PLUS: Feeling blue

(Image: Ryan Jenkinson | Manchester Evening News)

Hello

Does January get a bad rep? Our tourism writer Liv Clarke certainly thinks so.

OK, the weather’s bleak, everyone’s skint, off the booze or on a diet and it starts getting dark at 4pm. But for Liv that means the first month of the year is an opportunity to take a breather and just slow down a bit.

“I think January deserves a rebrand,” she writes. “After all the concept of Blue Monday – the third Monday of the month being “the most depressing day of the year” – was made up by a travel firm to boost holiday sales. Surely January warrants better PR than this?

Liv Loves January(Image: Liv Clarke)

“I’m always filled with a sense of optimism when this month comes around, and quite frankly, a feeling of relief. “December, with all of its festivities, is a demanding month, whereas January feels like a wave of calm washing over you.”

The key, says Liv refreshingly, is to ‘lower your expectations’. Don’t expect to start February with a six pack and a whole new outlook on life.

Instead gently ease yourself into the new year. And to help you along the way Liv’s put together her guide on how to not just survive, but thrive in January.

‘Don’t look at my past, look at my f****** present’

Mohammed Imran Ali(Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)

Mohammed Imran Ali is a man with a chequered past. Better known as ‘Irish Imy’, in 2013 the former drug trafficker was jailed after acting as Dale Cregan’s getaway driver when the notorious cop killer murdered father and son David and Mark Short.

But after being released from jail he’s gone on to work as homelessness volunteer, a community-minded businessman and a boxing gym director. And with his conviction now ‘spent’ he’s also bidding to step into local politics in his home town of Oldham.

In this fascinating interview with local democracy reporter Charlotte Hall he reflects on his criminal history and asks not to be judged on his past but on the ‘f****** present’.

Feeling blue

The blue lights shine into nearby homes(Image: Astley Warehouses Action)

We’ve covered the ongoing saga of the giant ‘cruise liner’ warehouses being built in Tyldesley in Wigan a number of times before in this newsletter.

And if living in the shadow of the huge 18.3m buildings wasn’t bad enough, now neighbours are having to put up with a booming pre-recorded security message warning ‘You are being monitored’ and bright blue LED lights shining directly into their homes both day and night. James Holt reports.

The decade long fight to ‘make sure the children of Denton get what they deserve’

Steve Marsland, headteacher at Russell Scott Primary School in Denton(Image: Manchester Evening News)

Steve Marsland is almost 70 and looking forward to retirement. But before he calls it a day the tireless headteacher has one last job to do.

Since 2013 his school – Russell Scott primary in Denton – has been plagued by all manner of problems, including flooding and sewage and gas leaks, caused by a disastrous multi-million refurb carried out by construction giant Carillion. But the firm went bust in 2018, meaning there was no-one to pick up the bill for the multitude of structural problems.

It meant Mr Marsland has been embroiled in a decade-long fight ‘to make sure the children of Denton get what they deserve’. But, as George Lythgoe reports, the end could finally be in sight.

Back to school

Sam Heathcote celebrates after the match(Image: Getty Images)

On Saturday Macclesfield Town defender Sam Heathcote was helping his team pull off the greatest shock in FA Cup history, as the non-league side dumped holders Crystal Palace out of the competition in a day for the ages at Moss Rose.

But this morning, in a classic bit of FA Cup romance, the 28-year-old was back at his day job teaching the youngsters tat Stamford Park primary school in Altrincham.

“I didn’t expect to be going back in having won!,” he told reporters after the game. “It’ll be really nice, I’ll have a smile on my face for a long time.”

Weather etc

The week ahead: It will feel warmer in Greater Manchester this week as the freezing snap comes to an end – though rainy and blustery conditions are expected. You can get the full forecast here.

Roadworks: One lane closed is due to water main work on the A6 Buxton Road in Stockport, northbound at the Bamford Arms traffic lights. Expect delays.