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<\/p>\nPLUS: Feeling blue<\/p>\n
(Image: Ryan Jenkinson | Manchester Evening News)<\/p>\n
Hello<\/p>\n
Does January get a bad rep? Our tourism writer Liv Clarke certainly thinks so.<\/p>\n
OK, the weather<\/a>\u2019s bleak, everyone\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n \u201cI think January deserves a rebrand,\u201d she writes. \u201cAfter all the concept of Blue Monday – the third Monday of the month being \u201cthe most depressing day of the year\u201d – was made up by a travel firm to boost holiday sales. Surely January warrants better PR than this?<\/p>\n Liv Loves January(Image: Liv Clarke)<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m always filled with a sense of optimism when this month comes around, and quite frankly, a feeling of relief. \u201cDecember, with all of its festivities, is a demanding month, whereas January feels like a wave of calm washing over you.\u201d<\/p>\n The key, says Liv refreshingly, is to \u2018lower your expectations\u2019. Don\u2019t expect to start February with a six pack and a whole new outlook on life.<\/p>\n Instead gently ease yourself into the new year. And to help you along the way Liv\u2019s put together her guide on how to not just survive, but thrive in January<\/a>.<\/p>\n ‘Don\u2019t look at my past, look at my f****** present’ Mohammed Imran Ali(Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)<\/p>\n Mohammed Imran Ali is a man with a chequered past. Better known as \u2018Irish Imy\u2019, in 2013 the former drug trafficker was jailed after acting as Dale Cregan\u2019s getaway driver when the notorious cop killer murdered father and son David and Mark Short.<\/p>\n But after being released from jail he\u2019s gone on to work as homelessness volunteer, a community-minded businessman and a boxing gym director. And with his conviction now \u2018spent\u2019 he\u2019s also bidding to step into local politics in his home town of Oldham<\/a>.<\/p>\n In this fascinating interview with local democracy reporter Charlotte Hall<\/a> he reflects on his criminal history and asks not to be judged on his past but on the \u2018f****** present\u2019.<\/p>\n Feeling blue The blue lights shine into nearby homes(Image: Astley Warehouses Action)<\/p>\n We\u2019ve covered the ongoing saga of the giant \u2018cruise liner\u2019 warehouses being built in Tyldesley in Wigan<\/a> a number of times before in this newsletter.<\/p>\n And if living in the shadow of the huge 18.3m buildings wasn\u2019t bad enough, now neighbours are having to put up with a booming pre-recorded security message warning \u2018You are being monitored\u2019 and bright blue LED lights shining directly into their homes both day and night. James Holt reports.<\/a><\/p>\n The decade long fight to \u2018make sure the children of Denton get what they deserve\u2019 Steve Marsland, headteacher at Russell Scott Primary School in Denton(Image: Manchester Evening News)<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Since 2013 his school – Russell Scott primary in Denton<\/a> – 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.<\/p>\n It meant Mr Marsland has been embroiled in a decade-long fight \u2018to make sure the children of Denton get what they deserve\u2019. But, as George Lythgoe reports<\/a>, the end could finally be in sight.<\/p>\n Back to school Sam Heathcote celebrates after the match(Image: Getty Images)<\/p>\n On Saturday Macclesfield<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n 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<\/a>.<\/p>\n “I didn\u2019t expect to be going back in having won!,\u201d he told reporters after the game<\/a>. \u201cIt\u2019ll be really nice, I\u2019ll have a smile on my face for a long time.”<\/p>\n Weather etc<\/p>\n The week ahead:<\/strong> 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<\/a>.<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/2_The-MENs-Liv-Clarke-is-thrilled-that-its-January-for-an-opinion-piece.jpg\")
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