Manchester gym shares moving tribute to personal trainer Archie Vokes, who died in French avalanche
'Even if you had only had the chance to speak to either of them briefly you would have instantly known how kind-hearted, caring and loving they both were.'
The gym where Archie Vokes, 22, worked has shared a moving tribute to him after he was killed in an avalanche in France.
Archie was a personal trainer at FORM, based just outside Manchester city centre in Salford, before his tragic death last week.
He and his mother Kate, 54, both died after an avalanche swept through an off-piste ski area around Saint-Gervais, near Mont Blanc.
They were found by mountain rescuers Thursday afternoon, and later named as the mother and son from Manchester.
Kate was a director at Bruntwood and the sister of Bruntwood SciTech chief executive Chris Oglesby, and a well-loved and well-respected figure in the city.
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She was also a familiar face around the FORM gym space where her son worked.
FORM has now shared a moving tribute to the pair, describing them as ‘kind-hearted, caring and loving’.
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Kate and Archie Vokes, both from Manchester, who tragically died in an avalanche in France. Credit: Family handout
The gym wrote in a post on Instagram: “We are heartbroken to share the tragic news that coach Archie and his mother Kate tragically lost their lives.
“Both Archie and Kate were adored by the team and many members of the gym. You may have been lucky enough to have known them well, but even if you had only had the chance to speak to either of them briefly you would have instantly known how kind-hearted, caring and loving they both were.
“The love lost for Archie and Kate will never go away but the love for our team, members and what we do at FORM will only grow stronger.
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“More than ever we are so grateful for the support and love that we have from everyone and over time we will find ways to use this to help heal.”
Several more people have shared their own tributes in response to FORM’s statement about the late Archie Vokes.
One person wrote: “I was so sorry to hear the news and the immeasurable loss for their family. The photo shows Kate and Archie exactly as they were. Archie was so personable and at the same time unassuming about his own talents. Kate was an incredible force for good in the north west region. A huge loss.”
Another said: “Such awful news. Archie was a lovely man and always had a smile for everyone when they walked in the gym. Sending love and hugs to all of you.”
Someone else shared: “Awful news. Archie was a brilliant person to have around the gym. Always took the time to say hello and ask me how I was doing every time I was in. Will be missed.”
Salford industrial estate bakery with incredible cinnamon rolls to open new site
Daisy Jackson
Mayya Bakery, a local ‘hidden gem’ with incredible cinnamon rolls, is set to open a brand-new bakery that will make it significantly less hidden.
Until now, Mayya has been quietly trading from an industrial estate in Salford, where it’s built a great reputation for its bakes despite an off-the-beaten-track-location and relatively little social media fanfare.
It opened its doors in 2024, operated by former primary school teacher Meli and her husband, dentist Oguz.
This is an artisan bakery with a real Turkish flare, with plenty of comfort food like freshly made gözleme (or gozzies for short) and bigger dishes if you fancy sitting in.
Their counters are stuffed with sweet bakes, like their perfect cinnamon rolls, plus loaves, babka, cookies, and homemade cheesecake.
For bigger dishes, you’ll find breakfast dishes like Turkish eggs, Simit (a traditional sesame bagel) breakfasts, and menemen.
The counters at Mayya Bakery’s current locationIncredible cheesecake at Mayya BakerySigns on Chapel Street Salford for the new Mayya Bakery
And now Mayya Bakery has revealed plans to open a new location in a much more prominent spot in town, with signs appearing in the windows of a unit on Chapel Street.
The sign reads: “Everything is homemade – including this picture.”
It also quips: “They called us hidden gem… not hidden anymore.”
Mayya will open on Chapel Street soon – keep an eye on our food and drink Instagram page The Manc Eats for the latest.
Seven people arrested in Salford over plans to conduct coordinated mass shoplifting campaign
Emily Sergeant
Seven people have been arrested in Salford over plans to be part of a coordinated mass shoplifting campaign of ‘high end’ retailers and supermarkets across the country.
According to Greater Manchester Police (GMP), it is believed the group had been training for ‘non‑violent direct action’ in Salford as part of a coordinated mass shoplifting campaign, where they were intending to steal goods from high‑value stores and major supermarkets across the country, and then redistribute them to places such as food banks.
Working in collaboration with the Metropolitan Police Service, officers arrested one male and six females in Salford yesterday afternoon (Sunday 19 April) on suspicion of conspiracy to steal.
They all remain in police custody for questioning.
It has been reported in multiple sources, such as the BBC and the MEN, that the individuals arrested are believed to be part of the Take Back Power Action Group.
Take Back Power Action Group describes itself on its website as a ‘nonviolent civil resistance group’ that is aiming to ‘put the 99% in charge’ through citizen’s assemblies.
“We are ordinary people from all walks of life who believe that in order to fix Britain, taxing the rich is an essential first step, and we want ordinary people to decide how,” a statement on the group’s website declares.
Speaking following the arrests over the weekend, Assistant Chief Constable Steph Parker said: “This joint operation with the Metropolitan Police has resulted in the arrests of seven individuals who we believe were planning to take part in coordinated national activity targeting high‑value retail stores.
“We are taking robust action to disrupt this type of organised criminality, and it will not be tolerated in Greater Manchester.
Daisy Jackson -
2nd January 2024 
