themanchestereveningnews--2020-05-30--The holiday resorts open and what they say about returning Brit tourists

With Brits still being advised against all non-essential overseas travel and many airlines virtually grounded the chances of a holiday abroad this summer are slim .
But several European countries have begun easing lockdown restrictions as they gear up for the return of tourists .
However the big drawback for anyone still hoping for a summer getaway is that from June 8 all arrivals at UK airports - including returning holidaymakers - must self-isolate for 14 days or face a £1,000 fine .
Arrivals must also provide contact and accommodation details , with the authorities promising checks will be carried @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advised to download and use the NHS contact tracing app .
Passengers arriving in the UK from Ireland are currently exempt and there will be further exemptions to be these rules , but they are yet to be confirmed .
Below we 've put together a round-up of travel restrictions as of May 29 in the major European destinations for British tourists and when the curbs are likely to be eased .
No date has been announced for borders reopening for UK tourists yet .
There are some direct flights operating between London @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the borders with Greece and Serbia are likely to open from June 1 , potentially followed by Austria and Germany .
There are reports Croatia might be the first European country to reopen to tourists .
But currently there are limitations on border crossings , with just foreign nationals who own property or boats , or have close family in Croatia , and tourists with reservations for accomodation or boat charters allowed .
Most international airlines expected to resume operations in July .
Airports and seaports are expected to resume operations 'in stages @ @ @ @ @ @ @ date has been announced for borders reopening to tourists .
Some hotels are open with more expected to follow from June 1 .
No date has been set for when France will open its borders to UK tourists , but non-essential travellers from Switzerland and Germany will be allowed to visit from June 15 .
At the minute all arrivals must quarantine for 14 days .
Reduced ferry services are being operated on some on cross-Channel routes and a limited Eurostar service is running from London to Paris Passengers must wear masks .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ place via the Channel Tunnel .
All arrivals must currently quarantine for 14 days , but this is likely to be lifted on June 15 .
Then there will be coronavirus testing on arrival .
A number of international flights are set to resume on July 1 .
Face masks are mandatory in shops and on public transport .
Year-round hotels are open from June 1 , seasonal hotels from June 15. International tourism is set to resume on June 3 , when mandatory quarantine measures for new arrivals will also be lifted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .One airport per region is open .
Sicily is to subsidise travel for international and domestic tourists when it is safe to return .
Limited flights are operating from London to Lisbon , with other international flights likely to resume on June 15 .
A number of regions have indicated they will be open to international tourists from July 1 .
Beaches and campsites are open and restaurants and bars in many regions are permitted to reopen at limited capacity .
Domestic travel will be permitted from June 22 , with borders gradually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Currently , arrivals must self-isolate for 14 days , although this is likely to be relaxed from July .
Many hotels were allowed to reopen from May 11 , although most will not do so until international tourism resumes .
It 's hoped international tourism will resume by mid-June .
International flights are currently limited but more are likely to be scheduled from June onwards .
Hotels and restaurants were permitted to open from 27 May .

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With Brits still being advised against all non-essential overseas travel and many airlines virtually grounded the chances of a holiday abroad this summer are slim.
But several European countries have begun easing lockdown restrictions as they gear up for the return of tourists.
However the big drawback for anyone still hoping for a summer getaway is that from June 8 all arrivals at UK airports - including returning holidaymakers - must self-isolate for 14 days or face a £1,000 fine.
Arrivals must also provide contact and accommodation details, with the authorities promising checks will be carried out.
They will also be strongly advised to download and use the NHS contact tracing app.
Sign up to the free MEN email newsletter Get the latest updates from across Greater Manchester direct to your inbox with the free MEN newsletter You can sign up very simply by following the instructions here
Passengers arriving in the UK from Ireland are currently exempt and there will be further exemptions to be these rules, but they are yet to be confirmed.
Below we've put together a round-up of travel restrictions as of May 29 in the major European destinations for British tourists and when the curbs are likely to be eased.
Bulgaria
No date has been announced for borders reopening for UK tourists yet.
There are some direct flights operating between London and Sofia for essential travel.
But the borders with Greece and Serbia are likely to open from June 1, potentially followed by Austria and Germany.
Croatia
There are reports Croatia might be the first European country to reopen to tourists.
But currently there are limitations on border crossings, with just foreign nationals who own property or boats, or have close family in Croatia, and tourists with reservations for accomodation or boat charters allowed.
Most international airlines expected to resume operations in July.
Cyprus
Airports and seaports are expected to resume operations 'in stages' from June 9, but no date has been announced for borders reopening to tourists.
Some hotels are open with more expected to follow from June 1.
France
No date has been set for when France will open its borders to UK tourists, but non-essential travellers from Switzerland and Germany will be allowed to visit from June 15.
At the minute all arrivals must quarantine for 14 days.
Reduced ferry services are being operated on some on cross-Channel routes and a limited Eurostar service is running from London to Paris Passengers must wear masks. Limited vehicle crossings are also taking place place via the Channel Tunnel.
(Image: Getty Images)
Greece
All arrivals must currently quarantine for 14 days, but this is likely to be lifted on June 15.
Then there will be coronavirus testing on arrival.
A number of international flights are set to resume on July 1.
Face masks are mandatory in shops and on public transport.
Year-round hotels are open from June 1, seasonal hotels from June 15.
Italy
International tourism is set to resume on June 3, when mandatory quarantine measures for new arrivals will also be lifted.
Some hotels will reopen in June .One airport per region is open.
Sicily is to subsidise travel for international and domestic tourists when it is safe to return.
Portugal
Limited flights are operating from London to Lisbon, with other international flights likely to resume on June 15.
A number of regions have indicated they will be open to international tourists from July 1.
Travellers must show negative coronavirus test result 72 hours before departure.
Beaches and campsites are open and restaurants and bars in many regions are permitted to reopen at limited capacity.
Spain
Domestic travel will be permitted from June 22, with borders gradually opened to international arrivals from July.
Currently, arrivals must self-isolate for 14 days, although this is likely to be relaxed from July.
Many hotels were allowed to reopen from May 11, although most will not do so until international tourism resumes.
Travel between islands is limited.
Turkey
It's hoped international tourism will resume by mid-June.
International flights are currently limited but more are likely to be scheduled from June onwards.
Hotels and restaurants were permitted to open from 27 May.
Face masks are mandatory in public areas.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-05-30--Lotto results LIVE: National Lottery numbers for Saturday's £7.4m draw

We 're nearly at the end of May , so what better way to round off the month than taking part in the National Lottery .
Brits are in for a treat this Saturday night as not only is there chance of catching a glimpse of the SpaceX and NASA rocket flying astronauts into space , but there 's also a chance of getting your hands on £7.4million .
That 's because this evening 's Lotto draw is a huge triple rollover .
Although the UK is currently going through a very difficult time amid coronavirus , winning that amount @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your life around .
To be in with the chance of winning the cash you will need to get yourself a ticket and pick your lucky numbers before 7.30pm tonight .
If you manage to match all six numbers on your card , then that huge jackpot could be all yours .
And even if you do n't get all six numbers , then there 's other prizes still to be won .
If you match five numbers plus the Bonus Ball , then you 'll be taking home £1m , and if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you 'll see £1,750 in the bank .
If you do n't fancy heading out to the shops , then you can play online on the National Lottery website for £2 a play .
We will be announcing the numbers for tonight 's Lotto as soon as the results are in .

We're nearly at the end of May, so what better way to round off the month than taking part in the National Lottery.
Brits are in for a treat this Saturday night as not only is there chance of catching a glimpse of the SpaceX and NASA rocket flying astronauts into space, but there's also a chance of getting your hands on £7.4million.
That's because this evening's Lotto draw is a huge triple rollover.
Although the UK is currently going through a very difficult time amid coronavirus, winning that amount of money is still sure to turn your life around.
To be in with the chance of winning the cash you will need to get yourself a ticket and pick your lucky numbers before 7.30pm tonight. If you manage to match all six numbers on your card, then that huge jackpot could be all yours.
And even if you don't get all six numbers, then there's other prizes still to be won.
If you match five numbers plus the Bonus Ball, then you'll be taking home £1m, and if you match just five main numbers, you'll see £1,750 in the bank.
Sign up to the free MEN email newsletter Get the latest updates from across Greater Manchester direct to your inbox with the free MEN newsletter You can sign up very simply by following the instructions here
If you don't fancy heading out to the shops, then you can play online on the National Lottery website for £2 a play.
Good luck!
We will be announcing the numbers for tonight's Lotto as soon as the results are in.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-05-30--The photographer turned Amazon worker documenting warehouse life

A professional photographer who took a job at Amazon after the arrival of the coronavirus crisis saw his work disappear has been documenting life inside the warehouse .
Tristan Poyser has run his own photography business for more than 17 years and is also a guest university lecturer and teacher for the British Academy of Photography .
His work usually focuses on a mixture of commercial and architecture photography , contemporary fine art , and social documentary photography , exploring identity and perceptions through landscape and portraiture .
So when the Covid-19 crisis hit and lockdown measures were introduced , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his work suddenly disappeared .
With his wife on maternity leave , Tristan decided to take a job at the Amazon fulfilment centre in Bolton .
He was keen to have security , but as an Amazon customer , says he was also curious to see how the business worked .
Now he is currently working the nightshift packing customer orders and performing other roles within the department .
It was after being commissioned by Historic England to document a week of lockdown that his two roles merged and with Amazon 's blessing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his fellow workers .
Read more of today 's stories here Now he is creating another body of work , capturing the role the centre is playing in fulfilling customers ' needs during the unprecedented time .
“ For me it was essential that I portrayed the fast-paced environment and scale of the centre and most importantly the great work everyone is doing whilst still maintaining the safety measures to get everything out on time to the customers.
” says Tristan , 40 , who lives in Manchester with his wife and two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus crisis , more than 15,000 people who have found themselves unable to do their usual job have taken roles with Amazon to meet increased demand .
New recruits range from an arborist , architect , beautician and life guard to a pilot , scientists , a singer and tattooists .
The firm says it has had people join from across the education , construction , hospitality , manufacturing and travel and tourism industries .
Tristan says he was initially apprehensive about the potential safety risks of working at the site , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social distancing measures are in place .
`` The best thing about working at Amazon has been the people , and the positive environment , the way hard work and enthusiasm is recognised by the leadership team by giving you the opportunity to do different roles with more responsibility , '' he added .
The company says it expects to spend more than £600m in the first half of the year on Covid-19 safety measures .
This includes on masks for staff , hand sanitiser , thermal cameras , thermometers , sanitising wipes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as well as using disinfectant spraying in buildings , procuring COVID‑19 testing supplies , and hiring more cleaning staff .

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A professional photographer who took a job at Amazon after the arrival of the coronavirus crisis saw his work disappear has been documenting life inside the warehouse.
Tristan Poyser has run his own photography business for more than 17 years and is also a guest university lecturer and teacher for the British Academy of Photography.
His work usually focuses on a mixture of commercial and architecture photography, contemporary fine art, and social documentary photography, exploring identity and perceptions through landscape and portraiture.
So when the Covid-19 crisis hit and lockdown measures were introduced, a pending new commission was retracted and his work suddenly disappeared.
Sign up to the free MEN email newsletter Get the latest updates from across Greater Manchester direct to your inbox with the free MEN newsletter You can sign up very simply by following the instructions here
With his wife on maternity leave, Tristan decided to take a job at the Amazon fulfilment centre in Bolton.
He was keen to have security, but as an Amazon customer, says he was also curious to see how the business worked.
(Image: Tristan Poyser)
Now he is currently working the nightshift packing customer orders and performing other roles within the department.
It was after being commissioned by Historic England to document a week of lockdown that his two roles merged and with Amazon's blessing, he started to take portraits of his fellow workers.
(Image: Tristan Poyser)
Now he is creating another body of work, capturing the role the centre is playing in fulfilling customers' needs during the unprecedented time.
“For me it was essential that I portrayed the fast-paced environment and scale of the centre and most importantly the great work everyone is doing whilst still maintaining the safety measures to get everything out on time to the customers.” says Tristan, 40, who lives in Manchester with his wife and two children.
(Image: Tristan Poyser)
Since the start of the coronavirus crisis, more than 15,000 people who have found themselves unable to do their usual job have taken roles with Amazon to meet increased demand.
New recruits range from an arborist, architect, beautician and life guard to a pilot, scientists, a singer and tattooists.
The firm says it has had people join from across the education, construction, hospitality, manufacturing and travel and tourism industries.
Tristan says he was initially apprehensive about the potential safety risks of working at the site, but says the experience has been positive and social distancing measures are in place.
(Image: Tristan Poyser)
"The best thing about working at Amazon has been the people, and the positive environment, the way hard work and enthusiasm is recognised by the leadership team by giving you the opportunity to do different roles with more responsibility," he added.
The company says it expects to spend more than £600m in the first half of the year on Covid-19 safety measures.
This includes on masks for staff, hand sanitiser, thermal cameras, thermometers, sanitising wipes, gloves, and additional handwashing stations, as well as using disinfectant spraying in buildings, procuring COVID‑19 testing supplies, and hiring more cleaning staff.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-05-30--"She was terrifying and wonderful in equal measure"

She was tiny and very well spoken .
But even at our first meeting in December 1981 I could sense the steel behind the delicate frame .
When she looked at you , it was at you , never a glance .
She was 46-years-old at the time and Miss Yvonne Myfanwy Evans was in her prime .
Eight years earlier she had become the first woman editor of a newspaper in the UK , which rightly warranted her being interviewed on Radio 4 .
She achieved this through skill , flair , guile , and devotion to her craft @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Our meeting came about only after I had received 58 rejections from newspapers around the country .
I got a break .
Frank Thomas , the editor of the Bury Times gave me a job as a trainee reporter .
I was to report to the BT 's sister paper , the Radcliffe Times where its editor , Yvonne Evans , was expecting me .
I was green , naive , and 21 .
Yet , I had struck gold .
The woman who was about to mould my career was a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ undone my pompous romantic dreams of writing for The Guardian .
I had been dispatched up Stand Lane to a Unitarian chapel to do a review of its panto .
The fortunes of the Radcliffe Morriscos Dance Troupe would also be my brief .
She was a stickler for accuracy and the use of correct grammar - whether it was redundancies at a local paper mill , or a paragraph about which chemist was open at the weekend .
In the small , first floor box of an office .
in Church Street @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and put the sheets on her desk for instant sub editing .
I would then wait for the words , which always came .
`` Er love , '' which was Yvonne 's gentle way of saying you have misspelt something , or your grammar is all at sea .
After a few months of this she rightly expected me to up my game and the 'guidance ' became more robust .
From then on she basically gave me a rollicking every day of my life for a year .
I took it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the newspaper equivalent of Brian Clough - she was good , knew it , and insisted I should aim for her standards .
She was knocking me into shape , because she saw potential - but not without the basics - accuracy , spelling , grammar , and then flair .
When her compliments came - and they did - it fuelled the desire to excel .
She also taught me something else .
Loyalty - both professional and personal .
About a year into my apprenticeship I was felled by an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the former Ancoats Hospital for four weeks .
My family lived in the Midlands and Dorset .
Yvonne knew this , and so visited me every week in hospital , and encouraged others to do the same .
She was looking after her own .
In 2016 my injury crisis was even greater .
Cancer had returned after a four-year remission .
Among the get well cards was a typically stoic letter from Yvonne .
To paraphrase , it said .
`` I do n't do get well cards , but I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ insist you get better . ''
After almost three years of her tutoring I was a decent reporter who would not dare hand in a piece of copy until I had read it - twice - for mistakes .
I remember her broken face when I said I was taking a post at the Bolton Evening News .
Another wild mustang she had turned into a potential thoroughbred was leaving the paddock .
Yvonne was the third of three children to Jack and Myfanwy Evans .
She was born and raised at a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which she later bought .
The same home where she lived all of her life .
While being educated at The National School in Prestwich village - now the Parish School of St Mary 's C of E Primary - she won a scholarship to Bury Grammar School .
She took part in a spelling competition in Manchester for schools and was the only entrant to get 100 per cent .
She later obtained a first class honours degree in English at Manchester University .
During the Second World War she was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the family 's Welsh relatives where she developed a lifetime fear of caterpillars .
After leaving University at 20 , she joined the Radcliffe Times as a reporter in 1955 .
Always dressed immaculately , as a young journalist she favoured Mary Quant clothes .
She became editor of the Radcliffe Times in 1973 and remained so until her retirement in 1999 .
Her niece , Glinys Horton , 70 , said : `` Her mother had wanted her to be a teacher , and she would have made a great one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a reporter .
She wrote plays for the family to act in and did family news sheets about the family after becoming a journalist .
`` I do n't know how we came to have Yvonne .
She was like a Martian landed from outer space - nothing like the rest of the family .
When she went to Bury Grammar she met a different class of person and she got involved in the Shakespeare Society .
`` She spoke that perfect English but was formidable at times .
She was only 4ft @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - and when she raised it everyone would stop talking - it was like it made her 6ft 4 inches tall . ''
`` The word she used to describe Radcliffe was parochial and that it why she liked it .
She wanted to do her best for the town and its people . ''
One one occasion a renowned British actress was being filmed at the Radcliffe Times offices in Church Street for a drama she was starring in which featured a newsroom in the script .
The deal was that if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ give an interview to the Radcliffe Times .
But the actress indicated she was not interested in speaking to the small local paper .
The paper then said 'no interview no deal . '
When the actress relented Yvonne made sure she did the interview herself , which told the full accurate story of the star 's aloof stance .
While covering a donkey derby for the Radcliffe Times she was so determined to get an accurate report she followed the riders after the off - and ended up with a hoof shaped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Times and Bury Times reporters have paid tribute to Yvonne who was found dead at her home on May 18th , aged 85 .
Eileen Jones , said : `` While feeling sad , I also saw the irony .
Yvonne was the one who drummed into me the `` crime '' of using the euphemism `` passed away '' when someone died !
`` I 've never forgotten .
Nor her abhorrence for the misplacement of the apostrophe .
`` I was at the RT when Yvonne took over from Harry Spencer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ town .
He was loved and feared in equal measure by every member of the community .
`` Yvonne was his deputy , and can you imagine the task - in 1973 when a tiny , FEMALE , ballroom-dancing editor had to step into his shoes .
`` She rose to the challenge admirably , but was human too .
She 'd give me a lift home in her Mini , and discuss her doubts , her hopes , her anxieties .
`` She was a true professional but also a truly unique @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that word too ) human being .
`` She and Harry shaped my career , which took me to the Hull Daily Mail , the Yorkshire Post , to magazines in the UK and Amsterdam , to a later career in teaching journalism at Huddersfield University , and eventually to my own PR business where I was respected by all my media contacts because I knew how to identify , and write , a decent news story .
`` Yvonne was a remarkable journalist and editor , a pioneer , and a great @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Editor at the Manchester Evening News , said : `` She was terrifying and wonderful in equal measure .
When she approached your desk and said 'love ' you knew what was coming .
`` She would not accept punctuation in the wrong place .
`` She loved journalism and stories and understood how important what we do is .
She helped nurture that love and understanding in me .
`` She wrote to me every Christmas with a very detailed analysis of what she thought of the media and how important local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Even though she drove us mad , you knew she was right .
She made me into the journalist I am today - she had such an impact . ''
Former colleague , Neil Brandwood , said : `` She was incredibly proud of being the first female editor of a newspaper in the UK .
Yvonne belonged to the old school where if you did something wrong you would be told in no uncertain terms .
But when she paid you a compliment it really meant something .
`` I visited @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she was in fine spirits . ''
Andy Russell , who went on to work for the Daily Mail , said : `` My main memory is her insistence on correct grammar , a good shorthand note , and clear , concise copy .
`` These are things which I hope have stood me in very good stead in nearly 50 years in newspapers – I started on the Radcliffe Times on June 28 , 1971 .
`` On a personal note , she was always very friendly , approachable and often gave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in her purple Mini on her way back to Prestwich .
`` I remember that on Fridays , the day when the paper came out , I think , we had a tradition of a cream tea afternoon .
We would buy cream cakes from Carlisle ’ s Bakers , a few doors away , and just have a natter .
`` I recall Yvonne sitting on that storage heater regaling us with tales of past reporters , past Mayors and councillors etc .
Happy times .
`` She dedicated her professional life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ generations of aspiring journalists to take their first steps in our sometimes precarious business .
I owe her a great deal . ''
Nick Jackson , who worked for the Bolton Evening News , and is now chief reporter of the Oldham Times , said : “ Yvonne was a wonderful mentor to many young journalists , including myself .
`` She enriched everyone ’ s career she touched , and made them better professionals .
She was steadfastly honest and fair and she had a fantastic sense of humour .
She will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worked at the RT before joining the Birmingham Evening Mail , working in radio , and as a music publicist .
He hit the headlines himself when he ended up at the eye of global political storm - allegations that Donald Trump 's presidential campaign colluded with the Kremlin to beat Hillary Clinton .
He ended up writing a book about it .
But he too was a product of the Yvonne Evans `` Academy '' He recalls : `` Her attention to detail and accuracy made everyone a better journalist .
When @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you had spelled the name 'John Smith ' correctly ... you inherently knew you had not and there were two Js in this John and for sure Smith had a ' y ' in it !
`` I always checked people 's names after that . ''
Her niece , Laraine Darlington , 73 , who visited Yvonne regularly found her forthright and wonderfully generous .
Laraine said : `` She was a much-loved aunt , great aunt , and great great aunt .
If she had a point of view , she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a very strong voice despite her small physical stature .
`` She was in a healthy state in body and mind , and she was planning to take us out on a family meal after the coronavirus lockdown was over .
And she always treated the family to a meal out at Christmas .
`` She was a wonderful , generous person , who always told us to let her know if we were struggling .
We will miss her . ''
Poignantly the last printed copy of the Radcliffe Times was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parents chose her middle name well .
Myfanwy is Welsh for 'beloved ' .
Her funeral will be on June 8th at 11am at Agecroft Chapel in Salford .

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She was tiny and very well spoken.
But even at our first meeting in December 1981 I could sense the steel behind the delicate frame.
When she looked at you, it was at you, never a glance.
She was 46-years-old at the time and Miss Yvonne Myfanwy Evans was in her prime.
Eight years earlier she had become the first woman editor of a newspaper in the UK, which rightly warranted her being interviewed on Radio 4.
She achieved this through skill, flair, guile, and devotion to her craft in a tough, male dominated industry.
Our meeting came about only after I had received 58 rejections from newspapers around the country.
I got a break. Frank Thomas, the editor of the Bury Times gave me a job as a trainee reporter.
I was to report to the BT's sister paper, the Radcliffe Times where its editor, Yvonne Evans, was expecting me.
I was green, naive, and 21. Yet, I had struck gold.
The woman who was about to mould my career was a starmaker.
Within a week she had undone my pompous romantic dreams of writing for The Guardian.
I had been dispatched up Stand Lane to a Unitarian chapel to do a review of its panto. The fortunes of the Radcliffe Morriscos Dance Troupe would also be my brief.
She was a stickler for accuracy and the use of correct grammar - whether it was redundancies at a local paper mill, or a paragraph about which chemist was open at the weekend.
In the small, first floor box of an office. in Church Street, I would type up a story and put the sheets on her desk for instant sub editing.
I would then wait for the words, which always came.
"Er love," which was Yvonne's gentle way of saying you have misspelt something, or your grammar is all at sea.
After a few months of this she rightly expected me to up my game and the 'guidance' became more robust.
From then on she basically gave me a rollicking every day of my life for a year. I took it, as it was like being taught by the newspaper equivalent of Brian Clough - she was good, knew it, and insisted I should aim for her standards.
She was knocking me into shape, because she saw potential - but not without the basics - accuracy, spelling, grammar, and then flair.
When her compliments came - and they did - it fuelled the desire to excel.
She also taught me something else. Loyalty - both professional and personal.
About a year into my apprenticeship I was felled by an acute form of arthritis which left me in the former Ancoats Hospital for four weeks.
My family lived in the Midlands and Dorset. Yvonne knew this, and so visited me every week in hospital, and encouraged others to do the same. She was looking after her own.
In 2016 my injury crisis was even greater. Cancer had returned after a four-year remission.
Among the get well cards was a typically stoic letter from Yvonne. To paraphrase, it said. "I don't do get well cards, but I am thinking of you, and I insist you get better."
After almost three years of her tutoring I was a decent reporter who would not dare hand in a piece of copy until I had read it - twice - for mistakes.
I remember her broken face when I said I was taking a post at the Bolton Evening News. Another wild mustang she had turned into a potential thoroughbred was leaving the paddock.
Yvonne was the third of three children to Jack and Myfanwy Evans.
She was born and raised at a council house in Orford Road, Prestwich, which she later bought. The same home where she lived all of her life.
While being educated at The National School in Prestwich village - now the Parish School of St Mary's C of E Primary - she won a scholarship to Bury Grammar School.
She took part in a spelling competition in Manchester for schools and was the only entrant to get 100 per cent.
She later obtained a first class honours degree in English at Manchester University.
During the Second World War she was evacuated to Prestatyn to stay with some of the family's Welsh relatives where she developed a lifetime fear of caterpillars.
After leaving University at 20, she joined the Radcliffe Times as a reporter in 1955.
Always dressed immaculately, as a young journalist she favoured Mary Quant clothes.
She became editor of the Radcliffe Times in 1973 and remained so until her retirement in 1999.
Her niece, Glinys Horton, 70, said: "Her mother had wanted her to be a teacher, and she would have made a great one. But Yvonne always wanted to be a reporter. She wrote plays for the family to act in and did family news sheets about the family after becoming a journalist.
"I don't know how we came to have Yvonne. She was like a Martian landed from outer space - nothing like the rest of the family. When she went to Bury Grammar she met a different class of person and she got involved in the Shakespeare Society.
"She spoke that perfect English but was formidable at times. She was only 4ft 11 inches but she had that voice - and when she raised it everyone would stop talking - it was like it made her 6ft 4 inches tall."
"The word she used to describe Radcliffe was parochial and that it why she liked it. She wanted to do her best for the town and its people."
One one occasion a renowned British actress was being filmed at the Radcliffe Times offices in Church Street for a drama she was starring in which featured a newsroom in the script.
The deal was that if the building was used the actress would give an interview to the Radcliffe Times.
But the actress indicated she was not interested in speaking to the small local paper. The paper then said 'no interview no deal.'
When the actress relented Yvonne made sure she did the interview herself, which told the full accurate story of the star's aloof stance.
While covering a donkey derby for the Radcliffe Times she was so determined to get an accurate report she followed the riders after the off - and ended up with a hoof shaped bruise on her leg.
Former Radcliffe Times and Bury Times reporters have paid tribute to Yvonne who was found dead at her home on May 18th, aged 85.
Eileen Jones, said: " While feeling sad, I also saw the irony. Yvonne was the one who drummed into me the "crime" of using the euphemism "passed away" when someone died!
"I've never forgotten. Nor her abhorrence for the misplacement of the apostrophe.
"I was at the RT when Yvonne took over from Harry Spencer. Harry was an institution in the town. He was loved and feared in equal measure by every member of the community.
"Yvonne was his deputy, and can you imagine the task - in 1973 when a tiny, FEMALE, ballroom-dancing editor had to step into his shoes.
"She rose to the challenge admirably, but was human too. She'd give me a lift home in her Mini, and discuss her doubts, her hopes, her anxieties.
"She was a true professional but also a truly unique (she'd HATE the use of that word too) human being.
"She and Harry shaped my career, which took me to the Hull Daily Mail, the Yorkshire Post, to magazines in the UK and Amsterdam, to a later career in teaching journalism at Huddersfield University, and eventually to my own PR business where I was respected by all my media contacts because I knew how to identify, and write, a decent news story.
"Yvonne was a remarkable journalist and editor, a pioneer, and a great inspiration."
Sarah Lester, Senior Editor at the Manchester Evening News, said: "She was terrifying and wonderful in equal measure. When she approached your desk and said 'love' you knew what was coming.
"She would not accept punctuation in the wrong place.
"She loved journalism and stories and understood how important what we do is. She helped nurture that love and understanding in me.
"She wrote to me every Christmas with a very detailed analysis of what she thought of the media and how important local journalism is.
"People liked her. Even though she drove us mad, you knew she was right. She made me into the journalist I am today - she had such an impact."
Former colleague, Neil Brandwood, said: "She was incredibly proud of being the first female editor of a newspaper in the UK. Yvonne belonged to the old school where if you did something wrong you would be told in no uncertain terms. But when she paid you a compliment it really meant something.
"I visited her at home four weeks ago and she was in fine spirits."
Andy Russell, who went on to work for the Daily Mail, said: "My main memory is her insistence on correct grammar, a good shorthand note, and clear, concise copy.
"These are things which I hope have stood me in very good stead in nearly 50 years in newspapers – I started on the Radcliffe Times on June 28, 1971.
"On a personal note, she was always very friendly, approachable and often gave me a lift home up Outwood Road in her purple Mini on her way back to Prestwich.
"I remember that on Fridays, the day when the paper came out, I think, we had a tradition of a cream tea afternoon. We would buy cream cakes from Carlisle’s Bakers, a few doors away, and just have a natter.
"I recall Yvonne sitting on that storage heater regaling us with tales of past reporters, past Mayors and councillors etc. Happy times.
"She dedicated her professional life to the Radcliffe Times and helped many generations of aspiring journalists to take their first steps in our sometimes precarious business. I owe her a great deal."
Nick Jackson, who worked for the Bolton Evening News, and is now chief reporter of the Oldham Times, said: “Yvonne was a wonderful mentor to many young journalists, including myself.
"She enriched everyone’s career she touched, and made them better professionals. She was steadfastly honest and fair and she had a fantastic sense of humour. She will be greatly missed.”
Robert Goldstone, worked at the RT before joining the Birmingham Evening Mail, working in radio, and as a music publicist.
He hit the headlines himself when he ended up at the eye of global political storm - allegations that Donald Trump's presidential campaign colluded with the Kremlin to beat Hillary Clinton. He ended up writing a book about it.
But he too was a product of the Yvonne Evans "Academy"
He recalls: "Her attention to detail and accuracy made everyone a better journalist. When Yvonne asked you if you were certain you had spelled the name 'John Smith' correctly...you inherently knew you had not and there were two Js in this John and for sure Smith had a 'y' in it!
"I always checked people's names after that."
Her niece, Laraine Darlington, 73, who visited Yvonne regularly found her forthright and wonderfully generous.
Laraine said: "She was a much-loved aunt, great aunt, and great great aunt. If she had a point of view, she wouldn't hesitate to make it known in a very strong voice despite her small physical stature.
"She was in a healthy state in body and mind, and she was planning to take us out on a family meal after the coronavirus lockdown was over. And she always treated the family to a meal out at Christmas.
"She was a wonderful, generous person, who always told us to let her know if we were struggling. We will miss her."
Poignantly the last printed copy of the Radcliffe Times was published earlier this year.
Yvonne's parents chose her middle name well. Myfanwy is Welsh for 'beloved'.
Her funeral will be on June 8th at 11am at Agecroft Chapel in Salford.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-05-30--Remembering Bury's Sol Viva, 10 years on

It was known for its spin the wheel drinks offers and 99p entry fee .
But for a generation of clubbers , Sol Viva holds memories that will last a lifetime .
Many of us recall our first nights out with fondness ; the heady days of cheap shots , pulsating music , and being able to keep going all night .
For many young people growing up in Bury during the late 90s and early 2000s , Sol Viva was the first nightclub they stepped foot in .
It may not have been the most sophisticated joint , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ let their hair down and enjoy a fun , cheap night with friends .
In an era before social media and the widespread use of camera phones , what happened in Sol Viva stayed in Sol Viva .
Prior to The Rock redevelopment , Sol Viva 's striking art-deco facade dominated part of Bury town centre , along with the nearby Hornby Buildings .
And by the time last orders were called at the town centre 's pubs , the queue to enter the club would often be snaking down The Rock .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the sticky carpets of the club affectionately known as 'The Big House ' .
On the ground floor , a DJ pumped out the popular chart hits of the day , while staircases led up to an R & B room , as well an over-25s section on the top floor .
For Garfield Moreton , 47 , nights out at the club were once the pinnacle of his week .
The professional photographer , who grew up in Bury , said : `` You 'd get butterflies with excitement by Thursday because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's where you met everyone , everybody you knew would be there with the pubs shutting at 11 .
`` You did n't want to go later than that or you 'd end up in a massive queue . ''
Thursdays were student nights , when the club 's bar would run a drinks promotion depending on where the spinning wheel stopped .
But Fridays and Saturdays were always the busiest .
Moorside ward councillor Sandra Walmsley is one of those who remembers nights out there fondly .
She said : `` Sol @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because from the moment you opened the double doors and walked on to the sticky carpet , you were shrouded by music , smoke and an atmosphere that guaranteed you were in for a great night .
`` You could forget the real world and lose yourself on the dancefloor with your mates for a few hours and the DJ was happy to oblige playing tunes like at Café del Mar on request , complete with choreographed strobe lighting of course .
Happy days . ''
Like most clubs , there were always @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Daniel Thornton , from Bury , was just 16 when he first enjoyed a night out at Sol Viv in the mid 2000s .
`` I remember there were all these floors and music and drinks , '' he said .
`` It was like someone had opened the doors to this big fun house , but for adults .
`` You would bump into the same people in there every week .
`` It was smelly , sweaty and it always looked disgusting when the lights came on at the end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brilliant . ''
Prior to Sol opening in the late 1990s , the building , in Rochdale Road , had been home to another nightclub , The Roxy .
Before that , it was briefly home to The Arena roller skating rink , but the building was best known as an Odeon cinema , from 1936 until 1981 .
But as Sol Viva , it became Bury 's go-to nightspot .
Linda Burgess worked behind the bar there in 1999 , aged 18 .
Two decades on , she is still in touch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` I was saving to go to Ibiza and it was a good way to earn money but also go out , '' she recalled .
`` Everyone who lived in Bury went to Sol , you could probably go in on your own and meet someone you knew .
`` I remember that they had all these drinks offers and they used to play 'Hit the Road Jack ' at the end of the night , which is when you knew it was shutting .
`` Then everyone would pile into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us staff would get free drinks after we had tidied up . ''
The club was also the place where many couples met for the first time .
Some relationships did n't last long at all , while others have stood the test of time .
Stacey Kenyon met her future husband James at Sol Viva back in 2009 .
Neither had planned to go out on the evening they met , but they believe fate brought them together .
Stacey , who grew up in Whitefield , explained : `` My best @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we had a Chinese and were in bed watching TV .
`` Another friend had just finished work at midnight and convinced me to go out .
`` I threw on a dress and a bit of make-up and we were out by 1am .
`` As I walked up the stairs I saw this guy .
We looked at each other and that was that .
`` We had a few drinks at the bar and that was the beginning of a whirlwind romance .
We got engaged within six weeks .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ eventually take its toll on the club .
Despite a refurbishment that year , management took the decision to close the club in late 2010 .
And as shops and restaurants flocked to the newly-built shopping centre across the road , the nightclub soon looked tired and outdated .
The iconic building 's days were numbered and the bulldozers eventually moved in .
There were many who mourned its loss and , like Stacey , felt as though a part of their youth had vanished with the rubble .
Now 37 and married @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was 'devastated ' when the club was eventually demolished in 2013 .
`` It was sad seeing it go .
Without it , I would never have everything I have now .
`` It was just such an amazing place .
The best days of my life were spent in there . ''

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It was known for its spin the wheel drinks offers and 99p entry fee.
But for a generation of clubbers, Sol Viva holds memories that will last a lifetime.
Many of us recall our first nights out with fondness; the heady days of cheap shots, pulsating music, and being able to keep going all night.
For many young people growing up in Bury during the late 90s and early 2000s, Sol Viva was the first nightclub they stepped foot in.
It may not have been the most sophisticated joint, but it was somewhere revellers knew they could let their hair down and enjoy a fun, cheap night with friends.
In an era before social media and the widespread use of camera phones, what happened in Sol Viva stayed in Sol Viva.
Prior to The Rock redevelopment, Sol Viva's striking art-deco facade dominated part of Bury town centre, along with the nearby Hornby Buildings.
And by the time last orders were called at the town centre's pubs, the queue to enter the club would often be snaking down The Rock.
Inside, hundreds of clubbers would tread the sticky carpets of the club affectionately known as 'The Big House'.
On the ground floor, a DJ pumped out the popular chart hits of the day, while staircases led up to an R&B room, as well an over-25s section on the top floor.
For Garfield Moreton, 47, nights out at the club were once the pinnacle of his week.
The professional photographer, who grew up in Bury, said: "You'd get butterflies with excitement by Thursday because the weekend was near.
"It's where you met everyone, everybody you knew would be there with the pubs shutting at 11.
"You didn't want to go later than that or you'd end up in a massive queue."
Thursdays were student nights, when the club's bar would run a drinks promotion depending on where the spinning wheel stopped.
But Fridays and Saturdays were always the busiest.
Moorside ward councillor Sandra Walmsley is one of those who remembers nights out there fondly.
(Image: Sandra Walmsley)
She said: "Sol Viva was a special place to me because from the moment you opened the double doors and walked on to the sticky carpet, you were shrouded by music, smoke and an atmosphere that guaranteed you were in for a great night.
"You could forget the real world and lose yourself on the dancefloor with your mates for a few hours and the DJ was happy to oblige playing tunes like at Café del Mar on request, complete with choreographed strobe lighting of course. Happy days."
Like most clubs, there were always those who tried to sneak in underage.
Daniel Thornton, from Bury, was just 16 when he first enjoyed a night out at Sol Viv in the mid 2000s.
"I remember there were all these floors and music and drinks," he said.
"It was like someone had opened the doors to this big fun house, but for adults.
"You would bump into the same people in there every week.
"It was smelly, sweaty and it always looked disgusting when the lights came on at the end of the night, but it was brilliant."
(Image: Zara Walker)
Prior to Sol opening in the late 1990s, the building, in Rochdale Road, had been home to another nightclub, The Roxy.
Before that, it was briefly home to The Arena roller skating rink, but the building was best known as an Odeon cinema, from 1936 until 1981.
But as Sol Viva, it became Bury's go-to nightspot.
Linda Burgess worked behind the bar there in 1999, aged 18.
Two decades on, she is still in touch with friends she made at the club.
"I was saving to go to Ibiza and it was a good way to earn money but also go out," she recalled.
"Everyone who lived in Bury went to Sol, you could probably go in on your own and meet someone you knew.
"I remember that they had all these drinks offers and they used to play 'Hit the Road Jack' at the end of the night, which is when you knew it was shutting.
"Then everyone would pile into First Base takeaway next door, and us staff would get free drinks after we had tidied up."
The club was also the place where many couples met for the first time.
Some relationships didn't last long at all, while others have stood the test of time.
Stacey Kenyon met her future husband James at Sol Viva back in 2009.
Neither had planned to go out on the evening they met, but they believe fate brought them together.
Stacey, who grew up in Whitefield, explained: "My best friend was round at my house and we had a Chinese and were in bed watching TV.
"Another friend had just finished work at midnight and convinced me to go out.
"I threw on a dress and a bit of make-up and we were out by 1am.
"As I walked up the stairs I saw this guy. We looked at each other and that was that.
"We had a few drinks at the bar and that was the beginning of a whirlwind romance. We got engaged within six weeks."
(Image: Manchester Evening News)
The financial crash of 2008 would eventually take its toll on the club.
Despite a refurbishment that year, management took the decision to close the club in late 2010.
And as shops and restaurants flocked to the newly-built shopping centre across the road, the nightclub soon looked tired and outdated.
The iconic building's days were numbered and the bulldozers eventually moved in.
There were many who mourned its loss and, like Stacey, felt as though a part of their youth had vanished with the rubble.
Now 37 and married with a son, Stacey says she was 'devastated' when the club was eventually demolished in 2013.
"It was sad seeing it go. Without it, I would never have everything I have now.
"It was just such an amazing place. The best days of my life were spent in there."


themanchestereveningnews--2020-05-30--The shops that will make you yearn for 90s Manchester

If you grew up in the 90s , there are a few high-street touchstones that will have you back there in a flash .
Back then essentials included butterfly clips , stretchy chokers , teeny tiny bags to hold your Nokia 3210 and Leonardo DiCaprio posters .
For lads , baggy jeans , baggy cargo pants and baggy jumpers were the uniform you wore before nipping to the barber to get your curtains trimmed and a slit shaved into your eyebrow .
Here , we look back at the shops that made us who we were .
What was it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so appealing ?
Perhaps our parents just wanted to keep us safe by making sure we were highly visible .
Whatever the reason , it certainly worked for Benetton .
The Italian fashion brand became known for its controversial ad campaigns .
But if you shopped there in the 90s you ’ re probably more likely to remember their multi-coloured backpacks and their fiercely European designs .
This shop was so central to the city that it even inspired a song by The Freshies , whose lead singer Chris Sievey went on to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ m in Love With the Girl on the Manchester Virgin Megastore Checkout Desk ’ is a homage to the music shop , which stood proudly on Market Street for several years .
If you don ’ t remember skiving off school so you could queue up to see your favourite boyband signing records there , you ’ re not a proper Manc .
Stolen from Ivor , founded in Manchester , left the high street for good in 2014 .
It had been around since 1965 , and enjoyed a bit of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get your going out gear .
No 90s night out was complete without a top from Morgan de Toi - or for the lads Stolen from Ivor - a smart pair of Kickers and a packet of Juicy Fruit and Silk Cut .
You can recreate the atmosphere of those days by spraying the room liberally with CK One , turning on the kettle to create a ’ dry ice effect ’ , blasting the Outhere Brothers loud on a cassette player , chugging from a nice warm bottle of Smirnoff Ice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fit lad or fit girl on your hand .
It 's Saturday night and you 're too young to go out , but too old to stay in with your parents .
So you head to your best mate 's house where you discover that she 's acquired a bottle of peach Archers , a Chicagotown pizza and a pipe of sour cream and chive Pringles .
You 've got the run of the telly for five hours before your mate 's little brother barges in to watch WWF .
Only a trip @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
As you browse the aisles , the smell of popcorn , carpet cleaner and saccharin fills the air .
You 've already seen Romeo + Juliet many , many times and Titanic is n't out on video yet .
You notice that Scream is out - but it costs £3.50 and it 's an 18 .
By some miracle , you convince your mate 's mum that you 're old enough to handle it .
One hour and 51 minutes later you realise you were wrong .
The trauma is made worse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that you forgot to post the video through that little slot in the wall and you 've been fined .
When the Warner Brothers store arrived at Manchester Arndale in the early 90s , it was a very exciting time .
The huge store was topped with a giant Tasmanian Devil and the nearby fountain was guarded by statues of Bugs Bunny , Daffy Duck and Elmer Fudd .
The store itself boasted enough cuddly toys and face cloths that expand in water to last you a lifetime .
The WB Store was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Store .
It played new episodes of Friends and Pinky and the Brain on the cinema sized screen at the back of the shop .
And , most impressively , it even had its own Batmobile and Batsuit .
A trip here with your mum was compensation for being dragged around the homeware section of Debenhams .
This shop was responsible for a pair of bootleg jeans owned by this writer that were made from three different types of demin stitched together for a patchwork effect .
New Look was the preserve of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , arms linked , to drag clothing off the hangers and onto the floor .
Not as expensive as Topshop but more mature than Tammy Girl , New Look allowed those on a pocket money income to tog themselves out for sleepovers and summer evenings in the park .
Most likely the place where you bought your first cassette single , Our Price had a somewhat confusing policy of bringing an empty CD case to the till so the assistant could fill it with the actual music .
Afflecks has long provided a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a bit weird or out of place .
This emporium of independent boutiques and shops is probably the first place you bought a Nirvana poster and your first pair of baggy jeans .
In the 90s , it was the domain of punks , skaters , goths , grunge fans and later moshers .
Rainbow , tie dye , NuRocks and Nightmare Before Christmas figurines were the order of the day .
It was also the go to place for West German army jackets , unnecessary beads , grinders , stash cans , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shorts .
The cafe on the top floor was the place to be - if you could get a seat .
Heaven .
This huge department store was slap bang in the centre of town , where Primark now stands .
It had everything you could possibly need and , at Christmas , it even had a santa ’ s grotto .
At one time the Manchester store included a full scale ballroom on the fifth floor .
We were all dragged around there by our parents as kids , and once heard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ control cars whizzing around a sandpit at Christmas would never leave your ears .
Going in here and pretending you knew something about vinyl was a right of passage for any Manc teenager .
Bigger than Eastern Bloc so easier to pretend you knew what you were on about .
“ I ’ m just checking out the electro.
” “ But you don ’ t even have a record player.
” Luckily they also do CDs , including those rare EPs and a baffling array of specialist imports of albums you ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ place .
Home to an array of stretchy chokers , butterfly clips and crop tops , Tammy Girl was the little sister of Etam .
This pre-teen haven was the best place to pick up a sassy , glittery slogan t-shirt of a pair of denim pedal pushers for a night down the Altrincham ice rink disco .
Another staple of the 90s was huge oversized jumpers - this is where we got them .
An extremely colourful array of garish knits and sweaters were available , mostly in massive sizes and often @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was a food and drink hub , The Corn Exchange contained a baffling range of largely empty shops and was known to skaters and moshers everywhere as The Triangle .
The traders here mainly sold overpriced luggage and surfwear - neither of which were of much use here in Manchester .

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Subscribe to our daily What's On newsletter to keep up with what's happening around Greater Manchester
If you grew up in the 90s, there are a few high-street touchstones that will have you back there in a flash.
Back then essentials included butterfly clips, stretchy chokers, teeny tiny bags to hold your Nokia 3210 and Leonardo DiCaprio posters.
For lads, baggy jeans, baggy cargo pants and baggy jumpers were the uniform you wore before nipping to the barber to get your curtains trimmed and a slit shaved into your eyebrow.
Here, we look back at the shops that made us who we were.
Benetton
What was it about the 90s that made primary colours so appealing?
Perhaps our parents just wanted to keep us safe by making sure we were highly visible. Whatever the reason, it certainly worked for Benetton.
The Italian fashion brand became known for its controversial ad campaigns. But if you shopped there in the 90s you’re probably more likely to remember their multi-coloured backpacks and their fiercely European designs.
Virgin Megastore
(Image: Hull Daily Mail)
This shop was so central to the city that it even inspired a song by The Freshies, whose lead singer Chris Sievey went on to become Frank Sidebottom.
‘I’m in Love With the Girl on the Manchester Virgin Megastore Checkout Desk’ is a homage to the music shop, which stood proudly on Market Street for several years.
If you don’t remember skiving off school so you could queue up to see your favourite boyband signing records there, you’re not a proper Manc.
(Image: Stockport Express)
Stolen from Ivor
(Image: Mirrorpix)
Stolen from Ivor, founded in Manchester, left the high street for good in 2014.
It had been around since 1965, and enjoyed a bit of a renaissance in the 90s as a place to get your going out gear.
No 90s night out was complete without a top from Morgan de Toi - or for the lads Stolen from Ivor - a smart pair of Kickers and a packet of Juicy Fruit and Silk Cut.
You can recreate the atmosphere of those days by spraying the room liberally with CK One, turning on the kettle to create a ’dry ice effect’, blasting the Outhere Brothers loud on a cassette player, chugging from a nice warm bottle of Smirnoff Ice and writing the landline number of that fit lad or fit girl on your hand.
Blockbuster Video
(Image: Paisley Daily Express)
It's Saturday night and you're too young to go out, but too old to stay in with your parents. So you head to your best mate's house where you discover that she's acquired a bottle of peach Archers, a Chicagotown pizza and a pipe of sour cream and chive Pringles.
You've got the run of the telly for five hours before your mate's little brother barges in to watch WWF. Only a trip to Blockbuster Video can complete the night.
As you browse the aisles, the smell of popcorn, carpet cleaner and saccharin fills the air.
(Image: Birmingham Mail)
You've already seen Romeo + Juliet many, many times and Titanic isn't out on video yet.
You notice that Scream is out - but it costs £3.50 and it's an 18.
By some miracle, you convince your mate's mum that you're old enough to handle it. One hour and 51 minutes later you realise you were wrong.
The trauma is made worse the following day when you suddenly remember that you forgot to post the video through that little slot in the wall and you've been fined.
The Warner Bros store
(Image: @manarndale | Twitter)
When the Warner Brothers store arrived at Manchester Arndale in the early 90s, it was a very exciting time.
The huge store was topped with a giant Tasmanian Devil and the nearby fountain was guarded by statues of Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck and Elmer Fudd.
The store itself boasted enough cuddly toys and face cloths that expand in water to last you a lifetime.
The WB Store was cooler and less noisy than the Disney Store. It played new episodes of Friends and Pinky and the Brain on the cinema sized screen at the back of the shop. And, most impressively, it even had its own Batmobile and Batsuit.
A trip here with your mum was compensation for being dragged around the homeware section of Debenhams.
New Look
(Image: Birmingham Post and Mail)
This shop was responsible for a pair of bootleg jeans owned by this writer that were made from three different types of demin stitched together for a patchwork effect.
New Look was the preserve of armies of teenage girls who swooped in, arms linked, to drag clothing off the hangers and onto the floor.
Not as expensive as Topshop but more mature than Tammy Girl, New Look allowed those on a pocket money income to tog themselves out for sleepovers and summer evenings in the park.
Our Price
(Image: Daily Mirror)
Most likely the place where you bought your first cassette single, Our Price had a somewhat confusing policy of bringing an empty CD case to the till so the assistant could fill it with the actual music.
It’s what made Our Price a slightly intimidating place.
Afflecks Palace
(Image: Manchester Evening News)
Afflecks has long provided a safe haven for anyone who ever felt a bit weird or out of place. This emporium of independent boutiques and shops is probably the first place you bought a Nirvana poster and your first pair of baggy jeans.
In the 90s, it was the domain of punks, skaters, goths, grunge fans and later moshers.
Rainbow, tie dye, NuRocks and Nightmare Before Christmas figurines were the order of the day.
It was also the go to place for West German army jackets, unnecessary beads, grinders, stash cans, bongs, incense sticks and neon goth shorts.
The cafe on the top floor was the place to be - if you could get a seat. Heaven.
Lewis’s
(Image: Mirrorpix)
This huge department store was slap bang in the centre of town, where Primark now stands.
It had everything you could possibly need and, at Christmas, it even had a santa’s grotto.
At one time the Manchester store included a full scale ballroom on the fifth floor.
We were all dragged around there by our parents as kids, and once heard, the sound of a hundred remote control cars whizzing around a sandpit at Christmas would never leave your ears.
Vinyl Exchange
(Image: Manchester Evening News)
Going in here and pretending you knew something about vinyl was a right of passage for any Manc teenager. Bigger than Eastern Bloc so easier to pretend you knew what you were on about.
“I’m just checking out the electro.”
“But you don’t even have a record player.”
Luckily they also do CDs, including those rare EPs and a baffling array of specialist imports of albums you’ve barely heard of in the first place.
Tammy Girl
(Image: Mirrorpix)
Home to an array of stretchy chokers, butterfly clips and crop tops, Tammy Girl was the little sister of Etam.
This pre-teen haven was the best place to pick up a sassy, glittery slogan t-shirt of a pair of denim pedal pushers for a night down the Altrincham ice rink disco.
The Sweater Shop
Another staple of the 90s was huge oversized jumpers - this is where we got them.
An extremely colourful array of garish knits and sweaters were available, mostly in massive sizes and often embroidered with the shop name.
Corn Exchange/The Triangle
(Image: Manchester Evening News)
Before it was a food and drink hub, The Corn Exchange contained a baffling range of largely empty shops and was known to skaters and moshers everywhere as The Triangle.
The traders here mainly sold overpriced luggage and surfwear - neither of which were of much use here in Manchester.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-05-30--Julie Hesmondhalgh urges people not to rush out to the shops as lockdown eases

Corrie legend Julie Hesmondhalgh is hoping people will appreciate the 'simpler way of life ' after emerging from lockdown .
Julie , who played Hayley Cropper in Corrie and stars in the BBC drama The A Word , says people may be pushed to spend again as the coronavirus lockdown measures have restricted what we can spend money on due to shops being shut .
But she 's hoping they 'll resist consumerism and continue to look after the nature around them which may have been hidden before due to noise and traffic .
Julie told us : `` The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people will remember that .
`` This has been a little taste of how quickly it heals .
It 's a simpler way of life . ''
Asked what she 'd like to see after lockdown ends the mother-of-two said : `` Maybe knock consumerism on the head .
`` I think they 'll be a huge drive to make us spend again but we need to resist it . ''
Julie is one of the stars featuring in a special broadcast of Manchester 's Together In One Voice event .
There will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mass doorstep sing-along with videos submitted from residents across Greater Manchester mixed in with drone-shots and filmed on-street highlights shot in lockdown conditions .
`` It 's just absolutely brilliant .
It 's what Manchester does best , '' said the Broadchurch actress about the event .
`` This city is so brilliant at coming together and at moment this is just the ticket .
`` The more lockdown has eased off , it 's not completely one thing or another and people feel lost . ''
Julie , 50 , who played @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , believes the event has provided a much- needed boost for communities at a time when the focus on coming out of lockdown might be the economy rather than people 's mental health .
She added : `` It 's a taste of what 's on the horizon and the music , energy and culture that 's waiting for us .
`` I 'm looking forward to going to the theatre again .
`` For me it 's that assembly of being in a group of people .
Gigs , going to see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feels like a different universe . ''
Asked what she 's most looking forward to about coming out of lockdown , she said : `` Going into town for a coffee , going to the Royal Exchange . ''
And Julie has found it hard being apart from her elderly mum throughout the lockdown , apart from dropping off shopping for her .
`` None of us in our house are vulnerable and there 's been such a wonderful sense of community in my part of Manchester , '' she said .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of us being in the house together .
`` But for many it 's been a really horrific time .
`` Mum is elderly and on her own so I 'm looking forward to taking her out for drives again and giving her a big cuddle . ''
After lockdown stage and screen star Julie is hoping the public show of appreciation and gratitude during the pandemic will continue and she hopes theatres and the art world will be thriving again .
`` Art and culture have seen us through this and I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appreciate nature more , the NHS more , the keyworkers and the posties still delivering our mail , '' she said .
`` We rely on art and culture to keep us well .
`` It 's part of who we are and it 's forgotten .
`` After lockdown ends I hope there 's more appreciation for the NHS and the keyworkers and those who lost their lives to keep our bins emptied .
`` I hope that Clap for Carers spirit continues because it 's very easy to forget afterwards when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Nurse Angela Hutton from Boothstown said about the event : `` As a road and a community we 've come together weekly and supported each other and all our neighbours .
`` We practiced all the songs and sang along with the rehearsals in advance , and the night ended with us all listening to the concert through speakers on the street , joining in singing and dancing followed by the weekly clap for keyworkers . ''
She added : `` Now we feel like old friends and there 's a real @ @ @ @ @ @ @ musical director Dan McDwyer said : `` I ’ m so proud of how many people sang with us .
Sharing my love singing in this way has been such a heart-warming experience . ''
The Together In One Voice Sunday Special sponsored by the Co-op will be broadcast tomorrow ( Sunday May 31 ) at 6pm by clicking here .

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Corrie legend Julie Hesmondhalgh is hoping people will appreciate the 'simpler way of life' after emerging from lockdown.
Julie, who played Hayley Cropper in Corrie and stars in the BBC drama The A Word, says people may be pushed to spend again as the coronavirus lockdown measures have restricted what we can spend money on due to shops being shut.
But she's hoping they'll resist consumerism and continue to look after the nature around them which may have been hidden before due to noise and traffic.
(Image: PA)
Julie told us: "The skies have been clearer and I hope people will remember that.
"This has been a little taste of how quickly it heals. It's a simpler way of life."
Asked what she'd like to see after lockdown ends the mother-of-two said: "Maybe knock consumerism on the head.
"I think they'll be a huge drive to make us spend again but we need to resist it."
(Image: ITV)
Julie is one of the stars featuring in a special broadcast of Manchester's Together In One Voice event.
There will be a round-up of Thursday night's mass doorstep sing-along with videos submitted from residents across Greater Manchester mixed in with drone-shots and filmed on-street highlights shot in lockdown conditions.
"It's just absolutely brilliant. It's what Manchester does best," said the Broadchurch actress about the event.
(Image: Mark Waugh)
"This city is so brilliant at coming together and at moment this is just the ticket.
"The more lockdown has eased off, it's not completely one thing or another and people feel lost."
Julie, 50, who played Hayley in Corrie from 2008 to 2014, believes the event has provided a much- needed boost for communities at a time when the focus on coming out of lockdown might be the economy rather than people's mental health.
She added: "It's a taste of what's on the horizon and the music, energy and culture that's waiting for us.
(Image: Mark Waugh)
"I'm looking forward to going to the theatre again.
"For me it's that assembly of being in a group of people. Gigs, going to see stuff.
"At the moment it feels like a different universe."
Asked what she's most looking forward to about coming out of lockdown, she said: "Going into town for a coffee, going to the Royal Exchange."
And Julie has found it hard being apart from her elderly mum throughout the lockdown, apart from dropping off shopping for her.
(Image: Mark Waugh)
"None of us in our house are vulnerable and there's been such a wonderful sense of community in my part of Manchester," she said.
"And I've really enjoyed the four of us being in the house together.
"But for many it's been a really horrific time.
"Mum is elderly and on her own so I'm looking forward to taking her out for drives again and giving her a big cuddle."
After lockdown stage and screen star Julie is hoping the public show of appreciation and gratitude during the pandemic will continue and she hopes theatres and the art world will be thriving again.
(Image: Thank U NHS)
"Art and culture have seen us through this and I hope at the other side we'll appreciate nature more, the NHS more, the keyworkers and the posties still delivering our mail," she said.
"We rely on art and culture to keep us well. "It's part of who we are and it's forgotten.
"After lockdown ends I hope there's more appreciation for the NHS and the keyworkers and those who lost their lives to keep our bins emptied.
"I hope that Clap for Carers spirit continues because it's very easy to forget afterwards when people will want to move on."
Nurse Angela Hutton from Boothstown said about the event: "As a road and a community we've come together weekly and supported each other and all our neighbours.
"We practiced all the songs and sang along with the rehearsals in advance, and the night ended with us all listening to the concert through speakers on the street, joining in singing and dancing followed by the weekly clap for keyworkers."
She added: "Now we feel like old friends and there's a real sense of community."
And event musical director Dan McDwyer said: "I’m so proud of how many people sang with us. Sharing my love singing in this way has been such a heart-warming experience."
The Together In One Voice Sunday Special sponsored by the Co-op will be broadcast tomorrow (Sunday May 31) at 6pm by clicking here.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-05-30--Woman charged with the murder after man's death in Wythenshawe

A woman has been charged with murder after the death of Peter Richardson from Wythenshawe .
The 51-year-old died in @ @ @ @ @ on Thursday , May 21 .
Leanne Bentley , 27 , of Brookcroft Road , @ @ @ @ @ murder .
She has been remanded to appear at Manchester and Salford Magistrates Court on @ @ @ @ @ Police have released a 36-year-old woman and a 15-year-old boy with no further action .
@ @ @ @ @ put in place on Greenwood Road , Topfield Crescent , Moorcroft Road and Brookcroft Road @ @ @ @ @ .
Photos from the scene showed a home cordoned off with police cars outside on @ @ @ @ @ crime scene investigators were seen on Moorcroft Road throughout Friday and into Saturday .
Mr @ @ @ @ @ police .

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A woman has been charged with murder after the death of Peter Richardson from Wythenshawe.
The 51-year-old died in hospital of a stab wound on Thursday, May 21.
Leanne Bentley, 27, of Brookcroft Road, Wythenshawe has been charged with murder.
She has been remanded to appear at Manchester and Salford Magistrates Court on Monday, June 1.
Police have released a 36-year-old woman and a 15-year-old boy with no further action.
(Image: ABNM Photography)
A number of scenes were put in place on Greenwood Road, Topfield Crescent, Moorcroft Road and Brookcroft Road following the man's death.
Photos from the scene showed a home cordoned off with police cars outside on Greenwood Road.
Eyewitnesses said crime scene investigators were seen on Moorcroft Road throughout Friday and into Saturday.
Mr Richardson was later named by police.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-05-30--The benefit cheats who were caught stealing from the taxpayer

The benefits system is there to protect the most vulnerable people in society .
So when criminals are caught abusing the process for their own gain , their behaviour is often met with a jail sentence by judges .
The M.E.N .
has previously reported on cases of benefit fraud which have cost the taxpayer significant amounts of money .
Here are some of the benefit cheats we have exposed .
It was a scandal that could have cost the taxpayer up to £2 million , a judge said .
Ringleaders Mohamed Goth , 66 , and Feisal Aw-Isse Sadi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which women pretended to be cleaners at schools in order to claim benefits they were n't entitled to .
The fraud itself is thought to have cost the taxpayer about £1 million , as well as a possible further £1 million in lawyers and translators fees as well as court time .
Goth and Sadi , who ran two schools in Rusholme , were jailed for eight and five years in their absence respectively in February after fleeing the country .
And 21 women from Manchester 's Somalian community were also in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Up to 20 'cleaners ' were employed at both sites , in a staff size which Judge Anthony Cross QC said would have been more fitting for Manchester town hall , rather than businesses in a 'two up two down ' properties .
Despite this , environmental health staff were called out after there was found to be a 'pest infestation ' in a kitchen area .
Instead of cleaning , the women would sit in a room waiting for their children to finish the lessons , where English , maths and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but inexperienced young people , often just out of university .
The scam allowed Goth and Sadi to generate tax credit and benefit claims , so that the pair could obtain 'wholly unrealistic ' payments to their companies .
A 'deluded fantasist ' , suspicion arose about former solicitor Alan Blacker when he became 'particularly elated ' while appearing as a lawyer in a case .
`` Those were not the actions of a man in excruciating daily pain , '' Judge Paul Lawton told Blacker , who was once scolded by a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of Harry Potter ' .
In January , Minshull Street Crown Court heard that Blacker , 47 , claimed he could barely walk and fell over regularly .
But investigators from the Department for Work and Pensions found that he was walking without support and climbing up stairs without discomfort .
Blacker , from Rochdale , who also goes by the name Lord Harley , was seen helping to build a model railway , completed a first aid training course and was witnessed walking around Rochdale town centre and in a café @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'particularly elated ' during the case at Cardiff Crown Court , prosecutors said he moved 'with ease ' around the court building .
Blacker was found guilty of dishonesty receiving £60,280 in overpayment of disability living allowance after a trial .
He was sentenced to a nine-month prison sentence , suspended for two years .
The judge said he could spare Blacker jail because his claim was initially legitimate , his offending stopped five years ago and he has not committed further crimes , and that the disabilities he does suffer from would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to prison .
Before she was jailed , the judge told Ethel McGill : `` Part of your problem is that nobody , including me , believes that you are ill , and that you have been putting this on for years . ''
'Devious ' McGill had claimed £750,000 in benefits she was n't entitled to after pretending her dead dad was still alive , and having faked that she suffered from dementia .
It is reportedly one of the biggest single benefit fraud cases in UK history to come to court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was jailed for five years and eight months following a hearing at Chester Crown Court .
McGill , 68 , from Runcorn , claimed she had 'severe care needs ' and debilitating illnesses .
But in covert surveillance footage , she was seen shopping , carrying items including wooden shelving and armfuls of boxes around as well as lifting , bending , and moving around without help .
About £500,000 of the fraudulently claimed money came as she continued to collect her father 's war pension and benefits payments , despite his death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ behaviour , with very little remorse , has caught up with you and now you will have to pay the penalty , '' Judge Steven Everett said .
`` With breathtaking dishonesty you decided to use your father 's death to your financial benefit , what a terrible thing to do . ''
She fraudulently claimed £260,000 through a 'complex raft of benefits ' between 2002 and 2013 .
Investigators discovered that she had a partner .
During a police raid on her home , the partner Akhtar claimed she did not have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Crown Prosecution Service said that despite Akhtar claiming she was 'too ill to work ' and had 'poor mobility ' , she was seen out and about with her family and dancing at a wedding .
Akhtar , 50 , of Howgill Crescent , Hathershaw , Oldham , admitted seven counts of fraud against the local authority and the DWP .
In October last year at Manchester Crown Court , she was jailed for two years .
After the hearing , Simon Tunnicliffe , of Mersey Cheshire CPS 's fraud unit , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the DWP to bring Akhtar to justice .
He added : `` This was an extremely complex benefits fraud case that went way beyond the average case .
`` It has taken the CPS and the DWP three years to bring this woman to justice as , shortly after the start of her trial in 2017 , she attempted , at further cost to the taxpayer , to have herself found unfit to stand trial .
`` Earlier this year we brought even more compelling evidence that Ms Akhtar was trying to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that she was fit and well enough to stand trial . ''
Jonathan Lucas and Melissa Ellis lived a 'very nice lifestyle indeed ' on the back of benefit fraud .
They enjoyed expensive holidays to America , Dubai and Portugal .
The couple claimed they were not together , despite having three children and living in the same house , and as a result illegally claimed over £100,000 in benefits .
The family lived in a large four-bedroom house in Huyton , Liverpool , with a Jaguar , a Mercedes and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when investigators arrived .
Ellis claimed benefits on the false basis that she was a single parent .
She would pay housing benefit to Lucas , a self-employed businessman , as her landlord and the property owner .
In addition , Lucas claimed to be living at a property in North Wales , but investigators found it to be frequently booked up as a holiday cottage with paying guests .
Ellis , 34 , pleaded guilty to two counts of making a dishonest representation to obtain benefit and three counts of dishonestly failing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lucas , 38 , pleaded guilty to two counts of encouraging or assisting the commission of an offence .
In January at Liverpool Crown Court , Ellis was jailed for two years and three months , while Lucas was jailed for one year and nine months .
After the hearing , Maqsood Khan of CPS Mersey Cheshire 's Fraud Unit , said : `` Jonathan Lucas and Melissa Ellis are a pair of serial fraudsters who were falsely claiming a variety of benefits while living a very nice lifestyle indeed .
`` The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was that Melissa Ellis was his ‘ on-off girlfriend ’ yet they were clearly living together as man and wife , bringing up their three children and going on expensive foreign holidays together . ''
Arthur Postill fraudulently claimed £36,000 in benefits after failing to inform the authorities of his situation .
Postill , 65 , suffered a 'very unpleasant ' work accident at Wythenshawe Hospital , which affected his ability to work .
His benefit claims were originally legitimate , but by failing to inform the authorities that he had started casual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ received more money than he was entitled to .
From November 2010 to March 2016 , when he was detected following undercover surveillance , Postill claimed more than £17,000 in disability living allowance , more than £6,000 in incapacity benefit , more than £5,000 in employment support allowance , £180 in job seeker 's allowance and more than £6,000 in housing benefit .
After his lawyer pointed out Postill had been 'out of trouble for many many years ' , the judge handed down a six month prison sentence , suspended for two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Altrincham , previously pleaded guilty to six counts of benefit fraud .
Despite claiming she could barely walk and needed help getting out of bed , Collette Udall was found working at a care home , assisting residents with bathing and showering and helping them up the stairs .
As a result , the taxpayer lost £21,316.05 over a six-year period due to Udall 's fraud .
Udall , 52 , told welfare officials she was so severely disabled she needed help getting out of bed and taking a shower or bath @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to walk without falling .
But they began an investigation following a tip-off , and followed the Motability car which she was awarded due to her alleged disabilities .
They discovered that Udall was working at a care home , and as well as helping the residents she was able to clean the kitchen , bathroom and living areas .
She told her employers she had no medical difficulties when she filled out her job application form .
In December at Minshull Street Crown Court , Udall , from Chadderton , Oldham admitted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between December 2013 and 5th February 2019 .
She was ordered to complete a two year community order , and was said to be paying back the money in instalments .

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Don't miss out on the big stories from Manchester's courts with our weekly newsletter
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Don't miss out on the big stories from Manchester's courts with our weekly newsletter
The benefits system is there to protect the most vulnerable people in society.
So when criminals are caught abusing the process for their own gain, their behaviour is often met with a jail sentence by judges.
The M.E.N. has previously reported on cases of benefit fraud which have cost the taxpayer significant amounts of money.
Here are some of the benefit cheats we have exposed.
Mohammed Goth and Feisal Aw-Isse Sadi
(Image: DWP)
It was a scandal that could have cost the taxpayer up to £2 million, a judge said.
Ringleaders Mohamed Goth, 66, and Feisal Aw-Isse Sadi, 43, led a scam in which women pretended to be cleaners at schools in order to claim benefits they weren't entitled to.
The fraud itself is thought to have cost the taxpayer about £1 million, as well as a possible further £1 million in lawyers and translators fees as well as court time.
Goth and Sadi, who ran two schools in Rusholme, were jailed for eight and five years in their absence respectively in February after fleeing the country.
And 21 women from Manchester's Somalian community were also in the dock, following five crown court trials.
Up to 20 'cleaners' were employed at both sites, in a staff size which Judge Anthony Cross QC said would have been more fitting for Manchester town hall, rather than businesses in a 'two up two down' properties.
Despite this, environmental health staff were called out after there was found to be a 'pest infestation' in a kitchen area.
Instead of cleaning, the women would sit in a room waiting for their children to finish the lessons, where English, maths and science were taught by 'well meaning' but inexperienced young people, often just out of university.
The scam allowed Goth and Sadi to generate tax credit and benefit claims, so that the pair could obtain 'wholly unrealistic' payments to their companies.
Alan Blacker
(Image: Heywood Advertiser)
A 'deluded fantasist', suspicion arose about former solicitor Alan Blacker when he became 'particularly elated' while appearing as a lawyer in a case.
"Those were not the actions of a man in excruciating daily pain," Judge Paul Lawton told Blacker, who was once scolded by a crown court judge for dressing 'like something out of Harry Potter'.
In January, Minshull Street Crown Court heard that Blacker, 47, claimed he could barely walk and fell over regularly.
But investigators from the Department for Work and Pensions found that he was walking without support and climbing up stairs without discomfort.
Blacker, from Rochdale, who also goes by the name Lord Harley, was seen helping to build a model railway, completed a first aid training course and was witnessed walking around Rochdale town centre and in a café without support.
As well as appearing 'particularly elated' during the case at Cardiff Crown Court, prosecutors said he moved 'with ease' around the court building.
Blacker was found guilty of dishonesty receiving £60,280 in overpayment of disability living allowance after a trial.
He was sentenced to a nine-month prison sentence, suspended for two years.
The judge said he could spare Blacker jail because his claim was initially legitimate, his offending stopped five years ago and he has not committed further crimes, and that the disabilities he does suffer from would cause him difficulties if he were sent to prison.
Ethel McGill
Before she was jailed, the judge told Ethel McGill: "Part of your problem is that nobody, including me, believes that you are ill, and that you have been putting this on for years."
'Devious' McGill had claimed £750,000 in benefits she wasn't entitled to after pretending her dead dad was still alive, and having faked that she suffered from dementia.
It is reportedly one of the biggest single benefit fraud cases in UK history to come to court.
In July last year, McGill was jailed for five years and eight months following a hearing at Chester Crown Court.
McGill, 68, from Runcorn, claimed she had 'severe care needs' and debilitating illnesses.
But in covert surveillance footage, she was seen shopping, carrying items including wooden shelving and armfuls of boxes around as well as lifting, bending, and moving around without help.
About £500,000 of the fraudulently claimed money came as she continued to collect her father's war pension and benefits payments, despite his death in April 2004.
"Your devious behaviour, with very little remorse, has caught up with you and now you will have to pay the penalty," Judge Steven Everett said.
"With breathtaking dishonesty you decided to use your father's death to your financial benefit, what a terrible thing to do."
Nasreen Akhtar
(Image: PA)
Nasreen Akhtar claimed she was a disabled single parent.
She fraudulently claimed £260,000 through a 'complex raft of benefits' between 2002 and 2013.
Investigators discovered that she had a partner. During a police raid on her home, the partner Akhtar claimed she did not have was found in her bed.
The Crown Prosecution Service said that despite Akhtar claiming she was 'too ill to work' and had 'poor mobility', she was seen out and about with her family and dancing at a wedding.
Akhtar, 50, of Howgill Crescent, Hathershaw, Oldham, admitted seven counts of fraud against the local authority and the DWP.
In October last year at Manchester Crown Court, she was jailed for two years.
After the hearing, Simon Tunnicliffe, of Mersey Cheshire CPS's fraud unit, said it had taken three years for it and the DWP to bring Akhtar to justice.
He added: "This was an extremely complex benefits fraud case that went way beyond the average case.
"It has taken the CPS and the DWP three years to bring this woman to justice as, shortly after the start of her trial in 2017, she attempted, at further cost to the taxpayer, to have herself found unfit to stand trial.
"Earlier this year we brought even more compelling evidence that Ms Akhtar was trying to hoodwink the court and the judge decided that she was fit and well enough to stand trial."
Melissa Ellis and Jonathan Lucas
(Image: CPS)
Jonathan Lucas and Melissa Ellis lived a 'very nice lifestyle indeed' on the back of benefit fraud.
They enjoyed expensive holidays to America, Dubai and Portugal.
The couple claimed they were not together, despite having three children and living in the same house, and as a result illegally claimed over £100,000 in benefits.
The family lived in a large four-bedroom house in Huyton, Liverpool, with a Jaguar, a Mercedes and a Range Rover found parked on the drive when investigators arrived.
Ellis claimed benefits on the false basis that she was a single parent.
She would pay housing benefit to Lucas, a self-employed businessman, as her landlord and the property owner.
In addition, Lucas claimed to be living at a property in North Wales, but investigators found it to be frequently booked up as a holiday cottage with paying guests.
Ellis, 34, pleaded guilty to two counts of making a dishonest representation to obtain benefit and three counts of dishonestly failing to notify a change of circumstances.
Lucas, 38, pleaded guilty to two counts of encouraging or assisting the commission of an offence.
In January at Liverpool Crown Court, Ellis was jailed for two years and three months, while Lucas was jailed for one year and nine months.
After the hearing, Maqsood Khan of CPS Mersey Cheshire's Fraud Unit, said: "Jonathan Lucas and Melissa Ellis are a pair of serial fraudsters who were falsely claiming a variety of benefits while living a very nice lifestyle indeed.
"The most that Jonathan Lucas would admit to was that Melissa Ellis was his ‘on-off girlfriend’ yet they were clearly living together as man and wife, bringing up their three children and going on expensive foreign holidays together."
Arthur Postill
(Image: M.E.N Media)
Arthur Postill fraudulently claimed £36,000 in benefits after failing to inform the authorities of his situation.
Postill, 65, suffered a 'very unpleasant' work accident at Wythenshawe Hospital, which affected his ability to work.
His benefit claims were originally legitimate, but by failing to inform the authorities that he had started casual work with a cleaning company, Postill received more money than he was entitled to.
From November 2010 to March 2016, when he was detected following undercover surveillance, Postill claimed more than £17,000 in disability living allowance, more than £6,000 in incapacity benefit, more than £5,000 in employment support allowance, £180 in job seeker's allowance and more than £6,000 in housing benefit.
After his lawyer pointed out Postill had been 'out of trouble for many many years', the judge handed down a six month prison sentence, suspended for two years.
Postill, of Moss Lane, Altrincham, previously pleaded guilty to six counts of benefit fraud.
Collette Udall
(Image: Collette Udall/ Cavendish Press)
Despite claiming she could barely walk and needed help getting out of bed, Collette Udall was found working at a care home, assisting residents with bathing and showering and helping them up the stairs.
As a result, the taxpayer lost £21,316.05 over a six-year period due to Udall's fraud.
Udall, 52, told welfare officials she was so severely disabled she needed help getting out of bed and taking a shower or bath, and she also claimed she struggled to walk without falling.
But they began an investigation following a tip-off, and followed the Motability car which she was awarded due to her alleged disabilities.
They discovered that Udall was working at a care home, and as well as helping the residents she was able to clean the kitchen, bathroom and living areas.
She told her employers she had no medical difficulties when she filled out her job application form.
In December at Minshull Street Crown Court, Udall, from Chadderton, Oldham admitted failing to notify a change of circumstances between December 2013 and 5th February 2019.
She was ordered to complete a two year community order, and was said to be paying back the money in instalments.