Get your cameras at the ready, because the fourth and final supermoon of the year is set to make an appearance this week.
And for once, the weather looks like it might actually be on our side for it.
The typical gloomy Greater Manchester weather has predictably meant that we haven’t had the best view of the three previous supermoons that appeared in UK skies this year, but with the country currently in the midst of what is expected to be declared a heatwave – and with a heat-health warning having already been issued – it’s shaping up to be a different story for the ‘Sturgeon Moon’.
Astronomy lovers are also in for a real treat too, because the Sturgeon Moon is looking like it will be bigger, brighter, and closer to earth than all other full moons this year.
A special occurrence that only happens a few times a year, a supermoon happens when a full or new moon passes at its closest point to Earth, which makes it appear especially large and bright in the sky as they cast about 30% more light on the planet than when the moon is at its dimmest.
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“During a supermoon, the moon is at a stage where it is closest to Earth,” explained Sara Russell from the Natural History Museum.
“This will typically last for two to five full moons, so that’s why there are multiple supermoons in a row.
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The last supermoon of 2022 will be visible over Greater Manchester skies this week / Credit: Gerald England (via Geograph)
“After that, the moon goes into the more distant part of its orbit.”
But where did the name ‘Sturgeon Moon’ come from? Well, according to Live Science, it’s believed to be connected to how many fish were caught under the moonlight.
“The sturgeon moon’s name comes to us from the Algonquin tribes of what is now eastern North America, as large sturgeon fish were more easily caught in the Great Lakes at this time of year,” the science platform explained.
The Sturgeon Moon is expected to be seen above Greater Manchester and UK skies this Friday, with the peak time for viewing with the naked eye at 1:36am GMT.
Home Bargains has announced a special two-day closure of all UK stores
Emily Sergeant
Home Bargains has, once again, announced it’ll be closing all its UK stores on both Boxing Day and New Year’s Day this year.
And it’s to make sure staff get a ‘well deserved break’.
After what has been yet another busy year for the retail industry, many workers have been left feeling like they could do with a little extra time off, which is why Home Bargains is following on with what has become a now-annual tradition by shutting up shop on two bank holidays.
All of our stores will be closing for Boxing Day & New Years Day.
Announcing the move in a post on social media, the discount retailer confirmed: “All of our stores will be closing for Boxing Day and New Years Day. We would like to thank all our colleagues for how hard you have worked this past year, and want you to relax and enjoy the Christmas break with your loved ones.”
Of course, this isn’t the first time the retailer has kept its doors shut on bank holidays.
Many shoppers will recall it has made the same decision to give hardworking staff a break every year since 2019.
Explaining a little more about the decision taken to close all its stores, Home Bargains said: “As a family-run business, we know the importance of being together at Christmas with those we care about most, now more than ever.
“This is our way of saying thank you to our colleagues for their continued hard work and dedication.”
Featured Image – Geograph
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Two Greggs in Manchester will be serving their breakfast menu in the evening next week
Emily Sergeant
Who says breakfast has to end at 11am?
In news that’s set to be music to the ears of breakfast lovers in Manchester, Greggs is giving them exactly what they want.
We all know that brunch is a ‘thing’ by now, so now it’s time for brinner to make a name for itself instead, as Greggs has teamed up with Heinz to bring its much-loved breakfast menu back for tea time, kicking off from 4pm onwards.
The move comes as a new survey has found that the majority of Mancs (69%) admit to enjoying eating breakfast food in the evening, saying it’s ‘convenient and comforting’ – even ranking breakfast as a ‘more important’ meal than tea, as well (38% vs 36%).
Two Greggs in Manchester will be serving their breakfast menu in the evening next week / Credit: Greggs (Supplied)
Greggs says it has ‘lost count’ of the amount of customers that have tried to order breakfast items after the usual cut-off time, especially in Greater Manchester.
But luckily for those breakfast-loving Mancs, they can finally get their favourite breakfast and sauce pairing long after the morning rush is over next… but only at two Greggs branches, and only for a very limited time.
On Wednesday 14 and Thursday 15 October, the Heinz x Greggs Brinner collab will be available at Greggs St Mary’s Gate and Greggs Oxford Road, from 4-7pm only.
“We’ve lost count of the number of customers who have tried their luck ordering breakfast after 11am, so when Heinz came to us with the idea of making Brinner a reality, it felt like the perfect excuse to give the people what they want,” explained Zoe Harris, who is the Customer Director at Greggs.
“And let’s be honest, a Greggs Bacon Roll just wouldn’t be the same without a squeeze of Heinz Tomato Ketchup.”
Emily Sergeant -
10th August 2022 
