Witnesses have reported trespassers breaking onto the site of the Manchester Arena memorialover the weekend, leaving the families of those killed in the atrocity ‘devastated’.
People were seen ‘vomiting and urinating’ on The Glade of Light garden, which is still under construction.
The incident over the weekend was witnessed by the families of those who died in the atrocity at the Manchester Arena back in 2017.
They reported people dragging the fences away to walk through the memorial garden, with some walking across the concrete halo centrepiece bearing the names of the victims.
Plans for Glade of Light, which is still under construction. Credit: Manchester City Council
Caroline Curry, whose son Liam was killed in the terrorist incident along with his girlfriend Chloe Rutherford, tweeted: “@ManCityCouncil arrived earlier and found the fencing around the glade has been moved and people walking thru & round the glade.
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“I’ve witnessed urinating, vomiting, attempted theft, drug use and finally a drunk who claims to be/have been in the army walk across the halo.
“When asked to get down his response “I don’t give a fuck what it is” so my question is, Where is the RESPECT we were told to expect from the people of Manchester?
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“Certainly none of that tonight!! And clearly they can’t read either!!
“I can’t wait til the day I never have to come back to this place!! The only place I know where waccie baccie is a constant smell in the air!! Feeling totally devastated by it all”
I can’t wait til the day I never have to come back to this place!! The only place I know where waccie baccie is a constant smell in the air!! Feeling totally devastated by it all 💔 pic.twitter.com/kQxfUlHhXe
Claire Brewster’s sister Kelly Brewster was another victim of the Manchester Arena attack.
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She posted yesterday: “Devastated to arrive in Manchester tonight & see people moving the fences to walk through the memorial @ManCityCouncil thought it wasn’t opening until next year? Tried putting the fence back ourselves and people are just dragging it out of the way!”
Figen Murray, mother of Martyn Hett, said: “Not sure what can be done about human beings who clearly have not been brought up with decency & respect for others! Shame on them! Upset about you being quite rightly distressed witnessing all that!!”
Councillor Pat Karney told the BBC that Manchester City Council would be investigating ‘as a matter of urgency’.
He said: “The whole area is covered by CCTV and if footage shows it was due to the deliberate actions of mindless thugs, rather than a problem with the fencing itself, we will pass this information on to the police.
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“We utterly condemn this mindless and disrespectful behaviour and will not hesitate to take action against those involved.”
Featured image: Manchester City Council
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NHS says it’s battling with ‘worst case scenario’ as flu cases surge nationwide
Emily Sergeant
Flu hospitalisations have surged by more than half in just one week, plunging the NHS into the ‘worst case scenario’.
Shocking new figures have revealed that an nn average of 2,660 patients per day were in a hospital bed with flu last week, which is the highest-ever for this time of year and up 55% up on last week – which, when put into perspective, means there are enough flu patients each day to fill more than three whole hospital trusts.
NHS bosses have warned that the total has already increased sharply since the week covered by the data, and at this time, there is thought to be no ‘peak’ in sight.
These new figures come as demand for A&Es and ambulance services are already soaring.
The number of patients in hospital with flu has risen by over 50% in the last week, reaching a record number for this time of year – and numbers continue to grow.
New monthly figures showed that A&E attendances were a record for November at 2.35 million and more than 30,000 higher than November 2024, while there were 48,814 more ambulance incidents compared to last year.
The record-breaking demand also comes just ahead of thousands of resident doctors going on strike this week from 17-22 December – with ‘major disruption’ expected for patients ahead of Christmas.
The public are advised to attend any planned appointments scheduled during the strikes, unless they have been contacted to reschedule.
Primary and urgent and emergency care services will continue to be available for those who need them, during the industrial action.
NHS says it’s battling with the ‘worst case scenario’ as flu cases surge nationwide / Credit: Pxhere
The public should use 111 online as their first port of call for urgent but not life-threatening issues so that they can be directed to the best place for their needs, while patients who need emergency medical care should continue to use 999 or come forward to A&E as normal.
“With record demand for A&E and ambulances and an impending resident doctors strike, this unprecedented wave of super flu is leaving the NHS facing a worst-case scenario for this time of year – with staff being pushed to the limit to keep providing the best possible care for patients,” commented Professor Meghana Pandit, who is the NHS National Medical Director.
“Even worse, it continues to rise and the peak is not in sight yet, so the NHS faces an extremely challenging few weeks ahead.
“We have prepared earlier for winter than ever before, and stress-tested services to ensure people have a range of ways to get the help they need and avoid needing to go to A&E.”
Health Secretary Wes Streeting described the flu surge as a ‘tidal wave’.
“We are working with the NHS to make sure it is able to cope with this as best as possible,” he concluded.
Featured Image – Stephen Andrews (via Unsplash)
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Erling Haaland dresses up as Santa and hands out Christmas presents in Greater Manchester
Danny Jones
Manchester City star Erling Haaland has doubled as Father Christmas in his latest YouTube stunt, dressing up as Santa and handing out presents to local kids in the new episode.
We’re starting to think he might be one of the most likeable footballers on the planet right now.
The Norwegian footballer recently surpassed Alan Shearer’s ‘fastest to 100 goals record’ in the Premier League and has been well and truly back to his best as Man City continue to rediscover their form, but the big blonde number nine has been delighting both on and off the pitch of late.
For starters, even before any of the season’s givings began, we got the giggle just from our first glimpse of the thumbnail.
Yes, Haaland definitely has a habit of leaning into the humorous side of his celebrity status, having already dressed up as the Joker for Halloween in one of the first episodes published on his still relatively new YouTube channel.
However, the 25-year-old got up to some more heartwarming activities this time around, swapping the face paint, green wig and stripey suit for a red coat, hat, some little glasses and a big white beard.
With the video itself showing him getting into character and loading his car with a sack full of presents, he then goes on to visit multiple houses to dish out the surprise gifts.
While the title and description state that he drove around the streets of 0161, it’s hard to tell where exactly he went, but we’d guess it was more around Alderley Edge and/or the Cheshire side of the Greater Manchester borders.
One particular interaction between the disguised Blue and a young Red certainly produced a harmless little bit of comedy…
Either way, on the whole, this particular instalment was more wholesome than it was funny, and it’s always nice to see sports personalities and famous people spreading kindness.
Obviously, not everyone can afford to be as generous as a Premier League and world-famous international athlete, but it’s nevertheless a nice touch.
Daisy Jackson -
6th December 2021 
