Yesterday, a small civil parish town in Cheshire – just half an hour from Manchester – became the focus of unprecedented viral fame and proved that grassroots British democracy is alive and well in northwest England.
Tens of millions of people have now watched footage of Handforth Parish Council’s planning and environment committee meeting as it descended into chaos.
Just 24 hours ago, ‘Jackie Weaver’ and ‘Aled’s iPad’ were merely words that meant nothing, now, they are global internet stars – and it’s all thanks to one 17-year-old from East London of all places.
i’ve never missed in person meetings more than i did watching this parish council meeting descend into chaos pic.twitter.com/I75zi1fIK5
To summarise the content, what started as your typical, run-of-the-mill Zoom call between several members of Handforth Parish Council in Wilmslow, quickly descended into what can only be described as absolute chaos, with swearing councillors trading insults left, right and centre.
With the tension between councillors continuing to build and plenty of passive aggression having been traded in the lead up, the meeting eventually culminated with the Handforth Parish Council Clerk himself being booted off the call entirely by none other than now-extremely-famous Jackie Weaver.
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“You have no authority here, Jackie Weaver”.
Those were the Clerk’s famous last words before Jackie Weaver exercised the authority she actually did have, and removed him from the meeting.
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And it all went rapidly downhill from there.
But how did it all start? Why and how did it end up online? We need answers, and thanks to the BBC, we have a few already.
Speaking to Radio 1 Newsbeat, 17-year-old Shaan Ali, who found the original clip on YouTube and sent it viral on Twitter, said: “I had like 200 new Twitter followers – it was crazy. Piers Morgan, Richard Osman and some great drag queens had sub-tweeted it.”
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He continues: “I then woke up today to Greg James mentioning it on the Radio 1 Breakfast Show and I was like ‘ahh this is amazing'”.
According to the BBC, Shaan is studying politics as part of his A-Levels and has got quite into watching local council meetings in his spare time – which are usually quite dull.
“I guess I’m just fascinated by what local authorities do and the role they play up and down the country,” he says.
"I was once booted off a Parish Council Zoom meeting by Jackie Weaver, for telling her she had no authority". pic.twitter.com/WpIAPNcxIG
“You have big borough councils and county councils, but it’s the parish councils who directly work with communities and it’s so fascinating because [they argue] over the smallest issues.”
He says that there is always “hilarious stuff” going on in these meetings.
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“You know, old men struggling to use Zoom, fun arguments – there’s always something fascinating going on.”
“You have to have a lot of determination – as you see in that video, Jackie had to deal with everyone and it’s not an easy job – I don’t think I could handle it!”
Space NK to give away hundreds of free goody bags at opening of new Trafford Centre store
Emily Sergeant
Space NK is set to open its new store in the Trafford Centre this weekend, and hundreds of shoppers are expected to turn out.
As the leading beauty retailer – which also recently just opened a swanky new store in Manchester Arndale – prepares to welcome cosmetics fans through the doors of its newest Greater Manchester home this weekend, customers are being told they’re in for a real treat, as the brand has now confirmed some exciting launch day plans.
The first 300 people to visit the new Trafford Centre store on Saturday (21 September) when it opens at 10am will receive an exclusive Space NK goody bag filled with items from some of the world’s best beauty brands.
Not only that, but the first 200 shoppers to spend £150 in store will also receive a goody bag that’s worth an incredible £300.
Known and loved by millions of shoppers all across the country for offering a wide range of products, including skincare, cosmetics, and even beauty ‘gadgets’ too, Space NK stocks more than 130 world-renowned brands.
Drunk Elephant, Nars, Charlotte Tilbury, and Diptyque are just some of the big names the retailer is known to stock, alongside a whole host of exclusive products.
The new Trafford Centre store will feature 18 makeup ‘gondolas’, more than 300 shelves of the most in-demand brands, and dedicated areas for customers to try products at their leisure.
Space NK is opening a new store in the Trafford Centre this weekend / Credit: Space NK (via Facebook)
To make sure no launch-day customer walks away empty handed, Space NK branded tote bags will be handed out to Trafford Centre shoppers, alongside a selection of different beauty samples for anyone joining the queue.
Across the opening weekend, on both Saturday and Sunday, any customer who makes a purchase in-store will also get the chance to play the ‘Spin to Win’ wheel game, and there’s loads of amazing prizes set to be won – including a much-coveted Space NK advent calendar, just in time for the festive season.
DJs will be blasting tunes to entertain shoppers all weekend long, and there’ll also be an exclusive set from TikTok sensation, the Altego twins, as well as complementary croissants and cookies for the first customers in the queue.
Space NK will be located on Lower Peel Avenue in the Trafford Centre, and it officially opens for business from 10am on Saturday 21 September.
Featured Image – Supplied
Trending
A popular Manchester bar is giving away hundreds of FREE beers next week
Emily Sergeant
One of Manchester’s most popular city centre bars is set to give away hundreds of free beers for just two days only.
And it’s all to celebrate the long-awaited return of Oktoberfest.
In case you hadn’t heard, Manchester is gearing up for a two-week “Bavarian extravaganza” starting at the end of this month, as popular city centre hangout, Albert’s Schloss, unveiled its programme of Oktoberfest-themed events a couple of weeks back, and it’s packed with plenty of bier-fuelled fun, foodie classics, and round-the-clock revelry.
The much-loved venue has become “the ultimate purveyor of Bavarian bliss” in Manchester over the years, and 2024 is expected to be absolutely no different.
Revellers are invited to head on down to Schloss for a whirlwind of celebrations.
Throughout the 16-day event, which is kicking off from next Thursday 26 September, you can get stuck into everything from ‘Keg Tapping’, and sipping specially-selected beers, to experiencing must-see “eclectic” entertainment, a live Oompah brass band, best dressed competitions, and a whole host of other games and activities.
But it wouldn’t be Oktoberfest without the beer, right? Or should we say, ‘bier’.
Luckily, Albert’s Schloss will be serving Munich’s ‘Big Six’, making it the only venue in Manchester to serve all six of the legitimate Oktoberfest beers synonymous with the festival this year.
Annual Oktoberfest celebrations are returning to Manchester with a two-week ‘Bavarian extravaganza’ / Credit: Supplied
To celebrate the festivities in true Bavarian style too, Schloss will be giving away 100 free biers to the first 100 guests through the door on both Thursday 26 September and Thursday 3 October.
Eager bier-lovers will need to be ready to enter the venue from 5pm on both Thursdays if they want be in with the chance of getting to sip on a pint of Höfbrauhaus, Löwenbräu, Augustinerbräu, Paulaner, Hacker-Pschorr, or Spaten-Franziskaner from the classic lineup, all without having to spend a single penny.
Schloss’ beloved Cook Haus will also be offering Oktoberfest classics too, like crispy Bavarian Schweinshaxe pork knuckle, and a whole section dedicated to Schnitzels and the traditional Bratwurst.
Oktoberfest 2024 is running at Albert’s Schloss Manchester from Saturday 21 September – Sunday 6 October, and you can find out more on the venue’s website here.
The Manc -
6th February 2021 
