Tameside

Residents slam ‘shameful’ Christmas tree that ‘looks like it’s been shot’

She's a little on the skinny side...

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 29th November 2023

Residents have been brutally mocking an ’embarrassing’ Christmas tree that has sprung up to spread some festive cheer.

The tree – which has been described as being closer to a twig – stands outside The Hub in Hattersley, and despite efforts to pop a few fairy lights on its sparse branches, locals are still slamming the poor thing.

Tameside Council has promised that a more impressive cut tree will be brought along in time for the area’s Christmas Lights switch-on this week.

But in the meantime, locals have been flooding community groups online with jokes about their current specimen.

One person asked: “Oh dear God. Looks like it’s been shot at – is this for real?” while another said: “That’s got to be a joke.”

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Someone else posed the question: “What the sh*tting hell is that?”

One person on Facebook said: “May aswell not have bothered. what an embarrassment.”

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Another suggested: “Maybe they felt sorry for it, and didn’t want it to feel left out.”

And one user commented: “Welcome to shameside.”

The skinny little Christmas tree has also been compared by a lot of people to the shambolic fir that popped up in Mottram a few years ago.

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Which, er, looked like this, if you were wondering…

Mottram’s rubbish Christmas tree. Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Tameside Council has said of Hattersley’s Christmas tree: “It’s a living tree that has been in place for a few years. A cut tree will be supplied for the Hattersley Christmas Lights switch on before it takes place on Friday (1 Dec) from 4 to 8pm.

“We are seeking sponsorship to replace the living tree and will seek a different species to help it thrive in this location.”

Councillor Jacqueline Owen said in the Hattersley Community Group Facebook page that the council had had ‘sadly unsuccessful’ attempts to grow a sustainable tree.

Clearly, Jacqueline…

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Featured image: Italian Wolverine via Mint Manchester

Tameside

Man who stabbed beloved gran to death sentenced to hospital order

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Man who stabbed beloved gran Michelle Hodgkinson to death sentenced to hospital order

The man who stabbed Michelle Hodgkinson to death in broad daylight in Tameside has been sentenced to a hospital order.

Paul Hughes, 30, was sentenced at Minshull Street Crown Court today after his arrest on 3 June 2023 on suspicion of murder.

He was deemed too mentally unwell to stand trial – at the time of Michelle’s murder he was suffering from a schizophrenic attack at the time of the incident and still is suffering from Schizophrenia.

On 2 June 2023, Hughes brought a four-pack of kitchen knives, boarded a tram to Droylsden and headed to a canal path, where he appeared to be ‘lying in wait’ for someone to walk past him.

Tragically, that person was Michelle Hodgkinson, who walked past on her way to meet her mother.

She was followed, attacked from behind and stabbed multiple times.

The attack was captured on dashcam footage and several witnesses came forward to police with statements.

The court heart this week that despite being unwell, Hughes carefully planned the attack.

Hughes bought a pack of kitchen knives and waited down a canal path before he stabbed a stranger, a 51-year-old woman, on 2 June 2023.  

Michelle died at the scene on Edge Lane despite the best efforts of passers-by who tried to give her first aid, and the emergency services.

Detective Chief Inspector Danny Lee of GMP’s Major Incident Team, said: “Michelle’s death has left a void in her family, and nothing will fix the pain they are feeling. I hope that they can gain some form of closure and justice from the sentence passed today.

“I’d like to thank the members of the public who rushed to Michelle’s side and the first responders, both paramedics and response police officers who also attended the scene to give CPR in an attempt to give her the best possible chance of life.

“It is a moment to recognise, however, the devastation knife crime causes in our communities. Across Greater Manchester, officers and staff are working hard to fight, prevent and reduce this type of crime.

In a previous tribute to Michelle Hodgkinson, her family have said: “Everyone who knows Michelle are still in utter shock at the attack she endured and how horrific her last moments were.

“Our Shelly B was the most amazing, loving, selfless and funny daughter, mother, mother-in-law, sister, auntie and most recently a nanna. It was a privilege to have been known and loved by her. She loved helping people in her community and was known for volunteering as an appropriate adult, her charity work and loved creating hampers to make people smile.

“She would be there for anyone and the day she was taken from us, she was doing just that – walking to meet her mum to take her shopping and to go for a coffee.

“Our family and friends are heartbroken. In one moment our world has crumbled and will never be the same. We will support each other, and we thank and appreciate the love and support shown by our family and friends. Please hold your loved ones close, tell them you love them and make memories.

“Words cannot describe how much she will be missed. Our biggest cheerleader, our confidant, our rock – she will never be forgotten. We love you to the moon and back!

“Love you forever and always!”

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Featured image: GMP

Tameside

IKEA are hosting a wide range of FREE Christmas activities this winter

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia IKEA Christmas events Ashton under Lyne

The flat-pack champions are putting on lots of fantastic events for IKEA members and customers to get involved with this Christmas.

What better way to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year than to get stuck in with some festive arts and crafts while spreading Christmas cheer?

Even better still, it’s all free!

IKEA have hosted many free events across the holidays and they’re back again this December running a whole host of holiday craft and creative workshops over at their big Ashton-Under-Lyne branch.

Credit: IKEA

Although there may be no seats left at Santa’s breakfast table on Saturday, 7 December, visitors who book now can expect to decorate some delicious decorations at their ‘Gingerbread Creations’ workshop from 11:30am to 4pm.

The following day, you can try your hand at sprucing up your own Christmas tree (once again 11:30am-4pm) by making personalised ornaments with the help of their ‘Tree-rific Decorations’ event on Sunday, 8 December.

There’s also a chance you can show off your ultimate seasonal style in another free festive event which is even suitable for those who might not have a creative streak in them.

Start curating your best snazzy outfits and frocks this festive period, with the homeware retailer putting on a weekend set to feature more Christmas jumpers than any fashion week ever has.

If you aren’t all Christmas-sed out, from 13 to 15 December, you can also embrace the festivities by sporting your best seasonal stuff in-store from 9am until 5pm for their ‘Festive Wear Weekend’.

Credit: IKEA

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Once again, all these free festive activities are suitable for everyone, especially families, so why not treat yourself to a nice day out and embrace the holiday season in true Swedish fashion? Quite literally.

You’ll have to act fast if you’re planning on getting involved though, as the Scandinavian furniture company is making way for a total of seven free Christmas activities; their ‘Saint Lucia’, ‘Santa’s Christmas Eve Plate’ and ‘Winter Wreaths for Adults’ workshops are all fully booked already.

Anyone looking to stock up on Christmas activities and squeeze in some quality time in their ever-so-hectic December calendar can do so on IKEA’s website HERE.

Featured Images — IKEA/Zboralski (via Wikimedia Commons)

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