Manchester has been at the forefront of an experiment to improve the energy efficiency of homes, and the lives of those living in them.
The drive for more efficient methods of heating our home has benefits for all concerned parties; housebuilders have strict regulations they must meet to satisfy government criteria when it comes to efficiency.
For homeowners, better thermal insulation means less outlay on heating bills, and for the government, sustainable heating methods means an increased likelihood of meeting the carbon targets they have set for themselves to meet.
Whilst new homes are easy to make efficient, retrofitting into older housing stock presents a wholly different challenge.
Right here in Manchester, a project has already improved the lives of some residents ahead of the winter months. It isn’t the first time our city has been at the forefront of the environmental battle, with the Manchester Evening News reporting the council bought up 19 eco-friendly homes to let out as affordable earlier this year.
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The Great Places initiative is hoping to further help improve the lives of tenants by driving an experiment conducted on 28 homes on the Stretford Road Estate. In conjunction with insulation manufacturer Knauf, they are seeking to make homes warmer and cheaper to heat for residents, not just by ticking the boxes required by the Energy Performance Certificate. Sarah McClelland, Environmental Manager for Great Places, believes the EPC certificates are hitting targets, but not delivering results.
“On paper, they hit our internal targets, but in reality, we were getting phone calls of complaints saying the customers were struggling to heat their homes,” she told Inside Housing Magazine.
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“We even had an MP letter saying, ‘What are you going to do about this housing?’
“So, we realised that while on paper they looked like they were insulated, maybe, in reality, things weren’t working as well as they could have been.”
The first round of improvements made on the estate led to an average improvement of 31% across the properties, reducing annual heating bills for residents to the tune of £411. Those are certainly impressive savings and something other tenants on the estate may well benefit from going forward. Great Places is said to be using a much higher specification loft insulation going forward, making the project a success in the eyes of those directly benefitting.
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There are several methods a tenant or homeowners can use to improve their energy efficiency. Whilst insulation is one method being developed by Great Places, Environmental Journal explains how grants can help homeowners install new boilers with improved efficiency.
An efficient boiler uses less fuel to produce the same heat in the home, making it cheaper to run. The older your boiler is, the more likely it is to be inefficient and costing you money.
A new boiler installation guide by HomeServe outlines how a new boiler might not be as expensive as you think, with like-for-like replacements being relatively straightforward from a fitting perspective. With potential savings of hundreds of pounds per year, installing a new appliance might pay for itself very quickly indeed.
Even in older homes, simply replacing old for new is a straightforward job that need not break the bank. Whilst the Great Places project in Manchester does not cover new boilers, improved thermal properties on the estate could prompt some resident to investigate further measures to save themselves money, and help turn Manchester’s housing stock eco-friendly and even more energy-efficient.
A League Of Their Own LIVE is coming to Manchester
Danny Jones
The inaugural live tour version of A League Of Their Own Live Tour is heading out across the UK, with a big Manchester show booked on the list of dates.
For fans of the hit sports-based TV show on Sky, this will be the first time ever that the A League Of Their Own (ALOTO) cast will be presenting, performing and cracking plenty of jokes in front of a proper live audience.
There’s no stopping and resetting to get the shot with this production: just them and the crowds up and down the country – we know you won’t let the side down, Manchester.
Booking one of the city’s biggest and most storied live entertainment spaces, we have every faith they’ll make it a night to remember.
A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN LIVE TOUR
The hit TV show announces its first-ever live arena tour! Hosted by Jamie Redknapp!
As you can see, already confirmed to be taking part in the live adaptation of the panel show are regular co-hosts Jamie Redknapp and Jill Scott, as well as some of the big names.
In addition to famous former sports personalities like Manchester United defender Patrice Evra and ex-boxer Tony Bellew, they will also be joined by comedians Tom Davies and Maisie Adam.
Massive football fans themselves, who have both been part of the ALOTO cast in the past, it’s a funny lineup, for sure.
While the main presenter, Romesh Ranganathan, has not been confirmed as part of the touring crew, it’s worth noting that the lineup could change closer to the time. We wouldn’t be surprised if they have some special guests up their sleeves for one or two of the shows, either…
Please let us see ‘Wazza’ roped in to recreate this moment:
Speaking of the dates, you can see all the shows – including the Manchester this coming autumn – currently announced down below:
A League Of Their Own Live Tour dates – 2026
Friday, 4 September – M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool
Saturday, 5 September – AO Arena, Manchester
Tuesday, 8 September – OVO Arena Wembley, London
Friday, 11 September – Utilita Arena, Newcastle upon Tyne
Monday, 14 September – bp pulse LIVE, Birmingham
Thursday, 17 September – OVO Hydro, Glasgow
As detailed above, early access can be enjoyed either for Three Mobile members or via the venue’s official presale window, which opens at 10am this Thursday, 30 April.
Meanwhile, general admission tickets go live at the same time the following Friday (1 May); you can get ready to grab yours right HERE.
Featured Images — Publicity pictures (supplied via AO Arena)
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John Stones is leaving Manchester City after a decade
Danny Jones
Manchester City defender John Stones has revealed he will be leaving after nearly a full decade in sky blue at the end of the season.
The England and Man City defender has lifted pretty much everything there is to win at club level, being part of the ‘Centurions’, Treble-winning and four-in-a-row sides.
John Stones signed for City back in August of 2016 and has gone on to be part of their greatest-ever period of success under Pep Guardiola, not to mention becoming a mainstay in the national team during that time.
Sharing a moving video on social media, announced the decision that will see him depart after the best part of 10 years this summer.
Having made nearly 300 appearances for the Cityzens, he will leave the Etihad as one of their most decorated players, with a tally of 19 major trophies, the same number of goals and nine assists during his time with the club.
That being said, depending on how the remainder of this 2025/26 campaign goes, all of those stats could improve even further.
Writing in an official statement of their own, Man City went on to say: “Armed with wonderful technique, a sublime passing range allied to a superb work rate and astute reading of the game, Stones was in many ways the very embodiment of Pep Guardiola’s City.
“Such was his natural talent and tactical flexibility that Stones’ City career later saw him often deployed in a hybrid role, which saw him move into the middle of the City engine room to great effect, not least in the 2023 UEFA Champions League final…”
He is now set to leave as a free agent this June.
John Stones will leave Manchester City in the summer, bringing an end to a memorable and hugely successful ten-year stay.
They sign off by adding that “the Club and all of our supporters will take the time to deliver a fitting tribute and farewell to a superb servant of Manchester City Football Club at the end of the season.”
Following rumours of his departure in recent weeks and months, a number of clubs across Europe are already thought to have expressed interest in a transfer for the 31-year-old.
Some of the names floating around the Yorkshire-born centre-back’s signature include AC Milan and Bayern Munich; there have even been some hints at Everton attempting to re-sign him.
Where does he rank among your favourite City stars of all-time, Blues?
The Manc -
22nd September 2020 
