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.
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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”.
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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
Retired Wigan school teacher turned rapper, 66, stars in new documentary
Danny Jones
A retired school teacher who has since swapped her day job educating kids for spitting bars as Wigan’s hardest and arguably ‘the world’s oldest battle rapper’ is the subject of a new documentary.
If you’ve never heard of this lady before, we appreciate that it can feel like there’s so much to take in here that it’s hard to know where to start.
Meet Joy France, the 66-year-old granny from Greater Manchester and ex-primary school teacher who, after retiring a few years back, decided to channel her love of poetry and the spoken word into a new hobby: rap battling. And believe us, while she might look like a harmless older lady, this girl goes in.
In fact, we’ve had the great honour of watching her roast people right in front of us before:
Now a few years into her rap career after first making her debut at a club in Coventry back in 2018, Joy has grown a real cult following and has become a familiar face both online and in the world of hip-hop — seriously, she’s got a serious reputation.
So much so, it turns out, that the lyrical local lass who regularly performs in Afflecks is now the subject of a documentary called Joy Uncensored, which tracks her journey from teacher to retired rap star.
The short film, made by Northern Heart Films, directed by Natasha Hawthornthwaite and the subject of multiple award wins and nominations over the two years, finally premiered on YouTube earlier this month and it’s great.
Giving an insight into her incredible journey and a very different world in the shape of the rap battle scene (believe us, they don’t go easy on her) over the course of an easy 15-minute run-time, it’s fitting that the central character is called what she is because it’s genuinely a joy to watch.
Having been admittedly a fairly quiet, reserved and very rarely creative person until her 50s, the mini-doc serves as a great reminder to push yourself out of your comfort zone and never be afraid to try something new, no matter what age you are.
On top of her wrapping, Joy is now said to be learning how to DJ as well and on top of recognising what this new challenge has given her, she’s encouraging others to ignore that doubtful little voice in the back of their head and instead, to just “get on with it and enjoy for the rest of your life.”
Now that’s a message we can get right behind.
You can watch the full Joy Uncensored documentary down below:
We have a new favourite rapper and her name is Joy France.
Police investigating 50-strong ‘violent disorder’ incident after Bolton vs Wigan game
Danny Jones
Greater Manchester Police are currently investigating a large incident of fan violence after groups of Bolton Wanderers and Wigan Athletic fans clashed this past weekend.
Following the Wanderers‘ 4-0 home defeat to the Latics on Saturday, 19 August, an estimated 50 football fans are said to have been involved in fighting and violent conduct on Market Street in the town of Westhoughton, less than 10 minutes from Bolton’s Toughsheet Stadium.
With Bolton vs Wigan being a long-standing derby in Greater Manchester and both teams competing not far from each other in League One, police had already warned that they would deliver a “swift response” to any violence.
The clash is said to have taken place around 4:30pm, leaving one man in need of hospital treatment and resulting in two arrests after a Section 34 Dispersal Order was issued and the group was escorted away from the area.
Police shutting down a section of Market Street, Westhoughton.
Two men have since been released on bail pending further enquiries but the local authorities and GMP are still asking for members of the public to assist with the investigation.
Setting up a Major Incident Public Portal (MIPP) for locals to upload information, photos and video, the police are urging people to come forward with any information they might have.
“Officers’ body-cam footage is being reviewed but we are also appealing for members of the public to come forward with any information, photos or footage of the incident.
“If the violence is linked to the Bolton Wanderers and Wigan Athletic game, we will be seeking banning orders on those identified, as well as prosecuting them.”
He concluded by stating: “We would urge anyone who can help us identify those responsible to get in touch with us via the MIPP, 101 or anonymously through the independent charity – Crimestoppers – on 0800 555 111.”
If you or anyone you know might have details regarding the incident, please get in touch using the phone number provided or by uploading any info via the portal HERE.
Those reporting by phone should quote log 2621 of 19/08/2023
The Manc -
4th August 2021 
