themanchestereveningnews--2020-12-16--Thief crashed nurse's car after stealing it from hospital

A thief crashed a nurse 's car into a wall after stealing it from the hospital car park while she cared for sick children .
Lewis Jenkins sneaked into the staff room at Warrington Hospital to take the keys to the Chevrolet on August 16 this year .
He claimed he went to the site to get masks for 'Covid protection ' .
The next day , the 37-year-old crashed the car after leading police on a high speed chase , Liverpool Echo reports .
He had to be cut free from the car by firefighters .
Jenkins suffered a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at an officer while being treated at Aintree University Hospital .
Jenkins appeared at Liverpool Crown Court after pleading guilty to dangerous driving ; aggravated vehicle taking ; burglary ; assault of an emergency worker ; driving whilst disqualified ; driving without insurance ; and failing to provide a specimen .
Rebecca Smith , prosecuting , told the court that on August 16 this year the victim came into work after parking her blue Chevrolet in the NHS Trust car park .
Ms Smith told the court she left her handbag in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public and patients are prohibited from entering '' .
She said : `` She returned at 4 o'clock in the afternoon and noticed her keys and bank cards were missing .
`` She went to the car park and soon realised her vehicle had also gone . ''
Jenkins was spotted on CCTV by security guards who had had 'previous dealings with him ' .
The footage showed him `` loitering in the area '' before returning to the car park , getting into the Chevrolet and driving off .
Officers were in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A58 , the following day at around 2.40pm when the stolen car drove past them towards St Helens .
Ms Smith explained that initially the car was travelling at the speed limit .
As police began to follow , the car `` increased speed '' and as it approached a roundabout it was `` quite apparent '' Jenkins was deliberately trying to `` evade police attention '' .
Officers activated their lights but Jenkins failed to stop , and reached 80mph on St Helens Road .
Ms Smith said : `` Officers observed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' before it `` smashed into a wall '' on St Helens Road .
The court heard the car was `` severely damaged '' and Jenkins suffered a `` number of injuries '' including a broken leg .
When officers arrived Jenkins was `` slumped over the passenger side '' .
Firefighters and paramedics arrived at the scene and the road had to be closed for several hours so he could be cut out of the car .
Ms Smith explained he was taken to Aintree Hospital where he was `` kept under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officer was monitoring Jenkins they had to `` kick the door open '' .
Jenkins `` became abusive '' threatened to spit , `` called him a dirty pig '' and threw the metal pole his saline was being held by at the officer .
In a victim impact statement , the court heard how the nurse tried to have `` an open , trusting relationship with patients in ( her ) care '' but this has been damaged by Jenkins ' actions .
Reading the statement Ms Smith said : `` Being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transport , unable to visit my disabled mother . ''
Jenkins , of Folly Lane , Warrington , has 31 convictions for 79 offences since 1999 .
Ms Smith explained he has a history of criminal damage and his offences include dishonesty offences , taking a motor vehicle , driving whilst disqualified , burglary and thefts .
The court heard Jenkins has a `` history of mental illness '' although he denied that he suffered from any previously diagnosed condition .
Jason Smith , defending , explained he was released after a hospital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ May 2019 .
He explained Jenkins `` spent many years under section 37 '' and was released for approximately 12 months before committing the offences and `` facing a significant term of imprisonment '' .
A member of the court 's mental health team explained there had been `` a mental health tribunal '' when Jenkins was held under the hospital order .
The court heard the tribunal `` were not satisfied '' he suffered from a mental illness after being held under the order for six years , and he was discharged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suggesting a mental health report may aid the court in passing sentence , Jenkins said he would refuse to comply and as a result was sentenced today .
Mr Smith said : `` Being realistic this is a case where a custodial sentence is in many ways inevitable '' .
However , he said a custodial sentence would have a `` devastating effect on the defendant '' .
He said : `` It still remains the position of Mr Jenkins he did n't go into the hospital to steal , he went in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Referring to the collision , Mr Smith said Jenkins `` drove in a horrific manner '' for which he `` now pays the consequences '' .
The court heard that Jenkins apologises for the offences .
Mr Smith said : `` The best remorse is he has had the good sense to plead guilty at the first available opportunity in this court . ''
Referring to Jenkins lashing out at a police officer , Mr Smith said it was `` out of frustration when he was in the hospital more than anything @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sentencing Jenkins , said : `` You stole a car and bank card of a health care worker doing her best to help all of us during the Covid health care crisis and you knew you were doing that .
`` She was frightened by what you did .
She was trying to help others when you stole from her .
`` You say it was spur of the moment and I 'll sentence you on the basis it was but you clearly knew the nature of the building you were entering .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the judge said : `` This was a serious piece of bad driving .
The fact no one other than you was hurt was a matter of luck . ''
Jenkins was sentenced to 21 months in prison .
He was also disqualified from driving for three years , which will begin from his release .

newsdesk@men-news.co.uk (Lauren Wise, Rebecca Day)

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A thief crashed a nurse's car into a wall after stealing it from the hospital car park while she cared for sick children.
Lewis Jenkins sneaked into the staff room at Warrington Hospital to take the keys to the Chevrolet on August 16 this year.
He claimed he went to the site to get masks for 'Covid protection'.
The next day, the 37-year-old crashed the car after leading police on a high speed chase, Liverpool Echo reports.
He had to be cut free from the car by firefighters. Jenkins suffered a broken leg.
He then lashed out at an officer while being treated at Aintree University Hospital.
Jenkins appeared at Liverpool Crown Court after pleading guilty to dangerous driving; aggravated vehicle taking; burglary; assault of an emergency worker; driving whilst disqualified; driving without insurance; and failing to provide a specimen.
Rebecca Smith, prosecuting, told the court that on August 16 this year the victim came into work after parking her blue Chevrolet in the NHS Trust car park.
Ms Smith told the court she left her handbag in the staff room "where members of the public and patients are prohibited from entering".
She said: "She returned at 4 o'clock in the afternoon and noticed her keys and bank cards were missing.
"She went to the car park and soon realised her vehicle had also gone."
Jenkins was spotted on CCTV by security guards who had had 'previous dealings with him'.
The footage showed him "loitering in the area" before returning to the car park, getting into the Chevrolet and driving off.
Officers were in the layby of the Prescot bypass, A58, the following day at around 2.40pm when the stolen car drove past them towards St Helens.
Ms Smith explained that initially the car was travelling at the speed limit.
As police began to follow, the car "increased speed" and as it approached a roundabout it was "quite apparent" Jenkins was deliberately trying to "evade police attention".
Officers activated their lights but Jenkins failed to stop, and reached 80mph on St Helens Road.
The speed limit is 40mph.
Ms Smith said: "Officers observed it was swaying from side to side" before it "smashed into a wall" on St Helens Road.
The court heard the car was "severely damaged" and Jenkins suffered a "number of injuries" including a broken leg.
When officers arrived Jenkins was "slumped over the passenger side".
(Image: Merseyside Police)
Firefighters and paramedics arrived at the scene and the road had to be closed for several hours so he could be cut out of the car.
Ms Smith explained he was taken to Aintree Hospital where he was "kept under 24 hour observations" but while one officer was monitoring Jenkins they had to "kick the door open".
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Jenkins "became abusive" threatened to spit, "called him a dirty pig" and threw the metal pole his saline was being held by at the officer.
In a victim impact statement, the court heard how the nurse tried to have "an open, trusting relationship with patients in (her) care" but this has been damaged by Jenkins' actions.
Reading the statement Ms Smith said: "Being without a car has left me without transport, unable to visit my disabled mother."
Jenkins, of Folly Lane, Warrington, has 31 convictions for 79 offences since 1999.
Ms Smith explained he has a history of criminal damage and his offences include dishonesty offences, taking a motor vehicle, driving whilst disqualified, burglary and thefts.
The court heard Jenkins has a "history of mental illness" although he denied that he suffered from any previously diagnosed condition.
Jason Smith, defending, explained he was released after a hospital order was imposed by the court in May 2019.
He explained Jenkins "spent many years under section 37" and was released for approximately 12 months before committing the offences and "facing a significant term of imprisonment".
A member of the court's mental health team explained there had been "a mental health tribunal" when Jenkins was held under the hospital order.
The court heard the tribunal "were not satisfied" he suffered from a mental illness after being held under the order for six years, and he was discharged into the community.
Despite Mr Smith suggesting a mental health report may aid the court in passing sentence, Jenkins said he would refuse to comply and as a result was sentenced today.
Mr Smith said: "Being realistic this is a case where a custodial sentence is in many ways inevitable".
However, he said a custodial sentence would have a "devastating effect on the defendant".
He said: "It still remains the position of Mr Jenkins he didn't go into the hospital to steal, he went in to obtain masks for Covid protection."
Referring to the collision, Mr Smith said Jenkins "drove in a horrific manner" for which he "now pays the consequences".
The court heard that Jenkins apologises for the offences.
Mr Smith said: "The best remorse is he has had the good sense to plead guilty at the first available opportunity in this court."
Referring to Jenkins lashing out at a police officer, Mr Smith said it was "out of frustration when he was in the hospital more than anything else".
Judge Anil Murray, sentencing Jenkins, said: "You stole a car and bank card of a health care worker doing her best to help all of us during the Covid health care crisis and you knew you were doing that.
"She was frightened by what you did. She was trying to help others when you stole from her.
"You say it was spur of the moment and I'll sentence you on the basis it was but you clearly knew the nature of the building you were entering."
Referring to the dangerous driving matter the judge said: "This was a serious piece of bad driving. The fact no one other than you was hurt was a matter of luck."
Jenkins was sentenced to 21 months in prison.
He was also disqualified from driving for three years, which will begin from his release.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-12-16--National media verdict as Man City draw with West Brom

Manchester City were left frustrated as they had to settle for a 1-1 draw against West Bromwich Albion at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday night .
Ilkay Gundogan put Pep Guardiola 's men in front during the first half but a Ruben Dias own goal restored parity before the break .
City had chances to win the game but were thwarted by a stubborn West Brom rearguard and , in particular , former Manchester United goalkeeper Sam Johnstone .
The result leaves last season 's runners-up sixth in the Premier League table after 12 matches of the 2020-21 campaign - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's how some of our colleagues from the national media reported on City 's draw with West Brom ... City still have some truly great players but the losses of midfielder David Silva to Real Sociedad in the close season , and Sergio Aguero to injury for much of the campaign , have robbed them of key attacking threats .
For all their possession , clear chances were at a premium .
Benjamin Mendy and Rodri were both off-target with efforts that could be classed as more hopeful than threatening .
Sterling 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ delayed his cutback just long enough to tee up the Germany midfielder in the perfect spot , but too often City chose the wrong option and ended up running into a red and yellow-shirted wall .
Manchester City lost more ground in the Premier League title race as battling West Brom earned a crucial point with a 1-1 draw at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday .
City needed a response after their pedestrian Manchester derby performance and took the lead on the half hour thanks to Ilkay Gundogan 's clinical strike , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as Semi Ajayi 's strike deflected in off Ruben Dias ( 43 ) .
City laid siege to the West Brom goal in the second half but found Sam Johnstone in inspired form as a Kevin De Bruyne free-kick and stoppage-time headers from Gundogan and Raheem Sterling were brilliantly kept out .
The draw leaves City sixth in the table , five points behind leaders Tottenham and Liverpool , while 19th-placed West Brom move to within two points of safety after securing an unexpected yet thoroughly-deserved point .
Sure , West Brom had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to thank for securing only their second point on the road this season but there was a time when City used to make light work of games like this ... By the end , Pep Guardiola looked a desperate man , railing against the fourth official , Anthony Taylor , for only playing four minutes of added time when Johnstone had been taking “ 30 seconds ” for each goal kick ... Guardiola had claimed beforehand that this would be the moment when City ’ s season finally burst into life .
By @ @ @ @ @ @ @ performance served only to give more credence to Gary Neville ’ s claims that City are an “ absolute shadow ” of the side that won the title two years ago .
It was certainly baffling to see Guardiola start with two holding midfielders at home to the league ’ s second-bottom club and even more surprising that , when he finally brought on Sergio Aguero in the 76th minute , he did so at the expense of Phil Foden and not Rodri .
Manchester City are not playing at their best , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and this result screams it even louder than the unexpectedly tepid showing in a dull and disappointing Manchester derby on Saturday .
West Brom deserve immense respect for failing to provide the anticipated lambs for the slaughter , yet though it was a tidy and organised performance by a side next to bottom of the table , it appears Slaven Bilic will be shown the door on Wednesday .
Nonetheless it was still City ’ s inability to add urgency to the game that was most surprising .
Their best chance of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kevin De Bruyne free-kick five minutes from the end , though Sam Johnstone was equal to it and Ilkay Gundogan had gone down when he had hardly been touched in any case .
With point-blank saves in the last five minutes from Gundogan and Sterling , the Albion goalkeeper was a hero on the night , though the visitors ’ all-round performance was as impressive as City ’ s finishing was wasteful .
The questions about Manchester City ’ s laboured start to the Premier League season keep coming .
Why are they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ goals like they used to ?
Why doesn ’ t Pep Guardiola seem to know what he wants from his players ?
And can they realistically expect to break clear of the other title contenders when they drop points at home to West Bromwich Albion ?
This 1-1 draw lifted City to sixth in the table , only five points behind Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool ahead of their meeting at Anfield on Wednesday , and they will still have a game in hand over most of their rivals once all is said and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The pre-season favourites are still very much in the race but they have a habit of playing like also-rans .
Will the real Manchester City please stand up ?
With almost a third of the Premier League campaign gone , Pep Guardiola 's former champions continue to frustrate , unable to produce their best form and elbow their way among the leading pack .
After their insipid goalless stalemate in the Manchester derby , this was a chance for City 's players to show their enduring class by burying the side second @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Instead , it was an all too familiar story for City , dominating the game , with 26 shots on goal and 13 corners , only to end up without the hard currency of a win and three vital points .
Some things about Manchester City are the same .
Lots of territory , possession and control .
These things remain as heavily weighted in their favour as they ever were under Pep Guardiola .
But that is where the good news begins and ends .
For the current City do not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not as we have come to know and admire them anyway .
The Manchester derby at the weekend was insipid and uncompetitive and then there was this .
With the second worst team in the Premier League as opposition – a team with one previous point earned away from home all season – City were strangely flat once again .
It was another one of those ‘ Dias ’ for Manchester City - the problem is they are coming round too often for Pep Guardiola ’ s men right now .
An own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ half-time denied City in a game they completely dominated .
And once again the once free-scoring home side could not find the goals they needed ... As Christmas approaches , City have well and truly lost their sparkle .
And unless they can find it again quickly find it again they could find their title hopes over before the decorations come down .

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Manchester City were left frustrated as they had to settle for a 1-1 draw against West Bromwich Albion at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday night.
Ilkay Gundogan put Pep Guardiola's men in front during the first half but a Ruben Dias own goal restored parity before the break.
City had chances to win the game but were thwarted by a stubborn West Brom rearguard and, in particular, former Manchester United goalkeeper Sam Johnstone.
The result leaves last season's runners-up sixth in the Premier League table after 12 matches of the 2020-21 campaign - five points off the top.
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Here's how some of our colleagues from the national media reported on City's draw with West Brom...
BBC Sport
City still have some truly great players but the losses of midfielder David Silva to Real Sociedad in the close season, and Sergio Aguero to injury for much of the campaign, have robbed them of key attacking threats.
For all their possession, clear chances were at a premium. Benjamin Mendy and Rodri were both off-target with efforts that could be classed as more hopeful than threatening.
Sterling's inventiveness created Gundogan's goal as he delayed his cutback just long enough to tee up the Germany midfielder in the perfect spot, but too often City chose the wrong option and ended up running into a red and yellow-shirted wall.
Sky Sports
Manchester City lost more ground in the Premier League title race as battling West Brom earned a crucial point with a 1-1 draw at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday.
City needed a response after their pedestrian Manchester derby performance and took the lead on the half hour thanks to Ilkay Gundogan's clinical strike, but the Baggies hit back before the break as Semi Ajayi's strike deflected in off Ruben Dias (43).
City laid siege to the West Brom goal in the second half but found Sam Johnstone in inspired form as a Kevin De Bruyne free-kick and stoppage-time headers from Gundogan and Raheem Sterling were brilliantly kept out.
The draw leaves City sixth in the table, five points behind leaders Tottenham and Liverpool, while 19th-placed West Brom move to within two points of safety after securing an unexpected yet thoroughly-deserved point.
Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will auto-play soon 8 Cancel Play now
The Telegraph
Sure, West Brom had their outstanding goalkeeper, Sam Johnstone, to thank for securing only their second point on the road this season but there was a time when City used to make light work of games like this...
By the end, Pep Guardiola looked a desperate man, railing against the fourth official, Anthony Taylor, for only playing four minutes of added time when Johnstone had been taking “30 seconds” for each goal kick...
Guardiola had claimed beforehand that this would be the moment when City’s season finally burst into life. By the end, though, another underwhelming performance served only to give more credence to Gary Neville’s claims that City are an “absolute shadow” of the side that won the title two years ago.
It was certainly baffling to see Guardiola start with two holding midfielders at home to the league’s second-bottom club and even more surprising that, when he finally brought on Sergio Aguero in the 76th minute, he did so at the expense of Phil Foden and not Rodri.
The Guardian
Manchester City are not playing at their best, as Raheem Sterling and others have admitted, and this result screams it even louder than the unexpectedly tepid showing in a dull and disappointing Manchester derby on Saturday.
West Brom deserve immense respect for failing to provide the anticipated lambs for the slaughter, yet though it was a tidy and organised performance by a side next to bottom of the table, it appears Slaven Bilic will be shown the door on Wednesday.
Nonetheless it was still City’s inability to add urgency to the game that was most surprising. Their best chance of winning in normal time came through a Kevin De Bruyne free-kick five minutes from the end, though Sam Johnstone was equal to it and Ilkay Gundogan had gone down when he had hardly been touched in any case. With point-blank saves in the last five minutes from Gundogan and Sterling, the Albion goalkeeper was a hero on the night, though the visitors’ all-round performance was as impressive as City’s finishing was wasteful.
The Independent
The questions about Manchester City’s laboured start to the Premier League season keep coming. Why are they not able to dominate games and score goals like they used to? Why doesn’t Pep Guardiola seem to know what he wants from his players?
And can they realistically expect to break clear of the other title contenders when they drop points at home to West Bromwich Albion?
This 1-1 draw lifted City to sixth in the table, only five points behind Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool ahead of their meeting at Anfield on Wednesday, and they will still have a game in hand over most of their rivals once all is said and done in this midweek round of fixtures. The pre-season favourites are still very much in the race but they have a habit of playing like also-rans.
The Mirror
Will the real Manchester City please stand up?
With almost a third of the Premier League campaign gone, Pep Guardiola's former champions continue to frustrate, unable to produce their best form and elbow their way among the leading pack.
After their insipid goalless stalemate in the Manchester derby, this was a chance for City's players to show their enduring class by burying the side second from bottom under an avalanche of goals.
Instead, it was an all too familiar story for City, dominating the game, with 26 shots on goal and 13 corners, only to end up without the hard currency of a win and three vital points.
Daily Mail
Some things about Manchester City are the same. Lots of territory, possession and control. These things remain as heavily weighted in their favour as they ever were under Pep Guardiola. But that is where the good news begins and ends.
For the current City do not look much like City at all, not as we have come to know and admire them anyway.
The Manchester derby at the weekend was insipid and uncompetitive and then there was this. With the second worst team in the Premier League as opposition – a team with one previous point earned away from home all season – City were strangely flat once again.
The Sun
It was another one of those ‘Dias’ for Manchester City - the problem is they are coming round too often for Pep Guardiola’s men right now.
An own goal from record-signing Ruben Dias just before half-time denied City in a game they completely dominated.
And once again the once free-scoring home side could not find the goals they needed...
As Christmas approaches, City have well and truly lost their sparkle.
And unless they can find it again quickly find it again they could find their title hopes over before the decorations come down.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-12-16--BBC Three announces RuPaul's Drag Race UK 2021 drag queen cast

A new series of RuPaul ’ s Drag Race UK is coming to our screens next month and with that comes a new set of dazzling queens to obsess over .
Twelve queens from across the country will be competing for the title of the UK ’ s next drag superstar when series two returns to BBC Three .
Season one brought us the glamour and fun with iconic stars Baga Chipz , Cheryl Hole , Divina De Campo and , of course , the reigning queen The Vivienne .
The queens hoping to make a lasting impression this year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bon Boulash , Ginny Lemon and adopted Mancunian Cherry Valentine .
Returning to judge alongside the legendary RuPaul Charles will be Michelle Visage , Graham Norton and Alan Carr , who will be joined each week by extra special celebrity guest judges .
The series was filmed earlier this year and was halted halfway through production due to the coronavirus pandemic .
A special one-off 'Queens On Lockdown ' episode will air mid-season to explain how the queens of series two spent their time during the break in filming .
Originally from Darlington @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and has become a well-known drag queen in the area having previously worked at Canal Street venues VOID and Kiki .
While she admits she hasn ’ t been doing drag for a long time , she has become renowned on social media for her exquisite makeup skills .
`` Cherry Valentine is everything , ” she says .
“ She is glamour , she is a club kid , she ’ s dark , she ’ s gothic , she ’ s a dancer , she ’ s flippy .
“ Look @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I ’ m a high fashion queen .
I look fierce , and my body is hourglass perfect - as there ’ s nowt worse.
” Also joining the line-up is Liverpool queen Sister Sister .
The 32-year-old comedy queen regularly performs in venues across the country and says she is ready to bring her multi-tasking skills to the main stage .
“ I think I fit into the middle of lots of different worlds , ” she explains .
“ I ’ ve always had a strong aesthetic and I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what I think is funny and when you put those things together : it looks , and sounds like me.
” Hailing from Brighton , Joe Black is 30-year-old musical comedian and self-proclaimed ‘ cabaret reprobate ’ .
Joe says they are ready to bring their own sense of musical charisma and ‘ haunted glamour ’ to the show .
“ Drag for me means I can channel all of the things that I most love - heroines , villains , cartoons and stars of the silver screen , ” Joe explains .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and strength , I love it.
” Tayce , who is originally from Newport in Wales but now lives in London , says she wants to be the next Tom Jones or Catherine Zeta-Jones .
The 26-year-old queen describes herself as larger-than-life and is ready to showcase ‘ some of the longest hair in the game ’ .
“ I am doing this for Wales , for my parents and my family , ” she says .
“ Honestly , I can ’ t believe I ’ m here right now .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ queer , I ’ m here to let these girls have it and show them what Wales has to offer.
” Currently living in London , via Essex and Nottingham , 30-year-old Tia describes her drag as a ‘ melting pot ’ of British culture .
Raised by older queens , she promises to bring ‘ end of Blackpool pier ’ entertainment to the stage .
“ Tia Kofi is a very camp and very British - Tea or Coffee darling ?
It ’ s very me , and at the very least @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” she says .
“ I ’ m a mashup of the drag styles .
I love comedy , camp , old school , contemporary , and cultural references .
“ As there aren ’ t a huge number of POC queens on the scene , I ’ ll often throw in something from my Nigerian heritage too.
” Read more of today 's stories here Hailing from Dundee in Scotland , Ellie is the youngest queen on the season at just 21 .
6ft 4 out of heels , Ellie loves to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ big lashes in order to make her 'cartoon character ' persona come to life .
“ Scottish queens are different to every other queen in the scene in that we are self-sufficient .
“ We do our own hair and outfits and we do everything ourselves and so we ’ re very independent with our drag.
” The second Scottish queen is 23-year-old Lawrence Chaney from Glasgow .
Self-proclaimed 'Scottish drag royalty ' , Lawrence says they 're using their heritage as an asset and describes their look as a mix between Rab @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I want to look fierce , ” she says .
“ I make most of my own costumes .
I do my own hair and makeup .
I even make my own hip pads .
“ I do it all , and I take huge pride in being literally self-made.
” Originally from Nottinghamshire , A'Whora now lives in London but says she still remains 'Northern as hell ' .
The 23-year-old fashion designer is well-known in the drag scene as a 'fashion queen ' but wants to show audiences that she 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Initially , because of my obsession with fashion , I decided to become my own mannequin , ” she explains .
“ But really , I used drag as a form of escapism during a difficult time of my life , when I just wanted to just leave who I was and become someone else.
” Asttina , 27 , hails from East London and says she loves to 'get ugly and be silly ' with her drag but has become most-known for her 'extravagant MTV-style performances ' .
As a dancer , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kanye West but says she ’ s now ready for her own time in the spotlight .
“ I have been dancing since I was tiny , ” she says .
“ I have been dancing professionally since I was 20 years old .
I am trained in ballet , tap , contemporary , Latin , hip hop , funk and street and it ’ s all in my show.
” Originally from Rochdale , Veronica now lives in London after realising her local drag scene wasn ’ t up to scratch .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and innocent Lancashire rose ' but with a fair few thorns .
She describes her drag style as 'gorgeous , goofy and professional ' .
“ I am the most competitive person I know , ” Veronica says .
“ This isn ’ t a social experiment for me , this is a competition and I ’ m in it to win it .
In my social life I may be a bit of a wallflower , but in competition , I aim to be the best at everything I do.
” Inspired @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Victoria Wood , 31-year-old Ginny lives in Worcester but can often be found performing in Birmingham .
Describing herself as a 'drag troll ' , Ginny has previously auditioned for The X Factor where she performed Liberty X ’ s ‘ Just a Little ’ .
She says she is the 'hairiest woman in show-business ' and loves to dress as a 90 's daytime TV presenter .
“ I ’ m an improvisational comedienne so you ’ ll get high energy , you ’ ll get madness , you ’ ll get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Raised in Norfolk , Bimini now lives in London where she says she has claimed the title of 'East London 's bendiest queen ' .
The 26-year-old describes her drag style as being 'super feminine ' but likes to mix the ridiculous with the topical .
“ My drag style is ever changing , ” she says .
“ I ’ ve got a lot of different acts .
Some are burlesque , some are political , some are me being covered in oat milk , with a strong vegan message behind it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which is what I love about drag .
Expect the unexpected !
” Series two of RuPaul ’ s Drag Race UK begins on January 14 at 7pm on BBC iPlayer .

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A new series of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK is coming to our screens next month and with that comes a new set of dazzling queens to obsess over.
Twelve queens from across the country will be competing for the title of the UK’s next drag superstar when series two returns to BBC Three.
Season one brought us the glamour and fun with iconic stars Baga Chipz, Cheryl Hole, Divina De Campo and, of course, the reigning queen The Vivienne.
The queens hoping to make a lasting impression this year include Tayce, Joe Black, Bimini Bon Boulash, Ginny Lemon and adopted Mancunian Cherry Valentine.
Returning to judge alongside the legendary RuPaul Charles will be Michelle Visage, Graham Norton and Alan Carr, who will be joined each week by extra special celebrity guest judges.
(Image: BBC/World of Wonder/Ray Burmiston)
The series was filmed earlier this year and was halted halfway through production due to the coronavirus pandemic.
A special one-off 'Queens On Lockdown' episode will air mid-season to explain how the queens of series two spent their time during the break in filming.
Cherry Valentine
(Image: BBC/World of Wonder/Ray Burmiston)
Originally from Darlington, 26-year-old Cherry now lives in Manchester and has become a well-known drag queen in the area having previously worked at Canal Street venues VOID and Kiki.
While she admits she hasn’t been doing drag for a long time, she has become renowned on social media for her exquisite makeup skills.
"Cherry Valentine is everything,” she says.
“She is glamour, she is a club kid, she’s dark, she’s gothic, she’s a dancer, she’s flippy.
“Look at me, I am a queen. I’m a high fashion queen. I look fierce, and my body is hourglass perfect - as there’s nowt worse.”
Sister Sister
(Image: BBC/World of Wonder/Ray Burmiston)
Also joining the line-up is Liverpool queen Sister Sister.
The 32-year-old comedy queen regularly performs in venues across the country and says she is ready to bring her multi-tasking skills to the main stage.
“I think I fit into the middle of lots of different worlds,” she explains.
“I’ve always had a strong aesthetic and I’ve always had a strong sense of what I think is funny and when you put those things together: it looks, and sounds like me.”
Joe Black
(Image: BBC/World of Wonder/Ray Burmiston)
Hailing from Brighton, Joe Black is 30-year-old musical comedian and self-proclaimed ‘cabaret reprobate’.
Joe says they are ready to bring their own sense of musical charisma and ‘haunted glamour’ to the show.
“Drag for me means I can channel all of the things that I most love - heroines, villains, cartoons and stars of the silver screen,” Joe explains.
“Drag has given me such power and strength, I love it.”
Tayce
(Image: BBC/World of Wonder/Ray Burmiston)
Tayce, who is originally from Newport in Wales but now lives in London, says she wants to be the next Tom Jones or Catherine Zeta-Jones.
The 26-year-old queen describes herself as larger-than-life and is ready to showcase ‘some of the longest hair in the game’.
“I am doing this for Wales, for my parents and my family,” she says.
“Honestly, I can’t believe I’m here right now. I’m here, I’m queer, I’m here to let these girls have it and show them what Wales has to offer.”
Tia Kofi
(Image: BBC/World of Wonder/Ray Burmiston)
Currently living in London, via Essex and Nottingham, 30-year-old Tia describes her drag as a ‘melting pot’ of British culture.
Raised by older queens, she promises to bring ‘end of Blackpool pier’ entertainment to the stage.
“Tia Kofi is a very camp and very British - Tea or Coffee darling? It’s very me, and at the very least, it’s memorable!,” she says.
“I’m a mashup of the drag styles. I love comedy, camp, old school, contemporary, and cultural references.
“As there aren’t a huge number of POC queens on the scene, I’ll often throw in something from my Nigerian heritage too.”
Ellie Diamond
(Image: BBC/World of Wonder/Ray Burmiston)
Hailing from Dundee in Scotland, Ellie is the youngest queen on the season at just 21.
6ft 4 out of heels, Ellie loves to wear big wigs, big heels and big lashes in order to make her 'cartoon character' persona come to life.
“I’m a big queen (literally) in a tiny pond,” Ellie says.
“Scottish queens are different to every other queen in the scene in that we are self-sufficient.
“We do our own hair and outfits and we do everything ourselves and so we’re very independent with our drag.”
Lawrence Chaney
(Image: BBC/World of Wonder/Ray Burmiston)
The second Scottish queen is 23-year-old Lawrence Chaney from Glasgow.
Self-proclaimed 'Scottish drag royalty', Lawrence says they're using their heritage as an asset and describes their look as a mix between Rab C. Nesbitt and Susan Boyle.
“I want to look fierce,” she says.
“I make most of my own costumes. I do my own hair and makeup. I even make my own hip pads.
“I do it all, and I take huge pride in being literally self-made.”
A'Whora
(Image: BBC/World of Wonder/Ray Burmiston)
Originally from Nottinghamshire, A'Whora now lives in London but says she still remains 'Northern as hell'.
The 23-year-old fashion designer is well-known in the drag scene as a 'fashion queen' but wants to show audiences that she's more than just a look.
“Initially, because of my obsession with fashion, I decided to become my own mannequin,” she explains.
“But really, I used drag as a form of escapism during a difficult time of my life, when I just wanted to just leave who I was and become someone else.”
Asttina Mandella
(Image: BBC/World of Wonder/Ray Burmiston)
Asttina, 27, hails from East London and says she loves to 'get ugly and be silly' with her drag but has become most-known for her 'extravagant MTV-style performances'.
As a dancer, she has performed with Little Mix and Kanye West but says she’s now ready for her own time in the spotlight.
“I have been dancing since I was tiny,” she says.
“I have been dancing professionally since I was 20 years old. I am trained in ballet, tap, contemporary, Latin, hip hop, funk and street and it’s all in my show.”
Veronica Green
(Image: BBC/World of Wonder/Ray Burmiston)
Originally from Rochdale, Veronica now lives in London after realising her local drag scene wasn’t up to scratch.
The 34-year-old says she is a 'sweet and innocent Lancashire rose' but with a fair few thorns. She describes her drag style as 'gorgeous, goofy and professional'.
“I am the most competitive person I know,” Veronica says.
“This isn’t a social experiment for me, this is a competition and I’m in it to win it. In my social life I may be a bit of a wallflower, but in competition, I aim to be the best at everything I do.”
Ginny Lemon
(Image: BBC/World of Wonder/Ray Burmiston)
Inspired by the likes of Su Pollard and Victoria Wood, 31-year-old Ginny lives in Worcester but can often be found performing in Birmingham.
Describing herself as a 'drag troll', Ginny has previously auditioned for The X Factor where she performed Liberty X’s ‘Just a Little’.
She says she is the 'hairiest woman in show-business' and loves to dress as a 90's daytime TV presenter.
“I’m an improvisational comedienne so you’ll get high energy, you’ll get madness, you’ll get the unplanned,” she explains.
“I never, ever repeat a show.”
Bimini Bon Boulash
(Image: BBC/World of Wonder/Ray Burmiston)
Raised in Norfolk, Bimini now lives in London where she says she has claimed the title of 'East London's bendiest queen'.
The 26-year-old describes her drag style as being 'super feminine' but likes to mix the ridiculous with the topical.
“My drag style is ever changing,” she says.
“I’ve got a lot of different acts. Some are burlesque, some are political, some are me being covered in oat milk, with a strong vegan message behind it.
“I’m mainly silly, which is what I love about drag. Expect the unexpected!”
Series two of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK begins on January 14 at 7pm on BBC iPlayer.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-12-17--Why Greater Manchester was kept in Tier 3

Despite weeks of falling infection rates overall , the mood music over the future of Greater Manchester ’ s restrictions had not pointed towards much of a relaxation today .
Feedback to local level from last night 's ministerial ‘ Covid-O ’ meeting , which decides these things , had already suggested nothing was about to change .
That was the case not only here , officials were told , but across the North West as a whole .
In the event , virtually nothing shifted across the whole of England - with an easing of measures in only Bristol @ @ @ @ @ @ @ southern areas were newly bumped up into Tier 3 .
The Health Secretary was vague in the House of Commons about the exact reasons for the decisions announced today , saying simply that the detail would be published .
So as yet , it is too soon to say explicitly what triggers were applied in what way .
A briefing to MPs later this afternoon may shed further light .
However in response to William Wragg , the Hazel Grove MP who had lobbied hard for Stockport to be placed into Tier 2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the government ’ s thinking .
Asked ‘ precisely what more residents in Stockport need to do in order to regain some relative freedom ’ , the minister responded : “ We ’ ve got to keep getting the case rate down .
“ In Stockport it ’ s still over 100 .
There ’ s further to go and right across Greater Manchester and the surrounding areas ... those case rates have come down really quite significantly .
Right across Greater Manchester and in Stockport , people have been doing the right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the NHS remain , partly from people who were in hospital with Covid from when the rates were really high.
” Do you think the government has made the right decision ?
Let us know in our survey below : The hospital data presented at yesterday ’ s Greater Manchester press conference had shown something of a mixed picture and would have formed part of the government ’ s consideration last night .
While the number of people being newly admitted due to Covid-19 had fallen slightly week on week , those being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risen by more than a fifth , from 360 people to 439 .
Meanwhile the total number of patients in hospital here with the virus had fallen only slightly over the previous seven days , with regional health lead Sir Richard Leese describing that trend as ‘ stable ’ .
So while he and the mayor had both argued for us to move into Tier 2 , it may be that the government was placing more emphasis on that fact than they were .
Ministers also look at infection rates in individual areas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rising or falling - and the speed of that trend .
Overall , Greater Manchester ’ s numbers have now been falling consistently since the start of November , dropping to around 153 cases per 100,000 from over 550 .
The speed of that drop has reduced , however , over the past fortnight .
Four out of ten boroughs - Oldham , Manchester , Salford and Trafford - are now seeing increases , although the scale of those rises varies .
That will have been in the minds of ministers and senior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ official notes that there remains a high ‘ underlying prevalence ’ of the virus in Greater Manchester communities , alongside ‘ volatile , fluctuating numbers , especially in the over-60s ’ .
In some boroughs case rates are plateauing , while there ’ s ‘ continuing pressure in general and acute beds ’ .
Indeed the shifting goalposts throughout the pandemic can make it easy to forget how high a rate of 153 cases per 100,000 people actually is .
Back in the summer , officials were panicking when rates hit 50 in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Public expectations may have changed over time , thanks to the myriad of confusing decisions we have endured since then , but public health officials would note that the virus itself has not .
But the other added factor in last night ’ s decision - not a point the Health Secretary sought to underline in the House of Commons - is more likely to be the growing worry around Christmas .
Having announced weeks in advance that three households will be allowed to mix for five days over the festive period , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from a worried medical profession to change tack .
This week a joint editorial from the Health Service Journal and the British Medical Journal - the first in a century - warned the policy must be scrapped .
A big increase in Covid patients in January would also divert resources away from people with other conditions , it noted , pointing to the huge rise in waits for other treatment since March .
“ The government was too slow to introduce restrictions in the spring and again in the autumn , ” it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its rash decision to allow household mixing and instead extend the tiers over the five-day Christmas period in order to bring numbers down in the advance of a likely third wave.
” The British Medical Association also warned that the consequences will be ‘ grave ’ .
So while Boris Johnson declined to reverse the policy at yesterday ’ s Downing Street press conference , he nonetheless changed his language , warning people to have a ‘ merry little Christmas - and I mean little ’ .
The policy itself may not have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a January spike might mean has begun to dawn on ministers .
“ Christmas easing means it ’ s unlikely the reduction in cases here will be sustained , ” notes one local official .
“ Cases are likely to peak again in the New Year , especially as surrounding parts of the North West - such as Lancashire - are seeing a marked upswing.
” Students will be returning in the New Year too , they add , while staff absence on the frontline is also still high .
So these factors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be what sits behind today ’ s decision .
Arguments around fairness will continue , particularly where our treatment in comparison to London has been concerned .
And regardless of the reasoning for today ’ s decision , nothing changes the fact that many businesses had spent money preparing for potential reopening , only to find that off the table for the rest of this year .
Or the fact we have already been under a myriad of changing rules for four and a half months .
But as we prepare to wave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not be said , yet , for its restrictions .

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Despite weeks of falling infection rates overall, the mood music over the future of Greater Manchester’s restrictions had not pointed towards much of a relaxation today.
Feedback to local level from last night's ministerial ‘Covid-O’ meeting, which decides these things, had already suggested nothing was about to change. That was the case not only here, officials were told, but across the North West as a whole.
In the event, virtually nothing shifted across the whole of England - with an easing of measures in only Bristol and Herefordshire, while a handful of southern areas were newly bumped up into Tier 3.
The Health Secretary was vague in the House of Commons about the exact reasons for the decisions announced today, saying simply that the detail would be published. So as yet, it is too soon to say explicitly what triggers were applied in what way. A briefing to MPs later this afternoon may shed further light.
However in response to William Wragg, the Hazel Grove MP who had lobbied hard for Stockport to be placed into Tier 2, he did give some indication of the government’s thinking.
(Image: Getty Images)
Asked ‘precisely what more residents in Stockport need to do in order to regain some relative freedom’, the minister responded: “We’ve got to keep getting the case rate down.
“In Stockport it’s still over 100. There’s further to go and right across Greater Manchester and the surrounding areas...those case rates have come down really quite significantly. Right across Greater Manchester and in Stockport, people have been doing the right thing.
“But the pressures on the NHS remain, partly from people who were in hospital with Covid from when the rates were really high.”
Do you think the government has made the right decision? Let us know in our survey below:
The hospital data presented at yesterday’s Greater Manchester press conference had shown something of a mixed picture and would have formed part of the government’s consideration last night.
While the number of people being newly admitted due to Covid-19 had fallen slightly week on week, those being diagnosed with the virus once there had risen by more than a fifth, from 360 people to 439.
Meanwhile the total number of patients in hospital here with the virus had fallen only slightly over the previous seven days, with regional health lead Sir Richard Leese describing that trend as ‘stable’.
So while he and the mayor had both argued for us to move into Tier 2, it may be that the government was placing more emphasis on that fact than they were.
Ministers also look at infection rates in individual areas, as well as whether they are rising or falling - and the speed of that trend.
Overall, Greater Manchester’s numbers have now been falling consistently since the start of November, dropping to around 153 cases per 100,000 from over 550.
The speed of that drop has reduced, however, over the past fortnight. Four out of ten boroughs - Oldham, Manchester, Salford and Trafford - are now seeing increases, although the scale of those rises varies.
That will have been in the minds of ministers and senior health officials too.
(Image: M.E.N)
One local health official notes that there remains a high ‘underlying prevalence’ of the virus in Greater Manchester communities, alongside ‘volatile, fluctuating numbers, especially in the over-60s’.
In some boroughs case rates are plateauing, while there’s ‘continuing pressure in general and acute beds’.
Indeed the shifting goalposts throughout the pandemic can make it easy to forget how high a rate of 153 cases per 100,000 people actually is. Back in the summer, officials were panicking when rates hit 50 in areas such as Blackburn and Oldham.
Public expectations may have changed over time, thanks to the myriad of confusing decisions we have endured since then, but public health officials would note that the virus itself has not.
But the other added factor in last night’s decision - not a point the Health Secretary sought to underline in the House of Commons - is more likely to be the growing worry around Christmas.
Having announced weeks in advance that three households will be allowed to mix for five days over the festive period, ministers have been coming under growing pressure from a worried medical profession to change tack.
(Image: Joel Goodman)
This week a joint editorial from the Health Service Journal and the British Medical Journal - the first in a century - warned the policy must be scrapped.
A big increase in Covid patients in January would also divert resources away from people with other conditions, it noted, pointing to the huge rise in waits for other treatment since March.
“The government was too slow to introduce restrictions in the spring and again in the autumn,” it said.
“It should now reverse its rash decision to allow household mixing and instead extend the tiers over the five-day Christmas period in order to bring numbers down in the advance of a likely third wave.”
The British Medical Association also warned that the consequences will be ‘grave’.
So while Boris Johnson declined to reverse the policy at yesterday’s Downing Street press conference, he nonetheless changed his language, warning people to have a ‘merry little Christmas - and I mean little’. The policy itself may not have gone, but the reality of what a January spike might mean has begun to dawn on ministers.
(Image: Getty Images)
“Christmas easing means it’s unlikely the reduction in cases here will be sustained,” notes one local official.
“Cases are likely to peak again in the New Year, especially as surrounding parts of the North West - such as Lancashire - are seeing a marked upswing.”
Students will be returning in the New Year too, they add, while staff absence on the frontline is also still high.
So these factors, all combined, are likely to be what sits behind today’s decision.
Arguments around fairness will continue, particularly where our treatment in comparison to London has been concerned.
And regardless of the reasoning for today’s decision, nothing changes the fact that many businesses had spent money preparing for potential reopening, only to find that off the table for the rest of this year. Or the fact we have already been under a myriad of changing rules for four and a half months.
But as we prepare to wave goodbye to 2020, the same cannot be said, yet, for its restrictions.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-12-17--How Greater Manchester compares with areas coming out of Tier 3

Three boroughs in Greater Manchester have lower coronavirus infection rates than the areas taken out of Tier 3 by Matt Hancock today .
The Health Secretary revealed that Bristol and North Somerset are the only places in the country which will be moved down into Tier 2 and have the toughest restrictions lifted .
The neighbouring council areas in the south west have both seen a drop in infection rates similar to that of Greater Manchester since early November .
But some parts of our region now have infection rates which are lower than both Bristol and North Somerset .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Stockport and Tameside all have rates lower than the two areas which will be moved to Tier 2 .
In Bristol the rate for week ending December 12 was 120.4 cases per 100,000 people and North Somerset 's is slightly higher on 125.6 .
Tameside ( 91.4 ) Stockport ( 107.7 ) and Trafford ( 109.5 ) all have lower infection rates for the same week .
The rate for Greater Manchester as a whole is also only marginally higher than both Bristol and North Somerset , and has stayed relatively level @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three neighbourhoods with very high infection rates above 400 cases per 100,000 population , while Greater Manchester , which covers a far larger area , currently only has four hotspots with a similarly high rate .
The decision to move Bristol into Tier 2 has taken some local leaders by surprise , with the mayor of Bristol saying yesterday that he expected the city to remain in Tier 3 .
All boroughs in Greater Manchester will remain in Tier 3 , with the strict measures on the hospitality industry staying in place for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only one of five factors which are considered by the government when determining which Tier each local authority will be placed in .
Do you think the government has made the right decision ?
Let us know in our survey below : Mr Hancock indicated that it was the pressure on NHS hospitals in the Greater Manchester region which was a deciding factor in deciding to keep our region in Tier 3 today .
He said that the underlying data behind the decision for each area would be released to the public later @ @

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Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later.
Sign up for our daily newsletter to get the day's biggest stories sent direct to your inbox
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Three boroughs in Greater Manchester have lower coronavirus infection rates than the areas taken out of Tier 3 by Matt Hancock today.
The Health Secretary revealed that Bristol and North Somerset are the only places in the country which will be moved down into Tier 2 and have the toughest restrictions lifted.
The neighbouring council areas in the south west have both seen a drop in infection rates similar to that of Greater Manchester since early November.
But some parts of our region now have infection rates which are lower than both Bristol and North Somerset.
According to the latest statistics, Trafford, Stockport and Tameside all have rates lower than the two areas which will be moved to Tier 2.
In Bristol the rate for week ending December 12 was 120.4 cases per 100,000 people and North Somerset's is slightly higher on 125.6.
Tameside (91.4) Stockport (107.7) and Trafford (109.5) all have lower infection rates for the same week.
The rate for Greater Manchester as a whole is also only marginally higher than both Bristol and North Somerset, and has stayed relatively level for the past week.
Bristol has three neighbourhoods with very high infection rates above 400 cases per 100,000 population, while Greater Manchester, which covers a far larger area, currently only has four hotspots with a similarly high rate.
The decision to move Bristol into Tier 2 has taken some local leaders by surprise, with the mayor of Bristol saying yesterday that he expected the city to remain in Tier 3.
All boroughs in Greater Manchester will remain in Tier 3, with the strict measures on the hospitality industry staying in place for the Christmas period.
Infection rates are only one of five factors which are considered by the government when determining which Tier each local authority will be placed in.
Do you think the government has made the right decision? Let us know in our survey below:
Mr Hancock indicated that it was the pressure on NHS hospitals in the Greater Manchester region which was a deciding factor in deciding to keep our region in Tier 3 today.
He said that the underlying data behind the decision for each area would be released to the public later today.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-12-17--Man City fans putting rivalries aside to fight against food poverty

When it comes to the Premier League , Manchester City fans will look out for two fixtures before any other - the games against Manchester United and Liverpool .
These games are special for the rivalry , the bragging rights , and the chance to inflict defeat on fan bases who might have historically looked down on City .
Now , though , all three fan bases are coming together in support of something far more important than 22 players kicking a ball about - they ’ re uniting to help people who are struggling to eat .
For Alex @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believes fans of all colours have shown what can be achieved when football supporters come together to try and create real change .
“ It ’ s not just a City thing , it ’ s Liverpool and Newcastle and Birmingham , London and everywhere , ” says Alex .
“ We work with United fans as well so they ’ ve got theirs on Sir Matt Busby Way .
The whole point is we can achieve so much by working with fans who are traditionally rivals .
“ A really good example @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We organised every group of fans in the league , and they successfully got PPV scrapped .
Which as far as I can tell is the biggest victory for fan activism certainly in my lifetime .
That ’ s the principle we use to organise against food poverty as well .
“ It ’ s vital , it underpins everything .
Fans Supporting Foodbanks is a national organisation , and football fans are the biggest organised group in every town and city across the country .
So if you can mobilise football @ @ @ @ @ @ @ awful lot of power there .
If the side product of that is that football fans realise how much power they ’ ve got and start protesting exploitation in the game more regularly then excellent.
” Alex and a group of other like-minded City season ticket holders decided to set up the City Supporter ’ s foodbank collections at games after the December 2019 general election .
They were up and running for the first few fixtures of 2020 until the fixture list , and then the global pandemic , forced them to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ initially started supporting Manchester Central foodbank , but a generous grant from United and City allowed them to support the Trussel Trust ’ s 19 foodbanks across Manchester .
He explained : “ We had our eye on it for a bit .
This isn ’ t a short term thing .
I don ’ t think there ’ s any illusions it will be .
We ’ re fully ready to be going for years .
But what tipped us over the edge was the election .
Since then we ’ ve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ The first challenge was getting everything set up between Christmas and New Year , it was a bit of a snap decision .
So getting everything organised was pretty tough .
We got some banners printed , got some gazebos sorted , got storage sorted .
We contacted Manchester Central Foodbank and told them we were thinking of doing it .
Once we started we had quite a lot of games straight away in January .
As soon as we hit February everything changed .
We ended up having no home games @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s team .
“ We ’ d made plans to do the women ’ s games anyway but then we had extra time , so thought we ’ ll definitely do that , and it was great .
We collected as much from the women ’ s games as the men ’ s games which was a nice surprise .
We had lots of help from Arsenal Women ’ s and Chelsea Women ’ s fans who were really good , they brought a lot of donations and got involved .
“ Obviously @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everything to online fundraising straight away .
We expanded what we were doing to cover 19 foodbanks across the region instead of just one .
Up until that point we collected just over a ton of food .
Since then we ’ ve had the big donation of £50,000 each from City and United , and we ’ ve collected another £35,000 or so.
” “ More importantly we ’ ve really strengthened our links with the other groups across the country .
We had a big donation from the Liverpool fans , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Group in Japan which was a load of money which was an interesting surprise .
“ We ’ ve linked up with City fans in America , Australia , Hong Kong , who ’ ve all chipped in and helped .
We ’ ve reciprocated , sending money back the other way to causes in their countries .
Likewise with Liverpool we reciprocated , one of our guys went over to help them with fundraising.
” Offer your support and thanks to the foodbank : Not content with just collecting food @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out into PPE distribution , handing out 5000 PPE visors into the social care system , blood donation centres and charities in the spring lockdown .
In the November lockdown , they distributed 2000 masks in a joint effort with Liverpool and United groups .
Now , the group are playing an active role in establishing the Right To Food campaign in Manchester as part of a national effort by Fans Supporting Foodbanks .
“ We ’ re doing the Right To Food campaign which is kicking off now , at the moment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to starve to death essentially , ” Alex explained .
“ They certainly have a right to healthcare and education and equality but not food and that ’ s our next big thing .
“ We ’ re working with local tenants unions , the local branch of the NEU .
Putting food donations in is all well and good , but if you want to help foodbanks it ’ s just as important to try and help people not need them in the first place .
“ That ’ s why we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and we ’ ve recently been at the very beginnings of organising Manchester ’ s Right to Food campaign response as well .
We ’ ve had a really good response from local MPs , local charities , foodbanks , councillors.
” As for the future , Alex said his hopes were that the group was not needed at all .
“ Our overriding hope is that we get shut down , ” he stated .
“ That ’ s everyone ’ s goals .
Fans Supporting Foodbanks as a whole is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s why we ’ re doing Right To Food as well as donations .
The goal is to be shut down .
That ’ s it .
It ’ s as simple as that .
We don ’ t really anticipate that happening , unfortunately , at any point .
But the Right to Food campaign will go a long way to do it , and hopefully you ’ ll start to see a lot more about that too.
” City Fans Foodbank Support collect donations on City home matchdays at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Argos , and can be found on Twitter at @ mcfcfoodbank .
Donations can also be made here .

When it comes to the Premier League, Manchester City fans will look out for two fixtures before any other - the games against Manchester United and Liverpool.
These games are special for the rivalry, the bragging rights, and the chance to inflict defeat on fan bases who might have historically looked down on City.
Now, though, all three fan bases are coming together in support of something far more important than 22 players kicking a ball about - they’re uniting to help people who are struggling to eat.
For Alex Timperley of MCFC Foodbank Support, he believes fans of all colours have shown what can be achieved when football supporters come together to try and create real change.
“It’s not just a City thing, it’s Liverpool and Newcastle and Birmingham, London and everywhere,” says Alex.
“We work with United fans as well so they’ve got theirs on Sir Matt Busby Way. The whole point is we can achieve so much by working with fans who are traditionally rivals.
“A really good example of that is the Boycott Pay-Per-View campaign. We organised every group of fans in the league, and they successfully got PPV scrapped. Which as far as I can tell is the biggest victory for fan activism certainly in my lifetime. That’s the principle we use to organise against food poverty as well.
“It’s vital, it underpins everything. Fans Supporting Foodbanks is a national organisation, and football fans are the biggest organised group in every town and city across the country. So if you can mobilise football fans against something there’s an awful lot of power there. If the side product of that is that football fans realise how much power they’ve got and start protesting exploitation in the game more regularly then excellent.”
(Image: MCFC Fans Foodbank Support)
Alex and a group of other like-minded City season ticket holders decided to set up the City Supporter’s foodbank collections at games after the December 2019 general election. They were up and running for the first few fixtures of 2020 until the fixture list, and then the global pandemic, forced them to swich their attentions to online. They initially started supporting Manchester Central foodbank, but a generous grant from United and City allowed them to support the Trussel Trust’s 19 foodbanks across Manchester.
He explained: “We had our eye on it for a bit. This isn’t a short term thing. I don’t think there’s any illusions it will be. We’re fully ready to be going for years. But what tipped us over the edge was the election. Since then we’ve been getting involved in all sorts.
“The first challenge was getting everything set up between Christmas and New Year, it was a bit of a snap decision. So getting everything organised was pretty tough. We got some banners printed, got some gazebos sorted, got storage sorted. We contacted Manchester Central Foodbank and told them we were thinking of doing it. Once we started we had quite a lot of games straight away in January. As soon as we hit February everything changed. We ended up having no home games until the pandemic for the men’s team.
(Image: MCFC Fans Foodbank Support)
“We’d made plans to do the women’s games anyway but then we had extra time, so thought we’ll definitely do that, and it was great. We collected as much from the women’s games as the men’s games which was a nice surprise. We had lots of help from Arsenal Women’s and Chelsea Women’s fans who were really good, they brought a lot of donations and got involved.
“Obviously then came the pandemic so we switched everything to online fundraising straight away. We expanded what we were doing to cover 19 foodbanks across the region instead of just one. Up until that point we collected just over a ton of food. Since then we’ve had the big donation of £50,000 each from City and United, and we’ve collected another £35,000 or so.”
“More importantly we’ve really strengthened our links with the other groups across the country. We had a big donation from the Liverpool fans, both in Liverpool and a Liverpool Fan’s Group in Japan which was a load of money which was an interesting surprise.
“We’ve linked up with City fans in America, Australia, Hong Kong, who’ve all chipped in and helped. We’ve reciprocated, sending money back the other way to causes in their countries. Likewise with Liverpool we reciprocated, one of our guys went over to help them with fundraising.”
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Not content with just collecting food and fundraising, the group also branched out into PPE distribution, handing out 5000 PPE visors into the social care system, blood donation centres and charities in the spring lockdown. In the November lockdown, they distributed 2000 masks in a joint effort with Liverpool and United groups.
Now, the group are playing an active role in establishing the Right To Food campaign in Manchester as part of a national effort by Fans Supporting Foodbanks.
“We’re doing the Right To Food campaign which is kicking off now, at the moment no-one in this country has the right to starve to death essentially,” Alex explained. “They certainly have a right to healthcare and education and equality but not food and that’s our next big thing.
“We’re working with local tenants unions, the local branch of the NEU. Putting food donations in is all well and good, but if you want to help foodbanks it’s just as important to try and help people not need them in the first place.
“That’s why we work with the tenant’s unions, and we’ve recently been at the very beginnings of organising Manchester’s Right to Food campaign response as well. We’ve had a really good response from local MPs, local charities, foodbanks, councillors.”
As for the future, Alex said his hopes were that the group was not needed at all.
“Our overriding hope is that we get shut down,” he stated.
“That’s everyone’s goals. Fans Supporting Foodbanks as a whole is aimed squarely at ending poverty. That’s why we’re doing Right To Food as well as donations. The goal is to be shut down. That’s it. It’s as simple as that. We don’t really anticipate that happening, unfortunately, at any point. But the Right to Food campaign will go a long way to do it, and hopefully you’ll start to see a lot more about that too.”
City Fans Foodbank Support collect donations on City home matchdays at the end of Howard Bernstein Way opposite the Argos, and can be found on Twitter at @mcfcfoodbank. Donations can also be made here.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-12-17--When do the new tier rules come into effect in England?

Matt Hancock announced that only three places will change Tier allocations before Christmas .
The Health Secretary announced in the House of Commons on Thursday that the `` vast majority '' of places in Tier 3 restrictions will not be changed .
Greater Manchester is among the regions to remain under the toughest restrictions despite hope that it could be moved to Tier 2 following a drop in coronavirus infection rates .
However , Mr Hancock added in the Commons : `` In Bristol and North Somerset rates have come down from 432 per 100,000 to 121 and falling .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of Tier 3 into Tier 2 on Saturday .
`` Rates in Herefordshire have also come down to 45 in 100,000 and are falling , and we can therefore bring Herefordshire out of Tier 2 and into Tier 1 . ''
He added that case rates in the south of England are up 46 % in the last week while hospital admissions are up by more than a third , adding in the east of England cases are up two thirds and hospital admissions up by nearly half in the last week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It is therefore necessary to apply Tier 3 measures across a much wider area of the east and south east of England , including Bedfordshire , Buckinghamshire , Berkshire , Peterborough , the whole of Hertfordshire , Surrey with the exception of Waverley , Hastings and Rother on the Kent border of East Sussex , and Portsmouth , Gosport and Havant in Hampshire . ''
Therefore , the changes will take effect from 0001 this Saturday , December 19 .
These areas will join London , parts of Essex and Hertfordshire which were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restrictions on Wednesday .

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Matt Hancock announced that only three places will change Tier allocations before Christmas.
The Health Secretary announced in the House of Commons on Thursday that the "vast majority" of places in Tier 3 restrictions will not be changed.
Greater Manchester is among the regions to remain under the toughest restrictions despite hope that it could be moved to Tier 2 following a drop in coronavirus infection rates.
However, Mr Hancock added in the Commons: "In Bristol and North Somerset rates have come down from 432 per 100,000 to 121 and falling.
"Bristol and North Somerset will come out of Tier 3 into Tier 2 on Saturday.
"Rates in Herefordshire have also come down to 45 in 100,000 and are falling, and we can therefore bring Herefordshire out of Tier 2 and into Tier 1."
He added that case rates in the south of England are up 46% in the last week while hospital admissions are up by more than a third, adding in the east of England cases are up two thirds and hospital admissions up by nearly half in the last week.
Mr Hancock the announced: "It is therefore necessary to apply Tier 3 measures across a much wider area of the east and south east of England, including Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Peterborough, the whole of Hertfordshire, Surrey with the exception of Waverley, Hastings and Rother on the Kent border of East Sussex, and Portsmouth, Gosport and Havant in Hampshire."
Therefore, the changes will take effect from 0001 this Saturday, December 19.
These areas will join London, parts of Essex and Hertfordshire which were already plunged into the highest level of restrictions on Wednesday.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-12-17--Andy Cole says Man Utd's Paul Pogba 'gets a lot of unfair criticism'

Andy Cole has opened up on Paul Pogba 's future at Manchester United and stated that he believes the Reds will make a firm decision next summer .
Pogba has once again been hitting the headlines for all the wrong reasons of late thanks to his agent Mino Raiola 's comments ahead of the Champions League defeat at RB Leipzig last week .
Raiola insisted that Pogba had no future left at United and touted a potential move back to Juventus for the French World Cup winner .
Pogba subsequently defended Raiola on Instagram after the latter commented on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ always , the Bild does n't disappoint !
Amazing how fake news spread around . ''
Pogba was tagged in Raiola 's posts and commented on Instagram : `` When you do n't know you do n't talk @ bild . ''
It 's safe to say this has been a massively unnecessary saga created by Pogba and his agent , but Cole has still defended the midfielder in his latest interview .
`` I ’ m one of Paul Pogba ’ s biggest fans and I think he ’ s a fantastic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lot of unfair criticism , '' Cole told The Target Men Podcast .
`` Pogba left a winning Juventus team to return to Manchester United wanting to help the club return to its glory days .
He wanted nothing more than to compete and win trophies at the club . ''
But Cole admits that Pogba is likely to find out where he stands at United in the summer after what he describes as an unsuccessful return to Old Trafford .
`` Pogba has been back at Manchester United for four years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to winning the Premier League now than they were when he joined , so it ’ s a transfer that hasn ’ t worked out as either club or player would have hoped .
I expect that decision to be made this summer , if it hasn ’ t been already . ''

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Andy Cole has opened up on Paul Pogba's future at Manchester United and stated that he believes the Reds will make a firm decision next summer.
Pogba has once again been hitting the headlines for all the wrong reasons of late thanks to his agent Mino Raiola 's comments ahead of the Champions League defeat at RB Leipzig last week.
Raiola insisted that Pogba had no future left at United and touted a potential move back to Juventus for the French World Cup winner.
Pogba subsequently defended Raiola on Instagram after the latter commented on the reports. Raiola wrote: "Like always, the Bild doesn't disappoint! Amazing how fake news spread around."
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Pogba was tagged in Raiola's posts and commented on Instagram: "When you don't know you don't talk @bild."
It's safe to say this has been a massively unnecessary saga created by Pogba and his agent, but Cole has still defended the midfielder in his latest interview.
"I’m one of Paul Pogba’s biggest fans and I think he’s a fantastic player. I also think he gets a lot of unfair criticism," Cole told The Target Men Podcast. "Pogba left a winning Juventus team to return to Manchester United wanting to help the club return to its glory days. He wanted nothing more than to compete and win trophies at the club."
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But Cole admits that Pogba is likely to find out where he stands at United in the summer after what he describes as an unsuccessful return to Old Trafford.
"Pogba has been back at Manchester United for four years and the club are probably no closer to winning the Premier League now than they were when he joined, so it’s a transfer that hasn’t worked out as either club or player would have hoped. I expect that decision to be made this summer, if it hasn’t been already."


themanchestereveningnews--2020-12-17--When will tiers in England and Greater Manchester be reviewed again?

Greater Manchester will remain in Tier 3 following the government 's latest announcement .
Matt Hancock announced on Thursday that the `` vast majority '' of places in Tier 3 coronavirus restrictions will not be changed following the first review since the restrictions were re-implemented earlier this month .
Following a drop in cases , Greater Manchester leaders felt there was a `` clear case '' for the region to be placed under Tier 2 restrictions - the 'high alert ' level .
Instead , millions of people will continue to follow the toughest restrictions - except for during the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ December 23 to 27 .
Only Bristol and North Somerset were downgraded to Tier 2 while Herefordshire joins the select few areas in Tier 1 .
The Department for Health and Social Care confirmed that the next review will be in two weeks , taking us to the end of December 30 .
The tier allocations will again depend on coronavirus infections rates with the possibility of a third national lockdown not ruled out by Downing Street .
The Prime Minister 's official spokesman said on Thursday : `` We 've been clear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approach and that ’ s what we 've set out for the time .
`` That is designed to reduce the rate of transmission and reduce the R rate in areas of high prevalence .
`` As we 've said throughout we will obviously keep the latest data and the latest trends under review . ''

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Greater Manchester will remain in Tier 3 following the government's latest announcement.
Matt Hancock announced on Thursday that the "vast majority" of places in Tier 3 coronavirus restrictions will not be changed following the first review since the restrictions were re-implemented earlier this month.
Following a drop in cases, Greater Manchester leaders felt there was a "clear case" for the region to be placed under Tier 2 restrictions - the 'high alert' level.
Instead, millions of people will continue to follow the toughest restrictions - except for during the brief relaxation of measures for Christmas from December 23 to 27.
Only Bristol and North Somerset were downgraded to Tier 2 while Herefordshire joins the select few areas in Tier 1.
The Department for Health and Social Care confirmed that the next review will be in two weeks, taking us to the end of December 30.
The tier allocations will again depend on coronavirus infections rates with the possibility of a third national lockdown not ruled out by Downing Street.
The Prime Minister's official spokesman said on Thursday: "We've been clear of the rationale behind the tiered regional approach and that’s what we've set out for the time.
"That is designed to reduce the rate of transmission and reduce the R rate in areas of high prevalence.
"As we've said throughout we will obviously keep the latest data and the latest trends under review."


themanchestereveningnews--2020-12-17--Man City update supporters after government make Tier 3 decision

Manchester City have confirmed the ballot to allow some supporters back into the Etihad on Boxing Day will not take place after it was confirmed that Greater Manchester will remain in Tier 3 restrictions .
Leaders in Manchester were confident that the city region would be able to come out of the strictest coronavirus restrictions on Thursday 's review , but health secretary Matt Hancock confirmed that only a small number of areas would see their restrictions eased .
As well as a significant number of areas in the south moving into Tier 3 , including London , all Northern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new year , the health secretary confirmed .
That means that City will have to wait to welcome fans back to the Etihad for the time being , rather than proceed with plans to welcome 2,000 lucky supporters for the Boxing Day clash with Newcastle United .
In a statement the club confirmed that home matches will continue to be played behind closed doors , and that the planned ballot for the Newcastle game will now not take place .
The club are ready to welcome fans back when they are allowed , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for 2019/20 seasoncard , existing Cityzens matchday members and hospitality members .
City said : `` Manchester City can confirm that matches at the Etihad Stadium will continue to be played behind closed doors following the Government ’ s announcement that Greater Manchester will remain in Tier 3 .
`` The ballot for the Club ’ s home match against Newcastle United on Saturday 26 th December will not be drawn .
`` The Club will provide further information to supporters regarding the ballot process for matches in January in due course .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ tiers in two weeks time , meaning the FA Cup tie at home to Birmingham on January 10 could be the next opportunity to welcome back supporters .
With four out of five away games between now and that clash , only the Newcastle game is affected by the latest announcement as it stands .

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Manchester City have confirmed the ballot to allow some supporters back into the Etihad on Boxing Day will not take place after it was confirmed that Greater Manchester will remain in Tier 3 restrictions.
Leaders in Manchester were confident that the city region would be able to come out of the strictest coronavirus restrictions on Thursday's review, but health secretary Matt Hancock confirmed that only a small number of areas would see their restrictions eased.
As well as a significant number of areas in the south moving into Tier 3, including London, all Northern Tier 3 areas will remain until the new year, the health secretary confirmed.
That means that City will have to wait to welcome fans back to the Etihad for the time being, rather than proceed with plans to welcome 2,000 lucky supporters for the Boxing Day clash with Newcastle United.
In a statement the club confirmed that home matches will continue to be played behind closed doors, and that the planned ballot for the Newcastle game will now not take place.
The club are ready to welcome fans back when they are allowed, with the now-cancelled ballot opening this week for 2019/20 seasoncard, existing Cityzens matchday members and hospitality members.
City said: "Manchester City can confirm that matches at the Etihad Stadium will continue to be played behind closed doors following the Government’s announcement that Greater Manchester will remain in Tier 3.
"The ballot for the Club’s home match against Newcastle United on Saturday 26 th December will not be drawn.
"The Club will provide further information to supporters regarding the ballot process for matches in January in due course."
The government will next review the tiers in two weeks time, meaning the FA Cup tie at home to Birmingham on January 10 could be the next opportunity to welcome back supporters. With four out of five away games between now and that clash, only the Newcastle game is affected by the latest announcement as it stands.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-12-17--Sir Ian McKellen 'euphoric' after having vaccine in first round of jabs

Sir Ian McKellen said he feels 'euphoric ' after being vaccinated against coronavirus in the first round of jabs .
The actor , who grew up in Wigan , was pictured having his first dose of the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine on Wednesday ( December 16 ) .
The 81-year-old , who falls into the very first eligible groups for the Covid-19 vaccine , joined the thousands of over 80s , NHS staff and care home staff being injected .
The Lord Of the Rings star praised the NHS saying he wants to 'give them all a big hug ' after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Next time I come , well no , six days after I next come I 'm going to give them all a big hug - is that allowed ?
I do n't know . ''
After getting the vaccine at the Arts Research Centre , Queen Mary University Hospital , Sir Ian said : “ It ’ s a very special day , I feel euphoric .
“ Anyone who has lived as long as I have is alive because they have had previous vaccinations , the take up amongst the older @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ought to be – because you ’ re having it not just for yourself but for people who you are close to – you ’ re doing your bit for society .
“ Of course , it ’ s painless… it ’ s convenient , and getting in touch and meeting NHS staff and saying thank you to them for how hard they ’ ve been working is a bonus.
” He also urged others to get the Covid-19 jab if they could .
“ I would have no hesitation in recommending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lucky to have had the vaccine.
” Sir Ian , who went to school in Bolton , joins the growing list of stars – including Prue Leith , Marty Wilde and Michael Whitehall – who have been called upon by the NHS to receive the vaccine .
Those receiving the Pfizer vaccine will be given a booster jab 21 days after their first dose to ensure the best chance of being protected against the virus .

newsdesk@men-news.co.uk (Lucy Domachowski, Paige Oldfield)

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Sir Ian McKellen said he feels 'euphoric' after being vaccinated against coronavirus in the first round of jabs.
The actor, who grew up in Wigan, was pictured having his first dose of the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine on Wednesday (December 16).
The 81-year-old, who falls into the very first eligible groups for the Covid-19 vaccine, joined the thousands of over 80s, NHS staff and care home staff being injected.
The Lord Of the Rings star praised the NHS saying he wants to 'give them all a big hug' after having his jab.
He said: "Next time I come, well no, six days after I next come I'm going to give them all a big hug - is that allowed? I don't know."
After getting the vaccine at the Arts Research Centre, Queen Mary University Hospital, Sir Ian said: “It’s a very special day, I feel euphoric.
“Anyone who has lived as long as I have is alive because they have had previous vaccinations, the take up amongst the older generation will be 100 per cent - it ought to be – because you’re having it not just for yourself but for people who you are close to – you’re doing your bit for society.
(Image: PA)
“Of course, it’s painless… it’s convenient, and getting in touch and meeting NHS staff and saying thank you to them for how hard they’ve been working is a bonus.”
He also urged others to get the Covid-19 jab if they could.
“I would have no hesitation in recommending it to anyone. I feel very lucky to have had the vaccine.”
Sir Ian, who went to school in Bolton, joins the growing list of stars – including Prue Leith, Marty Wilde and Michael Whitehall – who have been called upon by the NHS to receive the vaccine.
Those receiving the Pfizer vaccine will be given a booster jab 21 days after their first dose to ensure the best chance of being protected against the virus.