Greater Manchester residents are being urged to take part in huge UK-wide ‘spring clean’ that’s happening this month.
We all know that a new season brings with it a chance for a reset, and the term ‘spring clean’ is a pretty popular one that hasn’t come from nowhere – but now, residents across the region are being encouraged to “roll up their sleeves” and join in with the annual UK-wide ‘Great British Spring Clean’ that’s taking place from next week.
Only, the difference is, this is actually a big ‘spring clean’ of our local communities instead, rather than a call to clean up your own property.
Run by Keep Britain Tidy, and having been happening all across the country – including here in Greater Manchester – for several years now, the volunteer organisation has just kick-started its annual campaign, The Great British Spring Clean, for 2024 and is calling on locals to get stuck-in by helping to tidy up local parks, pathways, and other green spaces.
Since 2018, the annual community clean-up has been supported by Manchester City Council in partnership with Keep Manchester Tidy (KMT) following a turnout of countless volunteers – who have proudly become known as as ‘litter heroes’.
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The ‘litter heroes’ across the UK have pledged to “banish lingering litter to the bins for good” by aiming to pick up 400,000 bags of waste.
Back in 2023, there were 155 litter picking events across Manchester city region, 1,564 litter pickers loaned out, and 300 litter picking sets gifted to individuals and families – with a whopping 2,500 bags given to volunteers, which were later collected by the Council’s partner, Biffa.
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Greater Manchester residents are being urged to take part in huge UK-wide ‘spring clean’ this month / Credit: Keep Manchester Tidy (via Facebook)
But for this year’s Great British Spring Clean – which is running from next Friday 15 March, right through to the end of the month – it’s hoped to be even more successful than ever before.
This year’s theme is focused on ‘Diversity and Inclusion’ to encourage even more Mancs to join the national movement.
Speaking ahead of the UK-wide event launching next week, Councillor Lee-Ann Igbon, who is the Executive Member for Vibrant Neighbourhoods at Manchester City Council, commented: “It is fantastic to see the Great British Spring Clean make a return to our city.
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It’s part of the ‘Great British Spring Clean’ organised by Keep Britain Tidy / Credit: Keep Manchester Tidy (via Facebook)
“Every year, we are reminded of how important the work of volunteers and our partners who pledge to keep Manchester tidy truly are, and we hope to encourage more volunteers this year.”
Fancy it then?
If you’re keen to join in, volunteers are advised to wear sturdy shoes and dress appropriately for the weather, and high vis jackets and gloves can be supplied by the Council too, if requested.
Follow and share your ‘pledge to pick’ with hashtags #GBSpringClean2024 and #MCRSpringClean24 on social media too.
Featured Image – Manchester City Council
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‘Hairy men’ needed to play soldiers in returning major fantasy TV series
Thomas Melia
A huge TV series has issued an urgent casting call for, very specifically, ‘hairy men’ to play soldiers.
The exact show hasn’t been named in the casting call, but it’s definitely a major returning fantasy, and is reportedly House of the Dragon, the hit Game of Thrones spin-off.
This big on demand show is set to start filming in just two months’ time, meaning anyone considering shouldn’t wait to apply.
There are a list of key characteristics candidates should have if hoping for this role, including a great work ethic and a professional attitude, something all Mancs like to think we have.
The job description states that no prior acting experience is required, one of the only other things you need to be good at is waking up early (well that’s me out).
Most importantly, headhunters are looking for individuals to take on that have one big factor in common… lots of hair.
On the official website where you can submit your headshots and photos, you will find a mood board filled with ranging hairstyles that fit the desired look the show is going for.
Just one example of a long-haired man who fits the criteria for the returning series.Another similar hair style choice to the guide from the casting call.Credit via Unsplash
Most of the pictures on the site range from long curly locks to big bushy beards – it’s a shame Santa will be back in the North Pole by now.
All candidates must have grown-out hair, ‘overgrown scruff to longer beards’, this means no short, back and sides, or any ‘modern fades’ as stated by the casting team.
If the rumours are true and this turns out to be a shoot for House Of The Dragon, it would be great to see even more Northern talent feature in this show.
It wasn’t too long ago that fans and Mancs alike realised that actor Olivia Cooke, who plays Lady Alicent Hightower, was a local lass herself, born not too far away in Oldham.
One final and important note is that anyone who is likely to apply must make sure they’re 18+ and have a right to work in the UK.
Filming will take place across North Wales and the South East from March onwards, with rate of pay roughly £140-£300+ per day (depending on hours worked).
To apply for a chance to feature in the returning major fantasy series, you can do so by visiting the site HERE.
Greater Manchester set to be battered by ‘impactful’ heavy rain and wind this week
Emily Sergeant
Greater Manchester is set to be battered by some heavy rain and wind this week, according to the Met Office.
While things have seemed surprisingly more settled for the time of year over the last week or so, with clearer skies and chilly winter mornings being fairly commonplace, all that will change very soon, as the Met Office has forecasted that the UK is set to be battered by some ‘impactful’ heavy rain and strong winds as the week goes on.
Low pressure systems will bring a more ‘unsettled’ spell of weather, with a severe weather warning for wind issued for certain parts of the UK.
Today is expected to be filled with grey skies and light rain here in Greater Manchester, with cloud covering much of the rest of the country, and other outbreaks of rain elsewhere, whereas on Wednesday, the focus of rain will shift to southern England instead.
The weather looks set to turn more unsettled during the forthcoming week 🌧️ 🌬️
Thursday is where it’s set to take the biggest downturn though, as a front bringing heavy rain moves eastwards through the day, and it’s us here in North West England that are expected to see the highest accumulations too, with 20-30mm could falling over the hills, and some hill snow even possible over the Scottish mountains too.
A deep area of low pressure will also have ‘deepened rapidly’ by Thursday, bringing ‘strengthening winds’ to western parts of the UK along with it overnight, followed by more heavy rainfall.
Greater Manchester is set to be battered by ‘impactful’ heavy rain and wind this week / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
“A very deep area of low pressure will bring a very unsettled, potentially disruptive, spell of weather to the UK through Friday and into Saturday,” explained Chris Almond, who is the Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist.
“Winds will begin to strengthen on Thursday night, with the peak gusts forecast through Friday in Northern Ireland and western Scotland. The wind will also be accompanied by heavy rain bringing some unpleasant conditions to end the week.
“We have issued a Yellow weather warning for wind, and with several days before the impactful weather, the forecast details are likely to be fine-tuned during the week, so stay tuned to your local forecast and keep up to date with Met Office warnings.”
Emily Sergeant -
7th March 2024 
