News

Mama Z and Woks Cluckin to open new cafe and shop Yes Lah! in Didsbury

Georgina Pellant Georgina Pellant - 25th April 2022

A new shop and cafe selling Filipino, Malaysian and other ESEA (East or South East Asian) dishes is being opened in Didsbury this year by two brilliant Manchester street food chefs.

Mama Z and Woks Cluckin, aka Zos and Yen, will be bringing pan-Asian food and drinks, retail, workshops, and supper clubs together all under one roof with a new opening called Yes Lah.

The pair first met at Hatch in 2018. whilst both undertaking street food residencies and quickly developed a strong friendship and professional bond.

Working together hosting supper clubs and helping at each other’s events, the idea of opening a space together was always on the cards. Now, it’s finally coming to fruition.

Image: Yes Lah

Having been some five years in the making, the pair were ecstatic to finally reveal the plans for and location of their new site this weekend after being ‘messed about’ for six months by a different venue they had been considering.

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Sharing the news with followers on Instagram over the weekend, Zos wrote: “Gosh I can’t believe I can finally reveal what I have kept my gob shut about since last year. It’s true.. Yen and I have now found our forever home and are opening our new venture in the heart of Didsbury!!

“Everyone kept asking me what my plan was or what I was doing next work-wise and since Sept last year we had seen a venue that we wanted to take.

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Read more: A new Indian fusion kitchen is opening under the Mancunian way

Image: Mama Z
Image: Yes Lah

“Unfortunately they messed us about for 6 months and really we had envisioned we would be in there by now. Alas, we had to start all over again but all things happen for a reason and we feel that this new space is the one we have been waiting for. We are ecstatic to have you at our new shop and café called Yes lah!

She continued to explain that the new cafe will celebrate local makers and people the pair have had the pleasure of working with along the years, ‘bringing together our passions under one roof.’

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“Expect delicious Filipino, Malaysian and other great ESEA dishes, drinks and groceries. There will be supper clubs, workshops and great local events too. It is so exciting to finally have a base and our permanent home!!!”

Image: Yes Lah

“I am finally free of this big secret which was SO hard to keep to myself for ages but I am now pinching myself that we can finally share it with you all. See you all very soon at Yes lah and maraming salamat to everyone who has supported us both through these past 5 years! EEEEKKKK!!!”

To help get Yes Lah up and running, the pair are getting ready to launch a Kickstarter campaign with a number of different pledges – likely to include meals, supper club tickets, workshops and more.

To follow their journey in the meantime, you can follow Yes Lah on its new Instagram page here and sign up for Kickstarter notifications here.

Feature image – Mama Z

News

Man who stabbed beloved gran to death sentenced to hospital order

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Man who stabbed beloved gran Michelle Hodgkinson to death sentenced to hospital order

The man who stabbed Michelle Hodgkinson to death in broad daylight in Tameside has been sentenced to a hospital order.

Paul Hughes, 30, was sentenced at Minshull Street Crown Court today after his arrest on 3 June 2023 on suspicion of murder.

He was deemed too mentally unwell to stand trial – at the time of Michelle’s murder he was suffering from a schizophrenic attack at the time of the incident and still is suffering from Schizophrenia.

On 2 June 2023, Hughes brought a four-pack of kitchen knives, boarded a tram to Droylsden and headed to a canal path, where he appeared to be ‘lying in wait’ for someone to walk past him.

Tragically, that person was Michelle Hodgkinson, who walked past on her way to meet her mother.

She was followed, attacked from behind and stabbed multiple times.

The attack was captured on dashcam footage and several witnesses came forward to police with statements.

The court heart this week that despite being unwell, Hughes carefully planned the attack.

Hughes bought a pack of kitchen knives and waited down a canal path before he stabbed a stranger, a 51-year-old woman, on 2 June 2023.  

Michelle died at the scene on Edge Lane despite the best efforts of passers-by who tried to give her first aid, and the emergency services.

Detective Chief Inspector Danny Lee of GMP’s Major Incident Team, said: “Michelle’s death has left a void in her family, and nothing will fix the pain they are feeling. I hope that they can gain some form of closure and justice from the sentence passed today.

“I’d like to thank the members of the public who rushed to Michelle’s side and the first responders, both paramedics and response police officers who also attended the scene to give CPR in an attempt to give her the best possible chance of life.

“It is a moment to recognise, however, the devastation knife crime causes in our communities. Across Greater Manchester, officers and staff are working hard to fight, prevent and reduce this type of crime.

In a previous tribute to Michelle Hodgkinson, her family have said: “Everyone who knows Michelle are still in utter shock at the attack she endured and how horrific her last moments were.

“Our Shelly B was the most amazing, loving, selfless and funny daughter, mother, mother-in-law, sister, auntie and most recently a nanna. It was a privilege to have been known and loved by her. She loved helping people in her community and was known for volunteering as an appropriate adult, her charity work and loved creating hampers to make people smile.

“She would be there for anyone and the day she was taken from us, she was doing just that – walking to meet her mum to take her shopping and to go for a coffee.

“Our family and friends are heartbroken. In one moment our world has crumbled and will never be the same. We will support each other, and we thank and appreciate the love and support shown by our family and friends. Please hold your loved ones close, tell them you love them and make memories.

“Words cannot describe how much she will be missed. Our biggest cheerleader, our confidant, our rock – she will never be forgotten. We love you to the moon and back!

“Love you forever and always!”

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Featured image: GMP

News

10 ‘high-risk’ Manchester football fans arrested following recent violent disorder

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Several arrests have been made this week following an incident of violent disorder linked to a football match a few months back.

Officers from Greater Manchester Police‘s (GMP) Specialist Operations branch were joined by colleagues from across the force – including those in Challenger teams – as they conducted several arrests around Greater Manchester this past Wednesday (13 December) in relation to violent disorder that recently took place.

The violent disorder in question occurred the day before Manchester United and faced FC Twente in the Champions League back in September.

Prior to the match, police say it is believed that a targeted and organised large-scale fight took place in the Lower Broughton area of Salford, all before the group of supporters then headed towards Manchester city centre.

As a result, 10 supporters – who are men aged between 20 and 64, and police say are suspected to be “high-risk” – are now in custody for questioning as investigations continue.

On top of this, when officers entered two properties on their search mission, two separate cannabis farms were found, and this meant that a 36-year-old woman was also subsequently arrested on suspicion of cultivation.

With the Manchester Derby now only days away, GMP says these arrests are a reminder that violence of any sort, whether it’s linked to football or not, “will not be tolerated” in our region.

Speaking ahead of the massive Premier League clash this weekend, Chief Superintendent Colette Rose, from GMP’s Specialist Operations division, commented: “With another big fixture coming this weekend, we want to send a strong message and reassurance that our specialised officers will be deployed to ensure you remain safe and peace is maintained, so you can enjoy the game.

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“On occasions when enforcement is needed, those who are intent on causing harm will have to answer for their actions.”

Featured Image – GMP

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