack.

They were then seen on ANPR cameras making the journey to the site – with Bashir acting as the driver for most of the journey.

GMP synagogue attack
He is due to be sentenced next month / Credit: GMP

Speaking following Bashir’s guilty plea, Assistant Chief Constable Rob Potts – who holds operational responsibility for Counter Terrorism Policing North West – commented: “Our comprehensive enquiries led to the offending of Mohammed Bashir coming to light.

“Although not directly linked to the synagogue attack, the fact he conducted hostile reconnaissance alongside a man who would later commit a terrorist attack show the seriousness of his actions.

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“We welcome today’s guilty plea and look ahead to the sentencing which is due to take place in July. 

“This case will understandably prompt public commentary about the terrorist attack that took place last October. My thoughts today are with all those affected, particularly the loved ones of those whose lives were taken and those who were seriously injured.”

Featured Image – GMP

News

Pat Regan at the Fairfield Social Club – a brilliantly unhinged evening of standup comedy

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall

There’s a particular kind of chaos that only Pat Regan can deliver, and the recently re-recognised Fairfield Social Club got the full force of it last night.

Making his Manchester debut as part of the ‘A Lovely Time’ series at the equally as lovely Fairfield Social Club, the New York comic, writer, and podcast host arrived with the energy of someone who had already lived through three emotional breakdowns before breakfast and somehow still had the worst to come.

Known for his work on HBO’s Hacks and the cult-favourite podcast Seek Treatment with fellow comic Catherine Cohen, Regan’s stand-up feels less like your traditional comedy set and more like being trapped in the world’s funniest group chat.

The perfectly intimate room beneath Fairfield’s railway arches was packed with adoring fans who were immediately on side as Regan launched into stories about traumatic trips to Paris, Grindr dates, massage tables and having crushes at the gym.

The audience was in the palm of his slightly sweaty hands (don’t worry, he’ll be fine with me saying so), laughing at every awkward punchline and self-deprecating anecdote.

The material is nothing groundbreaking, but this is what makes it so deeply hilarious; never before has shopping for the perfect pair of jeans been so serious and unserious at the same time.

There was laughter rolling through the venue for virtually the entire set, and after an hour of never-ending quips and jokes, we were left wanting more.

And the best part is, it won’t be long until we get more from this place, and it’s no wonder they’re starting to get the hosting plaudits they deserve.

Fairfield Social Club has been voted the Best Comedy Venue in the North

It’s safe to say Fairfield Social Club has become one of Manchester’s most exciting homes for alternative comedy, and this felt like exactly the sort of booking that justifies its growing reputation.

By the time Regan left the stage, the audience looked equal parts exhausted and delighted. An absolutely classy evening indeed.

Find out about what else is on at the Fairfield Social Club HERE.

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Featured Image – The Manc Group

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