Getting all cosy and sitting down to watch some festive films is such an important part of Christmas for so many of us.
But after we’ve made our way through Home Alone, Elf, Love Actually, It’s A Wonderful Life, and all those other classics that we just have to stick on every time the festive season rolls around, we usually end up turning to some of the newer releases that have popped up various streaming platforms in recent years.
Films made for TV have historically had a bit of a reputation for not being that good, with people tending to avoid them unless they fancy wasting a couple of hours they won’t get back, but the rise of streaming and, of course, the global pandemic has changed that – with many filmmakers now even favouring the powerhouses of Netflix and Amazon Prime over a cinema release.
It seems festive films are no different either.
For better or for worse, Holidate, The Princess Switch, Single All The Way, The Knight Before Christmas, and A Castle For Christmas are just a few of the seasonal flicks to have made it onto streaming platforms and garnered millions of views over the past few years.
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But there’s a new Christmas film that’s just come out on Amazon Prime this year, and a big part of it might look familiar to people from Greater Manchester and the north west.
That’s because Macclesfield has got itself a starring role in Your Christmas or Mine?
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It might sound a little odd at first, but you could argue that the north west town near Stockport that’s just over the border into Cheshire is as much of a star of the new film as its leads Asa Butterfield and Cora Kirk are.
Your Christmas or Mine? follows the story of young student couple James and Hayley, played by Butterfield and Kirk, who both decide to surprise the other at Christmas time, only to have to accidentally spend the festive season with each other’s families instead.
Hayley ends up with James‘s military father, Lord Humphrey The Earl of Gloucester, at his country house, while James, on the other hand, is stuck with Hayley‘s dysfunctional working class family.
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And that family just so happens to be in Macclesfield.
While the mid-sized Cheshire town isn’t often on a lot of people’s radars, or can’t claim to be famous for much more other than being the hometown of late Joy Division frontman Ian Curtis, the magical Macclesfield Forest, and the home of Jodrell Bank, it now has an unexpected heavy feature in a 2022 Christmas film to add to that list.
Your Christmas or Mine? is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video now / Credit: Amazon Prime
For those familiar with Macclesfield, the film features regular mention of the town’s name, given that one of the main character’s is from there and the it provides the backdrop for a good chunk of the film, as well as featuring plenty of the cast speaking with a classic north-western accent throughout.
Unfortunately though, if you were looking to actually see the town on the big screen, you might be left a bit disappointed, as filming didn’t actually take place in Macclesfield.
Instead, the famous Pinewood Studios provided the backdrop for most scenes filmed inside, while Buckinghamshire and the capital London were used for the majority of the external shots.
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A romantic gesture turns into a Christmas nightmare 😨 If he's not on this train… 🤬 Your Christmas or Mine?, coming 2nd Dec!@asabfbpic.twitter.com/CTWtSEQjNz
Released earlier this month, reviews for Your Christmas or Mine? seem to be somewhat mixed, but if you’re looking for a feel-good festive rom-com to stick on this Christmas, and you fancy seeing Macclesfield shine, then there’s no harm in giving it a watch.
Featured Image – Amazon Prime
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Oldham Athletic’s next game postponed amid red weather warnings
Danny Jones
Oldham Athletic FC’s next game has been postponed amid red weather warnings, with a frozen pitch having already set in.
We suspect they won’t be the only ones either…
Oldham Athletic were set to take on Notts County FC at home this weekend, with the upcoming fixture set for a 3pm kick-off on Saturday, 10 January, but the state of the Boundary Park stadium’s playing surface has already been declared unfit for use.
Informing the fans of the unfortunate decision, the rescheduled date and time for the match remain yet to be confirmed.
Saturday's home fixture against Notts County has been postponed due to a frozen pitch. #oafc
Addressing supporters online, OAFC wrote: “An inspection took place on Thursday afternoon with the pitch frozen following persistent freezing temperatures since our last home game on New Year’s Day and further adverse weather forecast.
“The inspection was called due to persistent freezing temperatures and in anticipation of further adverse weather between now and kick-off. Tickets will remain valid for the rearranged date, and refunds can be claimed after the new date is confirmed.”
As for Notts County, they have also updated their fans on social media.
They have assured that “tickets purchased for this fixture will [also] be valid for the rearranged date” and that “supporters who require a refund will be able to do so after the date for the rearranged fixture is announced.”
Postponement comes amid parts of Oldham, Greater Manchester and other areas across the country being hit with severe weather warnings, which have now been upgraded from an initial yellow rating.
2026’s first named storm, the weather event dubbed by Goretti by the French meteorological service, is set to bring further frosty conditions and blustery winds to us Brits.
The UK received its first snowfall of the year earlier this month, but this next pattern of cold air is set to see even more arrive, with the forecast potentially running into next week.
As for the Latics, the 15th-placed League Two team will have to wait until their ground thaws out to try and make up ground between them and the play-off spots.
Worth keeping an eye on the Met Office if you were planning a trip to the footy over the next few days.
Manchester City look set to steal transfer target away from Liverpool
Danny Jones
Manchester City could be about to steal away a key transfer target right from underneath Liverpool’s noses, as the club is reportedly eyeing up a swoop for Marc Guehi.
Were it to happen, it could be a decisive move not only in January but could really prove instrumental in how the rest of their season plays out.
The Crystal Palace defender and England international looked pretty much all set for a Merseyside switch, with prior reports claiming that he was heading for Anfield before the deadline day in the previous summer window.
However, the latest rumours – which seem to have ramped up over the past week or so – are that Man City could snatch him from the grasp of Liverpool as Pep Guardiola looks to reinforce his defensive line.
As per the latest from the likes of Fabrizio Romano, fellow journalist Jeremy Cross and other alternative football outlets like indykaila News, not only is the door now open for Marc Guehi to leave the South London club, but the Etihad Stadium seems an increasingly likely destination.
Speaking in a recent press conference, Palace boss (who has also now been linked to the Man United manager’s job) Oliver Glasner added fuel to the fire.
Admitting that while everyone at the club wants him to say, “On the other side, there’s the situation that the contract ends in the summer, and if somebody is coming, there will be a moment when the club says, ‘Now the financial issue is more important than the sport issue’…”
“There will be a threshold where the club has to say [sell] … If the player says: ‘I want to leave’ and the money is above the threshold, it will happen. I’m not so naive [as] not to know that if a massive offer comes from City and Marc wants to do it, it will happen.”
Yes, name-checking the East Manchester outfit specifically, as opposed to Arne Slot’s somewhat faltering side, Romano has since insisted that “Man City want to reach an agreement now after their CBs emergency”; they have already recalled one centre-half from his loan move who impressed on debut.
Aside from a few OOP actions early on, M. Alleyne was top. Composed, progressive and confident stepping beyond the first line.
He doesn’t recycle — he dictates. Being a build-up reference already at senior level speaks volumes.
Many fans have already made it clear that they back and believe Max Alleyne (seen above) and fellow youngster Abdukodir Khusanov to deputise and be further blooded into the first team moving forward, especially following their performance against Brighton and amid the limited options.
On the other hand, City have always benefited from their strength in depth, and while the soon-to-be-confirmed Antoine Semenyo will no doubt be an exciting addition, finding cover for Ruben Dias and Joško Gvardiol appears to be a bigger priority.
Meanwhile, not only is it said that Guehi would love the opportunity to the Catalan coach and serial winner, but Liverpool have
Regardless, there is always the risk of a player getting lost in a potentially bloated squad as and when those players return to the starting lineup; it’s up to the 25-year-old Premier League-proven centre-back to decide whether he can not just take on the challenge but keep that place.
Emily Sergeant -
13th December 2022 
