Temperatures across the UK have been hotting up this week and there’s nothing Brits love more than a BBQ in the back garden during the summertime.
We’ve had the hottest day of the year so far recorded twice this week and it’s truly started to feel like summer.
As we head into July and the further lifting of lockdown restrictions on 4th July edges closer and closer, there’s definitely a smell of barbecues on the horizon and if you’re looking to take your BBQ game up a couple of notches, then we’ve found some must-have tools and equipment pieces on Amazon that are pretty cost-effective and definitely worth getting your hands on.
If you’re going to have a BBQ, you might as well have a bloody good one, right?
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BBQ Stainless Steel Tool Set
Amazon / Fixget
This 20-piece set really is the ultimate all-round BBQ starter kit.
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It comes with all you need to get right into grilling in just one package and is manufactured with premium quality stainless steel to make it a worthwhile purchase that’s long-lasting under the right care instruction. It’s a sturdy and durable set that won’t bend, break or rust and is really easy to clean up after using too.
The set comes with BBQ tongs, a BBQ fork, skewers, grill brushes and more, and is retailing at £20.39 + postage/packaging.
You can get your hands on the Fixget 20Pcs BBQ Tool Sethere.
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BBQ Tools Apron Set
Amazon / NJ
If you’re looking for convenience and you’re also prone to a spillage or two when cooking up a feast, then you really need look no further than this 2-in-1 BBQ Apron / Tools Set.
This set is perfect for all budding outdoor chefs and it comes with a spatula, fork, tongs, cotton glove and salt & pepper shakers, all which sit in their own individual compartments of a heavy-gauge nylon apron. The apron also has adjustable locking fasteners and extra built-in storage pockets too.
It’s retailing at £24.90 + postage/packaging and is also eligible for Amazon Prime delivery perks too for those subscribed to the service.
You can get your hands on the NJ 7Pcs BBQ Grill Apronhere.
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Heat Resistant BBQ Gloves
Amazon / AOMEES
The ideal purchase for the accident prone amongst us – we all know one.
Sitting firmly at #1 on top of Amazon’s Best Seller list, these BBQ gloves are specially designed to not only be resistant to extreme heat, but they’re also resistant to cuts too. They’re non-toxic, anti-slip, flexible and are perfect for all types of outdoor grilling and barbecuing
They’re retailing at £12.49 + postage/packaging and they’re eligible for Amazon Prime delivery perks too for those subscribed to the service.
You can get your hands on the AOMEES BBQ Gloveshere.
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XL Heavy Duty Grill Tongs
Amazon / Mountain Grillers
If you’re pretty serious about upping your BBQ game, these is what you need to be forking out for.
The heavy duty grilling tongs are extra long extra long metal tongs with a non-slip grip. The quality design allows for easy handling at safe distances from the flame and the varying size gives your tong set the versatility that all great grill masters look for in their tools.
You get x2 tongs in this set – a 12″ pair and a 16″ pair.
They’re retailing at £9.69 and they’re eligible for FREE delivery too at the moment, so that’s worth taking advantage of.
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You can get your hands on the Mountain Grillers Heavy Duty Grill Tongshere.
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Beer Bucket / Drinks Cooler
Amazon / Bar Craft
If the temperatures are hotting up, then let’s make sure the drinks are ice cold.
This large acrylic bucket is ideal for chilling bottles of beer, wine, champagne and soft drinks. It has a huge 10 litre capacity, twin handles for easy lifting, and the tub is tough enough to be used for all BBQ’s, parties and get-togethers with confidence.
It’s retailing at £16.96 + postage/packaging, is listed as an Amazon’s Choice product and is eligible for Amazon Prime delivery perks too for those subscribed to the service.
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You can get your hands on the BarCraft Large Drinks Coolerhere.
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Cool Plate
Amazon / Tomorrow’s Kitchen
If you’re going to be spending prolonged periods of time outside whilst you’re barbecuing, which of course you are – it’s summer – then this ‘cool plate’ is perfect for keeping food fresh.
It’s ideal for meat, poultry, fish, cheese, cakes, salad and many other foods that require low temperatures.
It includes a removable cooling element that is stored in the freezer for six hours, before being applied to the stainless steel plate, in order to keep food as fresh as possible and ready to serve whenever.
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It’s retailing at £34.70 + postage/packaging, is listed as an Amazon’s Choice product and is eligible for Amazon Prime delivery perks too for those subscribed to the service.
You can get your hands on the Tomorrow’s Kitchen Cool Platehere.
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Plans for more than 400 affordable homes available by ‘social renting’ coming to Wythenshawe
Danny Jones
Plans for a slate of more than 400 new affordable homes in Wythenshawe, which will also be made available for ‘social renting’, are now said to be moving forward following the official submission of three different applications this month.
Development group and so-called ‘placemakers’, Muse, have teamed up with Wythenshawe Community Housing Group (WCHG) to deliver not just one batch of new properties but a trio of new living locations in the town centre.
More importantly, all 422 of these prospective homes will be available via social rent, i.e. low-cost housing provided and leased by local authorities and/or housing associations, which are typically aimed at those on lower incomes and facing other adversities.
While Wythenshawe has plenty of council houses and social housing already, thanks to the WCHG, these latest proposals could see thousands more Greater Manchester natives given the opportunity to be part of the area’s next big overhaul.
As per a recent press release from the team behind the project: “The plans represent the first phase of housing within the wider masterplan, which will see up to 2,000 new homes created over the next 10 to 15 years, alongside new community facilities, green spaces and places to work and socialise.
It’s also worth noting that this undertaking, which will span over the next decade and a half or so, is part of the Greater Manchester region’s overarching goal to increase the level of high-quality domesticity throughout the 10 boroughs.
Besides various other projects in different up-and-coming areas like Stockport, Strangeways, Bolton, as well as here in the city centre, the area is also being hit with a major regeneration scheme.
Subject to planning approval, Wythenshawe will see the Brotherton House, Alpha House and C2 The Birtles buildings transformed into a modern residential complex, comprising a mix of apartments and townhouses aimed at local people with “differing requirements”.
You can see the map for where the developments are in relation to each other down below.
Credit: Supplied
Developers have promised that homes will be affordable, high-quality and energy-efficient, “with additional outdoor and communal spaces to promote interaction, health and wellbeing”.
Brotherton House – a now abandoned former office building – will be turned into 216 new homes, including an extra care apartment building with a further 109 rooms for people in later life and those living with dementia. Find out more HERE.
Moreover, if fully green-lit when the planning permission process is completed, the overview also includes 81 apartments and 25 two and four-bedroom townhouses, plus landscaped gardens and green spaces to encourage local wildlife and nearby residents to spend more time outdoors.
Already under demolition, neighbouring Alpha House will also be flattened and rebuilt to provide 125 one- and two-bedroom apartments, including 16 wheelchair accessible homes.
Meanwhile, the venue currently known as C2 The Birtles (next to the old market square), which holds existing retail and office spaces, will be replaced with around 81 one and two-beds, along with a new ground-floor retail space to complement the wider Civic offering.
Local councillor and leader of Manchester City Council, Bev Craig, said of the plans: “Delivering truly affordable homes – with a focus on social rent housing – was one of our key priorities when we set out the vision for the long-term transformation of Civic.
“The town centre is the beating heart of this community, and that means building homes that are affordable to as many people as possible, creating a long-term sustainable community of people who are proud of where they live.
“These planning applications represent an exciting milestone for Wythenshawe – and it’s great to be working alongside Wythenshawe Community Housing Group to realise these important developments.”
As for WCHG, their executive director, Andrea Lowman, added: “We’re delighted to see the first phase of new homes progressing, marking a major step forward in delivering the high-quality, affordable housing that local people have told us they need.
“This phase will bring forward homes that support residents at every stage of life, creating a strong foundation for a vibrant, sustainable town centre that meets the needs of our communities now and in the future.”
Featured Images — Wythenshawe Community Housing Group/Muse (supplied)
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More Metrolink disruption expected as further tram strikes have been scheduled
Danny Jones
Further disruption to the Bee Network is now expected during an already full-on time of year, as more Metrolink tram strikes have been scheduled over the festive period.
Put in the simplest terms, members of Unite the Union have said: “The dispute is over driver fatigue and fears that their shift patterns and lack of rest breaks are putting them and passengers at risk.”
As a result, they have now pencilled in protests on 19, 20 and 31 December, holding walkouts from their usual timetable.
A largely empty St Peter’s Square tram stop is a fairly rare sight to see. (Credit: The Manc)
In addition to the other pair of strikes planned for this coming weekend (5-7 Dec), the latest trio have been specifically timed in and around key dates on the city’s calendar.
As well as the return of Manchester’s firework display on St. Peter’s Square, the walk-outs will also coincide with a Manchester City fixture at the Etihad Stadium, as well as notable live music gigs like Jools Holland and Manc band, Doves.
Naturally, tens upon tens of thousands are set to use the Bee Network and trams, in particular, to travel to these events – reiterating just how important properly investing and staffing the Metrolink and other arms of Manchester’s public transport service is.
The most recent update from the union continues: “Unite has repeatedly raised issues with management, but has been told there is no funding available for improvements to working patterns.”
Their General Secretary, Sharon Graham, said as part of the most recent statement: “Driver fatigue is a serious problem. Our members are raising serious concerns about their and their passengers’ safety, but Metrolink management is burying its head in the sand.
“Management must sort this problem out once and for all. It can’t try to fob drivers off by putting profits before safety.”
Here are some of the scenes from the demonstrations earlier this year:
⏰HAPPENING NOW; when Transport for Greater Manchester wouldn't come to the table SO the strikers brought the table (*and chairs) to them! We're ready when you are TfGM. pic.twitter.com/io1OFHED8I
Union members have also clarified their position surrounding ‘fatigue’; it isn’t just the fear of possible risks in operating a tram whilst being “exhausted”, but both the wider mental and physical toll that working the current shift patterns has on workers.
One driver quoted as saying: “My colleagues are tired, but the fatigue is also giving them cold-like symptoms and many have been going off sick with stress, which adds to problems with staffing levels.”
So, if you’re planning on using the Metrolink this holiday season when travelling around for Christmas shopping or even just going home, make sure to keep the strike dates in mind.
Elsewhere, the Bee Network has also provided more information on the designs to bring tram lines to Stockport town centre. Read more down below.
Emily Sergeant -
26th June 2020 
