Woman’s ‘dream camper van’ torched overnight in Didsbury on Valentine’s Day
The owner said she was 'heartbroken' to find her beloved van - the 'only thing she had ever owned' - had been torched in a 'mindless' act of vandalism.
Members of the West Didsbury community are pooling their money together to help a young woman replace her ‘dream’ camper van after it was set alight on Valentine’s Day.
A local resident said she was ‘heartbroken’ to find her beloved van – the ‘only thing she had ever owned’ – had been torched on Sunday (February 14) evening.
The culprits appear to have used the vehicle’s spare petrol can to start the fire – which ripped through the van’s interior and left the contents destroyed.
The vehicle had been fully restored, revamped and decorated by the owner herself – who also lost a number of sentimental items in the blaze including some precious scarves.
Police were apparently ‘shocked’ at the egregious act of vandalism, which took place on Lapwing Lane in Didsbury at around 11pm on February 14.
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Anyone who might have dashcam footage of the incident after travelling through the nearby area around West Didsbury Tram Stop on Sunday evening is being encouraged to come forward.
In the meantime, a fundraiser has been launched on GoFundMe to raise enough money for the owner to purchase a brand new van.
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The charred remains of the vehicle after the fire / Image: GoFundMe page – Dan McGlynnThe original van – Image: GoFundMe page / Dan McGlynn
The GoFundMe page reads: “Jemma [the owner] has put her heart and soul into restoring, renovating and building her dream camper van.
“With limited funds she has done nearly all this work herself and it has taken a long time. She was recently thrilled to learn that it had passed it MOT with flying colours and was very excited to be able get out on adventures creating life long memories.”
The fundraiser has already generated over £2,800, with more than 100 people donating so far.
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“Let’s come together as a community to help Jemma to to be able to realise her dream again, and get her out on those adventures,” said the GoFundMe organiser, Dan McGlynn.
“And let’s show that the Didsbury community is much bigger and better than the horrible people that did this.”
Greens hasn’t shared as much detail about its Sale closure.
Simon Rimmer’s Greens restaurant in Sale has announced its immediate closure. Credit: The Manc Group
They wrote: “It is with deep regret that the board of directors and shareholders have decided to close the doors permanently on Greens Sale with immediate effect.
“We’ve done everything possible to make this work, but it is now clear the business is untenable.
“We’d like to thank everyone, team members & guests, who have been on the Greens journey with us.”
It’s another blow to the Manchester’s famous vegan and vegetarian restaurant scene, which has lost the likes of Wholesome Junkies, Vurger Co, and V Rev all shutting down in the last couple of years.
Wholesome Junkies shut down because of ‘skyrocketing costs’, writing at the time of their closure in July: “The figures just don’t add up, it’s no joke and it’s devastating the hospitality industry.”
Northern blocks access to dating apps and websites on-board trains
Emily Sergeant
Access to dating apps and websites is now blocked on-board trains travelling across the north, it has been revealed.
Northern says there’s “good reason” for taking this decision.
This is because the WiFi provided by the train operator on-board its services travelling across the north of England is delivered under the ‘Friendly WiFi’ scheme, which blocks access to certain categories of content – including those associated with dating.
Websites and apps related to video streaming, gambling, alcohol, adult content, pornography, and nudity are also blocked.
Northern has blocked access to dating apps and websites on-board its trains / Credit: Northern
The company says ‘Friendly WiFi’ – which it has been signed up to since 2017 – ensures its on-board internet service meets “minimum filtering standards” given the fact that children could be present around passengers at all times.
The decision to ban dating apps and websites comes after Northern also urged passengers to stop viewing content that’s “not suitable for work” on its trains and stations in Greater Manchester and beyond, and pleaded for them to “wait until you get home” instead.
Content that Northern considers ‘NSFW’ can range from inappropriate jokes and bad language, right through to offensive topics and explicit material.
The train operator has explained the “good reason” for its decision / Credit: Northern
Northern’s Chief Operating Officer, Matt Rice, said access to “safe and reliable” internet is part of passengers’ expectations.
“Whilst some dating websites and users will operate with appropriate levels of self-moderation, some might not and it’s important that content not suitable for everyone to see or hear, particularly children, isn’t viewed on our trains,” Mr Rice explained.
“It’s simply about ensuring that there is sufficient bandwidth for all our customers to use while they’re on the go.
The Manc -
16th February 2021 
