I am delighted that the rights have been found. I hope his work is widely read and discussed and that he receives the critical recognition he deserved during his lifetime.” Greater Manchester leaders have written to the government calling for an "urgent rethink" of HS2’s Manchester plans. They say the proposal to build a cheaper overground station at Manchester Piccadilly is the wrong solution and could "damage the North for generations”. Andy Burnham said: “This is a huge moment and the decisions that are made now will affect the prospects for people here in the North for hundreds of years to come. A second-class choice for HS2 at Manchester Piccadilly station will be a hammer blow to any prospects of really Levelling Up our country." Our forecast comes from local weather man Martin Miles, who says we can expect a heatwave this week with “a toasty 32°c very possible”.

1900-1983), socialist and novelist Papers of Jack Hilton (1900-1983), socialist and novelist

This witty and unusual book may be described as an autobiography without narrative. Mr Hilton lets us know, briefly and in passing, that he is a cotton operative who has been in and out of work for years past, that he served in France during the latter part of the war, and that he has also been on the road, been in prison, etc etc; but he wastes little time in explanations and none in description. In effect his book is a series of comments on life as it appears when one’s income is two pounds a week or less. Here, for instance, is Mr Hilton’s account of his own marriage:From a childhood of poverty, yet joy and freedom, to the punishing grind of factory life and the idiocy of being sent blindly into war, Caliban Shrieks’ narrator takes readers on a lyrical tour of life as a young man born into the first days of the 20th century. Half-time system, how many bow legs have you made? little puny legs shuffling along up hill at early morn, then bearing a doffing box plus a tired body. No wonder the comedians of the day made the Lancashire lad a skit; still it was a tragic one. What a price to pay for prestige; cotton the world and ruin the child! And the fallout from the local elections continues with news in The Star that local Labour councillors fear being purged after Labour HQ took control of selections for 10 key positions. Jobs members are being required to reply for include council leader, deputy leader, chief whip, group chair, secretary and treasurer, as well as committee chairmanships held by Labour members. Some councillors plan to protest by not applying or resigning, they say. Hilton did eventually come home to Rochdale, and was able to find steady but varied work — until the Great Depression hit. One of millions forced onto the dole, he used the time to read and some of his mates did the same. This small band of semi-illiterate twenty-somethings came together to read about the world, about the crisis, about the official reasons for their hunger, about the cobbled-together solutions of the day’s top politician. Hilton read Marx, he read Shakespeare. They all did. It’s hard to imagine a private school which could have imparted a better knowledge of the classics than that which this bunch of working men in Rochdale gave themselves, while on the dole, in these bleak years.

BBC Forgotten Jack Hilton book to be republished after - BBC

It seemed there was little hope – Hilton was married twice but had no children and his closest relative moved to Australia and had long since died. Sexual offences in Bolton have reached their highest levels on record . The ONS found 1,104 sexual offences were recorded in the year up to March, up from 810 the year before. Bolton South MP Yasmin Qureshi, who we profiled early this year , said the findings were the "most concerning" part of the ONS's report. The rise could be down to two things: a genuine rise in offences, or more people being prepared to report cases to GMP than in previous years. OT Creative Space in Old Trafford has a ‘Twilight Art Class’. It’s a 6-week art course, and no experience is needed. You’ll learn how to create art with charcoal, pastels, and watercolours. Starts 6.15pm. Info here . Chippy Tuesday at Levenshulme veggie and vegan bistro The Gherkin gives you a free chip butty with every drink. Don’t miss out. Info here .

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At the weekend, we published an insightful essay by Mollie about the sacrifices that football demands of young women in Manchester. Mollie spoke to young women who had been considered exciting footballing stars as teenagers, only to drop out of the game prematurely, including Liv, who played for Manchester City Juniors: But despite his talents, Hilton disappeared into obscurity due to a reluctance of big publishers to believe his subject matter had an audience. Another great article (‘ What football asks of young women ’), which I really enjoyed, not just because I was a women’s football chairman for 25 years, but also because it does capture the conflicts and clashes off the field, as well as on it. Bill Z-Arts in Hulme has an interactive exhibition, called Fairytales. It’s a world of play and storytelling for little ones and their grownups. Dates throughout the week, but typically open from 10am. Book here .