News

These four Manchester parks have just been named some of the best in the UK

A massive achievement for our local communities.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 23rd August 2023

A handful of parks in Manchester have once again been handed coveted awards and named among the best in the UK.

It may be on your radar that for several years running now, greenspaces in Greater Manchester have deservingly been recipients of the prestigious Green Flag Award – which is an internationally-recognised honour given annually to the parks and cemeteries that have “attained a high standard of green space”.

And 2023 seems to be absolutely no different, with the region coming out on top once again.

Green Flag Awards are granted by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy each year to recognise accessible green spaces that set “an international benchmark for management”.

Every site recognised through the scheme is assessed by experienced judges who judge the parks using eight criteria – a welcoming place, healthy, safe and secure, well-maintained and clean, environmental management, biodiversity, landscape and heritage, community involvement, marketing and communication, and management.

ADVERTISEMENT

With 2023 seeing the highest number of accreditations, and a total of 2,216 parks receiving the honour nationwide, Manchester City Council has revealed this week that Blackley, Gorton, Philips Park, and Southern Cemeteries have all been given the Green Flag Award, as well as both Alexandra Park and Heaton Park retaining the important title too.

That’s not the only accolade for Heaton Park this year either, as the popular community hub was also awarded the Green Heritage Accreditation and two Green Flag Community Awards.

ADVERTISEMENT
Heaton Park / Credit: Geograph (David Dixon) | Wikimedia Commons

Manchester councillors say they’re proud of this “great achievement” after ploughing “essential investment” into the recognised greenspaces over that last year to ensure they are able to be “the best they can be”.

“Our parks and green areas are essential spaces in our city,” Councillor Lee-Ann Igbon, who is the Executive Member for Vibrant Neighbourhoods, commented on the accolades.

“They provide our residents with priceless place where they can relax, exercise and enjoy themselves.”

ADVERTISEMENT
Alexandra Park / Credit: Alexandra Park

Cllr Igbon also took a moment to thank the hundreds of volunteers, and park and cemetery keepers who dedicate their time to maintaining these spaces – adding that the Green Flag Awards are a testament to their work and serve as “great recognition” of the “excellent job they do”.

Keep Britain Tidy’s Green Flag Award Scheme Manager, Paul Todd, has called Manchester’s winning greenspaces “vital” for the community.

Read more:

He added that they “bring people together” and “provide opportunities to lead healthy lifestyles”.

Featured Image – Alexandra Park

News

Trafford gymnastics coach jailed for 18 years after raping and sexually assaulting young girls

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant Michael Haynes

A gymnastics coach from Trafford has been jailed after being found guilty of non-recent rape and sexual assault against young girls he taught.

It comes after a woman bravely came forward to Greater Manchester Police (GMP) back in September 2020 to disclose the prolonged abuse she suffered at the hands of a sports coach during her youth – with the years of offending spanning from the late 1980s to the early 90s.

That coach was Michael Haynes, from the Urmston area of Trafford.

Mr Haynes, who is now 77 years old, appeared at Manchester Crown Court and was sentenced this week after a four-week trial.

During the trial, the court heard how in the late 80s, one of the victims – who was 11 at the time – joined Trafford School of Gymnastics, and it was here where Haynes first sexually assaulted her by inappropriately touching her through her clothing as he was appearing to ‘help’ her with stretching exercises.

This progressed over time, and eventually turned from sexual touching to rape – with offences occurring in his vehicle whilst he was assisting the victim’s family to transport her to and from the gymnastics club.

Following these discoveries, then in December 2023, another woman learned that Haynes was to stand trial for sexual offences and bravely came forward to the police to report what happened to her when she was around 12 years old and had already been at the gymnastics school for years with Haynes.

Michael Haynes
Michael Haynes / Credit: GMP

The court learned how Haynes began inappropriately asking her about relationships with other boys her age, before proceeding to touch her leg and sexually assault her.

“Michael Haynes violated boundaries I hadn’t yet learned how to name,” the first victim tragically explained in a victim impact statement.

“I didn’t understand what had happened, or how I felt about it. I just knew something had shifted in me. Something had been taken by someone I trusted, and I carried confusion and shame for many years. I still live with the effects of what happened, but I also live with pride in who I’ve become. All you have left now is shame.”

Michael Haynes has been sentenced to 18 years in prison after he was found guilty of nine counts of rape and 11 counts of sexual assault against two girls.

Following the sentencing this week, Detective Inspector Rick Lees, of Trafford’s CID, said: “This was a harrowing investigation, and I would like to thank the survivors for their bravery in coming forward after all these years and reporting what happened to them.

“I cannot imagine the psychological effect that this abuse had on them over the years, and I hope today’s sentencing brings some form of closure and a sense of justice.”

Read more:

Following the investigation, GMP said it believes there may be further victims of Haynes’ from the same time period who may have previously felt unable to come forward.

“We would like to take this opportunity to appeal to anyone who has been a victim of any form of sexual abuse, whether it be recent or non-recent to please get in touch with us, no matter how long ago it was, we will listen to you, and we can help,” DI Lees concluded.

Featured Image – GMP

News

Tesco are introducing ‘VAR-style’ self-checkouts in the UK

Danny Jones Danny Jones Tesco VAR self checkout video

Many people think VAR has already gone too far and want it gone from football full stop, and we’re here to tell you that you’re a fool; your hopes are in vain, and the technology is only going to become more common as time goes on. Sorry.

So much so, in fact, that Tesco look are bringing in their own virtual referee into self-checkout systems in shops. You could say the ‘game’s gone…’

Of course, we’re being a bit flippant here, but if you have seen ‘VAR’ and ‘Tesco‘, you’re not seeing things: this is genuinely a thing that is being rolled out here in the UK, with video footage of the supermarket chain’s next self-checkout technology going viral online.

Thought you’d got away with sneaking an extra little something in the bag without paying? Think again.

We’ll admit, this was the first time we’d come across the technology, but as it turns out, the updated self-checkout service has been in place for a while.

Similar VAR checkouts have already been installed at other retailers, Sainsbury’s and ASDA, although some reports claim that while stores capture footage of shoppers to check if they’ve scanned all of their items, it is thought that not all of these self-service tills show a playback when an error is detected.

Although this particular speculation has sparked some uproar and debate online, many have quite rightly pointed out that CCTV records your movement in any given shop.

Regardless, it’s fair to say that aside from the obvious memes and people poking fun at the new system, many on social media have shared some pretty strong opinions on the matter.

Not that it matters much – it’s likely this will soon become increasingly the norm, with the likes of Sainsbury’s having already introduced barriers which require customers to scan their receipt in order to leave at branches such as the site on Regent Road Retail Park over in Salford.

As yet, it’s unclear how many of these new self-service tills are in operation and whether they are limited to larger supermarket locations of their Express convenience stores, but don’t be surprised if you come across one.

Put simply, if a barcode isn’t registered before being put on the scale and/or set aside to be packed away, the Tesco till will read: “The last item wasn’t scanned properly. Remove from bagging area and try again.”

While it is obviously an effort to curb stealing, which remains one of the big drawbacks of self-service (shoplifting in England and Wales went up by 20% last year), Tesco has insisted that the goal is to improve convenience.

Addressing these new VAR-style checkouts in an official statement, a company spokesperson said: “We are always looking at technology to make life easier for our customers.

“We have recently installed a new system at some stores which helps customers using self-service checkouts identify if an item has not been scanned properly, making the checkout process quicker and easier.”

What do you make of the new Tesco and their new VAR self-checkout technology?

Read more:

You can now get a Pot Noodle as part of your Tesco meal deal
We don’t know about Tesco perpetuating VAR, but we can definitely get behind this one – that’s for damn sure.

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

Featured Images — Tesco PLC/pin add/Mikey (via Flickr)

More News

Ruben Amorim on Man United being booed off in Malaysia friendly

News

Ruben Amorim reacts as Manchester United are booed off after Malaysia friendly

Rio Ferdinand leaving TNT Sports

News

Rio Ferdinand is stepping away from TNT Sports after more than a decade

Bat-eared fox at Chester Zoo

Art & Culture

Rare bat-eared foxes have arrived at Chester Zoo for the first time in more than 30 years

Audio

Clint Boon takes us around Manchester's iconic Deaf Institute

Eats

We go meatballs deep with Mira's traditional Neapolitan sandwiches