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’.
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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.
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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.
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“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).”
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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
Police shut down suspected brothel in Oldham following concerns raised by locals
Emily Sergeant
Police have shut down what they believe to have been a brothel in Oldham during the early hours of this morning.
Following concerns raised by the local community and years of gathering intelligence, officers from Greater Manchester Police‘s (GMP) Oldham Neighbourhood Team executed a warrant at a premises on Broadway in Oldham earlier this morning (14 October 2026), as they believed it to be operating as a brothel.
The warrant was executed as a result of the unrelated arrest of a man believed to be connected to the business.
When police seized a mobile phone from the man, examination of the device uncovered evidence which provided them with grounds to suspect the premises was being used for the control of prostitution.
During the operation this morning, a woman in her 40s was found and spoken to by officers. Once safeguarding measures were put in place by GMP, she was subsequently arrested on suspicion of immigration-related offences and possession of Class A drugs.
Police have shut down a suspected brothel in Oldham following concerns raised by locals / Credit: GMP
A man – who police believed to be the owner of the premises – was also arrested on suspicion of controlling prostitution for gain.
Officers seized a number of items from the address too, including cash and timesheets, as part of the ongoing investigation.
“The concerns surrounding this premises have been raised by local residents and businesses for a considerable period of time, and today’s action is the result of years of intelligence gathering and partnership working,” explained Police Sergeant Tom Layton.
“By securing a Closure Notice, we have been able to immediately disrupt the activities taking place at the premises and prevent further harm, nuisance and criminality while legal proceedings continue.
“Premises suspected of facilitating criminality can have a significant impact on those living and working nearby, causing nuisance and concern.
“We have listened to the concerns of the community and have taken robust action to address them.”
Neighbourhood Inspector Amie Whitehead added: “Our priority is always to identify and safeguard those who may be vulnerable while pursuing those suspected of criminal offences.
“We will continue to work tirelessly to target anyone who seeks to exploit others and to ensure Oldham remains a safe place for residents, businesses and visitors alike.”
Featured Image – GMP
Oldham
RSPCA appeals after French bulldog found dead in Oldham canal
Daisy Jackson
The RSPCA has launched an appeal for information after finding a French Bulldog dead in a canal in Oldham.
The dog was discovered by a dog walker earlier this week, floating in the middle of a canal in Chadderton.
The French Bulldog was wearing a pink-red lead and matching collar, which were wrapped around his head and front leg.
He did not have a microchip, but the charity is hoping his lead might help him to be identified.
The dog was found at around 12.20pm on Monday 5 October on a section of the canal near Middleton Road.
The harness and lead the French bulldog was found wearing in the canal. Credit: RSPCA
RSPCA Animal Rescue Officer Beth Fazackerley said: “This was an incredibly upsetting incident for the member of the public who made this distressing discovery, and it is heartbreaking that this poor dog was found in such circumstances.
“We are keen to establish what happened, and would urge anyone who was in the area around Middleton Road at midday, on October 5, and may have information about what happened, to get in touch.”
Anyone with information is urged to contact the RSPCA appeals line on 0300 123 8018, quoting incident number 01919098.
Daisy Jackson -
29th December 2021 
