Two Manchester sisters are turning dead squirrels from Heaton Park into stationery holders
Over near Heaton Park, there are a couple of women who run an amateur taxidermy business - taking dead squirrels and turning them into stationery holders..
A couple of amateur Manchester taxidermists have gained serious notoriety this week after a post advertising their headless squirrel stationery holders went viral on social media.
The business, which is apparently run by a pair of sisters local to the Heaton Park area, decided to advertise on a Facebook page called The Mancunian Daily as a way to drum up some more interest in their morbid creations.
Little did they know just quite how much attention they would get.
The original Facebook post has now been viewed over five million times and has amassed over 42,000 comments on The Mancunian Daily page alone.
Short and succinct, it reads: “Hi my name is Karen, I upcycle dead squirrels I find in Heaton Park. Perfect holder’s for pens, cutlery etc.
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“My husband uses the heads for golf so nothing gets wasted. £10 each or 2 for £35. Tia xx”
Shocking and horrifying some, whilst genuinely intriguing others, the post’s accompanying images show decapitated, hollowed-out squirrels with crossed arms and, in some cases, pink painted nails and rhinestone collars.
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It has since been viewed by millions around the globe after being shared widely across Facebook, Twitter and Reddit, and has attracted some very interesting comments, to say the least.
Many have speculated whether ‘Karen’ is real – and even more wondered aloud about the dead squirrels, how exactly she was finding them and what her husband does with the heads to ensure ‘nothing gets wasted’.
One person asked: “She seems to come across a lot of dead squirrels!!!! I only see beautiful live ones thank goodness! Upcycle??? Don’t be falling asleep in the bloody park!!”
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Another said: “God im sure people will be going nuts for these, Like somthing out of a f**king horror movie, i mean you’ve even painted the one with the collars f**king nails pink”
Image: via The Mancunian Daily
The person who claims to be the creator of the rodent accessories wishes to remain anonymous, but came forward to The Manc to address the negativity she’s received.
She told us that the taxidermy business is actually run by her and her sister and that although she was upset by some of the comments they now have ‘enough bookings to last a lifetime’.
She says they’ve received hundreds of orders through The Mancunian Daily page.
She told The Manc that she first began experimenting with the practice a few years ago – initially operating on dead birds her cats would bring into the house.
Then, having stumbled across a lot of dead squirrels on walks in the park with her dog, she decided to branch out and ‘upcycle’ them, rather than leaving them behind for the foxes.
She said: “I only do arts and crafts as a side line job. My dog gets walked every day round Heaton Park and we have found a lot of already dead squirrels nearly daily as we walk through bushes and not foot paths.
“I started taxidermy a few years ago on dead birds my cats bring in my house. I decided to do something with the dead squirrels as it would be inhumane to leave them there to get picked up by the foxes.”
Image: via The Mancunian Daily
As for what her husband does with the heads? She clarified, “No I don’t stuff them. He takes them into the shed where he keeps his golf stuff and discards of them on the gollys I think but I have seen him chipping in the garden but I don’t know what he is hitting.”
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Screenshots shared with The Manc show one customer, based in Germany, asking for four squirrel pots via International shipment – adding “it would be awesome if I could get 4 fat ones so Beer cans fit in.”
Another potential buyer has messaged to ask, “have you got any squirrells left without all the sparkles please ta.”
Image: via The Mancunian Daily
Of course, not everyone is so keen on the idea of using a dead squirrel as cutlery or stationery pot – and the Facebook page, which is managing orders on the pair’s behalf, has also received a lot of negative engagement too.
Suffice to say, there’s been a lot of interest in the squirrel pots – both negative and positive.
Commenting on the post, the Mancunian Daily admin told us, “We are shocked that the post has got over 5 and a half million views and still going, but we are very grateful for all the new followers to our page.
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“Although some of the comments have been nasty we like to promote a positive page as we continue to grow.”
If anyone wants to order a squirrel holder, they can do so by messaging The Mancunian Dailyhere.
All three major Manchester Universities are teaming up for a historic Freshers season
Danny Jones
For the first time in history, all three major Universities in central Manchester are partnering for a landmark year of Freshers celebrations, and it’s going to be an unforgettable one for students.
Against all the odds, one company has managed to unite the University of Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan University and the University of Salford to host a collaborative programme in and around the city centre for the soon-to-arrive class of 2026.
The organisers in question are Cool It Events, who have identified the issue of countless random parties and unofficial ‘ghost’ dates that often end up not even happening, before deciding to combat it by teaming up with the trio of local institutions for a definitive triple crown partnership.
In another first for our region, all three student unions are getting behind this, not only for the sake of ease and clarity on behalf of the new cohort set to attend, but to guarantee safety, legitimacy, and also value for money.
Of course, proper uni-sanctioned parties and so on have always been a part of Freshers’ week, but equally, the opportunistic ‘fly-by-night’ culture of others trying to get in on the action and rogue promotions simply trying to make a bit of money whilst ripping off young people is just old.
Furthermore, as Cool It puts it: “In a digital age where predatory ‘unofficial’ wristbands often lead to overbooked venues or events that simply don’t exist, these partnerships offer a rare peace of mind.”
It also means that those trying to put on a genuinely good day and/or night out aren’t simply relegated to some vague second tier of back-up options; this way, it’s clear who is taking part (UoM, MMU and University of Salford), doing what, and where.
Their approach to this next-level Freshers festival started in 2025, and with a presence in other locations like Liverpool, Chester and Bolton, their reputation just keeps growing.
Naturally, they’re aiming to make this year the biggest and best yet, by not only teaming up with the big unis but also by locking in what they and so many dub the “gold standard of venues.”
Places taking part include:
The O2 Ritz
Factory 251
Gorilla
Joshua Brooks
Popworld
Manchester Academy
Brickhouse
Kable
The Grovesnor
And that’s just a handful, with more still to be confirmed.
For instance, ‘We Love Wednesdays’ at Ark on Deansgate Locks – widely regarded as the city’s biggest weekly student night – will also be getting involved in a big way.
Credit: Cool It Events (supplied)
Given that market analysis has also shown that the unofficial ‘Freshers Packs’ can often cost upwards of 50% more than the official versions, not to mention offering no concrete guarantee of entry or SU backing, this is also a way to help students save money on their arrival into the city.
Put simply, the Universities and Cool It Events have done all the work for you, curating an excellent introduction to the best nightlife and student culture in the North, period – minus the risks.
If this sounds like a bit of you, or you have family heading to uni in Greater Manchester this coming term, you can find all the information on their website, including via your chosen University’s student union portal. Last but not least, if you’re already sold, you can grab your tickets to all the events right HERE.
Featured Images — Publicity pictures (supplied via Cool It Events)
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A live orchestral football chant concert is coming to Manchester city centre
Danny Jones
Yes, you heard us right: a whole live concert revolving around the world of football chants is coming to Manchester city centre.
And better still, you don’t have to wait long for it to come around either.
Teaming up with the National Football Museum, our city’s well-renowned Manchester Camerata chamber orchestra will be doing what they do best and putting a twist on some of the most famous songs sung at stadiums around the world.
Being MC’d by Classic FM and sports presenter Karthi Gnanasegaram, the unique show will see the soundtrack of the beautiful game brought to life and to the people in a whole new light.
From local terrace chants like ‘Blue Moon’ and ‘Glory, Glory, Man United’ that are regularly belted at full volume every weekend in our city, to ‘Three Lions’ and other iconic England anthems, die-hard footy fans have helped score (pardon the pun) the sport as we know it for nearly two centuries.
Moreover, they will continue to do so for generations to come – and it’s live, musical spirit that these performances are looking to capture in a fully-fledged orchestral fashion.
The oldest football chant on record is thought to have been written by composer Sir Edward Elgar way back in 1898, who wrote ‘He Banged the Leather for Goal’ in tribute to the once beloved Wolverhampton Wanderers striker, Billy Malpass.
Great last name for a player, by the way.
Speaking ahead of the perfect springtime event, host Karthi recently gave us a better insight into the exclusive show; you can find out more down below.
Spanning all the way from the foundational song by Elgar to more modern-day examples like ‘Wavin’ Flag’ by K’naan, written for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, it’s an oral journey through a big sport of not just sporting culture but countries all over the world.
‘The Beautiful Game’ at the National Football Museum aims to “celebrate the drama and passion of the nation’s most beloved sport”, with the classical arrangements to be conducted by Enyi Okpara.
Fresh off being appointed as Fellow Conductor of the London Philharmonic Orchestra for the 2026/27 season, you couldn’t ask for a better pedigree – especially with all the talents that make up the Manchester Camerata itself.
Taking place over the duration of two shows on Friday, 24 April 2026 at 6:30pm and 8pm, Gorton residents can get tickets from just £3, only a fiver for students, and under 30s at just a tenner.
Georgina Pellant -
19th January 2022 
