News

This morning (February 27), the people of Gorton and Denton woke up to a new world. For the first time in more than two decades, the constituency had a new MP – the Green Party’s Hannah Spencer.

Former Gorton and Denton MP Andrew Gwynne has congratulated the Green Party’s Hannah Spencer on her by-election win.

The Conservative Party is amongst eight parties in the Gorton and Denton by-election whose vote was so small that it has lost the £500 deposit required to stand a candidate.

Hannah Spencer of the Green Party of England and Wales has won the Gorton and Denton by-election, becoming the constituency’s new Member of Parliament in a result that overturns more than a century of Labour dominance.

Senior Labour figures descended on Rushford Park in the Gorton and Denton constituency today as the party made its final push before polling stations open tomorrow in what has become a closely fought by-election.

Residents across the county will be encouraged to get creative this spring with the return of Derbyshire Makes, Derbyshire County Council’s flagship festival celebrating making in all its forms. 

One of Greater Manchester's largest Hindu temples transformed Oldham's streets this week to mark Holi, the Hindu Festival of Colours, which was celebrated globally on March 4.

Preparations are already in full swing for this year’s Glossop Carnival, with organisers promising a packed weekend of family fun in the heart of the town. 

Over recent months, our coverage of the local campaign group High Peak Against Racism has prompted discussion and, in some cases, criticism.

The council will look into the possibility of getting a new swimming pool for Ashton as part of the town centre redevelopment.

The controversial Godley Green Garden Village housing development will go back before the council’s planning panel after being rejected earlier this year.

Council tax will rise for residents of Tameside this year, as the latest town hall meeting saw the 4.99 per cent hike officially voted through. 

Police are appealing for information regarding the whereabouts of Steven Rolls, who is wanted in connection to theft.

Residents across the county will be encouraged to get creative this spring with the return of Derbyshire Makes, Derbyshire County Council’s flagship festival celebrating making in all its forms. 

Preparations are already in full swing for this year’s Glossop Carnival, with organisers promising a packed weekend of family fun in the heart of the town. 

Over recent months, our coverage of the local campaign group High Peak Against Racism has prompted discussion and, in some cases, criticism.

High Peak Borough Council have met to set its budget for the coming year at £16.6 million, to fund essential services for residents, businesses, and visitors.

One of Greater Manchester's largest Hindu temples transformed Oldham's streets this week to mark Holi, the Hindu Festival of Colours, which was celebrated globally on March 4.

Latics’ last visit to Prenton Park was memorable for lots of reasons. In beating Tranmere Rovers in the FA Cup 1st Round in November 2024, Latics were signalling unambiguous intent and capability in what became the season when they won promotion out of the National League.

A new independent school for children with special education needs at a Grade-II listed building will soon open in Oldham.

Budding performers who love singing and drama are being invited to a free launch night as Little Voices Saddleworth and Holme Valley prepare to open in Uppermill.

One in seven high street businesses in a survey said they have gone cashless in the past year.

The US-Israeli war with Iran has entered its seventh day as the first Government-chartered plane evacuating British nationals from the region touched down in the UK.

Famous names from the world of food, Dame Prue Leith, Delia Smith and Stanley Tucci, are backing a call to get children cooking at primary school.

Thousands of investors were “within touching distance” of being Isa millionaires in 2023 according to a money app, with many likely to have now surpassed this milestone to add to the more than 5,000 million pound Isa savers already in existence.

Latics’ last visit to Prenton Park was memorable for lots of reasons. In beating Tranmere Rovers in the FA Cup 1st Round in November 2024, Latics were signalling unambiguous intent and capability in what became the season when they won promotion out of the National League.

Hyde United have announced defender Scott Duxbury’s loan has been extended until the end of the season. 

Droylsden eased into the semi-finals of the Manchester Premier Cup on Tuesday with a 4-0 thrashing of West Didsbury & Chorlton. 

This weekend sees the return of the popular Tameside 5k Festival, which now enters its fourth edition. 

Before settling down to watch the Brits, and reminiscing about things being better in the days of Fleetwood & Fox hosting, John Prescott getting a soaking from Chumbawamba's drummer Danbert Nobacon, and Jarvis Cocker mooning on stage during Earth Song, I rewatched Sisu last weekend. It's a film I've seen several times, and it's unflinchingly violent, whilst being beautifully shot and brilliant!

As I write, the world feels more tumultuous than it has in a long time. For a fleeting moment last week, I felt a sense of renewed hope and optimism as plumber turned politician Hannah Spencer gave her victory speech following the Gorton and Denton by-election result being declared. Overturning a 13,000 vote majority, Spencer spoke passionately about those of us who work hard, asking the question "what does that get you"?

Manchester Opera House is currently playing host to Broadway and West End Hit, Mean Girls the Musical on its first UK tour. Being a massive fan of the film, to the point where I quote it regularly, I was incredibly excited to see how it translated onto stage.

I love a survey, as you may have gathered if you've been reading this column for any length of time (can you believe I've been writing it since 2020?!), and the perfect top ten has landed this week, just in the nick of time for my deadline. Those good folk from American Pistachio Growers have found in a recent study that 50 is the age when people 'no longer feel young'. That means I've got around a year and a half left of my youth, and require an urgent revision to my showbiz age.

I first watched Zootropolis 2 back in December on 4DX, and saw it again with my nephew over the weekend. It's now the biggest animation of all time, and one of the top ten biggest films globally too.