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England vs Sri Lanka: Pope survives scares to reach 150 in third Test

Stand-in captain Ollie Pope posted his seventh Test century to put England in command in the third Test against Sri Lanka – but survived an umpire review by a fraction on 139 and was almost bowled out shortly afterwards at The Oval.

Deputising for the injured Ben Stokes, Pope continued the emphatic return to form he had found on Friday by reaching 144 not out off 142 deliveries.

The Surrey batter appeared to have been dismissed by Vishwa Fernando’s second ball of the day, only for an umpire review to show the ball had pitched narrowly outside leg stump.

“When Ollie Pope went upstairs for the review, I think he was just hoping,” former England captain Michael Vaughan told BBC Test Match Special. “The umpire just giggled when he saw the replay.”

With England on 283-4, Vishwa Fernando then found Pope’s inside edge with a ball which missed leg stump by millimetres as the 26-year-old struck his 19th four of the innings.

Ollie Pope stats

Pope has by far the highest first-class average at one ground for an English player to have played 30 or more international matches.

His average of 84.52 at Surrey is almost 15 more than Mark Ramprakash managed at The Oval.

KS Ranjitsinhji, who played for England between 1896 and 1902, is the next-highest with 66.11 at Hove, followed by Jonny Bairstow, on 51.93 at Headingley.

Pope is the first batter in history to score his first seven Test hundreds against different opposition.

The highest of those was 205 against Ireland, while he scored 196 against India and also enjoyed centuries against South Africa, Pakistan, the West Indies and New Zealand.

England vs Sri Lanka score

Pope went on to bring up his third Test 150, raising his bat after making the total from 151 balls.

Chris Woakes was then caught by Milan Rathnayake off Dhananjaya de Silva’s delivery with England on 299-6.

Scotland vs Australia: Inglis hits record-breaking T20I century

Josh Inglis smashed the fastest century in his country’s T20 International history as the visitors chased an unassailable 2-0 lead in the Scotland vs Australia series in Edinburgh on Friday.

Wicketkeeper batter Inglis reached the total off 43 deliveries – four balls quicker than the record set by Aaron Finch in 2013 and equalled by Inglis during his only previous T20I century, against India in November 2023.

The 29-year-old passed 100 with two sixes against Scotland before being caught by Richie Berrington off Chris Sole’s delivery for 103.

Australia set the hosts a target of 197 to restore parity, having won the opener between the sides by seven wickets.

Josh Inglis stats

Inglis’ landmark inflicted more pain on Scotland a day after Travis Head had set the record for the fastest 50, requiring only 17 balls.

Leeds-born Inglis reached 50 in 20 balls during his spectacular innings in overcast conditions at The Grange Club.

Scotland were also on the receiving end of Australia’s third-fastest T20I 50 at the same setting in July 2022.

On that occasion, Michael Bracewell profited from a dropped catch by Berrington to reach his half-century off 22 balls.

Bracewell finished unbeaten on 61 as Australia thrashed Scotland by 102 runs, although they failed to reach the knockout stage of the World Cup on home soil later that year.

Scotland vs Australia score

Australia’s commanding position improved as Scotland lost their first three wickets for 44 runs.

Michael Jones lasted three balls before being caught by Inglis for one, while Berrington made five and George Munsey hit 19 off nine balls each to leave their side in a precarious position after 5.5 overs.

When to Bring in a Copywriter: Signs Your Brand Could Benefit from Professional Help

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Effective copy can make or break a brand. Whether it’s website content, social media posts, or email marketing, the words you use represent your brand’s voice, values, and promise to customers. Despite this, many businesses overlook the value of professional copywriting, believing they can handle it themselves or delegate it to in-house staff who may not have the right expertise. This can lead to missed opportunities, weak messaging, and an inability to connect with the audience.

So, how do you know if it’s time to bring in a copywriting expert? Here are six signs that indicate your brand could benefit from the skills of a professional copywriter.

1. You’re Struggling to Connect with Your Target Audience

Connecting with your audience is essential for any brand’s success. If your messaging is unclear, uninspired, or not resonating with the people you want to reach, it’s time to reconsider your approach. Low engagement rates, poor feedback, or a general sense that your marketing isn’t hitting the mark are clear indicators that your copy isn’t effective.

Clear, engaging copy serves as a bridge between your brand and your ideal customer. A professional copywriter knows how to craft targeted messages that speak directly to your audience’s pain points, desires, and needs. By understanding both your brand and your customer, a copywriter can ensure your content is engaging and relatable. As copywriting expert Ed Prichard says, “Good copy doesn’t just talk to people—it understands them and makes them feel understood.”

2. Your Website Isn’t Converting Visitors into Customers

Your website is one of your most valuable marketing tools, but even with good traffic, if it’s not converting visitors into customers, something needs to change. High bounce rates, low click-through rates, and few leads or sales are all red flags that your website content isn’t doing its job.

Persuasive, well-written copy can transform a visitor’s experience and encourage them to take action. Whether it’s simplifying the language on your landing pages, making calls-to-action more compelling, or crafting product descriptions that highlight the real value, a copywriter can optimise your website’s content for both conversions and search engine optimization (SEO). When your copy speaks to your audience and addresses their needs, it increases the likelihood that they’ll engage with your brand.

3. You Don’t Have Time to Produce Consistent Content

Content creation is time-consuming, and for many businesses, keeping up with a consistent content schedule can be a challenge. From blogs and newsletters to social media posts and product descriptions, the demand for fresh, relevant content never ends. Unfortunately, sporadic or infrequent content can harm your brand’s visibility and authority.

Hiring a copywriter can ensure you maintain a steady flow of high-quality content that reflects your brand’s goals and values. A professional copywriter can keep your content calendar full, allowing you to focus on other aspects of your business while maintaining a consistent online presence. Regularly published content not only engages your audience but also helps improve your search engine ranking.

4. Your Brand Voice is Inconsistent or Undefined

Your brand voice is the personality behind your brand, and it’s crucial for building trust and recognition with your audience. If your messaging is inconsistent—using a formal tone in one instance and an informal one in another—it can confuse potential customers and dilute your brand identity.

A copywriter can help you define and develop a consistent brand voice that aligns with your company’s values and resonates with your target audience. Whether you want to project professionalism, approachability, or innovation, a skilled copywriter can ensure that your messaging remains cohesive across all platforms. Consistency builds familiarity, and familiarity builds trust.

5. You’re Struggling to Rank in Search Engines

SEO is critical for driving organic traffic to your website. If your content isn’t optimised for search engines, it’s likely that potential customers are having trouble finding you. Poor keyword usage, weak meta descriptions, and lack of structure can all hurt your rankings and visibility.

An experienced copywriter with knowledge of SEO can craft content that not only appeals to your audience but also performs well in search results. They can strategically incorporate keywords, write compelling meta descriptions, and organise content in a way that improves readability and search engine ranking. Importantly, good copywriters know how to balance SEO with user experience, ensuring that your content is both optimised and engaging.

6. You Need Fresh Ideas to Keep Your Content Relevant

Keeping content fresh and relevant is crucial to maintaining audience interest and engagement. If you’re noticing a decline in engagement or feel like your content is becoming repetitive, it’s a sign that you need a creative refresh.

A professional copywriter can bring new perspectives, innovative ideas, and the latest trends to your content strategy. They can help diversify your content, suggest new topics, and ensure that your messaging stays current and engaging. Fresh content not only keeps your audience interested but also improves your brand’s credibility and authority in your industry.

Take the Next Step Toward Stronger Branding with a Copywriter

If any of these signs sound familiar, it may be time to consider hiring a copywriter to support your brand. From crafting compelling messages that resonate with your audience to optimising your content for search engines and consistency, a professional copywriter can help elevate your brand and drive better results.

As Ed Prichard wisely put it, “Copywriting is about more than just words—it’s about connecting with people on a deeper level, building trust, and driving action.” A skilled copywriter brings clarity, creativity, and strategy to your brand’s messaging, helping you stand out in a crowded market.

Now is the time to assess your content strategy. If your brand could benefit from a fresh perspective, engaging messaging, or more consistent content, hiring a copywriter might be the solution you’ve been looking for. A strong brand voice and effective copy are powerful tools that can take your business to the next level.

Five things to do following a construction site accident

Construction sites are certainly one of the most dangerous workplaces in the world. Even with strict health and safety regulations in place, accidents still happen, often resulting in life-changing consequences.

If you have been unfortunate enough to be in a construction site accident, it’s important to know how to protect yourself in terms of your health, your rights, and your ability to make construction accident claims.

In this blog post, we will look at the top five things to do following a construction site accident to make sure you’re in the best position to recover medically and pursue any legal options.

1. Prioritise health and safety

Your first priority following a construction site accident is to make sure that you are safe and seek medical treatment as soon as possible. Even if your injury seems minor, seeking medical treatment is crucial. This is especially important if you have suffered any injury that may not be visible such as internal injuries or head injuries as the damage may not be immediately apparent and could worsen if left untreated.

After any injury you experience, it is very important to seek medical help, not only for your health, but to also ensure that you obtain documentation of your injuries for evidence if you decide to file for construction site injury compensation.

Medical professionals will document your injuries, the severity, and create a treatment plan. All of this information is crucial when seeking compensation for your medical costs, time missed off work due to rehabilitation, and any other expenses relating to your injuries. If you have suffered a more severe injury such as a fall from height, and you are able to do so, call emergency services immediately.

2. Report the accident to your employer

Once your medical needs have been addressed, the next step is to report the injury to your employer and/or site manager. By law, all construction sites are required to have an accident report book that documents all workplace accidents and injuries.

When you report your accident in the report book, you should provide as much detail as possible including the time, date, location, how the incident occurred and any witnesses. Make sure to include any other factors that may have caused the incident such as damaged equipment and unsafe work conditions.

Your employer, under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, has a duty to take steps to protect your health and safety. Reporting your workplace incident to your employer triggers their legal obligation to fully investigate the circumstances of the accident and act accordingly.

3. Gather evidence

As mentioned earlier in this post, it is crucial that you gather as much evidence as possible if you are considering making a claim for compensation for your injuries. The more evidence you can gather, the easier it will be to prove that your accident took place and was a result of negligence or noncompliance with health and safety regulations.

Examples of useful evidence are:
Photographs: Take clear photos of the scene where the accident took place, any equipment involved and the surrounding area. Make sure to photograph anything that directly relates to the accident for example, broken scaffolding, uneven surfaces or a lack of PPE.

Witness statements:  Collect the names and contact details of any witnesses to your accident. These statements will support the events of your incident and help establish how the accident occurred and who’s at fault.

Accident report book: Ensure that you have reported your accident in your workplace accident report book and that all information is completely accurate.

Medical records: Keep a record of any medical appointments, consultations, diagnosis and treatment. These documents will help assist you in proving that you had to seek medical treatment for your injuries, timeframe on recovery time, and loss of earnings due to being unable to work if this is the case.

4. Understand your legal rights

After you have been involved in a construction site accident, it is important to understand your legal rights, especially if the accident wasn’t your fault. If you have suffered due to an injury at work that wasn’t your fault, you may be able to claim compensation.

UK law requires employers to protect their employees from harm by following strict health and safety guidelines. When these guidelines aren’t met, this is where workplace accidents can occur and where your employer can be held accountable.

To file a successful compensation claim, you need to prove that:
● Your employer had a duty of care
● This duty of care was breached
● The breach caused the accident and your resulting injuries

Working with a qualified personal injury solicitor can help you navigate this process and maximise your chances of receiving the compensation you deserve.

5. Contact a personal injury solicitor in Manchester

When you are considering legal action, it is crucial to seek professional advice from a
personal injury solicitor with proven experience in construction accident claims. An
experienced solicitor will be able to assess your case, explain your rights, and guide you through the process of seeking compensation for your accident injuries.

Many solicitors operate on a no win, no fee basis, meaning that you will not have to pay legal fees unless your claim is successful, in which case, the solicitor will take a percentage of the final settlement. This arrangement helps employers seek compensation for their injuries without the added pressure of paying for this upfront.

Once you have spoken to a personal injury solicitor in Manchester, they will then help you gather evidence, file the necessary paperwork, and negotiate with insurance companies and/or your employer on your behalf. They will ensure that all of your financial losses related to your injuries will be considered in your claim ensuring you get fair compensation for the impact the injury has had on your life.

Conclusion

Accidents on construction sites are unfortunately very common, and can sometimes be life-changing. If you’ve been injured in a construction accident, taking immediate action can protect your health, your legal rights, and your financial future.

By following the steps outlined above, prioritising your health, reporting the accident, gathering evidence, understanding your rights, and contacting a personal injury solicitor in Manchester, you’ll be well positioned to recover from your injuries both medically and financially.

New gardening project set to bloom in Manchester

Manchester residents have celebrated the launch of two new community gardening projects in West Gorton and Wythenshawe.

Friends of the Earth and The Co-operative Bank have been working with local delivery partners, Groundwork and Sow the City, to bring nature back into Manchester communities.

The launch event on Wednesday introduced two new ‘postcode gardeners’ – Wardeh Al Nasir and Catherine Clarke – to West Gorton and Wythenshawe respectively, to work with people to encourage nature back into the area and support the community and wildlife to thrive.

The new roles have been secured as part of a nationwide scheme which seeks to rejuvenate 1,000 neglected spaces across the country and bring communities with little access to nature closer to the health and wellbeing benefits provided by access to green spaces.

The University of Manchester will monitor the progress and benefits for local communities in West Gorton.

Research from Friends of the Earth shows that one in five people in England live in nature-deprived areas, including a staggering 1.6 million children under the age of 12.

Moreover, people of colour are disproportionately affected by nature loss, and are nearly three times more likely to live in areas with limited access to green or wild spaces. Both Wythenshawe and West Gorton were identified as areas where the community would greatly benefit from a greener environment.

Wardeh Al Nasir, postcode gardener for West Gorton, said: “I’m so proud to be taking on this role at West Gorton, which is already a glowing example of a community garden that has implemented innovative ways to bring back nature, such as ‘bio-swales’ that help to collect rain run-off and a gorgeous wildflower meadow to improve biodiversity. I look forward to continuing this important work and supporting the University of Manchester’s monitoring of how our project progresses.

“After feeling isolated and alone when I first moved to the UK three years ago, it was gardening and volunteering that helped me grow in my language, interpersonal skills and confidence. I want everyone to know that the garden is a place where it doesn’t matter what background you are from or qualifications you have, you can always add something beautiful and unique to the world around you.”

Maria Cearns, chief operating officer at The Co-operative Bank, said she was thrilled to work with Friends of the Earth in order to take positive steps to reverse the decline in biodiversity in communities across the country.

Rianna Gargiulo, postcode gardener programme lead at Friends of the Earth, said: “We’re thrilled to see our pioneering Postcode Gardeners programme expanding to new locations around the country with support from The Co-operative Bank, and to West Gorton and Wythenshawe with our local delivery partners, Groundwork and Sow the City.”

Manchester glaucoma patients set to benefit from transformative surgery service

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CHEC, a community healthcare provider specialising in ophthalmology services for the NHS, has unveiled a groundbreaking glaucoma surgery service at Trafford Park, Manchester.

The new Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS) offers a cutting-edge approach that combines glaucoma treatment with cataract surgery. This technique uses advanced methods to reduce blockages at various pressure points within the eye, enhancing natural fluid drainage.

By improving fluid flow and incorporating a microscopic implant into the eye’s membrane, MIGS addresses both glaucoma and cataracts, minimising optic nerve damage and preserving vision, while supporting long-term eye health.

Following a successful trial of MIGS at select hospitals earlier this year, CHEC is expanding this service to Trafford Park and eight other hospitals across the UK, with plans to add more locations soon.

MIGS is less invasive than traditional glaucoma surgeries, leading to reduced risks and quicker recovery times for patients. It is generally recommended for those with mild to moderate glaucoma who have compromised fluid drainage.

Katie Davies, hospital manager at CHEC Trafford Park, said: “At CHEC, we recognise the importance of empowering our patients with knowledge about their treatment options, and know that managing glaucoma can be a significant aspect of a person’s health journey.

“MIGS provides a crucial solution to help prevent the progression of glaucoma and in turn, save the health of the optic nerve. It also has the potential to simplify postoperative care – as the eye’s natural drainage system is restored so quickly after surgery – and reduce the need for glaucoma eye drops.

“We’re pleased to now be able to offer MIGS services on behalf of the NHS in Trafford Park, bringing advanced treatment to the local community to improve patient choice, treatment outcomes and quality of life.”

 

Manchester superstars back in the spotlight as Tech Climbers returns

Tech Climbers is back in Greater Manchester for the second time, following last year’s successful campaign, where 77% of entrants sought growth capital, and it was estimated the sector would create almost 400 jobs this year.

Tech Climbers is an annual list which showcases the top performing product-led technology businesses in growth regions across the UK and aims to gather data to put Greater Manchester on the map as a global, investable tech destination.

The initiative has returned to Greater Manchester to profile the region’s opportunity to become the leading tech hub in the UK. Last year’s campaign found that 66% of entrants had already received funding, contributing to over £20 million in investment in the region up until October 2023.

First launched in 2019, the project has welcomed a range of partners including tech investors, local government, inward investment, trade bodies and academic institutions.

The launch of the 2024 campaign comes as Manchester was named the most AI-ready city in the UK by the SAS Institute, ahead of the Golden Triangle (Oxford, Cambridge, and London), as it was revealed the city has the most AI companies and many AI-related jobs.

Greater Manchester Tech Climbers 2024 will open for entries with an event on the September 26, at The Stables in Manchester City Centre, drawing a crowd of the city’s brightest and best tech superstars to listen to panel talks as the campaign kicks off.

The event will be hosted by Mo Aldalou, advisor at Tech Climbers and programme director at Baltic Ventures and supported by headline partners Brabners, Marks & Clerk, Robert Walters and Investec Wealth & Investment (UK).

A judging panel of partners and experts will create the final list of successful businesses who have demonstrated significant operations in Greater Manchester and evidence their impact, innovation, and investment potential.

Anna Heyes, Tech Climbers founder and CEO at Active Profile said: “We’re back in Manchester bigger and better than ever with our incredible partners, ready to champion the groundbreaking, innovative tech businesses that the region has to offer.

“We know from the campaign last year that Manchester is full of opportunity, with founders hungry for growth, and it’s our mission to put these companies in the spotlight and give them the platform to speak to investors, other founders, and advisors.”

You can now register your interest for the launch event here: https://www.techclimbers.co.uk/locations/greater-manchester

‘Nobody’s Safe’: Charity reveals shocking scale of Manchester’s homelessness crisis

A charity has highlighted how public sector workers – including teachers, 999 workers and NHS staff – are being left on the brink of homelessness due to the cost-of-living crisis.

CEO Sleepout said the “once unthinkable” prospect of being made homeless is the grim reality millions of professionals struggling to survive now face.

Research by the homelessness charity has revealed that, in Manchester alone, a homeless referral is made on average to the council every 90 minutes.

Bianca Robinson, CEO of CEO Sleepout, said: “Once these were aspirational careers that allowed people to buy homes, go on holiday, and save for a brighter future. Now public sector workers are having to work a second job just so they can eat.

“Around ten per cent of police officers now depend on food banks, and over 500 nurses in the UK use them too. That’s a national disgrace.

“That’s why as a charity, CEO Sleepout wanted to drive home the message that nobody is safe from being made homeless in the UK.

“We’ve worked with people over the past year who have been at the very top of their profession, yet are now at risk of losing everything, and despite the last government pledging to end rough sleeping by this year, there are now record levels of homelessness in this country.”

Nationally, there are currently over 300,000 homeless people in the UK, a figure that has swollen in part due to a lack of affordable housing and high rental costs, along with the economic downswing of the past few years.

Additionally, recent polling shows that around one in four young people believe they – or someone they know – could be made homeless in the next 12 months.

The surge in homelessness has resulted in UK-wide council spending on temporary accommodation tripling in just eight years.

In Manchester alone, figures obtained under the Freedom of Information Act showed that between October and December last year, there were 1,688 homeless applications to the council.

Additionally, there were 2,670 requests for temporary accommodation in the city last year.

For one local footballing legend, the scale of homelessness in the UK forced him to act. Former Scotland international Lou Macari spent over a decade playing for Manchester United in the 70s and 80s. Having been moved by a news report on homelessness in Stoke, he launched a street retreat in the town – called The Macari Centre – to help house rough sleepers.

He has backed CEO Sleepout’s campaign to raise awareness of the “unfathomable scale” of homelessness in the UK.

“The homelessness situation in this country is dire,” said Lou, who launched his retreat back in 2016. “Over the past decade the problem has only intensified, and it has been left up to charities like ourselves and CEO Sleepout to pick up the slack.

“That isn’t right, and we want the Nobody’s Safe campaign to drive home how just how many people are now living on the edge – and how urgent action is needed to ensure they don’t fall off.”

Having raised over £4.5m to date to fight homelessness and poverty, CEO Sleepout is staging its annual Manchester sleepout on October 28.

Participants will brave the cold for a night at the city’s Emirates Old Trafford CCG, with funds raised being distributed among several local homelessness causes.

Oldham-Born Psychologist and MBE Launches Affordable ‘Blueprint for Change’ Course to Help Transform Lives

Oldham-born psychologist and MBE, Dr Jacqueline Ward, utilised the COVID lockdown to develop new ways to help individuals bring about meaningful changes in their lives. Her efforts have culminated in the creation of a course designed to inspire personal transformation.

The course, titled Blueprint for Change, will launch online on 6th September 2024. It draws on Jacqueline’s personal journey from being a single parent on a deprived estate to achieving a PhD, becoming the CEO of a charity, and being awarded an MBE for her contributions to supporting vulnerable people. The course offers practical tools such as workbooks, change exercises, and thought prompts.

After growing up in Oldham, Jacqueline worked full-time and studied for a PhD while a single-parent of three children. Writing fiction for most of her life, her novels Perfect Ten and How to Play Dead received national reviews and were stocked by most major supermarkets and bookshops. A registered Health Psychologist, Jacqueline writes widely about psychology and storytelling and works in organisations to bring storytelling to industry in workshops and writing rooms.

Jacqueline explained, “I have been working in psychology, business, and change management for decades, but I realised some people could not access my mentoring and coaching purely due to cost – just like me earlier in my life. Motivated people who want to move forward but can’t find an affordable, structured way to make changes are missing out. At one point, I was a single parent with a young child, and I would sit in the dark when she was in bed to save money on energy bills. I knew I had to make changes, and I did – the hard way by trial and error. This course is for anyone who wants to make positive transformations in their life, but is heavily discounted for low/no wage people so they can access what I learned online – I want to pay that forward.”

Blueprint for Change is available online from 6th September 2024.

ActionCOACH Launches Record-Breaking £1 Million Business Coaching Giveaway

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British business owners now have the chance to win £1 million and accelerate their company’s success.

ActionCOACH, the global leader in business coaching, has launched the largest giveaway in business coaching history, offering £1 million in prizes.

This groundbreaking initiative is set to transform how UK businesses approach growth, with ActionCOACH offering a substantial £1 million prize and cash rewards for successful referrals.

UK citizens aged 18 and above are encouraged to introduce business owners they know to ActionCOACH’s world-class services. For each successful introduction, the referrer will receive up to £1,000 in cash and be entered into the draw for the grand £1 million prize.

“Business owners who have the right support achieve phenomenal results. At ActionCOACH, we’ve seen our clients grow their profits by as much as 1000% within 5 years, improve their work-life balance, and make lasting positive changes in their lives,” said Brad Sugars, CEO of ActionCOACH. “The £1M Giveaway is our way of redirecting client acquisition marketing budget from the likes of Google and Facebook to help even more entrepreneurs unlock their potential.”

James Vincent, Performance Director at ActionCOACH UK and host of the Business Excellence Podcast, added, “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for business owners to transform their businesses, but also make a tangible difference in their network. We’re calling on everyone to seize this chance, and potentially walk away with £1 million in cash. It’s the biggest business coaching giveaway the world has ever seen, and we want as many people as possible to be a part of it.”

This initiative goes beyond just a prize. According to the latest WorkBuzz client satisfaction survey, 99% of ActionCOACH clients reported a positive difference in their business. With this new campaign, ActionCOACH aims to revolutionise the business coaching landscape at a time when British businesses need it most.

For further information and to receive your referral code for the £1M Giveaway, visit https://business.actioncoach.co.uk/giveaway.