News

New OneGM campaign to ‘go beyond’ government support and help prevent hardship in Manchester

Andy Burnham, Gary Neville and Tim Heatley are among the biggest names in Manchester coming together as part of the new OneGM campaign.

The Manc The Manc - 28th October 2020

Andy Burnham, Gary Neville and Tim Heatley are among the many big names in Greater Manchester coming together for the new OneGM campaign – which has been created to provide essential support to the region under Tier 3 restrictions.

Greater Manchester is set to receive around £65 million to keep the local economy ticking over – significantly less than what leaders argue is necessary.

In order to provide help that “goes beyond the package of government support,” some of the region’s most influential people are now uniting for OneGM.

A press conference confirming the launch of OneGM took place on Tuesday (27 October).

Leaders across sectors announced their intention to contribute, including Chris Oglesby, CEO of Bruntwood; former Manchester United footballer and businessman, Gary Neville; award-winning actor, Julie Hesmondhalgh; Right Reverend Dr David Walker, Bishop of Manchester; and Lucy Danger, CEO of EMERGE.

Others included Diane Modahl, Chair of the Greater Manchester Young Person’s Task Force and Trustee of the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity; Karina Jadhav, Founder and Owner of Menagerie bar and restaurant; and Liz Taylor, CEO of corporate events company TLC Ltd.

Burnham stated: “While we didn’t get all the support from Government we asked for, I want to reassure everyone that I will do everything I can to help those suffering from hardship so people can live their lives with as much dignity and comfort they deserve.

“I’m humbled to see so many people come together under the oneGM campaign to unite the city-region and provide whatever support people need. We are all committed to making sure our economy and people come out of this pandemic ready to thrive and I hope others will join us too.”

Hotel Football and Salford City FC owner Neville added that “the business community in Greater Manchester is working closely together to establish a sustainable way forward.”

“We cannot continue with inconsistent and reactive direction,” said the ex-United star.

“It’s draining the confidence of many and causing great distress.”

Chair of the Mayor’s Charity, Tim Heatley said that it was “right all sectors come together and do whatever we can to help those who need it most.”

“Our new fundraising drive aims to get local support to those hardest hit by the economic impact of Covid by tackling food poverty, supporting those experiencing or at risk of homelessness to providing mental health support,” Heatley said.

“I would urge anyone who wants to help to donate whatever they can and be part of the oneGM campaign.”

Learn more about the OneGM campaign online.

News

There’s a World Gravy Wrestling Championship near Greater Manchester

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia World Gravy Wrestling Championships Greater Manchester

Just on the outskirts of Greater Manchester, there’s a country pub set in a rural village that hosts a world gravy wrestling championship.

Leave it to us northerners to organise a world gravy wrestling championship because let’s face it, there’s nothing more northern than plummeting yourself into bucket loads of gravy.

It’s a well-known fact that we Brits, especially northerners, love a good splash of gravy with our meals – so much so, in fact, that according to one study, we drench meals in gravy three times a week.

At The Rose ‘N’ Bowl in the village of Stacksteads, it’s not just their meals they’re drenching in the brown nectar; they drench any willing guest in this beige saucy goodness too as part of the World Gravy Wrestling Championships.

Here’s a little taster from nearly a decade ago.

Participants are expected to wrestle in the gravy for two minutes, with the winner being judged not only on their play-fighting skills but also on their choice of fancy dress, comedy effect and entertainment.

Past wrestlers have rocked up as zebras, racehorse jockeys and famous TV characters like Ali G and Mickey Mouse.

Each wrestler is encouraged to raise money on behalf of a charity of their choice, but if you don’t have one, donations will be sent to East Lancashire Hospice, which has helped people countywide suffering from life-limiting illness for the past 30 years.

The World Gravy Wrestling Championships have been held outside this very pub for over a decade, with the first ever event taking place at a car park in Wigan before it found a permanent home outside The Rose ‘N’ Bowl.

And if swimming in a pool of gravy isn’t for you, don’t fret because there’s a handful of sauce-free activities you can get involved with spread throughout the pub’s car park.

Fret not, past events have included bouncy castles, cheerleading performances, craft beer stalls, cake and tombola stands and even a BB gun shooting range that are all completely gravy-free.

There will even be help from a local fire brigade who will be on hand to wash down wrestlers in between their gravy-filled tournament, so they can wander round all the stalls too.

Read more:

The 2025 World Gravy Wrestling Championships are coming to The Rose ‘N’ Bowl in Stacksteads on 25 August, with tickets available in person only, but plenty of information about the event HERE.

If you’re after signing up to be one of the wrestlers at this event, applications are still open and you can get stuck in with all the details you need HERE.

And if that wasn’t enough Northern food competitive action, we’ll catch you at the World Black Pudding Hurling Championships, innabit.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images – Caravanum (via Flickr)

News

Inside this Victorian mansion with 10 bedrooms, a swimming pool and more near Greater Manchester

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia

There’s a million-pound Victorian-style mansion that has 10 bedrooms and its own personal swimming pool just outside of Greater Manchester.

Just like the childhood nursery rhyme, “There were three in the bed and the little one said… there’s another seven beds, roll over!” or at least that’s how they remember it in this character property.

Located in Warrington, less than an hour away from Manchester city centre, this property is a semi-detached Victorian property built in 1860, with 10 bedrooms and its own private swimming pool, all spread across four floors.

As soon as you enter the foyer, your eyes are drawn to the sleek silver chandelier before you notice the grand staircase, which feels like a piece of living history.

Inside this Victorian mansion with 10 bedrooms and a swimming pool near Greater Manchester / Credit: On The Market
Inside this Victorian mansion with 10 bedrooms and a swimming pool near Greater Manchester / Credit: On The Market
Inside this Victorian mansion with 10 bedrooms and a swimming pool near Greater Manchester / Credit: On The Market)

The ground floor hosts two of a whopping 10 bedrooms alongside a teal-toned farmhouse-style kitchen and that extremely impressive swimming pool with its own built-in projector.

In the kitchen, the focal point is the large wrap-around kitchen unit, which is accompanied by a variety of hanging lights and a big central island.

On the way to the swimming pool, there are a handful of lockers identical to those found in a leisure and as you enter the room, your eyes are drawn to the island-inspired feature wall.

Venture upstairs to the first floor and you’re greeted by five spacious bedrooms with one having its own en-suite while the rest share a main bathroom.

Each of these bedrooms follows a completely different design style, with the largest following a muted grey palette with pops of yellow thanks to the artwork and bed accessories.

The grand staircase and one of ten bedrooms inside this Victorian mansion near Greater Manchester / Credit: On The Market
The grand staircase and one of ten bedrooms inside this Victorian mansion near Greater Manchester / Credit: On The Market
The grand staircase and one of ten bedrooms inside this Victorian mansion near Greater Manchester / Credit: On The Market

As you go upstairs again, you’ll find (you guessed it) even more bedrooms, three to be exact, with the standout

The stand-out of this second floor is the navy-walled bedroom with a vintage vanity unit, patterned floor-to-ceiling curtains and a similarly dark-blue rug to match its four walls.

Another flight of stairs and you’ve finally reached the top of this property, and there’s an LED-lined ceiling and a neutral bedroom colour scheme of greys, whites and everything in between.

There are various amenities nearby, including three schools and three train stations… for if you get fed up of strolling around your four-floored ten-bed, swimming pool-owning mansion.

Two contrasting bedrooms found within this Victorian mansion near Greater Manchester / Credit: On The Market
Two contrasting bedrooms found within this Victorian mansion near Greater Manchester / Credit: On The Market
Two contrasting bedrooms found within this Victorian mansion near Greater Manchester / Credit: On The Market

We know this property may not be in the price range and might not be affordable for a lot of readers, ourselves included, but we can dream, right?

You can check out this Victorian mansion and flick through even more pictures of this property – Snooping never hurt anybody? Official site HERE.

As always, make sure to check out The Manc‘s property page to check all the other stunning structures currently on sale/in progress across Greater Manchester and in the nearby North West.

Read more:

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images – Supplied via On The Market

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