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.”
Inside the Greggs outlet store where you can get a sausage roll for 55p
Daisy Jackson
There’s a Greggs Outlet store over in Salford where you can pick up the bakery chain’s top products for a vastly lower price than the high street.
We’re talking sausage rolls for just 55p, four-packs of jam doughnuts for £1.35, and filled baguettes for £1.50.
The items in store at the Greggs Outlet have all been saved from waste and redistributed to customers for a reduced price.
It could be that it’s come out the oven a bit wonky, not sold in a local Greggs shop, has been discontinued, or they’ve simply made too much.
Whatever the reason, you’re likely to find everything from yum yums and fresh bread to filled sandwiches and pastries.
Depending on what you choose to buy, customers can save more than 70% on what they’d paid in a typical high street Greggs bakery store.
Designed to provide ‘affordable food in areas of social deprivation’, a share of profits generated from Greggs Outlets is donated to the Greggs Foundation to distribute through the Greggs Foundation Community Grant Programme.
Inside the Greggs Outlet at Radclyffe Park, you can find steals like a four-pack of sausage rolls for £2.20, or 55p each – around a 60% discount.
There are also two-packs of Yum Yums for 80p (normally £1.70 each), big packs of fresh bread rolls for 30p, and four-packs of filled doughnuts for £2.
You can even pick up fresh sandwiches at Greggs OutletPacks of discounted sausage rollsThe shelves are stocked daily
Then in the fridges, you’ll find classic filled sandwiches sold at exceptional value, like a honey roast ham and egg roll for £1.50, a Mexican chicken flatbread for £1.50, a classic tuna sandwich for 80p, or a roast chicken mayo baguette for £1.50.
That’s all better than half price.
Greggs says on signs in-store: “We can offer you food at a reduced price because we may have made too much, it’s come out slightly misshapen, it’s been unsold at a local Greggs shop, it’s being discontinued or the weather has changed so we’ve over-ordered.
“Whatever the reason, you can be sure of one thing: all our food is tasty and fantastic value for money!”
A massive World Cup ‘playground’ with pitches and big screens has opened in Greater Manchester
Emily Sergeant
A massive World Cup ‘playground’ has now opened in Greater Manchester.
Ahead of England’s first match in the 2026 FIFA World Cup tonight against Croatia, MediaCity has announced its biggest programme of events to date to celebrate – from a baller league-style football pitch, to big name creator takeovers, and much more.
But at the heart of all the action is the new World Cup ‘playground’, where football fans will be able to play five-a-side on a bespoke pitch, while watching matches on giant screens.
As the home of the BBC’s World Cup coverage, MediaCity says it’s ‘going big’ this summer, and that includes bringing some of the UK’s biggest Gen Z creators down for full takeovers and tournaments, and even getting the BBC pundits involved in the action too.
A massive World Cup ‘playground’ has opened in Greater Manchester / Credit: Sophia Carey (Supplied)
There’ll also be a pop-up gaming hub with EA FC tournaments for fans to play along, as well as community football sessions for young people organised by Manchester United Foundation and Foundation 92, providing opportunities for local talent to learn from the best in the business and develop their skills in a safe and inclusive environment.
Fans can also enjoy live music, DJ sets, and football-themed quizzes to get the atmosphere building, as well as tuck into tasty street food from the traders at the newly opened GRUB On The Docks.
And of course, the place will be packed with photo opportunities and fan installations too.
“As the nerve centre of BBC’s World Cup coverage, we’re turning MediaCity into the ultimate football playground,” commented Alice Webb, who is the CEO of MediaCity.
“As well as broadcasting the World Cup, MediaCity will unite fans, families and communities, bringing them closer to the action with in-person experiences throughout the tournament. Combining our world-class media platform with unrivalled public experiences is what makes us different.
Daisy Jackson -
2nd January 2024 
