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Who is Chorlton’s ‘mystery bush trimmer’ that only operates at night?

"It's not like it was bushy beforehand."

Dolly Busby - 8th October 2021

Chorlton residents have a mystery to solve after a homeowner wakes up to find his hedge has been inexplicably trimmed.

Locals in the sought-after Manchester suburb have been left puzzled, and some disturbed, upon finding a covert gardener is pruning their leafy suburb in the dead of night.

Paul Couvela took to Facebook group Chorlton M21 explaining that his front foliage had been bizarrely cut by “a person or persons unknown” and appealed to his fellow residents that: “It’s not like it was bushy beforehand.

“I’m a bit peeved. It looks torn in places, like they’ve used their bare hands or teeth.

“Faintly sinister.”

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“It’s not like it was bushy beforehand.” / Credit: Paul Couvela / Chorlton M21

Members of the Facebook group replied in the comment section calling it a “shearious crime” and labelling the perpetrator “the phantom bush trimmer.”

Chorlton’s Edward Scissor Hands is not the tidiest horticulturalist, as they did not clear up their chippings and instead left a carpet of green outside Couvela’s house.

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A highly passive aggressive warning sign or a harmless attempt at topiary?

It’s yet to be determined.

Featured Image – Paul Couvela / Chorlton M21

Manchester

Independent Chinese street food favourite Little Bao Boy announces closure in Manchester

Daisy Jackson Little Bao Boy has announced its closure in Manchester

Little Bao Boy has announced its closure in Manchester

Little Bao Boy has shared ‘sad news’ this week, announcing its departure from Manchester.

The Chinese street food favourite has been serving freshly-made bao, plus contemporary Asian dishes like loaded katsu fries, tofu bites, and spicy slaws.

But now this much-loved indie, originally from Leeds, has announced it’s baoing (sorry) out from our city for good.

Little Bao Boy has said it has just over a week left in Manchester, where it’s been operating as part of the North Taproom at Circle Square.

The team said it’s been a ‘tough decision’ as they’ve ‘had a blast’ at the new development off Oxford Road.

Little Bao Boy wrote: “I’m afraid to say we’ve got some sad news…

“As of the first of February we will be coming out of Circle square taproom in Manchester. It was a tough decision as we’ve had a blast there the last couple of years but sometimes you need to take one step back to take two more forward.

Little Bao Boy has announced its closure in Manchester — Credit: The Hoot Leeds

Little Bao Boy has announced its closure in Manchester — Credit: The Hoot Leeds

“We want to ram all our focus into making Leeds as good as it can be and that’s what we’re going to do moving into this year.

“We just want to say a massive thank you to everyone from Manchester who has come down to support us over the years it really does mean a lot!

“Maybe one day you’ll see us pop back up in the M1 postcode but for now it’s see you later, thanks for having us and the always welcome to come see us in Leeds. James & JB.”

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Featured image: The Hoot Leeds

Manchester

Timings confirmed for Manchester’s legendary Dragon Parade to celebrate Chinese New Year 2025

Manchester’s legendary Dragon Parade will make its way through the city centre once again next weekend.

As Manchester gets ready to celebrate Chinese New Year 2025 – which begins next Wednesday (29 January) and runs through to Sunday 2 February – and mark the ‘Year of the Snake’, the iconic Dragon Parade will be making its grand return to the streets of our city centre next weekend, and bring a spectacular show of colour and light along with it.

In case you’re unfamiliar with what the Dragon Parade is all about, it’s the focal point of the city’s annual Lunar New Year celebrations – and it’s a real spectacle, to say the least.

The parade is known for attracting thousands of visitors from all across the region each year.

#ChineseNewYear in Manchester, celebrating the#YearOfTheSnake

The FCAM & @ManCityCouncil Dragon Parade this year takes places on Sunday 2nd February.#ChineseNewYearMCR #CNY2025 #Manchester pic.twitter.com/L3Z1Q1NkPs
— Chinese New Year in Manchester (@ChineseNYMCR) January 14, 2025

Headlining the festivities, the popular parade is set to take place on Sunday 2 February 2025.

Once again, organisers are expecting visitors in their thousands to turn out and watch as the famous 175ft Chinese dragon weaves its way through the city’s main shopping streets.

Kicking off from 12pm onwards, starting on the junction of Oxford Street and George Street, the parade will make its way along Portland Street before concluding in Chinatown for a final performance on Princess Street.

There will also be a night dragon parade in the Chinatown car park at 6:30pm and 7:30pm on the Saturday 1 February, while an illuminated dragon will feature through the streets of Chinatown as part of the celebration’s conclusion from 6:30pm on Sunday.

Manchester’s legendary Dragon Parade is returning to celebrate Chinese New Year 2025 / Credit: Chinese NY Manchester (via X)

There’ll also be even more cultural celebrations and activities to get involved with over in Manchester’s popular Chinatown, with live stage performances, a fun fair, and loads of stalls serving up tasty and authentic street food.

All the action in Chinatown will start from midday right through to 8pm on both days.

And to top it all off, we have also seen the return of Manchester’s famous traditional red lanterns dotted up above all around town too, adding colour to dark winter days.

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As always, this year’s celebrations have been organised by the Federation of Chinese Associations of Manchester (FCAM), in partnership with Manchester Business Improvement District (BID) and Manchester City Council.

Featured Image – Chinese NY Manchester (via X)