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 “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.
Oldham police issue dispersal order following ‘repeat incidents’ of disorder in town centre
Emily Sergeant
A dispersal order has been issued in Oldham following ‘repeat incidents’ of disorder between groups of youths.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) confirmed that it has implemented a Section 35 dispersal order and additional Section 60 ‘stop and search’ powers in Oldham following repeat incidents of disorder between groups of youths in the town centre.
The measures were introduced yesterday afternoon (9 December) after reports of disorder came into police, which also followed similar incidents seen earlier this and last week.
So far, five arrests have been made in connection with the incidents – two for violent disorder, and three for possession of offensive weapons.
A Section 35 dispersal order is in effect for 48 hours until 1:25pm this Thursday (11 December), and the Section 60 is in effect for an initial 24 hours until 1:25pm today.
#UPDATE | We have implemented a Section 35 dispersal order and a Section 60 stop and search powers in Oldham Town Centre today at 1:25pm.
The measures will remain in place for 48 hours for the S.35 and for 24 hours for the S.60 following disorder.
The dispersal order allows officers to exclude a person, or people, from an area for up to 48 hours through a written notice, while the Section 60 authority grants officers extended powers to stop and search individuals within the area.
Neighbourhood officers will maintain a high-visibility presence in the area and will use these powers where necessary to ‘keep the public safe’.
“These measures are in place to prevent further disorder and ensure the safety of those living, working, and visiting Oldham town centre,” commented Inspector Amie Whitehead, who is the Neighbourhood Inspector for Oldham South & West.
“We will not tolerate antisocial behaviour and will take robust action against anyone involved.
“These powers are crucial to preventing any further offences from taking place. If you have any concerns or any information, then please speak to those officers who are there to help.”
Anyone with any information is urged to contact police via 101 or using the LiveChat function on www.gmp.police.uk, quoting log 1619 of 09/12/25.
Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Featured Image – Wikimedia Commons
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Trafford Centre announces opening hours for 2025/26 festive season – including Boxing Day
Emily Sergeant
Trafford Centre has published its full list of opening hours for this current festive season.
We all know that the Christmas period is one of the busiest times of the year for the retail industry, with people flocking to the shops in their millions to snap up festive gifts for their loved ones, and it only gets busier from Boxing Day onwards too when all the sales launch, offering shoppers some unmissable deals and bargains.
And nowhere in Greater Manchester gets busier during the festive season than the Trafford Centre. After all, with more than 200 stores all under one room, it’s not hard to see why.
This year, shoppers can make the most of extended opening hours at the Trafford Centre right through to New Year’s Day – with late night shopping until 11pm on selected dates in December leading up to the big day.
Alongside being a one-stop-shop for gifts, there’s also dozens of festive events and new Christmas lights to enjoy at the Trafford Centre too, so visitors can tick everything off their list and have a great day out while they’re at it.
The shopping centre will be open from 9am – 5pm on Christmas Eve, so you can whip round and grab any last-minute presents, before it’s closed fully on Christmas Day, and then opens again bright and early at 8am on Boxing Day.
Trafford Centre Christmas Opening Hours 2025/26
18 and 19 December: 10am – 11pm
20 December: 10am – 10pm
21 December: 12pm – 6pm
22 and 23 December: 10am – 11pm
Christmas: 9am – 5pm
Christmas Day: Closed
26 December: 8am – 8pm (some stores may be closed, please check with individual brands)
27 December: 10am – 9pm
28 December: 12pm – 6pm
29 and 30 December: 10pm – 10pm
New Year’s Eve: 9am – 5pm
New Year’s Day: 12pm – 6pm
It’s also worth noting, however, that not every store inside the Trafford Centre will be open on Boxing Day, so you’ll need to check with individual brands ahead of time.
For the restaurants, stores, and leisure venues that are open, you can check their specific trading hours on the Trafford Centre website here.
When it comes to festive event, The Grotto is open until Christmas Eve for pre-bookings only, and the Christmas fairground and ice rink, Big Wheel, and Gandeys Snowstorm Firebird show are all open until 4 January (closed Christmas Day).
The Manc -
1st January 2024 
