Latest news with #HelenPowell
BBC News
18-06-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Manchester City fan 'would be devastated to lose season ticket'
A lifelong Manchester City fan said she would be "devastated" to lose her season ticket due to changes being introduced by the football August, season tickets must be used for at least 16 of City's 19 Premier League home games. The ticket holder must attend 10 or more of these fixtures in Powell, from Todmorden in West Yorkshire, is backing a campaign by supporters' group Trade Union Blues to have the policy scrapped.A Manchester City spokesperson said the club would work with fans to come up with appropriate adjustments, adding that supporters could apply for an exemption. Trade Union Blues has written to the club via law firm Leigh Day, arguing the policy could be seen as discriminatory and has requested a meeting with club Powell said she could have lost her season ticket had the new policy been introduced when she was pregnant last year. She said she was also worried about the forthcoming season, given that her husband is a shift worker and they have a young baby."I just don't think [the policy] fits in the modern world," said Mrs Powell, who has had a season ticket at Etihad Stadium for 12 years."At any point during a weekend, a game could be moved and you're expected to be able to bend to that."People on shift work, people who are carers, people who can't drop plans at the drop of a hat... we're the ones that feel like we're being punished by the club."She spoke of how important supporting City was to her."When everything's crazy, when everything's changing around you, even becoming a mother, it's that one thing I know - I can go to the game, I can see my mates, watch some football," she said. "It shouldn't be this hard and it feels like [the club is] pushing us further and further away." Trade Union Blues argued Manchester City's new policy would penalise supporters who could not attend matches because of protected characteristics such as being disabled, pregnant or claimed this would potentially be in breach of the 2010 Equality Act. Additionally, the group said the move would be unfair on those who have caring responsibilities, religious or cultural obligations, or who work shifts. A Manchester City spokesperson said: "We understand some supporters may find it difficult to attend 10 matches in person."We encourage everyone to see how things go for the first few months of the next season, but if you find yourself missing matches or facing challenging circumstances, the access team are on hand to help."They will work with you to try to come up with adjustments."You can also apply an exemption where necessary." Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
BBC News
27-01-2025
- General
- BBC News
Stoke Lodge: High court trial to settle 15-year playing field row
A high court trial set to resolve a 15-year row between a school and campaigners over access to a playing field has School in Bristol is challenging a decision by the city council to grant village green status to 23 acres of land known as Stoke school, which leases the land from the council, erected a 6ft (2m) high fence around the area in 2019 to safeguard pupils, but residents argued it deprived them of green space.A school spokesperson said they were confident in their case. Helen Powell, from We Love Stoke Lodge campaign group, said she hoped they would be able to "make sure the land stays open for generations to come".In June 2023, the council voted to protect Stoke Lodge for public use, meaning it cannot be fenced off to the School, which was granted a 125-year lease on the land in 2011, said the decision would impact its ability to conduct sport lessons. "We will be arguing that Ofsted and the Department for Education are very clear that you don't need perimeter fences," Ms Powell continued."Schools up and down the country do PE in public parks, there is no reason for Cotham to fence us out."In a statement, Cotham School told the BBC: "We are confident in our case, however since legal proceedings are now live and the decision is in the hands of the courts, it would be inappropriate to comment at this time."The trial should last about five days, but a final ruling is not expected until later in the year.
