The city will fall silent once again this Sunday 14, November as locals gather to remember the fallen during the annual Manchester Remembrance Sunday commemoration.
Last year, the Covid pandemic ruled out the possibility of many large commemorative gatherings – but this year it has been confirmed that Manchester’s Remembrance Sunday events will go ahead for 2021.
Bringing together service people from all walks of life, the event will see civic dignitaries, servicemen and women, service and ex-service organisations join with faith leaders and uniformed organisations to pay their respects at the city’s Cenotaph in St. Peter’s Square.
Starting from 10.25 am, the commemoration will begin with The Remembrance Day procession – which will kick off on John Dalton street before marching over to the Cenotaph in St Peter’s Square.
Then at 11 am, there will be a two-minute silence – marked by the firing of a 105mm gun at its beginning and end, as is tradition on Remembrance Sunday.
Wreaths will then be laid on the Cenotaph by the Lord Lieutenant of Greater Manchester and the Lord Mayor of Manchester, as well as representatives from the Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force.
Further wreaths will be laid by Reserve Forces, represented by the 103rd (Lancashire Artillery Volunteers) Regiment Royal Artillery, as well as by The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment, 207 (Manchester) Field Hospital (Volunteers), Royal British Legion, Manchester Consular Association, Greater Manchester Police, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service and Young Faith Representatives
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Following the wreath-laying, the Parade will then proceed to Central Library for the March Past – with its end heralded by the playing of The National Anthem.
After the Parade has left the Cenotaph, barriers will then be removed giving members of the public an opportunity to place their own tributes around the memorial.
Speaking on the upcoming commemorative event, the Lord Mayor of Manchester Councillor Tommy Judge said:
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“At the service we will pay tribute to those who have died protecting our country and reflect on past and present conflicts.
“After cancelling last year’s ceremony due to Covid restrictions, it’s important that the people of Manchester come together to show our combined appreciation for the armed forces.
“It will be an honour to mark this solemn day with the people of Manchester.”
Organisers are encouraging veterans who wish to take part to email Manchester City Council at [email protected].
For those unable to attend in person, the event will be live-streamed via this link on the day of the service.
The new Match of the Day presenter lineup has been confirmed
Danny Jones
The brand-new presenter lineup has been confirmed for Match of the Day (MotD) following the departures of Gary Lineker and Ian Wright.
Lineker had been the lead anchor on the BBC’s flagship football programme for 25 years, spanning generations of fans after taking over the equally iconic Des Lynam back in 1999.
The 64-year-old ex-pro and England star is still in post at present but will be stepping down after the conclusion of the current Premier League season.
Following months of speculation around who would be taking over in the main chair across from regular pundits like Alan Shearer and Micah Richards, the corporation has now confirmed its new core team.
After reports began appearing earlier this month, popular presenter Kelly Cates is making the big switch to become one of three main hosts, though she does already host BBC Radio 5 Live’s Tuesday night sports coverage.
The daughter of Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish and a familiar face on Sky Sports weekly matchday on-screen talent since 2016 after first appearing as part of Sky Sports News back in 1998, she’s a recognisable face to anyone who regularly watches football. A great appointment.
‘Chappers’ continues in post
In at number two – a number he’s become more than familiar with during his time as part of the existing Match of the Day team – Mark Chapman isn’t going anywhere and will now be sharing an equal third of the presenting duties as co-host.
Chapman joined MotD back in 2013 following the departure of Colin Murray and has gone on to present various other BBC Sport productions, including their NFL coverage. ‘Chappers’ isn’t going anywhere and rightly so.
Gabby Logan remains a BBC Sport stalwart
Third and finally, Football Focus mainstay, multi-discipline sports presenter and BBC veteran, Gabby Logan, is taking her rightful place on the Match of the Day panel. About time if you ask us.
Also the son of a famous footballer – Leeds legend and Wales international Terry Yorath – and a retired athlete herself, having competed as a rhythmic gymnast, she’s been a household name on British telly for as long as most of us can remember.
As for Lineker, you can expect an emotional send-off when he does call it this May.
The former Leicester, Everton, Barcelona and Spurs player will still be serving as a key part of the BBC’s FA Cup presenting team as well as future Euros and World Cups.
We’ll always have the memories, eh, Gary?
The new Match of the Day presenters have some big shorts to fill.
A Manchester barbershop is offering a ‘pay what you can’ service this month
Danny Jones
Amidst the tidal wave of January deals on food and drink in Manchester, a local barbers is championing their own ‘pay what you can’ offer to help people along this month.
Jefe’s Barbershop, located in the heart of Manchester’s Northern Quarter, is one of the best barbers in the city centre, offering a wide variety of cuts and facial hair grooming services – they even offer a subscription service that helps people save money on regular trims.
That being said, they are well aware of those January blues and the mounting obstacles and anxieties that come with weeks of penny-pinching to make it to month’s end, as well as the general toll it can take on people’s mental health.
So this January, Jefe and his team are doing something different – as he puts it, “something special”: the barbershop is allowing customers to simply pay what they feel comfortable handing over and, in the case of those struggling, whatever they can afford.
It’s a simple gesture with a big purpose which helps ensure no one has to miss out on a feel-good moment or the confidence that comes from a fresh trim.
“All we do is laugh and joke about life—that’s why people come here,” Jefe explains. “I don’t want anyone to lose the chance to be present, to feel good, and to laugh with us.
“Men often need more help than they’re willing to let on and we want to be a helping hand they can rely on.” Now that’s a cause all of us can and should get behind.
Community support has remained at the core of Jefe’s Barbershop since the beginning when he swapped a basketball career for providing a much-needed service to Mancunian men.
From partnering with Manc sandwich shops and offering free haircuts for the homeless, to hosting street parties with local events companies and providing £5 trims to promote men’s mental health in 2023 when the cost of living crisis really kicked in – Jefe’s is always trying to make a difference in the area.
You’ve got to love businesses that go the extra mile.
If you want to make the most of this wholesome deal or just feel like you’re in need of a trim, you can book HERE or call them directly on 0161 818 7659.
The ‘pay what you can’ offer runs Monday to Thursday, 9am-7pm, subject to availability. You’ll find Jefe’s Barbershop on Stevenson Square
Because as the man himself puts it, “Everyone deserves to feel their best”.
Georgina Pellant -
8th November 2021 
