News

Wing Fest is returning to Manchester in summer 2021

Despite a storming debut, Wing Fest had to temporarily take a fallow year in 2020 - but organisers have pledged the event will be ready to return this summer.

The Manc The Manc - 29th January 2021

The Manchester calendar, in ordinary times, was overstuffed with events, gigs and celebrations.

But even during those heady pre-pandemic days, Wing Fest still managed to rank as one of the city’s biggest and exciting occasions.

Uniting the greatest cooks and finest recipes from right around the world, it was an event for wing-lovers and risk-takers alike – with brave Mancunians queuing up to take part in spicy challenges that featured some of the hottest sauces on the planet.

Despite a storming North West debut in 2019, Wing Fest had to temporarily take a fallow year last time round – but organisers have pledged the event will be ready to return this summer.

And it’s set to be a big one – with 70,000 wings being served by 20 street food traders.

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Previous editions of Wing Fest saw the event set up shop near First Street – just a short stroll away from Deansgate Locks.

The location for 2021 remains under wraps for the time being – but the dates have officially been confirmed.

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Wing Fest Manchester will take place on August 14 and 15.

Festival owners stated: “After a year away, we’re back for our 7th annual festival this summer.

“We’re bringing along some of the UK’s finest wing vendors for an event like no other.”

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More info is set to be released over the coming weeks, but in the meantime, you can whet your appetite by drooling over the festival’s Instagram channel.

Learn more about the fest, pick out which wings you might like to try, and grab yourself a ticket online here.

Every pass comes with a Wing Fest signature trucker hat and Frank’s RedHot sauce.

News

NHS urges people to book flu jabs ahead of winter as A&E attendances hit record 2.5 million

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant Injection / jab

The NHS is urging people get their flu jabs booked ahead of the upcoming season.

After A&E attendances hit a record 2.5 million in July, and staff experienced the three busiest months ever recorded between May and July in emergency departments, the NHS wants to do everything it can to ‘ease demand’ ahead of winter flu season arriving.

Flu season usually peaks in December and January, so the health service is starting to administer the vaccinations from autumn onwards to ensure fewer people are hospitalised.

Flu can cause significant issues for children, pregnant women, older adults, and people with some long-term health conditions – with issues including hospitalisation and, in certain cases, severe respiratory failure or even death.

It’s estimated that around 104,000 hospitalisations could have been avoided last year, which is why the NHS is keen to cut that number this winter.

Those eligible will be able to get their flu vaccination from a variety of places in their local community, including their GP practices and participating high street pharmacies.

The jab is given in injectable form in the vast majority of cases, while a nasal spray is provided for most children.

“Vaccinations play a vital role in protecting those most at risk from flu and they are also crucial for relieving pressures on our NHS over the winter months,” explained Health Secretary Yvette Cooper.

“Everyone who is eligible for a free vaccination will be notified through their phone or in the post, and the system for booking appointments is now open. Together, we can save lives, support the most vulnerable, and ensure our NHS is there for everyone who needs it this winter.”

Read more:

The national booking system is now open so that eligible people – including pregnant women and children – can pre-book their flu vaccinations when appointments start on 1 September.

Get booking here.

Featured Image – NappyStudio (via Unsplash)

News

Manchester City Council approves petition calling for Market Street to be less of a ‘sensory overload’

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Market Street could be less of a 'sensory overload', if a new petition to manchester city council succeeds

A petition has been launched calling on Manchester City Council to review the management of Market Street, hoping to make it ‘more peaceful’ and less of a ‘sensory overload’.

All Mancs know that a walk down Market Street is no easy undertaking – it’s a hugely busy shopping street and pedestrian thoroughfare, often populated by buskers, street performers, charity fundraisers, and roving stalls.

One does not simply ‘pop to the shops’ in Manchester city centre. Instead, we pinball our way along the street which often feels like an urban obstacle course.

And now, an online petition has been launched and approved by Manchester City Council, calling for the street’s management (and that of Piccadilly Gardens) to be reviewed.

The petition calls on the council to assess ‘the cumulative effect of these activities, including excessive noise, sensory overload, obstruction, and difficulty navigating the city centre’.

And while it is ‘not directed at any particular group of people, business, political belief, charity, religion, or organisation’, the petition organisers believe that the large number of organised street solicitation, amplified sound, gazebos and stalls, and organised gatherings, are all significantly impacting pedestrian movement.

“These spaces should remain accessible, comfortable, safe, and easy to navigate for everyone,” the petition states.

A 'quiet' Monday lunchtime on Market Street
A 'quiet' Monday lunchtime on Market Street
A ‘quiet’ Monday lunchtime on Market Street. Credit: The Manc Group

Management measures for both Market Street and Piccadilly Gardens that have been put forward include designated locations for organised activities, permits, reasonable controls on noise levels, a review of street trading locations, and more measures to reduce obstruction in high-footfall areas.

It reads: “The review should also consider whether the concentration of multiple organised activities within the same locations operating during the same time slots is appropriate, and whether a more balanced distribution across the city centre would improve accessibility while continuing to respect the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and legitimate trading.

“The aim is not to prevent lawful expression, peaceful assembly, or legitimate trading. Instead, it is to ensure that Manchester’s busiest public spaces remain welcoming, accessible, and functional for everyone by achieving an appropriate balance between the many activities taking place within them, while protecting the rights of all who use these shared public spaces.”

The petition has made its way onto the Manchester Reddit subreddit, where one person described Market Street as an ‘absolute sensory overloaded obstacle course’ and a ‘sweetcorn scented sleep paralysis demon’.

The petition calls for more thought into the organisation of traders, performers, and more on Market Street. Credit: The Manc Group

One person commented: “Literally walked down market street just yesterday and thought about this, very glad something might actually be done. I moved away years ago and it was never good, but yesterday I’d never seen anything like it. Preachers, half a fun fair, sweet stand, rapper, guy dancing in a banana suit and more. It’s absolutely f*cked.”

Someone else posted: “People can practice whatever religion they want, but it’s horrible hearing loud chanting music, combined with two other religions doing the same thing, combined with random preaching, and then the buskers that seems to think if they’re super loud it means that are super good.”

You can see and sign the petition to review Market Street HERE.

Featured image: The Manc Group

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