Manchester welcomes UK's bid to host the FIFA Women's World Cup 2035
Manchester welcomes UK's bid to host the FIFA Women's World Cup 2035 which could see matches played in city.
Manchester has welcomed the submission of the UK's bid to host the FIFA Women's World Cup 2035 which could see tournament matches played here in the city at the Etihad Stadium.
The city has been officially confirmed as one of the proposed host cities for the tournament, which would be the first FIFA World Cup to be hosted in the country since 1966 and the largest single-sport event ever staged in the UK.
If the bid is successful, the tournament would bring hundreds of thousands of football fans and visitors to Manchester from around the world - also providing a massive economic boost to the city, with hotels, hospitality, the retail sector and more all set to benefit.
Alongside a commitment to deliver the most inclusive, inspiring, and globally connected FIFA Women's World Cup ever, the tournament would also provide unrivalled opportunities to ensure a meaningful and lasting legacy both nationally and locally - growing the women's game, uniting communities, and proving that football is a sport for everyone.
Manchester Central Foodbank Christmas fundraising appeal
Christmas fundraising appeal with a renewed hope that you will support your local foodbank this winter.
This winter is going to be incredibly tough for many in our Manchester community. Colder weather and children having time off school will leave lots of our friends and neighbours facing higher bills and food costs. For many, they will face the impossible choice between heating and eating.
2025 has been one of the busiest years on record for Manchester Central Foodbank. We have supported over 14,000 people in our city who are struggling to afford the essentials, providing emergency food parcels for those in times of crisis. Heartbreakingly, thousands of these people are children and young people - nearly 6,000 of the people we’ve worked with in 2025 are under 18. Parents are finding it more and more difficult to make ends meet and provide the essentials for their children.
Foodbanks like ours have stepped up to provide food parcels to those in need but our circumstances are getting harder and harder. Our costs are rising and donations are falling - most months we purchase more than half of the food we give out.
We are launching our Christmas fundraising appeal with a renewed hope that you will support your local foodbank this winter, and you can do so in just two minutes.
We’re asking that you text XMASMCR to 70085 to donate £5 to our foodbank in the run-up to Christmas. That’s less than the price of a glass of mulled wine, and will help buy essential food and hygiene products for people in our community.
If you feel able to donate more, you can add a number to the end of your message to donate more - ‘XMASMCR10’ to donate £10 or ‘XMASMCR25’ to donate £25.
Your generosity would help us continue to provide the food parcels which are vital for people in the city this winter and into 2026.
Please share this message with friends and family, and we hope you choose to support your local foodbank this month.
Text XMASMCR to 70085 to donate £5 to families in need.
Thank you for your support during what will be a difficult winter in Manchester.
Greenbank Preparatory School New Annual Event
Greenbank Preparatory School and Day Nursery in Cheadle Hulme Lights Up the Community With New Annual Event
by Greenbank Preparatory School and Day Nursery, Cheadle Hulme
When Silk 106.9 presenter Dave Chipman (aka “Disco Dave”) stepped into his new role as Operations Manager at Greenbank Preparatory School and Day Nursery, no one could have predicted that a lighthearted remark, “Wouldn’t it be fun to do a Christmas-lights switch on?”, would spark something so special. What began as a passing idea quickly became a labour of love when the site and admin team seized the moment… and didn’t look back.
At the beginning of December, families, friends and neighbours gathered for Greenbank’s first-ever Christmas Lights Switch-On, an evening marked by laughter, music from Disco Dave, carol-singing pupils, a surprise visit from Father Christmas, and the simple pleasures of mince pies, mulled wine and glow-sticks. As the crowd counted down together, the school grounds were bathed in a festive glow that can only be described as magical.
Headteacher Mr Malcolm Johnson reflected, “After the excellent outcome of our recent inspection, we felt this was the perfect time to celebrate our community and show what Greenbank is all about.” The fact that this celebration originated from a spontaneous suggestion by Dave, now part of the school team, gives the event an even more personal, community-led feel.
Thanks to the enthusiasm of staff, pupils and parents, the Lights Switch-On is now officially part of Greenbank’s calendar for years to come. With strong inspection results behind us and community spirit shining bright, the school enters the new year with confidence… and a brand-new tradition.
Community Cafe in Didsbury Park
Based in Didsbury Park, the Didsbury Pavilion Cafe is a warm and welcoming destination that serves the local community and visitors to Didsbury.
by Didsbury Good Neighbours
Based in Didsbury Park, the Didsbury Pavilion Cafe is a warm and welcoming destination that serves the local community and visitors to Didsbury. But did you also know that when it was established back in November 2017 its main purpose was to support the local charity Didsbury Good Neighbours (DGN)?
With over 12,000 visitors a year, our community cafe offers a friendly welcome to the community of Didsbury and beyond. Our cafe is child and dog friendly and is open seven days a week from 9am. We serve a wide selection of hot and cold drinks, freshly prepared seasonal hot and cold food and snacks. We are a small and friendly team who are supported by volunteers from the local community. If you have not been to the Didsbury Pavilion Cafe, come along and say hello, try our new winter menu and help us support Didsbury Good Neighbours - any surplus from the cafe goes to support the work of DGN. For more information about the Didsbury Pavilion Cafe or Didsbury Good Neighbours, visit our websites.
When visiting the pavilion cafe, why not call in to Didsbury Good Neighbours to find out more about what they do.