A high school in Bolton is one of five to have been called out by Northern rail for having the most fare-dodging students.
Turton School in Bromley Cross, joins several other high schools in Cheshire, Merseyside, and West Yorkshire in being “put on report” by the region’s rail operator due to there being a high number of students caught evading fares on certain journeys.
Wilmslow High School and Wade Deacon High School in Cheshire, Rainhill High School in Merseyside, and Honley High School in West Yorkshire were the other schools rounding out the top five.
Northern explained that a large majority of the fare-evading incidents take place when students are travelling relatively short distances between rural and suburban stations, which are usually not barrier-controlled, and given the high number of students on-board and the limited journey duration, conductors cannot always carry out a full ticket inspection.
This then leads to students deciding to “risk it” without a ticket, Northern claims.
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Northern said students hop on the train at Hall i’ th’ Wood without a ticket and travel one stop to Bromley Cross station – which is right outside Turton School.
Turton School in Bolton features on Northern’s top five list / Credit: Google Maps
The train operator says it’s now working with Turton School and all the other schools on the list to urge parents to buy the existing Educational Season Tickets when schools return in September – which are heavily-discounted up to 75% off – rather than give their child money for the fare.
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Students given rail fares daily are instead deciding to pocket the cash, and choosing to risk travelling without a ticket, Northern says.
Commenting on its decision to name the top five fare-dodging schools, Mark Powles – Commercial and Customer Director at Northern – said: “Everyone has a responsibility to buy a ticket before they travel.
Students from 5 secondary schools in Cheshire, Greater Manchester and Merseyside have been highlighted as the worst fare evaders in the area.
We're now working with the schools to help urge parents to use the 75% educational discount already available to avoid penalty fares. pic.twitter.com/LUdC5ncZWQ
“But unfortunately, some students think that rule doesn’t apply to them – and routinely fare evade on our services.
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“It’s important they know that fare evading is a criminal act, and in the future they could end up with a criminal record for the sake of paying the heavily-discounted student fare.
“With the end of the school year almost upon us, we are urging parents from September not to give their child money with the hope they will buy a ticket, but to save money by ensuring their child has a ticket by buying it for a cheaper rate in advance.”
Featured Image – Northern
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Mancs wanted to take part in a new series of the ‘hardest quiz show on TV’
Emily Sergeant
Call yourself a clever clogs? The BBC is currently looking for contestants to take part in what is widely considered the hardest quiz show on TV.
That’s right – Only Connect is back for another series on BBC Two.
Presented by Victoria Coren Mitchell and first broadcast all the way back in 2008, Only Connect takes TV quizzing to the next level, as it sees two teams compete against each other by finding connections between seemingly unrelated clues.
In this quiz show – which viewers have dubbed one of the most challenging there is – knowledge only takes you so far, as the ability to think laterally is also deemed ‘vitally important’.
A casting call for the upcoming 2027 series has been shared on the BBC website, with people from Greater Manchester encouraged to apply.
Mancs wanted to take part in a new series of the ‘hardest quiz show on TV’ / Credit: BBC
The casting call reads: “The popular BBC Two quiz show presented by Victoria Coren Mitchell returns for a new series in 2027.
“Only Connect is seeking teams of three players OR single applicants or teams of two looking for like-minded teammates to pool their combined wits to solve fiendish conundrums and vexing puzzles.
“This is the quiz series where, as in life itself, knowledge will only take you so far: patience and lateral thinking are also vital. It’s all about making connections between things which may appear, at first glance, not to be connected at all.”
Reckon you’ve got what it takes then? Applications are now open, and all applicants must be aged 18 or over and a resident in the UK or Channel Islands.
Massive student night returns to Trafford Centre next month with up to 50% off on big brands
Emily Sergeant
Students can get themselves up to 50% off on food, activities, and loads of big-name brands at the Trafford Centre next month.
With thousands of new and returning students starting to arrive for the new academic year at Greater Manchester‘s universities, one of the region’s biggest student nights will be making a long-awaited comeback for one night only next month – and there’ll be loads of exclusive offers and free entertainment to make the most of across the evening.
Taking over the Trafford Centre in early October, the popular one-off student night is happening in partnership with Student Beans, and gives cash-strapped students the chance to shop a variety of incredible discounts all under one roof.
Just some of the big brands offering big discounts include 25% off at Levi’s and Boux Avenue, 20% off at Gymshark, Hollister and Abercrombie & Fitch, and 15% off at KIKO, Rituals, and Sephora.
It’s not just retail brands you’ll be able to save some pennies on either, as many of the Trafford Centre’s restaurants and cafes will also be offering discounts and freebies on the night too.
Alongside the offers, students can expect plenty of live entertainment and in-store experiences throughout the evening, including a DJ set and drinks at Calvin Klein, in-store fitness challenges and at Gymshark, an exclusive piercing event at Lovisa, and a Beauty Hub takeover at Sephora.
There’ll also be ‘spin-to-win’ opportunities at places like schuh, River Island, and YO! Sushi.
Massive student night returns to Trafford Centre next month with up to 50% off on big brands / Credit: Supplied
“Student Night is one of the highlights of our autumn calendar, and we’re excited to welcome students for an evening of brilliant offers and feel-good experiences,” explained Simon Layton, who is the Centre Director at the Trafford Centre.
“Whether they are updating their wardrobe, stocking up on beauty favourites, grabbing a bite to eat or enjoying the atmosphere with friends, there is plenty to discover across the centre.
“With simple transport links from Manchester city centre and across the region, Trafford Centre is the perfect place for a student night out.”
The Trafford Centre’s Student Night is happening on Thursday 1 October from 6-10pm, and students can now reserve themselves a spot by registering online HERE.
Emily Sergeant -
18th July 2022 
