Latest news with #EmmaGill
North Wales Live
17-05-2025
- Automotive
- North Wales Live
'I went to a car boot sale with £20 and found everyone after the same thing'
Car boot season is upon us and for many the urge to burrow out bargains is irresistible. Treasures potentially await in other people's trash - though it's easy to succumb to temptation and buy something you have absolutely no use for. It's been a while since Emma Gill last attended a car boot sale. After setting up a stall to sell her children's toys when they were younger, the early morning wake-up call and haggling over items worth pounds wasn't something she was eager to do again soon. However, one car boot sale near her is thriving and you don't need to rise with the lark to enjoy it. In addition to the usual Sundays, Bolton Car Boot Sale now also operates every Wednesday. It welcomes sellers from 10am and buyers from 11am. Parking costs a pound, or £3 if you want to arrive early. Paying a visit, Emma described what she found, reports the Manchester Evening News. I arrived just after 11am - this time as a customer - at the location outside the Bolton Wanderers stadium in Horwich. The place was already bustling, with rows of sellers and hundreds of shoppers scouting for deals. Having scanned the stalls, I was pretty confident that, whatever you're looking for, you'll find it here. I found a huge range of items on offer, from clothing ("All ladies clothes 50p" one seller announced) to trainers, toys, tools, toilet rolls (£6 for a pack of 36, if you're curious), plants, computer games and everything in between. Wheelchairs were even being sold for a bargain price of £30 each. One young lad seemed thrilled with the tub of mini cars his mum had bought, insisting on carrying the entire box while being pushed in his trolley. It's places like this where you can find the toys your child loves that are sometimes no longer available in shops. Shoppers were out in force, rifling through the various stalls for hidden gems. The main attraction, however, was the "meat man" in his blue Nationwide Meats van. With his sales pitches booming over the microphone, he was serving up a storm . In the busy crowd, one customer scored an amazing deal of "£80 worth of tomahawk steaks" for just £30, plus some complimentary beef. Another bagged an assortment of minty lamb, ribs, and chicken for mere £20. I too succumbed to the "plenty for £20" offer, initially opting for some steaks but then finding myself exchanging £20 for a hefty bag bursting with meat. And so it was that I went home with 770g of peppered steaks, 2.7kg of jumbo sausages, and 3kg of chicken drumsticks. I began questioning my storage capabilities at home. Fortunately, after a bit of reshuffling, everything nestled into the freezer just fine. Laden with my purchase, I headed back to the car, overhearing a woman excitedly relay on her mobile that "the meat man's here". The event conveners had even taken to Facebook to confirm the meat vendor's presence following eager inquiries. "So many people asking", they said. "Yes, yes, the meat man will be here every Wednesday and Sunday." Who would have thought a midweek car boot sale could draw such a crowd? Yet, in the midst of a cost of living crisis, it's perhaps no surprise that folks are jumping at the chance to save a few bob - and snag some bargain bangers in the process! The car boot sale takes place in the stadium car park on Burden Way, adjacent to Middlebrook Retail and Leisure Park. It has been operating on Sundays since 2016, attracting up to 400 sellers each week. The Wednesday car boot sale, launched just four weeks ago, is already drawing up to 200 sellers. On Wednesdays, it costs £10 to sell from any car or van, with sellers setting up from 10am and buyers arriving from 11am. On Sundays, the fee is £14 for a car and £20 for a van, with sellers present from 5.30am and buyers from 7am. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox There's no need to book - just show up. For more information and updates, check out their Facebook page here.
Wales Online
16-05-2025
- Automotive
- Wales Online
'I took £20 to a huge car boot sale and it was clear everyone was buying the same item'
'I took £20 to a huge car boot sale and it was clear everyone was buying the same item' Hundreds of bargain hunters flocked to the car boot sale in search of a good deal, but there was one item that seemed to be on everyone's shopping list I took £20 to a car boot sale (Image: Manchester Family / MEN ) It was 'already heaving' when Emma Gill arrived just after 11am, with rows of sellers and hundreds of bargain hunters in attendance. "There was everything from clothing - 'all ladies clothes 50p' shouted one seller - to trainers, toys, tools, toilet rolls (£6 for a pack of 36 in case you're wondering), plants, computer games and everything in between. Someone was even selling wheelchairs, for a bargain £30 each." She observed one young lad who seemed thrilled with a tub of mini cars his mum had bagged, insisting on carrying the entire box while being pushed in his trolley. For money-saving tips, sign up to our Money newsletter here Another shopper was spotted eagerly sifting through a box of plates, likely in search of a hidden gem that could fetch a tidy sum. Bolton Car Boot Sale at Bolton Wanderers football stadium (Image: Bolton Car Boot Sale ) Emma Gill, parents editor with the Manchester Evening News, was visiting bustling Bolton Car Boot Sale, which takes place on Sundays and Wednesdays, and is typical of many similar events held up and down the country. Article continues below She highlighted 'the meat man' as the star attraction, who pitches up with his sizeable Nationwide Meats truck, evidently enjoying brisk business. People queue for 'the meat man' (Image: Manchester Family / MEN ) "He's quite vocal on the microphone, which is good as you get to hear what deals he's got," she said. "A guy in front of me bought '£80 worth of tomahawk steaks' for £30 and got a roll of beef thrown in for good measure. Another got minty lamb, ribs and chicken for £20. "I ended up with a 'plenty for £20' deal too. After initially asking for just some steaks, before I knew it, I was handing over 20 quid for a bag containing 770g of peppered steaks, 2.7kg of jumbo sausages and 3kg of chicken drumsticks - with no idea where I was going to store it all." The car boot sale was packed (Image: Manchester Family / MEN ) As Emma lugged her hefty bag of meat back to her car, she overheard one woman on the phone informing someone, "the meat man is here". Emma added: "Who knew a midweek car boot sale would be so popular? But in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis, who wouldn't want the chance to save a few quid - and pick up some bargain bangers while they're at it!" My £20 haul from 'the meat man' consisted of 770g of peppered steaks, 2.7kg of jumbo sausages and 3kg of chicken drumsticks (Image: Manchester Family / MEN ) The car boot sale takes place in the stadium car park in Burden Way, conveniently situated next to Middlebrook Retail and Leisure Park. Since its launch in 2016, the Sunday event has expanded to attract up to 400 sellers each week. Article continues below The recently introduced Wednesday car boot sale, which kicked off just four weeks ago, is already pulling in up to 200 sellers.
Daily Record
28-04-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
One supermarket now the 'most expensive' after vowing to match Aldi budget prices
As prices across groceries continue to rise, shopping at Aldi has become increasingly popular. That hasn't stopped other supermarkets from attempting to match the budget grocer's value. One of them is Sainsbury's, as the retailer's CEO Simon Roberts recently vowed to match its prices with that of the budget German grocer by announcing its major £550 million investment to help customers with money . Nevertheless, Emma Gill of the Manchester Evening News has discovered that, despite its promises, Sainsbury's works out as the most expensive retailer for a basket of eight staple groceries, overtaking Tesco which had been the dearest since mid-December. The independent analysis from the reporter found that the supermarket giant, which had once been the fourth cheapest after Asda, Aldi and Lidl, had taken the most expensive crown for a third week running. Looking at prices of essentials such as milk, bread and butter, it was now £13.47 in total, while Tesco came in at £13.30. Lidl remained the cheapest for a second week in a row, coming in at £13.02, while its rival Aldi was the runner-up with a total of £13.07. With prices of certain food items rising in price, the analysis found that there were actually two reductions in prices this month, as Tesco and Sainsbury's bringing down the price of their chicken breasts in line with Aldi and Lidl . As for the meat used in the comparison, the cheapest packs at each supermarket were included, with Aldi, Lidl and Morrisons offering 25 percent fat, while others sell 20 percent fat options that are seen as higher quality. It comes after we reported that Sainsbury's had launched the "biggest ever" Aldi Price match campaign , with over 100 new items matched in price with the budget chain. As of Wednesday, April 28, the supermarket's initiative is said to boast 800 products. It's also worth noting that a number of supermarkets have disagreed with the analysis undertaken by the Manchester Evening news. Aldi says that the list does not take into account the difference in quality, highlighting that its Diplomat Red Label tea Bags and its coffee are "higher quality" than other products used. The supermarket also advised that its tins of beans are higher in quantity compared to others. A spokesperson for Aldi said: 'Our promise to customers is that they will make significant savings every time they shop with Aldi, which is why we've been named Which? Cheapest Supermarket of the Year for four years running." Asda is also said to have disagreed with the analysis, explaining that the small sample used does not reflect the full picture of prices and deals. According to the supermarket, its affordable Just Essentials range is the largest and cheapest available. A Sainsbury's spokesperson said: 'This review of a limited number of products does not reflect the fantastic value our customers will find at Sainsbury's. We are committed to offering the best possible value across a wide variety of products, whether that's through our value Stamford Street range, Low Everyday Prices, Nectar Prices, or our current biggest ever Aldi Price Match offer.'
Daily Mirror
22-04-2025
- Daily Mirror
One of Britain's prettiest villages where visitors really don't want to leave
Thornton-le-Dale, a village sat on the edge of the North York Moors National Park, has charming thatched cottages and a bubbling beck running through it. Visitors love it The UK is home to many picturesque villages, but if you're willing to venture the spots you may not have heard of, there are even more gems to discover. One such place, in North Yorkshire, consistently ranks among the top spots to visit. Nestled on the fringes of the North York Moors National Park, Thornton-le-Dale is a quintessential English village that has won accolades for being the most beautiful in Britain. During my family's recent Easter trip, it was easy to see why this village is so beloved, writes Emma Gill from the Manchester Evening News. Located a few miles east of Pickering, Thornton-le-Dale is renowned for its idyllic beauty, complete with charming thatched cottages and a gently flowing beck. On Easter Monday, the village hosts its annual duck race, where 1,000 rubber ducks are released into the water to raise funds for Christmas lights display. The 17th Century Beck Isle Cottage, tucked away from the main street and adjacent to the beck, is one of Yorkshire's most photographed landmarks, frequently featuring in postcards, posters and calendars. After parking at the main village centre car park in Maltongate, a short walk to the main street, past the verdant duck pond, is a delight in itself. If time permits, there's also a nature trail around the pond. Walking or cycling routes can be accessed directly from the village - with Dalby Forest only a couple of miles away - but our visit was primarily to explore the shops and enjoy some local cuisine. The area is predominantly home to independent traders, giving it a unique feel and even boasts its own Chocolate Factory on the village square where you can purchase handmade treats. Following a visit to the nearby Selbys Antiques and Fine Art showroom and a leisurely walk down the beck, where our dog enjoyed a paddle, we discovered the perfect spot for lunch. Baldersons is a bakery, tearoom and gift shop all in one, with a charming tea garden at the back where dogs are welcome too. This family-owned business began as a bakery in Ampleforth in 1895 and has been passed down through generations, with traditional family recipes for cakes, breads and pastries still thriving. The menu is quite diverse so we had no trouble deciding what to order - we chose a variety of paninis, chicken and salad, along with fresh milkshakes and refreshing Fentiman's Victorian Lemonade. We decided to skip desserts at the cafe and instead headed to the Baldersons Ice Cream Parlour next door, which offers a plethora of flavours, from coconut and lemon cheesecake to bubblegum and Turkish delight. The location isn't overrun with shops, which was just how we liked it, but there's enough to keep the entire family entertained for several hours, especially if the weather permits some fun in the stream. We were staying in the area, rather than a day trip, and it's around two hours from Manchester. But it's one of those places that's so beautiful, we really didn't want to leave.
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Yahoo
The Mancunian Way: April sunshine
The sun is out, in Manchester, on a Friday. So we can expect all carnage to break loose in the city's beer gardens tonight as vitamin D-hungry Mancs clamour for a sunny pint. Nevermind that it only feels like 14C - we'll make it work. Our city is full of fantastic watering holes with access to the great outdoors, from Castlefield's The Wharf to the boozers of Stevenson Square and the Oast House in Spinningfields. But if you prefer something a little more old-fashioned, our tourism writer Liv Clarke has just the place. Tucked away from the hustle and bustle of Deansgate, the White Lion is located on Liverpool Road, just a few strides away from Mamucium Roman Fort in Castlefield. READ MORE: Attempted murder arrest as police descend on residential street after stabbing READ MORE: LIVE as Swinton police station taped off after man seriously hurt She describes the pub as 'cosy' and 'traditional' (tick, tick), with an 'extensive' garden to boot. And what's more, the words 'drinks' and 'affordable' are even in the same sentence. Really, what more could you ask for? You can read more about the pub with a view of the oldest part of the city here. Looking ahead to next week, it's Easter holiday season and we're expecting to be blessed with sunshine for at least a few more days. Keeping the kids entertained for two whole weeks can be a challenge, but our parents editor Emma Gill says there's loads to do over the Easter break this year. There are plenty of easter egg hunts to join, including trails at the likes of Heaton Park and RHS Bridgewater. Elsewhere, you could spend a day out at a huge inflatable theme park (I'm pretty tempted by this one to be honest), or making mini books at the People's History Museum. You can read Emma's full list bursting with things to do over Easter here. The sunny weather is set to last all weekend, so it's the perfect opportunity to get in that long walk you've always wanted to do. But if you're fresh out of ideas, never fear - Liv has come in clutch with this week's suggestion. It's a Victorian park with play areas for kids, a pond with a rockery, and a lovely little pavilion. It even boasts its own ice cream parlour for the sweet-toothed of us, with classic flavours from raspberry ripple and rum & raisin, to more adventurous options like Jaffa Cake and Cartmel Sticky Toffee Pudding on offer. You can read more here. Big changes are afoot at Greater Manchester's shopping paradise the Trafford Centre. In an announcement made today, Trafford Centre bosses have confirmed a major leasing deal with Inditex, the fashion giant that owns hit brands Zara and Pull&Bear. They are to take over the large site near John Lewis left vacant ever since M&S moved to its new megastore location at Regent Crescent. The current Zara and Pull&Bear stores already in the Trafford Centre are set to relocate to larger flagship stores in the new location, and the region will get its very first Bershka. You can read more here. Prestwich's rise to trendy status has been covered extensively over the last few years. But the town's ascendancy could be about to reach new heights with the appointment of a building contractor. Vinci, who have been handed the contract, are the firm behind a massive 10 year project to deliver the regeneration of the New Covent Garden Market site in central London. The wider project is being delivered by Prestwich Regeneration LLP, a joint venture between developer Muse and Bury Council They said the plans will 'overhaul the dated Longfield Centre site, revitalising Prestwich Village with shops, community facilities, public green spaces and much-needed new homes'. You can read more here. Every year as the weather heats up, moor fires become a sadly familiar story. Over the last few weeks, firefighters have been dealing with a number of moor blazes in Greater Manchester and its neighbouring areas including Stalybridge and Littleborough. Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, Stalybridge and Hyde station manager Martin Cain explained why wildfires are common this time of year. "People think that because it's rained, the moors are wet, and yes, underneath it is, but across the top it's very, very dry,' he said. "If it rains now, within half an hour the grass will be bone dry again because of the wind. People coming up with barbecues or naked flames is what is starting these fires. "They don't realise the danger of how embers of the barbecue will get blown and set fire to the moors on a sunny day. If you're coming to the moors, come and enjoy them, but do it without the flame. Come and enjoy it safely." You can read more here. Marcin Majerkiewicz, 42, was jailed for life last week after killing Stuart Everett by hacking him with a hammer before cutting him up and spreading his body across parks in Greater Manchester. Only around a third of Mr Everett's body has been found. James Holt and Lee Grimsditch sat down with Mr Everett's brother Richard Ziemacki, who spoke of his heartache over the tragic murder of his brother. You can read the piece here.
