The Dean of Manchester Cathedral said that this Thursday’s memorial service would be a chance to “honour” loved ones at a time when normal funerals have not been possible, and he added that the online book of remembrance, which has been organised with the help of Greater Manchester Combined Authority, would be “a permanent record.”
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Rogers Govinder, who is leading the service on Thursday, said: “The pandemic has taken the lives of so many who are dear to us. Worse still, we have not been able to provide normal funeral gatherings, so people have not been able to provide that comfort and sharing in loss that is a normal part of bereavement.”
“It is very important for people to have an opportunity to remember their loved ones.”
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“We don’t know when this pandemic will end and this is an opportunity for grieving folk to honour them.”
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Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said that the service will also allow people to pay particular tribute to frontline health and social care staff who put themselves at risk and “too often paid the ultimate price through their care for others”.
Mr Burnham said he hoped every person who died from the virus in Greater Manchester would be remembered.
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He added: “We will never forget what they did.”
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The best restaurant in the UK has been named, and it’s just an hour from Manchester
Daisy Jackson
The top 100 restaurants in the UK have just been named, and the North West has come out fighting, taking three of the top 10 spots including the number one position.
Harden’s Top 100 Best UK Restaurants 2026 has named Moor Hall, a three-Michelin star restaurant less than an hour from Manchester, as the best place to eat in the entire UK.
And hot on its heels is another big name from the North West, fellow three-Michelin star restaurant L’Enclume, up in village of Cartmel, which placed second.
Also in the top 10 is a Manchester newcomer, Skof, which launched in the city centre last year with chef Tom Barnes at the helm.
Skof has skipped ahead of Mana, which until recently was the only restaurant in Greater Manchester to hold a Michelin Star, and which placed 11th.
The Harden’s Best UK Restaurants 2026 list has found that the North West has the most entries of any region outside London, with 12 restaurants in the top 100.
Mark Birchall’s Moor Hall in West Lancashire has rocketed into the top spot from last year’s ranking at number 74, with diners praising it as being ‘superb from beginning to end’.
On our recent visit, we declared Moor Hall ‘hospitality on an unparalleled level’.
Moor Hall has been named the best restaurant in the UK. Credit: The Manc Group
Peter Harden, co-founder of Harden’s, comments: “Moor Hall has been a recurring name in the Harden’s Top 100 UK Restaurant’s list for many years now, as has runner-up L’Enclume which was in the top spot a couple of years ago.
“In a Top 100 where restaurants are very much at the mercy of diner reports from the first six months of the year, the consistent performance from these two venues is a testament to the high quality of the food, service and location.
“It’s wonderful to see Mark and his talented team reach this year’s pole position and, whilst diners who took part in our national survey did often flag the higher price point, it appears to be a venue regarded as well worth it, albeit for a rare treat.”
Chef-patron of Moor Hall, Mark Birchall adds: “I’m honoured that Moor Hall has been awarded the No. 1 spot in this year’s Harden’s Top 100 UK Restaurants list. This has already been a landmark year for us, and I’m delighted to see the team’s dedication recognised once again.
“Our success is driven by the talent, consistency and commitment of everyone who contributes to the experience at Moor Hall. It’s a wonderful acknowledgement of their hard work and passion, and we’re proud to share this achievement with everyone who dines with us.”
Tom Barnes and the Skof team outside the restaurant. Credit: Cristian Barnett.
Reflecting on this year’s findings, Peter Harden added: “It’s understandable that over the last 12 months the hospitality industry has been toiling away under a cloud of gloomsterism. Hit by food inflation, rising wages, relentless rent increases and soaring utilities – some long-term operators say that 2025 is the toughest year they can recall.
“However, what our survey results and data-crunching from across the sector shows is the remarkable resilience at work from those in the trade – particularly in the North West. Our number of entries remains very steady, and strong newcomers are emerging in each area of a quality that is probably better than ever.
“What is challenging for suppliers can be good for consumers. Customer expectations are so high now, restaurants have to work ever-harder to cut through and we’re seeing a number of new openings from across the UK going straight into the Top 100 – or, in Skof’s case, the Top 10!
“This really is testament to the rigorous standards, hard work and innovation being put in by front and back of house teams who are impressively determined to find a way in difficult circumstances and continue to raise the bar to bring diners high quality experiences.”
Police appeal as woman left in ‘critical condition’ after falling off bridge into River Irwell
Emily Sergeant
A police appeal for information has been issued after a woman has been left in a critical condition after falling off a bridge.
The incident took place at Burrs Country Park in Bury.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) explained that, at around 6:30am yesterday morning (3 December), officers were called to a concern for welfare where a woman was reported on the wrong side of the bridge at the Country Park.
The woman, who has not been named, subsequently fell into the River Irwell and is now in a critical condition.
She was been taken to hospital, where she is currently being treated for her injuries, and at this time, police say there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the incident.
#APPEAL | Officers are appealing for information after a woman has fell into the River Irwell at Burrs Country Park, #Bury at around 6:30am this morning.
There are no suspicious circumstances.
Any info? Call us on 101 quoting log 522 of 03/12/25.
With an investigation currently ongoing and proceeding at pace, GMP are now appealing to the public for help.
If you’re not familiar with Burrs Country Park, it’s located just one mile north west of Bury town centre and lies on the River Irwell, covering an area of 36 hectares of scenic countryside – with wide variety of different wildlife habitats and spots for outdoor activities.
Police are appealing for anyone with any information to come forward, and this includes any witnesses, or anyone who may have CCTV or dashcam footage.
The Manc -
13th July 2020 
