You might not consider Salford a tourism hotspot, but it’s been ranked as one of the top alternative global destinations to visit this year. That’s according to a list of the top 20 alternative holiday spots put together by the Guardian, focussing on ‘conservation and community projects that are making a difference to people and the planet’. Salford made the list thanks to the the new RHS Garden Bridgewater project, the biggest gardening scheme in Europe.
RHS Garden Bridgewater
It’s set to open this summer at the Worsley New Hall site, and the 154-acre project will cost £30m-plus to complete – when finished it’s expected to generate £13.8m a year for the local economy by 2029, from a predicted one million annual visitors. In preparation for its opening, more than 700 volunteer gardeners have been working hard to get the garden ready, alongside a small herd of rare pigs that were brought in to clear brambles and dig over the soil. GPs have already been referring patients struggling with isolation, mobility problems and other conditions to the garden, through a ‘social prescribing’ pilot scheme, in which they plant hanging baskets, make bug hotels or go on woodland walks. Patients can also take part in tai chi and yoga sessions in the wellbeing garden, which will become a hub for community organisations like veterans and dementia support groups.
Salford ranked alongside some illustrious global destinations, including Rotterdam, Slovenia, Menorca, Copenhagen, Gothenburg, Vienna, Finland, Portugal, Sri Lanka, Montana and Vancouver.
You can check out the full top 20 list and the amazing projects they’re involved in on the Guardian website here. The RHS Garden Bridgewater project will open in summer 2020, with free entry for RHS members, as well as for Salford residents every Tuesday during the first year – everyone else gets two free visits a year. You can also book a two-hour guided tour for £5 until April, if you can’t wait for the official opening. To find out more about the incredible work they’re doing over in Salford, visit the RHS website here.
Greater Manchester Police have confirmed a man is due to appear in court charged with the murder of a mum from Gorton, as her family pay tribute to their beloved daughter.
Charlene Mills, 43, died following an incident in Hyde Road on Saturday, September 30th.
Officers were called to the address at around 11.20am after receiving reports regarding the concerns for the welfare of a woman.
Emergency services attended the scene, but Charlene sadly died. A 52-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder.
Greater Manchester Police
Peter Pitt, 52, of Hyde Road, Manchester, has been charged in connection with Charlene’s death.
Pitt is remanded in custody, due to appear at Manchester Magistrates Court today, (Monday October 2nd).
Yesterday, Charlene’s family paid tribute to her, saying she was ‘beautiful inside and out’.
Her family said: “We are so deeply saddened by the sudden loss of Charlene. She was beautiful inside and out and had a personality that would bring a smile to the faces of all that knew her, no matter what the situation.”
#CHARGED | A man has been charged in connection with the death of Charlene Mills on Saturday 30 September.
Peter Pitt, (22/12/1970), of Hyde Road, Manchester, has been charged with murder.
The tribute continued: “Charlene, or Char as we all knew her, was the most perfect daughter and big sister to Amber. She loved being a mum and idolised her son Rydell and dog, Boxer. “
“She was strong-willed, kind, and cheeky, overcoming so many obstacles in her life. The world just won’t be as fun without her, and our treasured memories of Char are the only little pieces of comfort we have.
“We are heartbroken and still coming to terms with this devastating news. We are extremely grateful for the messages of support and to those who have paid their respects by laying flowers.
Professional dancer Amy Dowden thanked her Strictly co-stars as she paid an emotional visit to the BBC set following her cancer diagnosis earlier this year.
The 33-year-old was forced to pull out from the show following her diagnosis of stage three breast cancer back in May, soon after she had returned from her honeymoon with husband Ben Jones.
Following the start of the new season, the star from Caerphilly, in South Wales, took to Instagram yesterday (October 1st) to share her love for her former colleagues and show support for them in the new show.
@amy_dowden / Instagram
She posted a collection of pictures to her Instagram page which showed her posing with the cast of the latest show alongside a message of support.
In the post on Instagram, Amy wrote: “Tune in tonight for the first results show of the series! The standard this year is insane. What a great two live shows so far.
“I was lucky to be able to be there for tonight’s opening number a few weeks back and all I can say is WOW! What another incredible number created by @jasongilkison.
@amy_dowden / Instagram
“It’s moments like this I need right now, escaping me from my now at the moment reality and I’m so thankful to the entire @bbcstrictly for this. Hoping to [be] back with the gang real soon.
“There’s no text book or right/ wrong way to deal with your cancer journey. Everyone deals with it rightly their way.
“I’m so lucky to be surrounded by so much support which I don’t take for granted and days like here is what keeps me going.
@amy_dowden / Instagram
“I’m dreaming every night of dancing on that floor again but right now I’m my fellow pro’s proudest and biggest cheerleader.
“Who’s your fav so far?! #strictlycomedancing #forevergrateful #strictlyfamily #support.”
Her family, friends and fans all dashed to the comments section to send her all the love and appreciation. Strictly dancer, Vito Coppola, said: “JUST LOVE YOU AMY. Waiting for you to come back with Us. I want to Hug youuuuu.”
Professional dancer, Dianne Buswelll, typed: “can’t wait for you to be back i miss you chewing my ear off with just classic amy chit chat.”
Strictly’s Jowita Przystał, added: “Love you, and we all miss you !!!”
While @meghan.rhodes_x, wrote: “That picture of you and Carlos tho. best friends for life.”
And @catherine3283, penned: “You were born to dance and dance again you will. With your positive attitude you will kick cancers butt and show it who is boss.”
The families of a schoolgirl and coach driver who were killed after their school bus crashed on Friday have paid tribute to their loved ones .
Children who were also on the bus that was involved in the accident, which happened about 8am on the M53 in Wirral on September 29th, are being offered support, a headteacher said.
Jessica Baker, 15, and driver Stephen Shrimpton, 40, died when the coach hit a reservation between J5 for New Chester Road to J4 for Brimstage Road.
Merseyside Police
The coach had been carrying more than 50 students from Cheshire to West Kirby Grammar School and Calday Grange Grammar School.
It was part of a convoy of school buses carrying other children, who witnessed the incident. The road was closed in both directions as all emergency services attended the scene, including air ambulance.
Four passengers were taken to hospital for treatment, including a 14-year-old boy who suffered life changing injuries. All patients remain in a stable condition.
Family handout
Stephen Gray, head teacher at Calday Grange Grammar School, told BBC Breakfast that today would be a ‘difficult day’ for all pupils and teachers travelling to school.
He said there would be specialist mental health support from the NHS and police in place at the schools all week to help pupils and staff come to terms with what has happened.
In a tribute, Jessica’s family described her as ‘warm-hearted and wonderful’ and said she was a ‘devoted sister and loyal friend’.
@SherinAkhtar / Twitter
They said she was a keen rock-climber and ‘her untimely death has led to a massive void in our lives that will never be filled’.
Mr Shrimpton’s family described him as a ‘loving husband and father’, and said he was a ‘caring and thoughtful man who would always prioritise others over himself’.
In a fundraiser for Mr Shrimpton’s funeral, his sister-in-law said the father-of-two had suffered a medical issue while driving, leaving behind his wife and children aged eight and four.
Police said post-mortem examinations were due to take place to establish the cause of both their deaths.