A customer who complained about ‘very very pink’ turkey to a butchers in Oldham has been left red-faced after they pointed out the meat wasn’t actually turkey.
N L Woodcock, a family butchers in Royton in Oldham, had to break it to the customer that she’d actually ordered a gammon joint.
She’d said she’d been trying to cook the meat for an extra two hours.
Her family had to sit down to a meat-less dinner, and it was only after they’d eaten that she ‘had a nibble’ on the mystery joint and realised it was gammon.
Christmas hams at the Royton butchers. Credit: Facebook, N L Woodcock Butchers
She then apologised, and referred to herself as a ‘tw*t’.
A staff member at the butchers was so tickled by the situation that he offered to drop off a boneless turkey breast, free of charge.
They said it was the ‘best laugh’ they’d had all year.
N L Woodcock shared screenshots of the exchange with the customer.
They wrote: “So we cooked the big 12Ib Turkey yesterday and when we carved it it was still very very pink inside so we had to put it back in the oven.
“1 hour later we got it out again but still pink do my husband carved it all and put it back in because we thought it would have to cook quicker like this.
“Eventually we gave up and had Xmas dinner 2 hours late with no meat. When I went in the kitchen later I had a nibble on the outside of the now very dried out meat and realised it wasn’t a Turkey it was gammon. Very disappointed I have to say.”
The butchers replied: “Hi zoe we are sorry about that but looking at your previous messages you ordered the hamper 6 which was the full gammon joint and didn’t come with a turkey.”
She then said: “Oh my god I’m such a tw*t. Please accept my apologies.
“Oh well it couldn’t have made Xmas worse anyway because my whole house apart from me have covid (I’m the only one who had the booster).”
After she asked if they had any turkeys left that she could buy, the local business responded: “We will drop you a boneless Turkey breast off on Wednesday.
“The price is nothing as its the best laugh I’ve had this year. Hope all the family get well soon.”
Featured image: Pxhere / Flickr
Oldham
Cooking classes aimed at getting students ready for university are taking place near Manchester
Thomas Melia
A cooking workshop has launched just in time to teach students kitchen hacks as they prepare for university, and it’s less than an hour from Manchester.
With September just around the corner and the inevitable bedroom-packing, car-cramming, finance-faffing action already underway, there’s only one thing left to box off – cooking.
That’s where Saddleworth Cookery School steps in, with a five hour culinary experience that hopes to teach aspiring academics how to chef up some budget-friendly foodie feasts.
Located in Diggle, this cooking class will not only provide you with some essential cooking skills, but also aim to boost your confidence in the kitchen environment ahead of university.
A cooking workshop aimed at university students is taking place near Manchester / Credit : Brooke Cagle via Unsplash / Adbulmajeed Hassan via Pixabay
Throughout the session, you will learn how to prepare meals for yourself that are healthy and cost-effective, and also tailored to students and their lifestyles.
This cooking class doesn’t just show you how to batch cook a meal or two either, they also provide reassurance for students who may be anxious about food safety, storage, and preparation.
The dishes made within the workshop can be adapted and modified to suit all dietary requirements subject to prior notice – meaning veggies and vegans, this one’s for you too.
Anyone looking to advance their kitchen knowledge or start from scratch must be 16 years or older, and you can also attend without a parent or guardian.
Each participant will leave the session with a selection of recipes, as well as a shopping list, and even a goody bag containing some starting essentials to becoming a kitchen conqueror.
Cooking for yourself may seem daunting, but this kitchen has lots of positive feedback – with one user noting: “Thank you so much Pam and her wonderful, helpful and welcoming team,” while another added: “Kate taught us tons of recipes in a super relaxed and friendly setting.”
The ‘Get ready for University Cooking Class’ is taking place at Saddleworth Cookery School in Diggle across a range of dates, and you can find key info and get in touch with them directly HERE.
Police appeal for witnesses after body of woman recovered from reservoir in Oldham
Emily Sergeant
An urgent appeal for witnesses has been issued after the body of a woman was recovered from a reservoir in Oldham.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) explained that emergency services responded to an incident at Strinesdale Reservoir, in Oldham, after receiving reports of a woman getting into difficulty in the water this past weekend.
The incident was said to have taken place at around 4:50pm on Sunday 17 August 2025.
Sadly, despite the prompt call to emergency services, the woman lost her life and her body was subsequently recovered from the water.
#APPEAL | We are appealing for witnesses following the recovery of the body of a woman from Strinesdale Reservoir, #Oldham, on Sunday 17/8/25.
Any info? 📞 police on 101 quoting log 2357 17/08/25, or contact @CrimestoppersUK.
Police say there are believed to be ‘no suspicious circumstances’ surrounding the woman’s death, and are instead focusing their investigations on trying to understand what happened by calling on witnesses for information.
“We are appealing for witnesses who may have seen her as she entered the water,” GMP said in its witness appeal.
Officers are also keep to learn more about the moments prior to her entering the water, and are urging anyone with information to come forward and help with enquiries.
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101, quoting log 2357 17/08/25, or by use the LiveChat service on the GMP website at www.gmp.police.uk.
Independent charity Crimestoppers can also be contacted, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Daisy Jackson -
29th December 2021 
