Hundreds of cards and gifts were sent to one Salfordian last week as she celebrated an incredible milestone birthday.
Elsie Goodall turned the grand old age of 106 – which officially makes her Salford‘s oldest person.
Reaching a milestone that not many get to achieve, Elsie marked her 106th birthday on 25 July surrounded by her family and friends at the Pendleton-based care home where she is a resident, Beechfield Lodge – which she moved only into about a year ago, after having a few falls – and was showered with cards, flowers, and gifts to celebrate the occasion.
She even welcomed a visit from Salford’s ceremonial mayor, Gina Reynolds, to mark the big day, and got to open a birthday card from King Charles III himself.
Born in Salford all the way back in 1917, Elsie grew up with her two younger brothers and parents in a grocery shop managed by her family on Broad Street, and admirably spent her career within the medical field – going on to work within several hospitals in Greater Manchester, including at Salford Royal as a laundry worker.
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“Fiercely independent” Elsie has never been married or had any children, but her life has always been a fulfilling one thanks to her true passion for dance, which she only recently had to give up at the age of 101.
All throughout her youth, Elsie spent her time dancing, and found a particular love for modern dance and sequence movement.
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Elsie admits “men and good to dance with [but] not particularly to live with”.
Salford’s oldest person showered with cards and gifts as she celebrates her 106th birthday / Credit: Beechfield Lodge
Reflecting on her life, the oldest Salfordian revealed: “I’ve never been married or had children. I did fall in love with a sailor once, he was lovely. I taught him how to dance. He volunteered in the navy and when he departed, we would write letters to each other, but he died in the war.
“I never quite got over it or met somebody as nice.”
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Elsie described her 106th celebrations at the care home as “amazing”, adding that she is “very grateful” to everyone that contributed to the special day, as it’s “lovely to be this old and still be able to get around and talk to people”.
Staff at Beechfield Lodge say Elsie is “the sweetest person you’ll ever meet”.
“Since moving into Beechfield Lodge, Elsie has become a role model to everyone,” admitted Sharon Bollesty – who is the care home’s Manager.
“[She has taught us how] to live life to the fullest, with her can-do attitude, words of wisdom, and knowledge.”
Featured Image – Beechfield Lodge
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Drinks prices revealed as Manchester Airport’s first-ever Wetherspoons pub opens inside T2
Emily Sergeant
It’s official… Manchester Airport’s first-ever JD Wetherspoon pub has officially opened its doors inside Terminal 2.
The 300-seater pub – which welcomed its first customers earlier this week – is named The Belle Vue after Manchester’s historic showground.
Throughout the pub, you’ll spot design features that nod to the city’s sporting heritage – including vintage event posters and memorabilia, a ‘locker wall’ hosting trophies and other sporting exhibits, and a cricket-themed design in the carpets and bar panels.
Creating around 150 jobs in the process, The Belle Vue is the final planned new eatery to open in the airport’s redeveloped Terminal 2, marking one of the final steps in the super-terminal’s decade-long, £1.5bn transformation.
Manchester Airport’s first-ever Wetherspoons pub has opened inside Terminal 2 / Credit: Supplied
According to the MEN, pints are priced from £6.20 for Carling and Coors lager, £6.45 for Budweiser, £6.60 for Guinness, and £6.70 for Poretti and 1664 Biere.
Prosecco is £9.20 for 175ml glass and £37.10 for the full bottle, while spirts and mixers are £6.80 for singles and £10.20 for doubles.
There’s also the classic Wetherspoons tea and coffee machines, where you can refill as many times as you like for just £3.60.
“It’s a proud moment to see the final new retail unit opening in our new-look Terminal 2,” commented Richard Jackson, who is the Retail Director at Manchester Airport.
“To be rounding off this 10-year programme by adding such an iconic name as Wetherspoon to the terminal is particularly special and we know that it will prove extremely popular with passengers. We think they’ll love the nods to Manchester’s heritage in the décor and design – and of course the name.”
The Belle Vue will be open from the first flight to the final flight each day, and food will be served from opening until 10pm.
Featured Image – Supplied
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Iconic Manc movie 24 Hour Party People is set to return to cinemas for its anniversary
Emily Sergeant
One of Manchester’s most iconic movies is set to return to the big screen next month.
Remastered in 4K and returning to UK cinemas to mark 24 years since its original release, Michael Winterbottom’s 2002 biographical comedy drama film, 24 Hour Party People, tells the story of Manchester‘s popular music community from 1976 to 1992 – specifically about Factory Records‘ founder Tony Wilson.
The film begins with the punk rock era of the late 1970s, before moving through the 1980s into the rave and DJ culture, and of course, the ‘Madchester‘ scene of the late 1980s and early 1990s.
The narrative largely follows the career of Tony Wilson, played by Middleton-born actor Steve Coogan, while also covering the careers of the major Factory Records artists – especially Joy Division and New Order, as well as A Certain Ratio, The Durutti Column, and Happy Mondays.
If you haven’t seen 24 Hour Party People before, it’s a dramatisation based on a combination of real events, rumours, and urban legends, as the film is sure to make clear.
Coogan is joined by a cast by a mixture of big names and, at the time, rising stars like Paddy Considine, Shirley Henderson, Lennie James, John Simm, Ralf Little, Andy Serkis, Sean Harris, John Thomson, and even Peter Kay, alongside cameos from other figures connected to the Manchester music scene.
Before it returns to cinemas, the film will first open music and media festival/conference, Beyond The Music, at MediaCity in Salford on 6 October.
The screening at the festival will also be followed by a Q&A with Coogan, Winterbottom, and producer Andrew Eaton.
24 Hour Party People will then be re-released in UK cinemas from 9 October, and you can check your local cinema for screening times and book tickets online now.
Emily Sergeant -
4th August 2023 
