themanchestereveningnews--2020-04-26--The incredible efforts of one food bank is making sure Salford is fed

Food deliveries are becoming a part of our lives more than ever amid the coronavirus lockdown .
For some , the last few weeks have seen more takeaways and supermarket deliveries than usual .
Others are n't so lucky - they rely on food banks .
Before the COVID-19 pandemic hit , food bank usage had been steadily increasing .
In 2010 , the Trussell Trust handed out 41,000 food parcels across the UK .
By 2016 , that number had risen to 1.2m .
The coronavirus crisis has only accelerated the rate of demand , according to volunteers across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Salford Assist , used to provide 25 food vouchers a week to people who can not afford food or fuel and need emergency help .
Last week , it issued 350 vouchers - and a further 300 vouchers for fuel .
As demand rises , food banks have been left with a logistical headache - how do they get supplies to those in need ?
Iain Wight is a manager at Salford Foodbank , which has four centres across the city .
His team had to move quickly to overhaul their way of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drop-in system was unsustainable .
In one week , the number of people requesting food jumped 300 percent .
To make matters worse , within the first week of the lockdown , Iain lost a handful of regular volunteers after they were forced to self-isolate .
`` The first week was slightly chaotic , '' Iain said .
But he says his team 's efforts since have been ‘ extraordinary ’ .
Pictures show them in action at their Buile Hill Park base .
The response from the community has been particularly moving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people have signed up as volunteers since the start of the pandemic - many of whom have seen their own finances take a hit .
Many of the new recruits had been furloughed ; some have lost their jobs .
Iain added : `` People who suddenly have availability , who didn ’ t have it two weeks ago became volunteers . ''
The team is now able to deliver between 60 and 70 food parcels a day .
Prior to the coronavirus outbreak , food banks were sustained largely by donations from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dip when supermarkets started introducing restrictions amid panic-buying , donations have come in at a steady rate .
The support food banks has received from the business community has helped Ian and his crew massively .
“ The support we ’ ve had from businesses - that ’ s really a new thing for us , '' he said .
`` There ’ s now a national agreement with British Gas and the Trussell Trust , but before that our local British Gas got in touch and provided us with a small fleet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ We have a charity called Salford foundation who do a lot of outreach - they provided us with drivers and then we ’ ve had local company Seddon Construction , who ’ ve provided us with a fleet and which helps with volume moves from supermarkets .
“ And then there ’ s the fleet of vans from the Manchester United Foundation .
They ’ re normally going into schools but they ’ re making those vans available to us at the moment .
Those links have been extremely helpful .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ very generous ’ donations from charity , including the Greater Manchester mayor charity fund , Booths charities and FareShare .
Iain said the service needs donations ‘ all the time ’ , with what he calls ‘ kettle meals ’ especially appreciated .
“ Some clients only have microwave or kettle - so anything like noodles or pasta and sauce in a packet is appreciated , '' he added .
`` We ’ re always low on long-life milk , and we ’ re always short on tinned fish and fruit .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And we do need food donations all the time.
” In Salford , gin distilleries have switched production to make hand wash. And an army of sewers - professionals and amateurs alike - have started making much-needed scrubs for NHS workers .
Council services have also stepped up their support .
Stu Moss is a catering manager who normally works on wedding receptions in Salford .
He said it quickly became apparent business would dry up , but that his links in the food distribution industry could still be put to good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ became the nerve centre of a new food delivery service .
“ We said - we need to get out there , ” Stu said .
In two weeks , his team delivered food to 1,000 homes .
“ There ’ s a lot of tears when they ’ re dropped off , '' he adds .
`` We had a lovely card from one 74 year old woman , left on her doorstep .
“ The ages are from 18 to 90 odd .
I do one where a 70 year old @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mum .
He lives in Bury and so could n't help his mum .
We got down there very quickly .
But we see all ages and all demographics . ''
His team is made up from volunteers and council staff redirected from other departments .
“ It ’ s not something we ’ ve done before - you learn the first couple of days to do it .
The guys who are doing the deliveries are normally working on bins , ” Ian added .
Food parcels are also a big part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offered by the Spirit of Salford network , co-ordinated by Eccles councillor Sharmina August .
Those with income issues can receive vouchers , but more affluent but isolated individuals can pay £20 for a food parcel , if they ’ re self-isolating and unable to leave their homes .
“ These are people who are not on the shielded list , but maybe are a bit scared of leaving the house , ” Coun August said .
The food boxes include milk , tea , cereal , fruit , vegetables and tinned food @ @ @ @ @ @ @ roll and soap .
Many of the people who use the service are struggling with the mental toll of the lockdown , she says .
A man in his 80s who gets the food boxes was moved to tears when his package arrived .
“ He said he didn ’ t know how he was going to survive , ” Coun August added .
Coun Tracy Kelly , who also helps out with the project , says she ’ s received a similar response .
“ One lad was so grateful , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ When I get a new job I will make a donation , ” she added .
“ Another man said he had never had to ask for help before .
It was really upsetting for him and he hoped it would be over soon . ''
Despite the help that is available , what is clear is the toll the pandemic is having on people .
The Spirit of Salford hotline was only set up a few weeks ago by Coun August and her colleague Coun Lewis Nelson to help direct individuals to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ already received more than 4,000 calls .
Many of those in the first week were food-related , the town hall says .
Since then , the network has expanded its volunteer base , and with it , its range of services .
These include a Keep in Touch service - for those who feel isolated or scared - and it has been particularly well-used by people with dementia , coun August says .
“ With dementia , some people have gone out and don ’ t understand why people are staying away from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closed .
It can be particularly confusing and stressful for people in those situations , ” she said .
The network has also teamed up with charities and organisations in the city to widen its range of services .
These include a digital buddy scheme which matches isolated people with tech-savvy individuals and a dog-walking service .
“ A lot of people would put their pets ’ wellbeing above their own , ” coun August says , but this allows those who need to self-isolate to do - without worrying about the impact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also teamed up with the city ’ s voluntary service to provide specialist support for LGBT+ individuals , the Jewish community , the Polish community and people with disabilities .
Hundreds of people signed up as volunteers to the service , coun August has said , although not all yet have been used .
With uncertainty surrounding the length of the lockdown , she says it ’ s likely that many of those will still be needed further down the line .
And , what ’ s clear , is the toll that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who are most vulnerable .
Coun August says : “ I had a lady today who when I dropped the box on her door was saying she ’ s been crying all morning because she ’ s not seen her children .
It ’ s really tough .
”

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Food deliveries are becoming a part of our lives more than ever amid the coronavirus lockdown.
For some, the last few weeks have seen more takeaways and supermarket deliveries than usual.
Others aren't so lucky - they rely on food banks.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, food bank usage had been steadily increasing.
In 2010, the Trussell Trust handed out 41,000 food parcels across the UK.
By 2016, that number had risen to 1.2m.
The coronavirus crisis has only accelerated the rate of demand, according to volunteers across Greater Manchester.
One council-run service, Salford Assist, used to provide 25 food vouchers a week to people who cannot afford food or fuel and need emergency help.
Last week, it issued 350 vouchers - and a further 300 vouchers for fuel.
(Image: ABNM Photography)
As demand rises, food banks have been left with a logistical headache - how do they get supplies to those in need?
Iain Wight is a manager at Salford Foodbank, which has four centres across the city.
Send a heart to our #NHSheroes and donate to our NHS frontline fundraiser It is something that has touched all our lives. From cradle to grave, the National Health Service is a part of British life. Today, more than ever, we should cherish those who dedicate themselves to our care as they work tirelessly to care for people in the face of the coronavirus pandemic. Click HERE to drop a heart on the map and you can also donate to our frontline fundraiser for the chance to win weekly prizes.
His team had to move quickly to overhaul their way of working as it became obvious the usual drop-in system was unsustainable.
New social distancing rules required a new delivery system - amid rocketing demand.
In one week, the number of people requesting food jumped 300 percent.
To make matters worse, within the first week of the lockdown, Iain lost a handful of regular volunteers after they were forced to self-isolate.
"The first week was slightly chaotic," Iain said.
But he says his team's efforts since have been ‘extraordinary’.
(Image: ABNM Photography)
The response from the community has been particularly moving, he says.
More than 50 people have signed up as volunteers since the start of the pandemic - many of whom have seen their own finances take a hit.
Many of the new recruits had been furloughed; some have lost their jobs.
Covaid-19 - helping those who need it most in Greater Manchester The coronavirus outbreak has left many people across Greater Manchester struggling for access to food, basics and other support. Many of them are self-isolating, often in fragile health and alone. Public services have been working hard to find and help them, but we know they are over-stretched and working round the clock. So the Manchester Evening News and the Greater Manchester Mayor's Charity have launched Covaid-19 - a fundraiser aimed at supporting those who most need help, from elderly people with no support network to homeless families living in hotels. The money will be distributed via the mayor of Greater Manchester's charity. You can donate by visiting our JustGiving page here.
Iain added: "People who suddenly have availability, who didn’t have it two weeks ago became volunteers."
The team is now able to deliver between 60 and 70 food parcels a day.
Iain reckons they’re reaching 400 families a month.
Prior to the coronavirus outbreak, food banks were sustained largely by donations from the public.
(Image: ABNM Photography)
Aside from a short dip when supermarkets started introducing restrictions amid panic-buying, donations have come in at a steady rate.
The support food banks has received from the business community has helped Ian and his crew massively.
“The support we’ve had from businesses - that’s really a new thing for us," he said.
"There’s now a national agreement with British Gas and the Trussell Trust, but before that our local British Gas got in touch and provided us with a small fleet of vans who help us with deliveries.
“We have a charity called Salford foundation who do a lot of outreach - they provided us with drivers and then we’ve had local company Seddon Construction, who’ve provided us with a fleet and which helps with volume moves from supermarkets.
(Image: ABNM Photography)
“And then there’s the fleet of vans from the Manchester United Foundation. They’re normally going into schools but they’re making those vans available to us at the moment. Those links have been extremely helpful.
The food bank has received some ‘very generous’ donations from charity, including the Greater Manchester mayor charity fund, Booths charities and FareShare.
Iain said the service needs donations ‘all the time’, with what he calls ‘kettle meals’ especially appreciated.
“Some clients only have microwave or kettle - so anything like noodles or pasta and sauce in a packet is appreciated," he added.
(Image: ABNM Photography)
"We’re always low on long-life milk, and we’re always short on tinned fish and fruit. But we value everything that’s donated. And we do need food donations all the time.”
It’s not just established food banks helping people.
In Salford, gin distilleries have switched production to make hand wash.
And an army of sewers - professionals and amateurs alike - have started making much-needed scrubs for NHS workers.
Council services have also stepped up their support.
Stu Moss is a catering manager who normally works on wedding receptions in Salford.
He said it quickly became apparent business would dry up, but that his links in the food distribution industry could still be put to good use.
A sually used for weddings became the nerve centre of a new food delivery service. The space is also used for wedding receptions but has become the nerve centre of a new food delivery service. Pictures show them in action at their Buile Hill Park base.
“We said - we need to get out there,” Stu said.
(Image: ABNM Photography)
In two weeks, his team delivered food to 1,000 homes.
“There’s a lot of tears when they’re dropped off," he adds.
"We had a lovely card from one 74 year old woman, left on her doorstep.
“The ages are from 18 to 90 odd. I do one where a 70 year old gentleman called for his 98 year old mum. He lives in Bury and so couldn't help his mum. We got down there very quickly. But we see all ages and all demographics."
(Image: ABNM Photography)
His team is made up from volunteers and council staff redirected from other departments.
“It’s not something we’ve done before - you learn the first couple of days to do it. The guys who are doing the deliveries are normally working on bins,” Ian added.
Food parcels are also a big part of the support that’s being offered by the Spirit of Salford network, co-ordinated by Eccles councillor Sharmina August.
Those with income issues can receive vouchers, but more affluent but isolated individuals can pay £20 for a food parcel, if they’re self-isolating and unable to leave their homes.
“These are people who are not on the shielded list, but maybe are a bit scared of leaving the house,” Coun August said.
(Image: ABNM Photography)
The food boxes include milk, tea, cereal, fruit, vegetables and tinned food as well as other necessities like toilet roll and soap.
Many of the people who use the service are struggling with the mental toll of the lockdown, she says.
A man in his 80s who gets the food boxes was moved to tears when his package arrived.
“He said he didn’t know how he was going to survive,” Coun August added.
Coun Tracy Kelly, who also helps out with the project, says she’s received a similar response.
(Image: ABNM Photography)
“One lad was so grateful, he shouted after me and said: “When I get a new job I will make a donation,” she added.
“Another man said he had never had to ask for help before. It was really upsetting for him and he hoped it would be over soon."
Despite the help that is available, what is clear is the toll the pandemic is having on people.
The Spirit of Salford hotline was only set up a few weeks ago by Coun August and her colleague Coun Lewis Nelson to help direct individuals to support during the lockdown.
It has already received more than 4,000 calls.
Many of those in the first week were food-related, the town hall says.
(Image: ABNM Photography)
Since then, the network has expanded its volunteer base, and with it, its range of services.
These include a Keep in Touch service - for those who feel isolated or scared - and it has been particularly well-used by people with dementia, coun August says.
“With dementia, some people have gone out and don’t understand why people are staying away from them, or why the shops are closed. It can be particularly confusing and stressful for people in those situations,” she said.
The network has also teamed up with charities and organisations in the city to widen its range of services. These include a digital buddy scheme which matches isolated people with tech-savvy individuals and a dog-walking service.
“A lot of people would put their pets’ wellbeing above their own,” coun August says, but this allows those who need to self-isolate to do - without worrying about the impact on their dog.
The network has also teamed up with the city’s voluntary service to provide specialist support for LGBT+ individuals, the Jewish community, the Polish community and people with disabilities.
Hundreds of people signed up as volunteers to the service, coun August has said, although not all yet have been used. With uncertainty surrounding the length of the lockdown, she says it’s likely that many of those will still be needed further down the line.
And, what’s clear, is the toll that this difficult time is taking on those who are most vulnerable.
Coun August says: “I had a lady today who when I dropped the box on her door was saying she’s been crying all morning because she’s not seen her children. It’s really tough.”


themanchestereveningnews--2020-04-26--Dominic Raab rejects calls to end lockdown early

The Foreign Secretary , Dominic Raab , has rejected fresh calls for an early easing of the UK 's coronavirus lockdown , saying the outbreak was still at a “ delicate and dangerous ” stage .
The government is coming under intense pressure from senior Tories to relax the strict social-distancing measures , amid concern at the damage they are doing to the economy .
But Mr Raab , who has been standing in for Prime Minister Boris Johnson while he recovers from the disease , maintained the government would proceed “ cautiously ” in order to avoid a second @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sky News ' Sophy Ridge on Sunday programme : `` We are at a delicate and dangerous stage .
“ We need to make sure that the next steps are sure-footed , which is why we are proceeding very cautiously and we are sticking to the scientific advice with the social-distancing measures at this time , whilst doing all the homework to make sure that we are prepared in due course for the next phase.
” Mr Raab brushed off a call from Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer for the government to set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how the lockdown could eventually be lifted .
“ Until we can be confident , based on the scientific advice , that we are making sure-footed steps going forward that protect life , but also preserve our way of life , frankly it is not responsible to start speculating about the individual measures , ” he added .
Figures released on Saturday revealed that more than 20,000 people have died of coronavirus in the UK 's hospitals and the daily death toll increased by 813 .
The lockdown measures , which were introduced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when the government is able to find an exit strategy to avoid a second wave of coronavirus cases .
Earlier , Mr Raab said it was `` inconceivable '' that schools would re-open in the UK without some form of social distancing measures .
The Prime Minister , meanwhile , will return to work tomorrow after recovering from the virus and is said to be `` raring to go '' .
Covaid-19 - helping those who need it most in Greater Manchester The coronavirus outbreak has left many people across Greater Manchester struggling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other support .
Many of them are self-isolating , often in fragile health and alone .
Public services have been working hard to find and help them , but we know they are over-stretched and working round the clock .
So the Manchester Evening News and the Greater Manchester Mayor 's Charity have launched Covaid-19 - a fundraiser aimed at supporting those who most need help , from elderly people with no support network to homeless families living in hotels .
The money will be distributed via the mayor of Greater Manchester 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our JustGiving page here .
Get breaking news first on the free Manchester Evening News app - download it here for your Apple or Android device .
You can also get a round-up of the biggest stories sent direct to your inbox every day with the MEN email newsletter - subscribe here .
And you can follow us on Facebook here .

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The Foreign Secretary, Dominic Raab, has rejected fresh calls for an early easing of the UK's coronavirus lockdown, saying the outbreak was still at a “delicate and dangerous” stage.
The government is coming under intense pressure from senior Tories to relax the strict social-distancing measures, amid concern at the damage they are doing to the economy.
But Mr Raab, who has been standing in for Prime Minister Boris Johnson while he recovers from the disease, maintained the government would proceed “cautiously” in order to avoid a second peak in the outbreak.
He told Sky News' Sophy Ridge on Sunday programme: "We are at a delicate and dangerous stage.
“We need to make sure that the next steps are sure-footed, which is why we are proceeding very cautiously and we are sticking to the scientific advice with the social-distancing measures at this time, whilst doing all the homework to make sure that we are prepared in due course for the next phase.”
Mr Raab brushed off a call from Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer for the government to set out an “exit strategy” explaining how the lockdown could eventually be lifted.
“Until we can be confident, based on the scientific advice, that we are making sure-footed steps going forward that protect life, but also preserve our way of life, frankly it is not responsible to start speculating about the individual measures,” he added.
Figures released on Saturday revealed that more than 20,000 people have died of coronavirus in the UK's hospitals and the daily death toll increased by 813.
The lockdown measures, which were introduced in March, can only be eased when the government is able to find an exit strategy to avoid a second wave of coronavirus cases.
Earlier, Mr Raab said it was "inconceivable" that schools would re-open in the UK without some form of social distancing measures.
The Prime Minister, meanwhile, will return to work tomorrow after recovering from the virus and is said to be "raring to go".
Covaid-19 - helping those who need it most in Greater Manchester The coronavirus outbreak has left many people across Greater Manchester struggling for access to food, basics and other support. Many of them are self-isolating, often in fragile health and alone. Public services have been working hard to find and help them, but we know they are over-stretched and working round the clock. So the Manchester Evening News and the Greater Manchester Mayor's Charity have launched Covaid-19 - a fundraiser aimed at supporting those who most need help, from elderly people with no support network to homeless families living in hotels. The money will be distributed via the mayor of Greater Manchester's charity. You can donate by visiting our JustGiving page here.
Get breaking news first on the free Manchester Evening News app - download it here for your Apple or Android device. You can also get a round-up of the biggest stories sent direct to your inbox every day with the MEN email newsletter - subscribe here. And you can follow us on Facebook here.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-04-26--Remembering Professor Peabody’s Monster Drop slide in Blackpool

Any 80s kid from the north west who holidayed in Blackpool is likely a graduate of Professor Peabody ’ s Playplace .
Situated in the Winter Gardens ' Olympia Exhibition Hall , the mega playground was a paradise of pure excitement for youngsters who attempted to defy the laws of gravity while having a hell of a lot of fun doing so .
Children could experience the ultimate playground featuring rope courses , climbing nets , ball pits , space ride and the enormous bouncy castle .
For around £1.75 per head , parents could relinquish responsibility of their child @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some cases , all day - while they chilled out and had a cuppa at the cafe ... or went to a nearby pub .
They did n't have to worry because the hard working staff were on hand to retrieve your little darling if they got stuck on one of the obstacle courses .
As you went in , a cardboard cut out of the professor ( a true cult hero ) welcomed you to the multi-tiered venue - for the nostalgic among you , this is now proudly on display at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cafe .
The idea was , the higher the floor , the more gnarly the fun .
Forget the Pleasure Beach , this was where you earned your stripes .
There were different play areas for different age groups across the four floors - but no one checked that kind of stuff in those days of course .
Some apparatus was fairly tame - such as the slide that ran down next to the stairs from the top floor to the ground .
Because , who wants to use stairs ?
But looking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as hell .
I mean , just look at the Monster Drop slide .
A floor to ceiling vertical plunge into the abyss ( or so it seemed back then ) , attempting this was like an extreme sport .
Kids who were tall enough made their way to the top where staff members - who were barely adults themselves - would hang kids off the terrifying edge by their arms ... and let them go .
Louise Halstead worked there between 1991 and 1992 .
She said : “ Staff rotated throughout @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the top and supervise the safety .
“ I lost count of the amount of children I talked into dropping themselves off that slide .
“ And the amount of toddlers that would get stuck midway on the cargo nets that used to go over the tops of the venue .
“ It felt quite heroic with a petrified toddler clinging onto you for dear life as you climbed to safety with them .
While the job was mainly fun , there were moments that were perhaps less so .
Wendy Cattrall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1990 , said : “ I loved the Monster Drop .
“ Not every part of the job was that good though .
“ We helped set up the play equipment before it opened with the ops team “ One of the jobs was to wash all the balls before putting them in the pit ... Not a great job.
” Louise agreed : “ The contents in the bottom of the ball pond were pretty grotty.
” The £250,000 playground was opened by the late Paul Daniels in June 1983 - and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russell Brown to pitch the idea of having a resident magician at the playplace .
Russell , now 45 , said : “ Ever since the age of five I wanted to be a magician .
“ I used to go to Peabody ’ s as a child and loved it , so as soon as I left school turned 16 I went to speak to the manager about me putting on a show there .
“ At first she wasn ’ t too keen , but I said I ’ d do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was so successful she agreed to give me a job .
“ I built a stage , got an amp and put posters up all over Blackpool and by the end of the week I ’ d built up a really good audience , so I got the job .
“ It was funny - I ’ d be on stage doing a trick and now and then I ’ d hear crash , bang from the Monster Drop when a child jumped off the edge rather than hanged themselves off it .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lot of regulars that would come - some for the whole day .
Their parents would drop them off and go to work or for a drink , and then pick them up at 5pm.
” Russell - who now works as a magician at the Blackpool Tower - said if it wasn ’ t for Peabody ’ s , his dream job may never have materialised .
He said : “ I worked there from 1991 to 1998 and left to work at the Pleasure Beach , before landing a position @ @ @ @ @ @ @ helped get me where I am today.
” For those too petrified to experience the slide , the only way to the bottom was back down the stairs after bottling it ( and for good reason ) .
But for those who did make it , it is something they will never forget .
Michelle Green still has a lasting memory of her experience on the slide .
“ I still have a scar on the bottom of my back from the Monster Drop , ” she said .
“ I was at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many moons ago and my T-shirt must have lifted when I was going down.
” Angela Van-Oyen , 42 , is perhaps in the minority of people who still have photographic evidence of the mega slide , which had a spattering of stickers on it that kids would attempt to stick on as they went down .
Back then you 'd be lucky to have a disposable camera from Boots .
She said : “ I remember it being much bigger - terrifyingly so .
“ And there was the stickers that could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down.
” Ben Cassidy , 38 , from Blackpool , was aged nine when he first experienced Professor Peabody ’ s in 1992 .
He said : “ The Monster Drop was aptly named .
It felt at least a thousand feet off the ground .
Hard to say how tall the top of it actually was , but big enough to have to climb up steep stairs at the side of it .
“ The set up was basically a vertical drop , and some bumps at the bottom , to slow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Imagine a letter L , and the part that juts out from the vertical has two wavy lines on it , like water drawn on a map , or a sign .
“ I seem to remember that someone would dangle you down , holding you by the arms .
There were stories of kids breaking an arm , and I definitely saw some that came away with bruises , cuts and scrapes.
” Of course with yesteryear 's standards of safety , there were some moments of worry for some parents at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doors in 2001 .
“ You took your life into your own hands when you went in there - it was really adventurous , ahead of its time really , ” said one parent , Karen Connah .
“ But looking back you needed to take out an insurance policy going in there , it was a bit dangerous .
“ I ’ ll never forget when my daughter was on the bouncy stairs leading up to the bouncy castle , another kid jumped out and onto them and she went flying and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one terrifying moment I thought she was dead - until she thankfully let up a blood curdling scream .
“ It was before health and safety became a thing .
They probably wouldn ’ t allow it now.
” Special thanks to the Facebook group , ‘ I lost the skin off my arms on the monster drop at Professor Peabody 's ’ , which you can request to join here .

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Any 80s kid from the north west who holidayed in Blackpool is likely a graduate of Professor Peabody’s Playplace.
Situated in the Winter Gardens' Olympia Exhibition Hall, the mega playground was a paradise of pure excitement for youngsters who attempted to defy the laws of gravity while having a hell of a lot of fun doing so.
Children could experience the ultimate playground featuring rope courses, climbing nets, ball pits, space ride and the enormous bouncy castle.
For around £1.75 per head, parents could relinquish responsibility of their child for a few hours - or in some cases, all day - while they chilled out and had a cuppa at the cafe... or went to a nearby pub.
They didn't have to worry because the hard working staff were on hand to retrieve your little darling if they got stuck on one of the obstacle courses.
As you went in, a cardboard cut out of the professor (a true cult hero) welcomed you to the multi-tiered venue - for the nostalgic among you, this is now proudly on display at the seaside resort's West Coast Rock Cafe.
The idea was, the higher the floor, the more gnarly the fun.
Forget the Pleasure Beach, this was where you earned your stripes.
(Image: Angela Van-Oyen)
There were different play areas for different age groups across the four floors - but no one checked that kind of stuff in those days of course.
Some apparatus was fairly tame - such as the slide that ran down next to the stairs from the top floor to the ground. Because, who wants to use stairs?
But looking back, some of it seems dangerous as hell.
I mean, just look at the Monster Drop slide.
A floor to ceiling vertical plunge into the abyss (or so it seemed back then), attempting this was like an extreme sport.
Kids who were tall enough made their way to the top where staff members - who were barely adults themselves - would hang kids off the terrifying edge by their arms... and let them go.
Louise Halstead worked there between 1991 and 1992.
She said: “Staff rotated throughout the day and we had to sit at the top and supervise the safety.
“I lost count of the amount of children I talked into dropping themselves off that slide.
“And the amount of toddlers that would get stuck midway on the cargo nets that used to go over the tops of the venue.
“It felt quite heroic with a petrified toddler clinging onto you for dear life as you climbed to safety with them.
“It was great fun.”
(Image: West Coast Cafe)
While the job was mainly fun, there were moments that were perhaps less so.
Wendy Cattrall, who worked there April to August 1990, said: “I loved the Monster Drop.
“Not every part of the job was that good though.
“We helped set up the play equipment before it opened with the ops team
“One of the jobs was to wash all the balls before putting them in the pit... Not a great job.”
Louise agreed: “The contents in the bottom of the ball pond were pretty grotty.”
The £250,000 playground was opened by the late Paul Daniels in June 1983 - and it was this that inspired a 16-year-old Russell Brown to pitch the idea of having a resident magician at the playplace.
Russell, now 45, said: “Ever since the age of five I wanted to be a magician.
(Image: Facebook/Russ Brown Magic)
“I used to go to Peabody’s as a child and loved it, so as soon as I left school turned 16 I went to speak to the manager about me putting on a show there.
“At first she wasn’t too keen, but I said I’d do a week for free and if it was so successful she agreed to give me a job.
“I built a stage, got an amp and put posters up all over Blackpool and by the end of the week I’d built up a really good audience, so I got the job.
“It was funny - I’d be on stage doing a trick and now and then I’d hear crash, bang from the Monster Drop when a child jumped off the edge rather than hanged themselves off it.
“I quickly realised that there were a lot of regulars that would come - some for the whole day. Their parents would drop them off and go to work or for a drink, and then pick them up at 5pm.”
Russell - who now works as a magician at the Blackpool Tower - said if it wasn’t for Peabody’s, his dream job may never have materialised.
He said: “I worked there from 1991 to 1998 and left to work at the Pleasure Beach, before landing a position at the tower. Peabody’s helped get me where I am today.”
(Image: Angela Van-Oyen)
For those too petrified to experience the slide, the only way to the bottom was back down the stairs after bottling it (and for good reason).
But for those who did make it, it is something they will never forget.
Michelle Green still has a lasting memory of her experience on the slide.
“I still have a scar on the bottom of my back from the Monster Drop,” she said.
“I was at my friend Sadie Jane's birthday party many moons ago and my T-shirt must have lifted when I was going down.”
Angela Van-Oyen, 42, is perhaps in the minority of people who still have photographic evidence of the mega slide, which had a spattering of stickers on it that kids would attempt to stick on as they went down.
Back then you'd be lucky to have a disposable camera from Boots.
She said: “I remember it being much bigger - terrifyingly so.
“And there was the stickers that could be put on as you were going down.”
Ben Cassidy, 38, from Blackpool, was aged nine when he first experienced Professor Peabody’s in 1992.
(Image: Angela Van-Oyen)
He said: “The Monster Drop was aptly named. It felt at least a thousand feet off the ground. Hard to say how tall the top of it actually was, but big enough to have to climb up steep stairs at the side of it.
“The set up was basically a vertical drop, and some bumps at the bottom, to slow you down - and prevent death! Imagine a letter L, and the part that juts out from the vertical has two wavy lines on it, like water drawn on a map, or a sign.
“I seem to remember that someone would dangle you down, holding you by the arms. There were stories of kids breaking an arm, and I definitely saw some that came away with bruises, cuts and scrapes.”
Of course with yesteryear's standards of safety, there were some moments of worry for some parents at the play centre, which closed its doors in 2001.
“You took your life into your own hands when you went in there - it was really adventurous, ahead of its time really,” said one parent, Karen Connah.
“But looking back you needed to take out an insurance policy going in there, it was a bit dangerous.
“I’ll never forget when my daughter was on the bouncy stairs leading up to the bouncy castle, another kid jumped out and onto them and she went flying and landed on her head.
“For one terrifying moment I thought she was dead - until she thankfully let up a blood curdling scream.
“It was before health and safety became a thing. They probably wouldn’t allow it now.”
Visit Russ Brown Magic on Facebook.
Special thanks to the Facebook group, ‘I lost the skin off my arms on the monster drop at Professor Peabody's’, which you can request to join here.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-04-26--UK government 'unsure' whether Kim Jong Un is dead after reports

The UK government has said they have been unable to confirm whether rumours over the death of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un are true .
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab told the BBC 's Andrew Marr programme on Sunday morning that he did not know if Kim Jong Un had died .
He said he had `` seen the reports '' that Mr Kim had died but he `` could not confirm '' if he had passed away or not .
North Korean authorities have done nothing to counter media reports that 36-year-old Mr Kim is unwell , prompting concerns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ run a nuclear-armed country that has been ruled by the same family for seven decades .
Satellite imagery has found a train likely belonging to the North Korean leader , according to a website specialising in studies of the country .
The satellite photos provided by website 38 North and Airbus show the train has been parked at Mr Kim ’ s compound in Wonsan on his country ’ s east coast since at least April 21 .
The photos do not provide any clarity over Mr Kim ’ s health , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that he is staying outside of the capital , Pyongyang .
Seoul has also said repeatedly that there have been no signs from the North that Mr Kim is unwell .
Questions about his health flared after he skipped an April 15 commemoration of the 108th birthday of his grandfather , North Korea founder Kim Il Sung .
The annual commemoration is North Korea ’ s most important event , and Mr Kim had not missed it since inheriting power from his father in late 2011 .
North Korea ’ s state media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ message thanking Syria ’ s president for conveying greetings on his grandfather ’ s birthday , but did not report any other activities .
Rival South Korea repeated no unusual developments had been detected in the North .
Mr Kim has been out of the public eye for extended periods in the past , and North Korea ’ s secretive nature allows few outsiders to assert confidently whether he might be unwell , let alone incapacitated .
Still , questions about the North ’ s political future are likely to grow if he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He is the third generation of his family to rule North Korea , and a strong personality cult has been built around him , his father and grandfather .
The family ’ s mythical “ Paektu ” bloodline , named after the highest peak on the Korean Peninsula , is said to give only direct family members the right to rule the nation .
That makes Mr Kim ’ s younger sister , senior ruling party official Kim Yo Jong , the most likely candidate to step in if her brother is gravely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more of today 's top stories here But some experts say a collective leadership , which could end the family ’ s dynastic rule , could also be possible .
A collective leadership would likely be headed by Choe Ryong Hae , North Korea ’ s ceremonial head of state who officially ranks second in the country ’ s current power hierarchy , Mr Nam said .
Other Kim family members who might take over include Kim Pyong Il , the 65-year-old half-brother of Kim Jong Il , who reportedly returned home in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diplomat .

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The UK government has said they have been unable to confirm whether rumours over the death of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un are true.
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab told the BBC's Andrew Marr programme on Sunday morning that he did not know if Kim Jong Un had died.
He said he had "seen the reports" that Mr Kim had died but he "could not confirm" if he had passed away or not.
North Korean authorities have done nothing to counter media reports that 36-year-old Mr Kim is unwell, prompting concerns about who is next in line to run a nuclear-armed country that has been ruled by the same family for seven decades.
(Image: AP)
Satellite imagery has found a train likely belonging to the North Korean leader, according to a website specialising in studies of the country.
The satellite photos provided by website 38 North and Airbus show the train has been parked at Mr Kim’s compound in Wonsan on his country’s east coast since at least April 21.
The photos do not provide any clarity over Mr Kim’s health, but they do confirm South Korean government intelligence that he is staying outside of the capital, Pyongyang.
Seoul has also said repeatedly that there have been no signs from the North that Mr Kim is unwell.
Questions about his health flared after he skipped an April 15 commemoration of the 108th birthday of his grandfather, North Korea founder Kim Il Sung.
The annual commemoration is North Korea’s most important event, and Mr Kim had not missed it since inheriting power from his father in late 2011.
(Image: AP)
North Korea’s state media on Wednesday said Mr Kim sent a message thanking Syria’s president for conveying greetings on his grandfather’s birthday, but did not report any other activities.
Rival South Korea repeated no unusual developments had been detected in the North.
Mr Kim has been out of the public eye for extended periods in the past, and North Korea’s secretive nature allows few outsiders to assert confidently whether he might be unwell, let alone incapacitated.
Still, questions about the North’s political future are likely to grow if he fails to attend forthcoming public events.
He is the third generation of his family to rule North Korea, and a strong personality cult has been built around him, his father and grandfather.
(Image: AP)
The family’s mythical “Paektu” bloodline, named after the highest peak on the Korean Peninsula, is said to give only direct family members the right to rule the nation.
That makes Mr Kim’s younger sister, senior ruling party official Kim Yo Jong, the most likely candidate to step in if her brother is gravely ill, incapacitated or dies.
But some experts say a collective leadership, which could end the family’s dynastic rule, could also be possible.
A collective leadership would likely be headed by Choe Ryong Hae, North Korea’s ceremonial head of state who officially ranks second in the country’s current power hierarchy, Mr Nam said.
Other Kim family members who might take over include Kim Pyong Il, the 65-year-old half-brother of Kim Jong Il, who reportedly returned home in November after decades in Europe as a diplomat.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-04-26--Fire service gives update on huge moor blaze which is still burning

Helicopters are continuing to dump water on a huge moor fire in Derbyshire which is still burning after four days .
Crews have returned to Rakes Moss early this morning and resumed efforts to bring the fire under control .
The alarm was first raised to the blaze just off the stretch of the A628 Woodhead Pass between Glossop and Crowden at around 10am on Thursday .
It created large volumes of smoke , with residents many miles away in Manchester reporting they could smell burning on Thursday evening .
Crews from Derbyshire and Greater Manchester , supported by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the local Peak Park Rangers , today said they are still working to extinguish the fire using a combination of beaters , specialist off-road argocat vehicles and high pressure hoses to douse the flames .
Two helicopters have also been drafted in and are continuing to dump water on the blaze from above .
Last night , crews had got the fire surrounded before retiring at nightfall for their own safety and returning at sunrise this morning .
However the blaze is still said to cover a `` significant '' area of moorland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service said : `` Firefighters are continuing to damp down hot spots and prevent any further spread as they tackle the fire from all fronts .
`` Work is expected to continue throughout today with the support of two helicopters .
`` Volunteers from the Salvation Army are continuing to provide much needed food and refreshments to the crews working in the heat and challenging conditions .
`` A huge thank you goes out to the Salvation Army for providing this support .
`` Derbyshire currently have crews from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Buxton and Alfreton at the scene , with crews from Chapel-en-le-Frith , Staveley and Bolsover scheduled to return to provide relief later today . ''
Get breaking news first on the free Manchester Evening News app - download it here for your Apple or Android device .
You can also get a round-up of the biggest stories sent direct to your inbox every day with the MEN email newsletter - subscribe here .
And you can follow us on Facebook here .

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Helicopters are continuing to dump water on a huge moor fire in Derbyshire which is still burning after four days.
Crews have returned to Rakes Moss early this morning and resumed efforts to bring the fire under control.
The alarm was first raised to the blaze just off the stretch of the A628 Woodhead Pass between Glossop and Crowden at around 10am on Thursday.
It created large volumes of smoke, with residents many miles away in Manchester reporting they could smell burning on Thursday evening.
Crews from Derbyshire and Greater Manchester, supported by the landowners, water company United Utilities and the local Peak Park Rangers, today said they are still working to extinguish the fire using a combination of beaters, specialist off-road argocat vehicles and high pressure hoses to douse the flames.
Two helicopters have also been drafted in and are continuing to dump water on the blaze from above.
Last night, crews had got the fire surrounded before retiring at nightfall for their own safety and returning at sunrise this morning.
(Image: GMFRS Air Unit (Twitter))
However the blaze is still said to cover a "significant" area of moorland.
In an update issued this morning Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service said: "Firefighters are continuing to damp down hot spots and prevent any further spread as they tackle the fire from all fronts.
(Image: GMFRS Air Unit (Twitter))
"Work is expected to continue throughout today with the support of two helicopters.
"Volunteers from the Salvation Army are continuing to provide much needed food and refreshments to the crews working in the heat and challenging conditions.
"A huge thank you goes out to the Salvation Army for providing this support.
"Derbyshire currently have crews from Glossop, Bradwell, Whaley Bridge, Buxton and Alfreton at the scene, with crews from Chapel-en-le-Frith, Staveley and Bolsover scheduled to return to provide relief later today."
Get breaking news first on the free Manchester Evening News app - download it here for your Apple or Android device. You can also get a round-up of the biggest stories sent direct to your inbox every day with the MEN email newsletter - subscribe here. And you can follow us on Facebook here.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-04-26--'Inconceivable' for schools to reopen without social distancing - Raab

Many parents and children are asking when schools will re-open as the UK enters the sixth week of its lockdown tomorrow to slow down the spread of coronavirus .
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab told the BBC 's Andrew Marr programme this morning that it was `` inconceivable '' that schools would re-open without measures in place to stop the spread of the disease , but said ministers were looking to ease restrictions on outdoor activities .
He said the government would be led by the scientists .
Mr Raab , who has been standing in for Prime Minister Boris Johnson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in intensive care with coronavirus , said people will have to get used to a “ new normal ” .
“ We won ’ t just have this binary easing up of measures .
We will end up moving to a new normal , ” he said .
“ We need to take a sure-footed step forward which protects life but also preserves our way of life .
`` So we are very focused on doing the homework that can allow us to do that.
” General Secretary of the Association of School @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has said the earliest `` realistic '' point schools could open would be June 1 , the Mirror reports .
While Mr Raab did not give a possible date over schools reopening , he said it was “ inconceivable ” they could so without measures in place to stop the spread of the disease .
But he did say ministers were looking to ease restrictions on outdoor activities .
“ We do want to look – when it is safe , when it is responsible – at ways to allow more outdoor activities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have got to have the evidence that that is a sure-footed step – doesn ’ t allow coronavirus to get a grip back on the country.
” While scientists believe that children are largely not impacted by coronavirus , teachers and support staff who work in schools are still considered to be in danger from the spread of the virus and within their households .
Closing schools has had a big impact on the country - emphasising the severity of the lockdown measures .
Currently , a small number of children of key @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arrangements are attending schools , with most children home schooled .
Most in the education sector agree that what is best is for pupils to be in school - but only when it ’ s safe for them to do so .
Some are concerned that even speculating about their reopening could be a bad thing .
The National Education Union have warned that “ loose talks costs lives ” .
General Secretary Dr Mary Bousted said that the speculation “ deeply concerns our members , who would be at immediate risk if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ measures.
” And the earliest `` realistic '' point at which schools in England could start re-opening would be 1 June , head teachers ' leader Geoff Barton has said .
`` We can not see any realistic way that schools could be re-opened to more pupils before the second half of the summer term , '' said the ASCL leader .
But even the 1 June date is viewed as optimistic because , in order to meet that target , Mr Barton says `` planning would need to begin very soon '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has talked about “ rearranging classrooms ” so that the 2 metre social distancing could be observed .
She said alternating weeks for pupils was the type of option her government is considering whenever lockdown is eased and she mooted the idea of redesigning classrooms .
Ms Sturgeon said of schools : “ I think some countries have perhaps had some children in school go back .
“ There has been some talk , and it is certainly an option that has to be considered , although we might not do it , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kids go the next week , so that there ’ s the ability to have smaller classes .
“ These are the kind of options we are dealing with .
”

newsdesk@men-news.co.uk (Nicola Bartlett, Helen Carter)

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Many parents and children are asking when schools will re-open as the UK enters the sixth week of its lockdown tomorrow to slow down the spread of coronavirus.
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab told the BBC's Andrew Marr programme this morning that it was "inconceivable" that schools would re-open without measures in place to stop the spread of the disease, but said ministers were looking to ease restrictions on outdoor activities.
He said the government would be led by the scientists.
Mr Raab, who has been standing in for Prime Minister Boris Johnson while he recuperates after being seriously ill in intensive care with coronavirus, said people will have to get used to a “new normal”.
(Image: Andrew Parsons/10 Downing Street/Crown Copyright/PA Wire)
“We won’t just have this binary easing up of measures. We will end up moving to a new normal,” he said.
“We need to take a sure-footed step forward which protects life but also preserves our way of life.
"So we are very focused on doing the homework that can allow us to do that.”
General Secretary of the Association of School and College leaders, Geoff Barton, has said the earliest "realistic" point schools could open would be June 1, the Mirror reports.
While Mr Raab did not give a possible date over schools reopening, he said it was “inconceivable” they could so without measures in place to stop the spread of the disease. But he did say ministers were looking to ease restrictions on outdoor activities.
(Image: PA)
“We do want to look – when it is safe, when it is responsible – at ways to allow more outdoor activities to take place, but again we have got to have the evidence that that is a sure-footed step – doesn’t allow coronavirus to get a grip back on the country.”
While scientists believe that children are largely not impacted by coronavirus, teachers and support staff who work in schools are still considered to be in danger from the spread of the virus and within their households.
Closing schools has had a big impact on the country - emphasising the severity of the lockdown measures.
Currently, a small number of children of key workers who are unable to make alternative arrangements are attending schools, with most children home schooled.
Most in the education sector agree that what is best is for pupils to be in school - but only when it’s safe for them to do so.
(Image: Manchester Evening News)
Some are concerned that even speculating about their reopening could be a bad thing.
The National Education Union have warned that “loose talks costs lives”.
General Secretary Dr Mary Bousted said that the speculation “deeply concerns our members, who would be at immediate risk if government was too hasty in relaxing lockdown measures.”
And the earliest "realistic" point at which schools in England could start re-opening would be 1 June, head teachers' leader Geoff Barton has said.
"We cannot see any realistic way that schools could be re-opened to more pupils before the second half of the summer term," said the ASCL leader.
But even the 1 June date is viewed as optimistic because, in order to meet that target, Mr Barton says "planning would need to begin very soon".
Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has talked about “rearranging classrooms” so that the 2 metre social distancing could be observed.
She said alternating weeks for pupils was the type of option her government is considering whenever lockdown is eased and she mooted the idea of redesigning classrooms.
Ms Sturgeon said of schools: “I think some countries have perhaps had some children in school go back.
“There has been some talk, and it is certainly an option that has to be considered, although we might not do it, some kids go one week, other kids go the next week, so that there’s the ability to have smaller classes.
“These are the kind of options we are dealing with.”


themanchestereveningnews--2020-04-26--Manchester United headlines as club handed £750m dilemma plus Haaland latest

United 'could be forced into change of approach to sponsorship' Manchester United are yet to agree a new shirt sponsor , with the current deal with Chevrolet set to expire in 2021 .
The club have historically signed long-term shirt deals , with the car giant only the fifth brand to adorn the club ’ s kits since Sharp became the first sponsor back in 1982 .
However , with the current uncertainty over the global economy and companies perhaps unwilling to commit to longer agreements , United may need to rethink their strategy according to football finance expert Rob @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whether they 'll look at a shorter deal to try and ride it out , and I think in some ways that will be easier to get more people interested , ” he explained .
“ Not every organisation out there is going to be able to commit to £750million of spending over a 10-year period ” United are said to be in a better position to potentially sign Norwegian wonderkid Erling Haaland after Real Madrid reportedly dropped their interest in the player , the Mail report .
Haaland , who only joined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ January , is already being touted for his next move .
Having missed out last time around , Ole Gunnar Solskjaer hopes to lure his compatriot - who he previously worked with at Molde - to Old Trafford , according to the report .
With Madrid supposedly now out of the race for the player ’ s signature , United ’ s path could become clearer , according to the article .
The 19-year-old has already scored 40 goals in all competitions in Austria and Germany this season .
Norwich City ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United goalkeeper David de Gea following the two sides ’ meeting earlier this season .
United comprehensively beat the struggling Canaries 4-0 in January but Solskjaer ’ s side have their keeper to thank for preserving the clean sheet after denying Cantwell .
`` De Gea made a fantastic save , '' the player told The United Stand ’ s YouTube channel .
`` He read me like a book .
That ’ s a typical example of ‘ I ’ ve seen it all before son ’ .
`` As I watched @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Obviously , that ’ s the difference between a class goalkeeper and world-class goalkeeper .

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United 'could be forced into change of approach to sponsorship'
Manchester United are yet to agree a new shirt sponsor, with the current deal with Chevrolet set to expire in 2021.
The club have historically signed long-term shirt deals, with the car giant only the fifth brand to adorn the club’s kits since Sharp became the first sponsor back in 1982.
However, with the current uncertainty over the global economy and companies perhaps unwilling to commit to longer agreements, United may need to rethink their strategy according to football finance expert Rob Wilson.
"Part of me wonders whether they'll look at a shorter deal to try and ride it out, and I think in some ways that will be easier to get more people interested,” he explained.
“Not every organisation out there is going to be able to commit to £750million of spending over a 10-year period”
United 'handed Haaland boost after Real Madrid revelation' - transfer gossip
United are said to be in a better position to potentially sign Norwegian wonderkid Erling Haaland after Real Madrid reportedly dropped their interest in the player, the Mail report.
Haaland, who only joined Borussia Dortmund from Red Bull Salzburg in January, is already being touted for his next move.
Having missed out last time around, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer hopes to lure his compatriot - who he previously worked with at Molde - to Old Trafford, according to the report.
With Madrid supposedly now out of the race for the player’s signature, United’s path could become clearer, according to the article.
The 19-year-old has already scored 40 goals in all competitions in Austria and Germany this season.
Norwich prospect makes De Gea admission
Norwich City’s 22-year-old midfield star Todd Cantwell has praised United goalkeeper David de Gea following the two sides’ meeting earlier this season.
United comprehensively beat the struggling Canaries 4-0 in January but Solskjaer’s side have their keeper to thank for preserving the clean sheet after denying Cantwell.
"De Gea made a fantastic save," the player told The United Stand’s YouTube channel. "He read me like a book. That’s a typical example of ‘I’ve seen it all before son’.
"As I watched it back he took a slight step. Obviously, that’s the difference between a class goalkeeper and world-class goalkeeper.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-04-26--Belgium coach noticed Kevin De Bruyne change against Real Madrid

Roberto Martinez praised the maturity in Kevin De Bruyne 's game that has helped the Manchester City midfielder excel .
De Bruyne , 28 , was on course to set a new record for Premier League assists when the season was halted in March after an outstanding individual campaign that had made him a frontrunner for the PFA Player of the Year award .
The playmaker did not take long to show he could be one of the best players in the game after moving to the Etihad in 2015 following impressive performances for Wolfsburg .
However , Martinez - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Belgian national team - has seen more improvements since that have helped the player to become the complete package .
Against Real Madrid , where the captain for the night produced a brilliant assist and a nerveless penalty to turn a 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 lead , the quality was mental as well as technical .
“ Kevin started as a very young , promising player in Genk , and from there he had a really tough period [ at Chelsea ] .
He ’ s become an exceptional player after facing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ He never looked to blame anyone , never looked to be happy [ content , satisfied ] where he was , and when he made it at Wolfsburg , and going to Manchester City and now working with Pep Guardiola , he ’ s become a player in the best moment of his career .
“ He controls the space like nobody .
He can execute the pass with precision and with the speed of actions that not many players can and now he has the maturity and emotional intelligence to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bernabéu.
” He added : “ Team goes 1-0 down and he has that strength of character to bring the team back into the game and even winning .
“ Psychologically and mentally , Kevin is now in a fantastic moment , which highlights his real strength , that technical ability of using space and time with exceptional touch .
”

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Roberto Martinez praised the maturity in Kevin De Bruyne's game that has helped the Manchester City midfielder excel.
De Bruyne, 28, was on course to set a new record for Premier League assists when the season was halted in March after an outstanding individual campaign that had made him a frontrunner for the PFA Player of the Year award.
The playmaker did not take long to show he could be one of the best players in the game after moving to the Etihad in 2015 following impressive performances for Wolfsburg. However, Martinez - who works with De Bruyne with the Belgian national team - has seen more improvements since that have helped the player to become the complete package.
Against Real Madrid, where the captain for the night produced a brilliant assist and a nerveless penalty to turn a 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 lead, the quality was mental as well as technical.
“Kevin started as a very young, promising player in Genk, and from there he had a really tough period [at Chelsea]. He’s become an exceptional player after facing adversity," Martinez told The Times.
“He never looked to blame anyone, never looked to be happy [content, satisfied] where he was, and when he made it at Wolfsburg, and going to Manchester City and now working with Pep Guardiola, he’s become a player in the best moment of his career.
“He controls the space like nobody. He can execute the pass with precision and with the speed of actions that not many players can and now he has the maturity and emotional intelligence to perform the way he did in the Bernabéu.”
He added: “Team goes 1-0 down and he has that strength of character to bring the team back into the game and even winning.
“Psychologically and mentally, Kevin is now in a fantastic moment, which highlights his real strength, that technical ability of using space and time with exceptional touch.”


themanchestereveningnews--2020-04-26--Fire engines called to Salford street after bin blaze near homes

Firefighters were called to an apartment block in Salford after a blaze started inside a bin .
Residents spotted two fire engines at Vimto Gardens , in Chapel Street , just before 10am this morning ( Sunday ) .
The fire was quickly extinguished by crews from Salford Community Fire Station who were at the scene for less than an hour .
A spokesman from the station confirmed that the fire was contained in one bin which was located in a store in a car park below the apartments .
Smoke from the blaze could be seen for several streets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ second fire to break out in the area in the last two months .
In early March , five fire engines were called to Vimto Gardens after a dishwasher caught fire at Le Cassi 's restaurant .
The are was closed off for around an hour while emergency services dealt with the flames .
Get breaking news first on the free Manchester Evening News app - download it here for your Apple or Android device .
You can also get a round-up of the biggest stories sent direct to your inbox every day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ here .
And you can follow us on Facebook here .

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Firefighters were called to an apartment block in Salford after a blaze started inside a bin.
Residents spotted two fire engines at Vimto Gardens, in Chapel Street, just before 10am this morning (Sunday).
The fire was quickly extinguished by crews from Salford Community Fire Station who were at the scene for less than an hour.
A spokesman from the station confirmed that the fire was contained in one bin which was located in a store in a car park below the apartments.
Nobody was injured.
(Image: Ady Hughes)
Smoke from the blaze could be seen for several streets around the area.
It is the second fire to break out in the area in the last two months.
In early March, five fire engines were called to Vimto Gardens after a dishwasher caught fire at Le Cassi's restaurant.
The are was closed off for around an hour while emergency services dealt with the flames.
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themanchestereveningnews--2020-04-26--David de Gea speaks out on Man United future amid Dean Henderson challenge

David de Gea intends to stay at Manchester United for more than 10 years amid the challenge of Dean Henderson .
De Gea , 29 , signed a new four-year contract with United in September and will celebrate 10 years at the club next year , having arrived as a 20-year-old from Atletico Madrid in 2011 .
United paid a knockdown £18.9million for De Gea , who developed into the best goalkeeper in the world and won the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award an unprecedented four times .
However , De Gea 's form has waned over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , has enjoyed a fabulous first season in the Premier League with Sheffield United .
Henderson inked a three-year deal with United last summer and is joint-second in the Premier League clean sheets table , but is understood to only want to return to the club if he is assured of the No.1 spot .
De Gea has fought off competition from the dependable Sergio Romero over the years and outlined his desire to become the longest-serving first-team goalkeeper at United since the Second World War .
`` Yeah , I 'm getting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a United Hangout .
`` Just to be a part of this club is amazing .
So imagine , 10 years , it 's like a dream .
It 's great to play games with this club , so I hope I can be here more years , many years . ''
Alex Stepney spent 12 years at United and helped the club to the 1967 title and started in the triumphant 1968 European Cup and 1977 FA Cup finals .
Peter Schmeichel won five Premier League titles , three FA Cups , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in just eight years at United and Edwin van der Sar was a four-time title winner in six years at Old Trafford .
United were unbeaten in 11 matches before football 's hiatus in a sequence that featured 2-0 wins over Chelsea and Manchester City , 5-0 drubbings of Club Brugge and LASK Linz in the Europa League , as well as the 6-0 thrashing of Tranmere Rovers in the FA Cup .
If the season resumes , Paul Pogba and Marcus Rashford should be available again after long-term injuries and De Gea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conclusion .
`` I think the whole team improved a lot , '' De Gea added .
`` We were in a good moment .
I think we were in very good , top form , we did n't concede many goals , and of course with Bruno he brings a lot of quality .
He 's a clever player , a top midfielder , the team improves with him and it was a pity that everything stopped because we were in a good moment .
`` But hopefully with some players that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all starts again , so it will be a good challenge for everyone . ''

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David de Gea intends to stay at Manchester United for more than 10 years amid the challenge of Dean Henderson.
De Gea, 29, signed a new four-year contract with United in September and will celebrate 10 years at the club next year, having arrived as a 20-year-old from Atletico Madrid in 2011.
United paid a knockdown £18.9million for De Gea, who developed into the best goalkeeper in the world and won the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award an unprecedented four times. However, De Gea's form has waned over the last year and Henderson, 23, has enjoyed a fabulous first season in the Premier League with Sheffield United.
Henderson inked a three-year deal with United last summer and is joint-second in the Premier League clean sheets table, but is understood to only want to return to the club if he is assured of the No.1 spot. De Gea has fought off competition from the dependable Sergio Romero over the years and outlined his desire to become the longest-serving first-team goalkeeper at United since the Second World War.
"Yeah, I'm getting older!" De Gea said on a United Hangout. "Just to be a part of this club is amazing. So imagine, 10 years, it's like a dream. It's great to play games with this club, so I hope I can be here more years, many years."
Alex Stepney spent 12 years at United and helped the club to the 1967 title and started in the triumphant 1968 European Cup and 1977 FA Cup finals. Peter Schmeichel won five Premier League titles, three FA Cups, the League Cup and the Champions League in just eight years at United and Edwin van der Sar was a four-time title winner in six years at Old Trafford.
United were unbeaten in 11 matches before football's hiatus in a sequence that featured 2-0 wins over Chelsea and Manchester City, 5-0 drubbings of Club Brugge and LASK Linz in the Europa League, as well as the 6-0 thrashing of Tranmere Rovers in the FA Cup.
If the season resumes, Paul Pogba and Marcus Rashford should be available again after long-term injuries and De Gea is hopeful United can enjoy a successful conclusion.
"I think the whole team improved a lot," De Gea added. "We were in a good moment. I think we were in very good, top form, we didn't concede many goals, and of course with Bruno he brings a lot of quality. He's a clever player, a top midfielder, the team improves with him and it was a pity that everything stopped because we were in a good moment.
"But hopefully with some players that were injured will be fit when it all starts again, so it will be a good challenge for everyone."


themanchestereveningnews--2020-04-26--Man United transfer target Maddison drops fresh hint on his future

Manchester United target James Maddison insists he is still very happy to be playing for Leicester despite strong suggestions he could leave this summer .
The 23-year-old is a current target for United ahead of the summer transfer window as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer looks to strengthen his side with midfield reinforcement once the market finally reopens .
Maddison has been a star performer for Leicester this season with his performances earning him a first call-up to the senior England side under Gareth Southgate .
A potential move for is bolstered by the fact United sources have previously told the MEN @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recruit a player as part of their new transfer strategy , and Maddison turned that age last November .
However , during a surprise call with Foxes fan Roy Fellows , via BT Sport , Maddison reiterated his commitment to the team ahead of the summer .
When Fellows asked whether he was staying , Maddison replied : `` Of course I am .
It was one of the best decisions I 've made , coming here .
I love it . ''
Speaking earlier in the week Leicester goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel admitted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expectation on Maddison amid interest from United .
`` He can be whatever he wants to be , '' Schmeichel told That Peter Crouch Podcast .
`` Sometimes I worry for him – being English , playing for England .
It brings a different level of expectation and scrutiny .
`` His ability is ridiculous .
He ’ s got everything in his locker – the sky ’ s the limit for him . ''

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Manchester United target James Maddison insists he is still very happy to be playing for Leicester despite strong suggestions he could leave this summer.
The 23-year-old is a current target for United ahead of the summer transfer window as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer looks to strengthen his side with midfield reinforcement once the market finally reopens.
Maddison has been a star performer for Leicester this season with his performances earning him a first call-up to the senior England side under Gareth Southgate.
A potential move for is bolstered by the fact United sources have previously told the MEN that 23 is the perfect age to recruit a player as part of their new transfer strategy, and Maddison turned that age last November.
However, during a surprise call with Foxes fan Roy Fellows, via BT Sport, Maddison reiterated his commitment to the team ahead of the summer.
When Fellows asked whether he was staying, Maddison replied: "Of course I am. It was one of the best decisions I've made, coming here. I love it."
Speaking earlier in the week Leicester goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel admitted he is worried about the weight of expectation on Maddison amid interest from United.
"He can be whatever he wants to be," Schmeichel told That Peter Crouch Podcast.
"Sometimes I worry for him – being English, playing for England. It brings a different level of expectation and scrutiny.
"His ability is ridiculous. He’s got everything in his locker – the sky’s the limit for him."


themanchestereveningnews--2020-04-26--Man City headlines as Guardiola linked with swoop for Juve and Benfica aces

There are many other City stars who regularly feature in the headlines and get their share of plaudits , but Fernandinho is just as vital as any of them and his role has continually been undervalued .
The 34-year-old has consistently been one of the side ’ s best performing players once again this season , despite having to play large parts of the campaign in the heart of defence - a position which he has rarely previously been deployed in .
The Brazilian is primarily a defensive midfielder but injuries and an absence of form of City ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fernandinho has labelled Guardiola as a ‘ special ’ manager and suggested that he wouldn ’ t have been able to make the move into defence had it not been for the former Barcelona boss .
However , the Brazilian himself deserves credit - his play is error-free and his performance level has been maintained despite having multiple defensive partners : John Stones , Nicolas Otamendi and Aymeric Laporte .
All the defensive numbers indicate that Fernandinho has a big role to play for City yet despite his age .
It is no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to bolster his defensive ranks this summer after a season when a lack of depth in the back-line has been exposed .
Vincent Kompany ’ s departure a year ago left a big hole in the heart of City ’ s defence and it has been exacerbated by injury problems for star defender Aymeric Laporte .
The form of both John Stones and Nicolas Otamendi has been questioned , with Fernandinho often preferred in the heart of the defence .
Now reports are linking City to big-name defenders - Goal says they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defender Leonardo Bonucci , who has been a stalwart for the club and national side Italy .
Meanwhile , Record say that City and Barcelona will go head-to-head for Benfica central defender Ruben Dias , whose release clause stands at £87million while CalcioMercato , via SempreMilan , say City will battle Paris Saint-Germain for Milan left-back Theo Hernandez .
Raheem Sterling has spoken of how much he has learned from ‘ the most humble football player you will ever meet in your life ’ - David Silva .
The two have been teammates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Sterling has developed into one of the world ’ s best attacking talents playing alongside the Spaniard .
Silva ’ s deal in Manchester is up at the end of the campaign and he will end his decade at the club , with Sterling paying tribute .
`` One thing I 've definitely learned from David is to be humble , '' Sterling told BBC Radio 5 live .
`` He is the most humble football player you will ever meet in your life and the trophies he has behind him to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you , when you go to the next level and you 're winning all these things , to keep that humility about yourself and carry yourself in a decent way .
`` He 's a perfect example of how to be a great professional and a top player , with many , many trophies behind him .
If it is his last season ( in English football ) , he 'll be sorely missed because he brings so much to the club and if you want to follow in his example it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Asked if he is likely to be one of the best players he will ever play alongside , he added : `` For sure , most definitely .
I 'll have a couple of his shirts on my wall in my house in Jamaica . ''

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Fernandinho key for City
There are many other City stars who regularly feature in the headlines and get their share of plaudits, but Fernandinho is just as vital as any of them and his role has continually been undervalued.
The 34-year-old has consistently been one of the side’s best performing players once again this season, despite having to play large parts of the campaign in the heart of defence - a position which he has rarely previously been deployed in.
The Brazilian is primarily a defensive midfielder but injuries and an absence of form of City’s defenders has seen him drop back.
Fernandinho has labelled Guardiola as a ‘special’ manager and suggested that he wouldn’t have been able to make the move into defence had it not been for the former Barcelona boss.
However, the Brazilian himself deserves credit - his play is error-free and his performance level has been maintained despite having multiple defensive partners: John Stones, Nicolas Otamendi and Aymeric Laporte.
All the defensive numbers indicate that Fernandinho has a big role to play for City yet despite his age.
City 'prioritise defensive signings'
It is no surprise that Pep Guardiola will be expected to bolster his defensive ranks this summer after a season when a lack of depth in the back-line has been exposed.
Vincent Kompany’s departure a year ago left a big hole in the heart of City’s defence and it has been exacerbated by injury problems for star defender Aymeric Laporte.
The form of both John Stones and Nicolas Otamendi has been questioned, with Fernandinho often preferred in the heart of the defence.
Now reports are linking City to big-name defenders - Goal says they are in the running to land Juventus central defender Leonardo Bonucci, who has been a stalwart for the club and national side Italy.
Meanwhile, Record say that City and Barcelona will go head-to-head for Benfica central defender Ruben Dias, whose release clause stands at £87million while CalcioMercato, via SempreMilan, say City will battle Paris Saint-Germain for Milan left-back Theo Hernandez.
Sterling learned from Silva
Raheem Sterling has spoken of how much he has learned from ‘the most humble football player you will ever meet in your life’ - David Silva.
The two have been teammates at City for the past five years and Sterling has developed into one of the world’s best attacking talents playing alongside the Spaniard.
Silva’s deal in Manchester is up at the end of the campaign and he will end his decade at the club, with Sterling paying tribute.
"One thing I've definitely learned from David is to be humble," Sterling told BBC Radio 5 live.
"He is the most humble football player you will ever meet in your life and the trophies he has behind him to back him up, it just shows you, when you go to the next level and you're winning all these things, to keep that humility about yourself and carry yourself in a decent way.
"He's a perfect example of how to be a great professional and a top player, with many, many trophies behind him. If it is his last season (in English football), he'll be sorely missed because he brings so much to the club and if you want to follow in his example it is always to keep that humility."
Asked if he is likely to be one of the best players he will ever play alongside, he added: "For sure, most definitely. I'll have a couple of his shirts on my wall in my house in Jamaica."


themanchestereveningnews--2020-04-26--Andy Burnham on what should happen when the UK comes out of lockdown

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has said there should be a “ standards-led ” easing of lockdown measures , with the Health and Safety Executive deciding whether businesses can put effective social distancing measures in place to re-open .
Mr Burnham said a regional release would be `` unfair '' and could hit towns and cities in the North West of the country .
He told Sky ’ s Sophy Ridge On Sunday : `` I worry that if we ’ re going down the sectoral approach it could have heavy consequences for a city like Manchester , or say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on tourism and hospitality .
`` So , the impact of a sectoral approach could hit certain places hard , so what I ’ m saying to the Prime Minister is think about a standards-led approach and actually create a national recovery council because we all need to have a voice in this debate .
`` And these decisions that you are about to take are crucial to the economy of the North West of England and we need to be in the room debating it with you . ''
He said he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Safety Executive , so if people are making complaints that social distancing procedures are n't being followed `` there could be an investigation and people could be required to close again . ''
Mr Burnham said it was important to `` start thinking about building a better economy , building back better . ''
He added : `` So , one of the other ideas I would put forward today is that ongoing government support for businesses should be linked to good employment standards and particularly payment of the real living wage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people ready for living in a very different way , for instance , I ’ m planning to have social distancing on public transport , so things aren ’ t going to be the same – we need to be honest with the public about all of that .
`` I think we ’ re going to see , in time , an inquiry into this one to say that things could ’ ve… should ’ ve been done better .
`` And I ’ ve been quite supportive of some of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but I think his predecessor , the former Health Secretary , has some questions to answer because I don ’ t believe the plans put in place were as robust as they needed to be – but those questions are for another day and it is not for now.
” Prime Minister Boris Johnson is returning to Downing Street on Monday amid a debate over lockdown measures .
Senior Conservatives have called for the government to begin easing lockdown and growing dismay at the damage it is causing to the economy .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ its response warned it was far too soon to consider any relaxation , as the official death toll for the UK passed 20,000 .
On Saturday , reports surfaced that the government was considering allowing people to meet up with small groups of friends and family as part of plans to relax the lockdown it has been reported .
But a former Greater Manchester police chief said he believes the proposal would be difficult for officers to enforce .

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Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has said there should be a “standards-led” easing of lockdown measures, with the Health and Safety Executive deciding whether businesses can put effective social distancing measures in place to re-open.
Mr Burnham said a regional release would be "unfair" and could hit towns and cities in the North West of the country.
He told Sky’s Sophy Ridge On Sunday: "I worry that if we’re going down the sectoral approach it could have heavy consequences for a city like Manchester, or say Blackpool – a town that really depends on tourism and hospitality.
"So, the impact of a sectoral approach could hit certain places hard, so what I’m saying to the Prime Minister is think about a standards-led approach and actually create a national recovery council because we all need to have a voice in this debate.
"And these decisions that you are about to take are crucial to the economy of the North West of England and we need to be in the room debating it with you."
(Image: Joel Goodman)
He said he would have this overseen by the Health and Safety Executive, so if people are making complaints that social distancing procedures aren't being followed "there could be an investigation and people could be required to close again."
Mr Burnham said it was important to "start thinking about building a better economy, building back better."
He added: "So, one of the other ideas I would put forward today is that ongoing government support for businesses should be linked to good employment standards and particularly payment of the real living wage.
"We do need to get people ready for living in a very different way, for instance, I’m planning to have social distancing on public transport, so things aren’t going to be the same – we need to be honest with the public about all of that.
"I think we’re going to see, in time, an inquiry into this one to say that things could’ve… should’ve been done better.
"And I’ve been quite supportive of some of the ways the Health Secretary has handled things, but I think his predecessor, the former Health Secretary, has some questions to answer because I don’t believe the plans put in place were as robust as they needed to be – but those questions are for another day and it is not for now.”
Prime Minister Boris Johnson is returning to Downing Street on Monday amid a debate over lockdown measures.
Senior Conservatives have called for the government to begin easing lockdown and growing dismay at the damage it is causing to the economy.
However, scientists advising the Government on its response warned it was far too soon to consider any relaxation, as the official death toll for the UK passed 20,000.
On Saturday, reports surfaced that the government was considering allowing people to meet up with small groups of friends and family as part of plans to relax the lockdown it has been reported.
But a former Greater Manchester police chief said he believes the proposal would be difficult for officers to enforce.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-04-26--Funeral limo packed with drugs and cut-throat razor leads police on chase

Drugs and a knife were found inside a FUNERAL LIMO which led police on a chase in Tameside .
A man has now been arrested after more drugs were found at his house .
Officers say they encountered the six-doored black `` funeral type limo '' being driven `` erratically '' as it came off the M60 at the Denton roundabout on Saturday night .
However `` when requested to stop the driver decided otherwise and drove off '' , police said .
Recounting the incident on their Facebook page , GMP 's Tameside North division said : `` PC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could smell Cannabis coming from the vehicle .
`` During a search Cannabis , scales and a cut throat razor were all found ( what sort of funerals is he going to ?
! )
`` A search of his home address resulted in more drugs being found . ''
The 29 year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply drugs , possession of Class A and B drugs , possession of a bladed article , obstructing a police officer , driving without a licence , driving without insurance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` He has had to be released under investigation pending further enquiries and his blood results to establish how much is in his system .
# nonefortheroad `` , the post said .
No more details about the incident were given .
However the officers added : `` One thing guaranteed in this job is you never know what you 'll come across next . ''
Get breaking news first on the free Manchester Evening News app - download it here for your Apple or Android device .
You can also get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ direct to your inbox every day with the MEN email newsletter - subscribe here .
And you can follow us on Facebook here .

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Drugs and a knife were found inside a funeral vehicle which led police on a chase in Tameside.
A man has now been arrested after more drugs were found at his house.
Officers say they encountered the vehicle being driven 'erratically' as it came off the M60 at the Denton roundabout on Saturday night.
"When requested to stop the driver decided otherwise and drove off," police said.
Recounting the incident on their Facebook page, GMP's Tameside North division said: "PC Murray eventually got the [vehicle] stopped and could smell cannabis.
(Image: GMP Tameside North (Facebook))
"During a search cannabis, scales and a cut throat razor were all found (what sort of funerals is he going to?!).
"A search of his home address resulted in more drugs being found."
The 29-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply drugs; possession of class A and B drugs; possession of a bladed article; obstructing a police officer; driving without a licence; driving without insurance; and driving under the influence of drugs.
"He has had to be released under investigation pending further enquiries and his blood results to establish how much is in his system. #nonefortheroad," the post read.
No more details about the incident were given.
Officers added: "One thing guaranteed in this job is you never know what you'll come across next."
Get breaking news first on the free Manchester Evening News app -download it here for your Apple or Android device. You can also get a round-up of the biggest stories sent direct to your inbox every day with the MEN email newsletter -subscribe here . And you canfollow us on Facebook here .