A striking new piece of street art that resembles the work of Banksy has appeared overnight on the the side wall of a pub in Tameside.
Ahead of Remembrance Day today, the landlords of the Dog and Partridge pub in Ashton-under-Lyne – which is right next to the town’s local cenotaph – woke up to notice that they had an anonymous “visitor in the night” that had painted a poignant Banksy-inspired mural on one of the outside walls to pay tribute to all the military personnel who died in the war.
The painting appears to depict two soldiers painted in black and white, with one kneeling on the ground holding his ears as the other holds a mortar.
Painted red poppies are also seen scattered up the outside wall of the pub.
“With us having the cenotaph on this side of the pub, and hundreds of people expected to pay their respects this Sunday, I think this is a very tasteful and clever tribute,” explained Scott Walker from the Dog and Partridge.
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“I think this touching tribute will be a great talking point for our locals and anyone who is looking to show their respects,” he added.
Landlord Adam Wells told the MEN that he believes the mural “must have been done whilst we were in the pub on Wednesday night” and that he “doesn’t have a problem with it.”
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“One of the locals mentioned about the painting outside and we hadn’t noticed it or seen anything.
“It’s a respectful memorial and I didn’t mind it, because it isn’t just some random graffiti or something like that – it’s tasteful and a nice gesture.”
“We don’t have a problem with it at all,” he added.
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With dozens of people stopping to appreciate the mural after it secretly appeared, staff at the pub were initially left confused as to how the artwork got there and who was responsible for it, but it has since been revealed as the work of Mr Eggs – who is often known as ‘Manchester’s Banksy’.
The mural might not be the work of actual Banksy, but the real artist also remains anonymous and uses a pseudonym.
Salford-based artist Mr Eggs says he has “appreciated” street art for the past 15 years or so now, but has always laughed off Banksy comparisons when they’ve previously come up, saying: “It’s not like he invented spray can art.”
Sharing a picture of the artwork on social media, the Dog and Partridge said: “Looks like we’ve had a visitor in the night but what an excellent tribute to wake up to on the side of our pub.
“Great addition and just in time for this remembrance Sunday. Lest we forget…”
The picture has since amassed hundreds of interactions ahead of Remembrance Day, and has also seen many local residents comment to express their love for the artwork, as well as praise the pub for remaining so positive about the unexpected situation.
Classic FM will be back playing calming music for anxious pets this Bonfire Night
Emily Sergeant
Classic FM will be back playing calming music for anxious pets during this year’s fireworks season.
Bonfire Night may be loved by us humans for the spectacular firework displays and all the festive-themed activities that come along with it… but sadly, the November holiday isn’t quite so fun for our four-legged friends.
Loud bangs, flashing lights, and unpleasant strong smell of spent explosives are just some of the reasons why fireworks are frightening to pets.
Not only that, but with multiple bangs occurring from numerous displays across this time of year, pets are rarely able to pinpoint when and where the booming explosions are coming from, therefore creating even more anxiety around this time of year.
Classic FM will play calming music for anxious pets during this year’s fireworks / Credit: DESIGNECOLOGIST (via Unsplash)
Which is why, for the ninth year running now, Classic FM is once again teaming up with the RSPCA for two Pet Classics programmes packed with ‘the most soothing and comforting classical music’.
The music has been handpicked to help calm and settle any anxious pets.
A survey by the RSPCA revealed that almost two-thirds (63%) of animal owners reported their pet was distressed during fireworks season, and that playing relaxing music was the most common way (36%) to help calm or prepare their animal.
Presenters Dan Walker, Aled Jones, and Dawn O’Porter will each host a night of the specially created programme to help keep the nation’s pets calm through the whizzes and bangs.
Dan will present the first programme on Bonfire Night itself (Thursday 5 November), and then as celebrations continue throughout the weekend, Aled will be on hand to bring some peace to Friday 6 November, and Dawn picks up the baton on Saturday 7 November.
All three Pet Classics programmes will be broadcast from 5pm to 10pm, and you can listen on Classic FM or Global Player available across the UK.
Featured Image – The Manc Group
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What is the UK’s national dish? New survey reveals Brits’ pick in landslide victory
Emily Sergeant
If you’ve ever thought to Google the question ‘what is Britain’s national dish?’, then you probably came away thinking it’s chicken tikka masala.
But is that actually the truth? A new survey has disproved the claim, massively.
There’s no denying that chicken tikka masala – an Indian curry that’s actually widely thought to have been created in Britain – is a popular dish that’s loved by many, but despite what many headlines have claimed over the years, a new YouGov survey has revealed it’s not what Brits consider to be the country’s ‘national dish’.
YouGov conducted two online surveys earlier this month, made up of 2,079 and 2,104 adults aged 18+ living in Great Britain.
And, in their own words, Brits chose fish and chips as the country’s national dish, making it the ‘resounding’ winner with 49% of the vote.
What is the UK’s national dish? A new survey has revealed Brits’ pick in a landslide victory / Credit: The Manc Group
With nearly half of the overall vote, this puts fish and chips far ahead of the roast dinner in second place, which only 24% of people picked – including the 6% who made sure to specify a beef roast.
In fact, only 3% of Brits actually name chicken tikka masala as the UK’s national dish, although 52% in the survey did confess that they eat some form of curry at least once a month, so it is still a popular pick regardless.
Fish and chips is by far the most common answer across all generations too, according to the survey (45-50%), with the biggest difference between age groups being that 18-24 year olds are less likely to have nominated roast dinner and more likely to have chosen chicken tikka masala instead.
What do Brits say is the UK’s national dish?
Fish and chips – 49%
Roast dinner – 24%
Chicken tikka masala – 3%
Curry (non-specific) – 2%
Full English breakfast – 2%
Bangers and mash – 1%
Cottage or shepherd’s pie – 1%
Other – 3%
Don’t know – 15%
The survey also showed that, of the three top contenders for the UK’s national dish, roast dinners are the most frequently eaten, as 52% of people said they eat them on a monthly basis – including 16% who do so every week.
Aside from the frequently mentioned dishes, some survey respondents also gave shoutouts to the full English breakfast (2%), bangers and mash (1%), and cottage or shepherd’s pie (1%).
Emily Sergeant -
11th November 2022 
