A family from Wigan has shared the story of how they managed to save a struggling deer from drowning in a local canal.
Chris Kendall was walking his dogs with his fiancee when he spotted the animal thrashing in the water after it had gotten trapped behind the canal gate, Wigan Today reports.
Asking a passing cyclist to alert the lock keeper – whose cottage was a ten-minute walk away – Chris decided to take action himself to rescue the deer.
He called his dad, Denver, and the duo dived into the water – tying two dog leads together to pull the animal to safety.
What a rescue! The Kendall family leapt into action when they spotted a deer drowning in a Wigan canal pic.twitter.com/DAB4CBx6ym
The deer appeared to be healthy after being lifted from the canal and bounded off into the distance.
ADVERTISEMENT
Speaking to the BBC, Chris said it was “a bit of a relief” when they managed to finally haul the animal onto dry land.
He added that going into the water was “the only option” as the deer was “going to drown”.
ADVERTISEMENT
Chris’ mum – who recorded the rescue on her phone – also spoke about the “lovely” moment the deer was saved.
“I could have just cried,” she said.
“It was like it just sort of looked at us as if to say ‘thank you’. I just hope it found its family.”
Featured image: Magda Ehlers via Pexels
Wigan
New CGIs released of Hilton’s fancy 144-bedroom hotel in Wigan town centre
Emily Sergeant
Some new CGIs have given us a sneak peak inside Hilton’s fancy 144-bedroom hotel soon to open in Wigan town centre.
In case this is the first you’re hearing of the development, Wigan Council announced back in March 2024 in collaboration with its development partner Cityheart that it had signed a franchise agreement with world-renowned hotel brand, Hilton, for a stunning six-storey Hampton by Hilton hotel pop up right in the heart of Wigan town centre, just off Market Street.
The new venture forms part of the Greater Manchester town’s £135 million redevelopment of the former Galleries Shopping Centre – which was approved in July 2023.
The hotel will be located directly-opposite the bus station entrance of New Market Street, and is within 500 yards of both town centre train stations.
It’s being called ‘one of the most important elements’ of the Galleries masterplan.
New CGIs have been released of Hilton’s fancy 144-bedroom hotel in Wigan town centre / Credit: Supplied
As well as the 144 bedrooms – with ‘accessible’ rooms to be built on each accommodation level – the new hotel will also house a gym overlooking the new square, a main reception area and dining space on the ground floor, meeting and conference rooms, and secure parking will be available for guests.
Dozens of staff are expected to be employed at the new hotel – which the Council says will provide a range of job opportunities for local residents.
Once complete, the hotel will form part of the exciting new town centre neighbourhood providing a new Market Hall and food court, more than 400 homes, bars, restaurants, and leisure uses, all designed to celebrate Wigan’s proud heritage and unique identity.
The new venture forms part of the Greater Manchester town’s £135 million redevelopment / Credit: Supplied
“It’s great to see the progress of this exciting Hampton by Hilton development, which not only plays a role in Wigan’s regeneration, but continues to strengthen our footprint in the North West,” commented Paul Blackmore, who is the Vice President of Development at Hilton UK & Ireland, as the CGIs were released this week.
“The ambition shown by Wigan Council and Cityheart to create a dynamic new hub for retail, leisure, business and living truly resonated with us, and we look forward to welcoming guests when the hotel opens in late 2027.”
Construction work will start on site in October 2025, with an expected opening of the new hotel in winter 2027.
Featured Image – Supplied
Wigan
The Lottery Winners have announced their first headline stadium gig here in Greater Manchester
Danny Jones
Wigan’s very own Lottery Winners have just announced their first solo headline stadium show right here in Greater Manchester, in yet another huge milestone for the Manc favourites.
Doing big arena gigs is one thing, but booking a full-on stadium date on your own patch is something else entirely.
Announced on Monday, 22 September, the ever-rising indie-pop four-piece are now set to play their biggest ever live concert at none other than Leigh Sports Village Stadium, where they’ll be welcomed back as hometown heroes helping put Wigan‘s music scene back on the map.
Better still, they even got a close personal friend to help them with the reveal…
Imagine a shock appearance from Robbie – that would go OFF.
To be honest, we’re not ruling it out; as you can see in yet another amusing teaser video by the local band, they’re promising a number of special guests.
Already confirmed for the milestone live date are friends and long-standing collaborators Jon McClure with Reverend and the Makers, Frank Turner, plus fellow pop indie cult favourite Scouting For Girls, as well as another rising Wigan band in the shape of The Lilacs and a DJ set from Katie Owen.
Frontman Thom Rylance goes on to joke that he’ll “even ask Boy George”, and while they might have duped us last time, we’re not entirely betting against him pulling it off this time.
Judging by the reaction ‘the Rev’ got here in Manchester back in January, you can bet on the atmosphere being nothing short of incredible.
You had to be there.
Such a tune.
Speaking on the momentous occassion, lead singer and songwriter Thom said: “Leigh Sports Village (LSV) isn’t just another show for us, it’s a marker of everything we’ve worked for. From loading gear into pubs to travelling the world, every step has led here.
“To headline a stadium at home is rare, and we don’t take that lightly. This night will stand as proof of what’s possible when you keep on keeping on.
“Headlining LSV is special in itself, but doing it here in our hometown—surrounded by the people who’ve supported us from the very start—makes it truly unforgettable.
“The fact that we get to welcome legends and friends like Frank Turner, Reverend and the Makers and Scouting for Girls to our town feels incredible. It’s Leigh opening its doors to the world, and we’re proud to be the ones hosting.”
As for the former Take That star, he showed no hesitation in getting invovled with this little skit as the whole bunch of them are curently on the road as part of Robbie’s world tour, which visited Manchester just this past June.
Commenting on the announcement, the 51-year-old said: “I’ve completely fallen in love with The Lottery Winners, and even when the tour was just two weeks in, I had a pang of sadness that their tenure with me can’t last forever.”
We can’t wait to see what other surprises they have up their sleeves come next summer, with the gig scheduled for Saturday, 30 May 2026.
Presale tickets for the show go live this Wednesday, 24 September from 10am, and general admission will be available on Friday (26 Sep) at the same time, also from 10am.
The Manc -
4th August 2021 
