Universities are expected to welcome around 80,000 new and returning students to Manchester over the next couple of weeks.
Manchester City Council has this week praised the extensive plans that have been put in place to manage the safe return of those students, but in the context of the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic though, how exactly will this work?
In recent months, detailed preparations have been taking place through the city’s Student Strategy Partnership.
The partnership – which brings together the University of Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan University, student unions, Manchester Student Homes, Greater Manchester Police and Manchester City Council – is already responsible for introducing a raft of COVID-safe measures.
According to a statement on the Manchester City Council website, these measures encompass both on campus arrangements for lectures, events and those living in halls of residence and in neighbourhoods around the city.
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These include:
Virtual-only events in Welcome Week, and a blended model of virtual and small group lectures on campus to reduce contacts.
Clear communications with students on COVID-19 guidelines and expectations.
The establishment of a local testing site at Denmark Road Leisure Centre in Hulme – a short distance from campus – which will operate five days a week, and there is also scope for mobile testing centres if further capacity is required.
Detailed plans in place to manage any potential outbreak.
Council liaison with businesses and licensed premises in areas with significant student populations, such as Fallowfield and Withington, to ensure they are COVID-secure and be clear about the expectations on them and the potential consequences of not meeting those expectations.
The measures come after vice-chancellors and National Union of Students officers from the Universities of Bolton, Manchester, Salford, Manchester Metropolitan University and the Royal Northern College of Music banded together to urge students to avoid mass gatherings and stick to the rules when the new term begins.
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Sir Richard Leese – Leader of Manchester City Council – said: “We are used to welcoming an influx of students but obviously this year is like no other.
“A great deal of planning has gone into ensuring that the return of students to Manchester is as COVID-secure as possible and that they can have a great experience in our city without putting themselves or others at risk.
“In particular I want to commend the universities, who have done some brilliant work around communications with students and their own on campus arrangements. They have engaged really constructively with wider planning around off campus elements. They have also shown leadership by making clear to students that while everything is in place for them to learn and enjoy themselves safely, any irresponsible behaviour which flouts COVID-19 restrictions, such as holding house parties while restrictions are in force, will not be tolerated and could have disciplinary consequences.
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He continued: “Students are always welcome here and form an important part of the life of our dynamic city. Many stay after they graduate and become proud Mancunians. We want them to feel safe and we also want them to feel part of the community, which means being good neighbours where they are living off campus.
“As well as working with the universities to communicate COVID-19 safety information, we are continuing our regular work to encourage students to be part of their neighbourhoods.”
You can find out more about the Student Strategy Partnership via the Manchester City Council website here.
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Stockport lad lands ‘world’s sweetest job’ as Aldi’s new Easter egg taster
Emily Sergeant
A young lad from Stockport has just landed himself the “sweetest job” in the world, as he’s been chosen as Aldi’s newest Easter egg taster.
It’s hard to see someone else live out your dream… but on the eve of what is undoubtedly one of the most chocolate and sweet treat-filled holidays of the year, a five-year-old from Stockport has been revealed the Aldi ‘Chief Easter Egg Tasting Officer’ for 2024.
And it really does sound like the “world’s sweetest job”, to be fair.
Little Levi Hallows has beaten hundreds of hopeful applicants to become the supermarket‘s newest recruit in-charge of easting Easter eggs.
As he assumes his new role, chocolate lover Levi will receive a selection of Aldi’s Easter eggs in exchange for reporting back his thoughts to the company’s Buying Team, and his feedback will be valuable, as it’ll help guide what goes on shelves for Easter 2025.
The cracking job generated hundreds of special entries on social media from all across the UK, with applicants sharing videos as to why they were right for the role.
Levi caught the attention of the judges after submitting a video entry where he sang a song dedicated to the role of a lifetime, and can be seen holding his favourite Aldi chocolate bar and belting out the words: “Do you have a sweet tooth? I do! I’ve had it since I was a boy!”
As well as being a massive chocolate fan and having a long-time sweet tooth, Levi is also a budding Karate star, and has a keen interest in all things outer space too.
Levi says he’s “so excited” to have been chosen for the coveted role and “can’t wait to taste the eggs”, before going on to add: “My mum and grandparents are very proud of me, and I can’t wait to tell all my friends at school.”
Five-year-old Levi Hallows will give his feedback to help Aldi’s Buying Team curate their 2025 Easter collection / Credit: Aldi
The Greater Manchester youngster’s mum, Mary, says her son was “absolutely over the moon” when he was told he’d landed the job.
Julie Ashfield, who is the Managing Director of Buying at Aldi UK, added: “Our Easter eggs are hugely popular, but it’s important that we continue to amaze shoppers with innovative, fun products each year, and that’s why the role of our Chief Easter Egg Tasting Officer is such an important one.
“The feedback provided really helps our Buying Team create a bigger and better range each year.”
Featured Image – Aldi UK
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Watch the wholesome moment Jude Bellingham gives his jacket to a young mascot to keep him warm
Danny Jones
England supporters are already getting very excited to see Jude Bellingham in the starting 11 ahead of Euro 2024 but the midfielder is winning over even more fans after a clip of a wholesome moment between him and a young mascot went viral.
The Three Lions ended up drawing 2-2 in their second friendly of the international break against Belgium (losing 1-0 to Brazil in the previous game) with Bellingham scoring the equaliser in the final minute of stoppage time.
However, as much as the home fans are looking forward to the Real Madrid star rallying his teammates at the Euros this summer, it was this small but touching interaction with a young kid as the two sides lined up with their mascots just after the walkouts.
Seeing the rain falling and quickly checking in with the small boy sitting in the wheelchair below him, Bellingham rightly offered his pre-match jacket to the little lad to keep him warm.
The reaction online was just as heartwarming too, as countless people jumped on social media to leave comments like, “This is how you know he is Brum, what a nice fella”, “makes me proud to be English” and “Classy as ever from the 20-year-old”.
One person even went so far as to add: “Make this guy captain, wrap him in bubble wrap and take care of him. All youngsters should watch how he conducts himself, absolute professional.”
He wasn’t the only one either, as many eagle-eyed viewers also noted that Manchester City stars Phil Foden and John Stones also gave their jackets to the young mascots standing with him prior to the match. We really do have some lovely lads in this team, don’t we?
Absolutely class from Bellingham, Stones & Foden giving their jackets to the kid mascots as pissing down! 🦁🦁🦁👏🫶
Elsewhere, another Greater Mancunian player once again delighted those in the stands and watching back home as Kobbie Mainoo not only made his second appearance and first full start in an England shirt but also earned himself the man of the match award.
The Man United starlet was a late inclusion into Gareth Southgate’s provisional Euros squad, which is likely to change again before the tournament starts, but you won’t find many fans Reds or otherwise wanting him anywhere else other than in the starting lineup.
We’re starting to really like the look of this squad both on and off the pitch and one thing’s for sure, they aren’t just nice blokes – there’s plenty of talent amongst them to win something.
You can watch the highlights of England vs Belgium in full down below: