Manchester City Council has recruited the help of an uncanny Game of Thrones character lookalike to encourage residents to get their jabs ready for winter.
It’s not something you see everyday, or even at all – but a lookalike of one of the characters from the iconic and much-loved HBO fantasy drama series Game of Thrones stopped by the city last week to reminded locals that “Manchester’s Winter is coming”.
Have you guessed who it was? That’s right, Jon Snow was in town.
The lookalike legend was there to lend a hand to Manchester City Council with a campaign to boost local knowledge on COVID vaccines, boosters, and the flu jab, and all while encouraging residents to keep up with relevant testing.
The ‘King in the North’ was also keen to point out where they get help with all of this.
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But, while ‘Jon’ was in the city, he was also sure to make the most of the walk-in vaccination site at Manchester Town Hall, so that he too could have his COVID vaccination.
🐺❄️ Manchester’s Winter is Coming ❄️🐺
Protect yourself by getting vaccinated against Covid and flu and taking regular Covid tests.
James Martin – the actor who played the Jon Snow lookalike – explained: “I wanted to have the vaccine, so this was the perfect time and a case of life imitating art.
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“It was quick and easy, and absolutely nothing to worry about.”
“This call-out to the city is so vital,” added Dr Manisha Kumar – Medical Director at Manchester Health and Care Commissioning.
“Please don’t put off having your vaccinations [as] early evidence suggests that people who get COVID and flu at the same time can be twice as likely to die [and] this can be prevented [so] we have to do everything we can so that people don’t face the prospect of serious illness, or even death.”
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David Regan – Director of Public Health in Manchester – continued: “In our view, everyone is a hero who has the vaccine to look after themselves and others [as] there’s no doubt that this winter is going to be tough, with all the extra cold and respiratory viruses, flu and of course, COVID, as people are out of lockdown.”
While ‘Jon’ was in the city, he also made the most of the walk-in vaccination site at Manchester Town Hall / Credit: Manchester City Council
“I thank everyone in advance for keeping on with all those key things that can keep the the whole city safe,” he concluded.
Councillor Joanna Midgley – Executive Member for Health and Care at Manchester City Council – was also quick to point out how appropriate it was that ‘Jon Snow’ stopped by to help with the campaign, as “in terms of medicine, there is another John Snow – who was a London physician, famous for his work on anaesthesia and finding the source of a cholera outbreak in the 1800s.”
What are the chances? It was meant to be.
For more information about the vaccines on offer this winter, check out the Manchester City Council website here.
GMP officer sentenced after hitting pedestrian during police chase in Rochdale
Emily Sergeant
A police officer has been sentenced this week after he struck and ‘seriously injured’ a pedestrian following a pursuit of a suspected drink driver in Rochdale.
35-year-old Greater Manchester Police (GMP) officer PC Sam Lockley pleaded guilty back in January 2026 following an Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) investigation.
The IOPC investigation established that, in the early hours of the morning on 19 November 2023, PC Lockley was driving a marked police vehicle with the lights and sirens activated, and attempted to stop a suspected drunk driver on Drake Street in Rochdale.
A short pursuit that commenced but stopped merely a minute later after the police vehicle collided with a pedestrian on the footpath of Rochdale Road at approximately 3:30am.
The evidence gathered indicated that PC Lockley failed to slow down as he approached and drove through the red traffic lights at the Kingsway junction, and was travelling at a speed of 96mph in a 30mph zone.
The pedestrian suffered ‘serious injuries’ as a result of the collision, and received extensive medical treatment following.
At a hearing back in February of this year, PC Lockley received a two-year suspended sentence and was ordered to carry out 15 days community service, while also receiving two-year driving disqualification.
Also following the investigation, the IOPC decided that Lockley should face a gross misconduct hearing to face allegations that his manner of driving breached the police standards of professional behaviour.
“We continue to liaise with the force about disciplinary proceedings,” the IOPC concluded.
IOPC Director Amanda Rowe added: “My sympathies remain with the man, who sustained serious injuries, and all those affected by the incident.
“This was a complex investigation which relied on extensive amounts of data and expert analysis and the evidence showed PC Lockley drove at excessive speeds at night-time and although he was responding to a report of a suspected drink driver, it does not excuse his manner of driving.
“PC Lockley admitted he drove in a dangerous manner when he didn’t address hazards or warnings during the pursuit and ultimately by the time he saw the pedestrian, he was travelling too fast to avoid a collision.
“His actions that day have had long-lasting consequences and he has now been held accountable.”
Featured Image – Rawpixel
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Manchester Town Hall is FINALLY taking wedding and events bookings for the first time since 2018
Emily Sergeant
A new era is on the horizon, as Manchester Town Hall has announced that it’ll be finally taking bookings for weddings and events once again.
That’s right… for the first time since it closed its doors to the public for what is the UK’s biggest restoration project to date back in 2018, one of Manchester’s most iconic landmarks is soon set to welcome its first weddings and events in a decade – with bookings for the city’s most romantic address now open once again.
Manchester Town Hall has stood at the centre of civic life in the city since 1877, and for generations, couples have exchanged their vows within its walls.
Now, as it enters the home stretch of its restoration, the Grade I-listed building is gearing up to kickstart weddings and corporate events from January 2028.
Set reopen to the public next year, first up will be a series of celebratory reopening events – which are yet to be announced – before a phased approach will then allow the building and teams to be fully prepared to host commercial events again from 2028.
Manchester Town Hall has announced that it’s finally taking wedding and events bookings for the first time since 2018 / Credit: Supplied
From its grand architecture and soaring stained glass windows, to sweeping staircases that offer the perfect ‘just married’ photo opportunities, this one-of-a-kind venue gives couples the opportunity to combine the romance and grandeur of a historic setting with the energy of a city centre celebration.
Inside the restored building, you’ll find The Great Hall, which is a magnificent setting with striking architectural character, as well as The Conference Hall, The Banqueting Hall, and The Reception Room, all of which offer equally characterful spaces that are perfect for private dinners, ceremonies, or corporate events.
The Lord Mayor’s Parlour is one of many settings overlooking the newly reopened Albert Square, while various elegant reception areas provide the perfect location for drinks and arrival moments.
“Our Town Hall is a real Victorian masterpiece and we’re looking forward to sharing it with the public once again,” explained Cllr Garry Bridges, who is Leader of Manchester City Council, as bookings finally open up this week.
“It’s a special building which belongs to the people and it’s great that they will be able to celebrate important landmarks in their lives, such as marriage, in its spectacular setting.
“The Town Hall is full of history. Here’s to many more stories being written within its walls.”
Want to be one of the first people who gets married or hosts an event at Manchester Town Hall once it reopens in 2028? You can enquire about booking here.
Emily Sergeant -
25th October 2021 
