Litter-picker fined £150 for feeding potatoes to pigeons in Piccadilly Gardens
Two enforcement officers caught Ruth Bradshaw, who volunteers as part of an environmental cleaning group in Gatley, removing the carbs from her salad and offering them to the local birds in the area.
A litter-picker has been fined £150 after she was spotted feeding potatoes to pigeons in Piccadilly Gardens.
Two enforcement officers caught Ruth Bradshaw, who volunteers as part of an environmental cleaning group in Gatley, removing the carbs from her salad and offering them to the local birds in the area.
The pair promptly demanded Ms. Bradshaw’s details and issued her with a ticket – which came with a whopping £150 penalty attached.
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Ms. Bradshaw, who describes herself as “lover of wildlife a member of the Green Party”, is yet to pay the fine.
She has since contacted council leader Sir Richard Leese and Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham to protest her innocence.
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Manchester City Council considers the act of feeding pigeons to be littering, with signs in the city centre urging people to avoid the practise.
Several members of the public have been hit with Fixed Penalty Notices in the past for passing on their scraps to animals in Piccadilly Gardens.
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During the summer, one woman was issued with a £120 fine for giving the birds some of her Greggs sausage roll.
Executive Member for Neighbourhoods, Councillor Rabnawaz Akbar has said that “it’s extremely important that people understand that they should not be feeding the birds in this way.”
Speaking in August, the councillor added: “Illegally dropping food for the pigeons is bad for the local environment and can also be harmful to the birds, as many items intended for human consumption are not suitable for them to eat.”
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Peter Kay announces four intimate charity shows in Greater Manchester – but only for these postcodes
Emily Sergeant
Peter Kay has just announced four intimate shows to raise money for a very worthy cause… but you can only get tickets if you live in these particular postcodes.
Comedy legend Peter Kay is set to return home to the Bolton Albert Halls for four very special hometown shows in this summer, marking his first performances at the venue more than two decades.
Taking to the very stage where he recorded the UK’s biggest-selling stand-up DVD, it’s set to be a proper nostalgic homecoming for one of Britain’s most beloved comedians.
The summer shows – which are taking place from 9 – 11 July 2026, even including a matinee performance – this is a rare chance for local fans to be part of something incredibly special, with all funds raised going to Bolton Hospice.
But, there’s a bit of a catch… you’ll only be able to get tickets if you live in Bolton (and some parts of Bury), as it’s strictly limited to BL postcodes.
Peter Kay Live at the Bolton Albert Halls – 2026 Dates
Thursday 9 July (Evening)
Friday 10 July (Evening)
Saturday 11 July (Matinee)
Saturday 11 July (Evening)
Tickets officially go on sale Friday 24 April at 10am, and you can get your hands on them here.
Featured Image – Supplied
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Seven in 10 NHS workers think the health service is ‘poorly prepared’ for another pandemic
Emily Sergeant
A new survey has revealed that seven in 10 NHS workers believe the health service is ‘poorly prepared’ for another pandemic if one should arise.
After the recent meningitis B outbreak in Kent last month raised the conversation of mass contagion once again, of course following the COVID-19 pandemic, a new YouGov survey of more than 1,000 NHS workers has now uncovered how well prepared staff in the health service think it is for another global pandemic.
The results show that 69% of staff surveyed think the health service is ‘poorly prepared’ for another pandemic, and to make matters worse, 26% of those even say it’s ‘very poorly’ prepared.
Only one in five (22%) think the NHS is could properly handle another pandemic, but statistically, YouGov claims none of those surveyed said it’s ‘very well’ prepared.
Seven in 10 NHS workers think the health service is ‘poorly prepared’ for another pandemic / Credit: Pxhere | Rawpixel
When workers were asked how the NHS’s level of preparedness now compares to prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, 41% did concede that they think it is better prepared now than 2020, however 37% admitted they think it’s no better prepared.
16% actively think it’s less well-prepared now than it was prior to 2020.
This marked a new era of ‘transparency’ and ‘accountability’ in the NHS, with the league tables delivering on the Government’s promise to drive up standards, tackle variation in care, and ensure people get the high-quality service they rightly expect.
Every trust in England – from urgent and emergency care, through to elective operations and mental health services – will now be ranked quarterly against ‘clear and consistent’ standards.
The Manc -
2nd October 2020 
