A local Salford-born war hero celebrated his 100th birthday this month, and was treated to a military surprise party to honour it.
Bombardier Tom Jones has lived an eventful life.
After fighting in the Burma War and World War II, Tom is one of just a handful of war veterans with a Burma Star in the UK, and also has two stripes, a Royal artillery badge, and a VET badge to his name.
Only 17 when war first broke out, he joined as a volunteer with the 2\8 Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers Regiment, before he was called up with the 33rd Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment (Royal Artillery) in September 1939 and was stationed with the garrisons at the Princess Dock gun site to defend the Liverpool Docks during the Blitz until 1942.
From there, he was sent to Burma for four years, until October 1945 when he received the news that he could return home.
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Just a month later, he married his childhood sweetheart Eileen, and they later went on to have two children, and six grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.
Tom has lived at Bourke Gardens – a ForHousing residential home, which offers round-the-clock care and support – in Walkden for the past five years, and this is where he and his granddaughters, Carmel Jones, Rebecca Liivet, and Sarah Thornley, were joined by the 103rd Lancashire Artillery Volunteers Regiment Royal Artillery and fellow tenants for an afternoon of live music and fun for his centenary celebrations.
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The Lancashire Artillery Band were on hand to add to the party spirit, and even played the regimental march of Tom’s old regiment.
After the performance, the band’s bagpiper led Tom outside in a procession so he and his family could meet more of the Lancashire Artillery Volunteers, and he then had his photo taken alongside a L118 Light Gun with his medals proudly on show.
When asked about reaching his milestone birthday, Tom comically admitted: “I don’t feel any different, and the lady from across the way said I don’t look 100, but if somebody could just get me a new pair of legs, that would be great.”
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“It is an absolute honour to celebrate with Tom after all he has done for his country,” said Councillor John Mullen – Ceremonial Mayor of the City.
“It’s incredible to think that this brave Salford lad, who gave so much to Britain’s war effort and endured so many hardships, was just 23 years old when the war ended and has now celebrated his 100th birthday [and] we will never forget the bravery of men like Tom and we are all very proud of him.”
“It’s been our pleasure and honour to help him celebrate this special birthday,” added Hannah Ford, the Extra Care Scheme Manager at Bourke Gardens.
Featured Image – ForHousing
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Iconic Manc movie 24 Hour Party People is set to return to cinemas for its anniversary
Emily Sergeant
One of Manchester’s most iconic movies is set to return to the big screen next month.
Remastered in 4K and returning to UK cinemas to mark 24 years since its original release, Michael Winterbottom’s 2002 biographical comedy drama film, 24 Hour Party People, tells the story of Manchester‘s popular music community from 1976 to 1992 – specifically about Factory Records‘ founder Tony Wilson.
The film begins with the punk rock era of the late 1970s, before moving through the 1980s into the rave and DJ culture, and of course, the ‘Madchester‘ scene of the late 1980s and early 1990s.
The narrative largely follows the career of Tony Wilson, played by Middleton-born actor Steve Coogan, while also covering the careers of the major Factory Records artists – especially Joy Division and New Order, as well as A Certain Ratio, The Durutti Column, and Happy Mondays.
If you haven’t seen 24 Hour Party People before, it’s a dramatisation based on a combination of real events, rumours, and urban legends, as the film is sure to make clear.
Coogan is joined by a cast by a mixture of big names and, at the time, rising stars like Paddy Considine, Shirley Henderson, Lennie James, John Simm, Ralf Little, Andy Serkis, Sean Harris, John Thomson, and even Peter Kay, alongside cameos from other figures connected to the Manchester music scene.
Before it returns to cinemas, the film will first open music and media festival/conference, Beyond The Music, at MediaCity in Salford on 6 October.
The screening at the festival will also be followed by a Q&A with Coogan, Winterbottom, and producer Andrew Eaton.
24 Hour Party People will then be re-released in UK cinemas from 9 October, and you can check your local cinema for screening times and book tickets online now.
Featured Image – Altitude
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Bury actress Kate O’Flynn wins big at 2026 Emmys with record-breaking comedy show
Emily Sergeant
Did you know that one of the big winners at the 2026 Emmy Awards last night was actually an actress from Bury?
In case it wasn’t on your radar, American television‘s biggest night, the Emmys, took place yesterday evening over in Los Angeles, and several records were broken in the process – including Apple TV’s comedy horror Widow’s Bay taking home the most Emmys ever for a single series of a comedy show, with 14 of them.
Widow’s Bay tells the story of mayor Tom Loftis, played by Welsh actor Matthew Rhys, who is trying to boost tourism on his rugged New England island, but must navigate several strange events that suggest it might be cursed.
Created by Katie Dippold, and executive produced and directed by Hiro Murai, Widow’s Bay was released in late April to widespread critical acclaim.
At the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards last night, the show scooped a record 14 awards, including for Outstanding Comedy Series, several acting wins, and wins for directing and writing too.
One of those acting wins was Kate O’Flynn for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series – an actress who hails from the Greater Manchester town of Bury.
Kate stars as Patricia Moyer, mayor Tom’s eccentric assistant in the show.
She grew up in Holcombe Brook near Ramsbottom, and was educated at Bury Grammar School, before she went on to train at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Acting in 2006.
Taking to the stage to accept her award last night, Kate said in her speech: “I want to thank our mayor [Matthew Rhys] and all the residents of Widow’s Bay, in front and behind the camera – you’re amazing. This is the role of a lifetime, thank you Katie and Hiro for trusting a Lancashire lass to play a sassy broad like Patricia. And thank you Apple [TV] for saying yes.
“Thank you Nicky and Tony for looking after me, my family back home, my mum and dad, and the loves of my life, my husband and our darling daughter – another sassy broad in the making.
Emily Sergeant -
23rd February 2022 
