Touching tributes have been paid to the mother and son who died in an avalanche in France, after they were named as Manchester locals Kate and Archie Vokes.
Kate, 54, and Archie, 22, tragically died when an avalanche swept through an off-piste area of a ski resort near Mont Blanc.
They were found by mountain rescuers around Saint-Gervais on Thursday afternoon.
Kate was a director and Bruntwood and the sister of Bruntwood SciTech chief executive Chris Oglesby.
She was also the chair of the Oglesby Charitable Trust, established by her late father Michael Oglesby, who died in 2019.
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Archie meanwhile was a personal trainer working at local Manchester gym Form.
A family spokesperson said: “We are beyond heartbroken at the loss of our beloved, wonderful Kate and Archie.
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“Words cannot express how terrible we all feel nor the hole in our lives that has been left by this tragic accident.
“We kindly ask for privacy as we grieve together as a family.”
Kate and Archie Vokes, both from Manchester, who tragically died in an avalanche in France. Credit: Bruntwood
Bruntwood, which specialises in commercial spaces right across Greater Manchester, wrote: “We’re heartbroken to share the tragic sudden loss of Kate Vokes & her son Archie.
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“As Oglesby Charitable Trust Chair, our Non-Executive Director & sister of our CEO, Kate was loved & respected by so many. We will miss them terribly.
The Royal Exchange theatre shared: “We are absolutely devastated to hear of the death of our Deputy Chair Kate Vokes and her son Archie in such tragic circumstances.
“Kate was our dear friend, colleague and tireless supporter. She was remarkable. Our love and thoughts are with her family at this incredibly sad time.”
The Lowry posted: “We are incredibly sad to hear about the tragic passing of Kate Vokes, and her son Archie. Kate was a passionate supporter of and advocate for the Arts and Cultural sector, and through The Oglesby Charitable Trust supported The Lowry’s work with children and young people.”
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Absolutely shocked, heartbroken and devastated. Kate Vokes and her son Archie were both so beautiful, Kate was involved in so many organisations that have changed so many peoples lives – I am lost for words, my heart goes out to the family, friends and all who knew them both 💔😥 pic.twitter.com/sBfb3dif3F
— Dr Carl Austin-Behan OBE DL “Ozzy” 💙 (@CarlAustinBehan) December 31, 2023
Cllr Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “This is a terrible tragedy and our hearts go out to Kate and Archie’s family and friends on their loss.
“Kate Vokes played a significant role in Manchester and was a great champion of many social and cultural causes in our city. She was known for her passion, commitment and energy.
“Kate was someone who believed passionately in the positive social impact that business could have, and exemplified it through her work as chair of the Oglesby Charitable Trust and her involvement with charities helping children and young people in the city.
“She was also known as committed champion of culture in Manchester and across the country, through her work with the Royal Exchange Theatre and the Bruntwood Prize.
Ex-England stars Jill Scott and Gary Lineker receive 2025 Legends of Football Awards
Danny Jones
Former England stars Jill Scott and Gary Lineker have been selected as the recipients of this year’s Legend of Football Awards.
The retired footballers turned pundits and presenters have 241 international caps and a combined 34 years of senior playing days between them, not to mention countless appearances at club level throughout their respective careers.
Confirmed on Thursday, 30 January, the pair joined the ranks of Pele, Wayne Rooney, the late Dennis Law; David Beckham, Sir Alex Ferguson, BBC colleague Alan Shearer and several other iconic names to have been chosen in the past.
The MBE and OBE duo will receive their awards at a special ceremony at the JW Marriot Grosvenor House in London this Fall.
Our annual charity fundraising night is hosted in aid of @nordoffrobbins – it has raised a staggering £8.5 million to date.
The Legends of Football Awards ceremony has been every year since it was founded back in 1996, with some of the biggest characters in English, European and world football having received the recognition over the years.
On the announcement of her award, Manchester City and Lionesses legend Jill Scott said: “I am absolutely thrilled to receive the 2025 Legends of Football award.
“It’s truly an honour to follow in the footsteps of my former international teammates, Fara Williams and Ellen White, who have also been recognised in recent years.
“The incredible work Nordoff and Robbins do cannot be overstated”, says the Women’s Euro 2022 winner. “Seeing the charity’s incredible impact through its use of music therapy to transform the lives of people with life-limiting conditions has been inspiring.
“I’m really looking forward to the evening and excited to raise money for Nordoff and Robbins.”
As for ex-Spurs, Everton, Leicester and Barcelona star, Lineker, the 64-year-old added: “This acknowledgement is an honour and would not be possible without the support of my former managers and teammates.
“I’m thrilled to be part of an incredible evening that celebrates football and music, all in support of Nordoff and Robbins. Their work is vital in transforming lives through the power of music. Music therapy offers an extraordinary means of helping individuals express themselves and connect with others.”
Described by Sir Alex Ferguson as “the best night in the football social calendar”, the Legends of Football event is an annual charity fundraising night, supported by the Premier League, in aid of music therapy charity, Nordoff and Robbins.
Also the hosts and lead sponsor of the Northern Music Awards, the organisation champions music therapy charity that uses music as a key tool for those diagnosed with disabilities, living with illness or dealing with trauma, aiding expression and communication with others.
Up to now, the annual event has raised over a staggering £8.5 million to date since John Charles CBE was made the first recipient in its inaugural year. Incredible stuff.
M&S to expand and create flagship store on major Greater Manchester retail park
Emily Sergeant
M&S has announced expansion plans to create a regional flagship store on a major Greater Manchester retail park.
Only a couple of years after the major retailer permanently closed the doors to its multi-floored store in Bolton town centre back in April 2023, citing changing shopping habits and sparking widespread concerns about the town’s high street, M&S has now revealed grand plans to expand its Middlebrook branch.
The M&S at Middlebrook – which is the largest retail park in the UK – became the only store in the borough following the town centre closure.
While the building on Deansgate in Bolton has remained vacant ever since its closure nearly two years ago, ahead of the anticipated demolition and redevelopment of the town’s Crompton Place shopping centre, it’s not the only site set to receive an upgrade.
M&S will be expanding into two vacant units, including the former Wilko unit, at the Horwich-based retail park.
M&S to expand and create a flagship store on a major Greater Manchester retail park / Credit: Google Maps
Developers Orbit Developments is working with M&S to relocate Boots, which is the other unit which M&S will expand into, and on top of this, a small extension built will also be built onto the back.
Alternative premises have been offered to Boots, according to developers, and they expect the company will stay at Middlebrook.
Set to be a “flagship” store for the region following the redevelopment, Orbit Developments says the new M&S will bring a “renewed vibrancy” to the retail park, and will benefit both customers and the wider community.
More than 100 new jobs will also be created.
“This new brand-defining M&S full line store will significantly enhance the shopping experience for customers in the area and strengthen the retail offering for Bolton at Middlebrook, while creating around 108 new jobs and offering a boost to the local economy,” Orbit Developments said in a statement.
The Manc -
1st January 2024 
