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Search continues for missing Timperley man

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Police are still searching for missing Anthony Williamson (62) from Timperley who went missing before Christmas.

The last known sighting of Tony is in CCTV footage walking down Greenway towards Park Road in Timperley at 11.12am on Tuesday, December 19.

In this footage, he is wearing blue cargo pants, a blue Berghaus fleece and a black coat. Tony is 6 feet 1 inch tall and was carrying a backpack at the time he went missing.

Detectives and specialist resources have been deployed since the report; however, following detailed local searches and enquires Tony remains missing.

Family liaison officers are in place to support Tony’s family at this difficult time.

Detective inspector Paul Costello said: “Our investigation into Tony’s disappearance remains active and fulsome.

“We have been conducting thorough searches of the areas Tony was last seen, as well as areas he is known to frequent and enjoy.

“As well as expert search officers and high visibility patrols, resources from our Specialist Operations branch, such as our police dogs, underwater search and drone teams have been assisting to ensure every enquiry is explored, as with any high risk missing person investigation.

“We understand that this time has been and continues to be incredibly difficult for the family, and we continue to provide them with specialist support whilst the investigation continues.

“We would continue to appeal for the public to share our appeals, and share any information, no matter how small, with us, if you believe you have seen or know where Tony is.”

If anyone has information regarding Tony’s whereabouts, they can contact GMP on 101 or by using the report tool and LiveChat function on the Greater Manchester Police website, quoting log 1367 of 19/12/2023.

AGI Technology Unveils Revolutionary 2TB microSD Card in Global First

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As the year 2023 draws to a close, AGI Technology, a renowned storage brand from Taiwan, is set to revolutionise the storage product industry with a groundbreaking launch. They are introducing the world’s highest capacity microSD card, the Supreme Pro TF138 2TB microSD card, a perfect blend of efficiency and extraordinary capacity.

The Supreme Pro TF138 2TB is a pioneering product from AGI Technology, being the world’s first microSD card to boast a 2TB capacity. It features advanced specifications such as UHS-I U3 V30 A2, supporting 4K UHD video recording and enhanced app performance. The card integrates the latest SA3309 controller model from StorArt, providing stable and rapid read-write speeds. Using AGI’s bespoke card reader, it achieves remarkable transfer speeds up to 170MB/s read and 160MB/s write, exceeding UHS-I limits.

This 2TB memory card addresses the increasing digital storage needs, making it ideal for advanced handheld gaming, iPhone 15 external use, and high-resolution recording on Android smartphones.

AGI Technology continues to lead the way in digital storage innovation, with this mass-produced 2TB microSD memory card reinforcing their position in the global storage market.

Specifications of the Supreme Pro TF138:

  • Standard: SD6.1
  • Speed Classification: UHS-I U3 / V30 / A2
  • Capacity: 2TB
  • Speed: Up to 170/160 MB/s read/write speeds with specialised card reader.

For more information or to make a purchase in the United Kingdom, visit AGI Technology’s official site at www.agi-gear.com or contact [email protected].

Brighton Triathlete Launches Rehabilitation Program “Start Now, Finish Strong!” for Runners Over 40

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PhysioFit Physio and Pilates Studio is delighted to present “Start Now, Finish Strong!”, an innovative program targeting runners over 40 with injury concerns. This program aims to offer a customised solution for recurring running injuries and the pursuit of pain-free running.

Founder Alexandra Johnson, who has over 15 years of professional experience in physiotherapy, is also an experienced competitive triathlete. Johnson graduated with a 2:1 BSc in Physiotherapy from St George’s Medical University. Her career spans over a decade in the NHS and six years in private practice, specialising in sports injuries of the musculoskeletal system.

Johnson herself copes with Klippel Trenaunay Syndrome, a rare vascular condition affecting her leg, which restricts walking beyond 20 minutes without a special medical compression stocking. Despite this, she has completed demanding events like the Marathon des Sables, 2x 70.3 Ironman World Championships, and the New York and London Marathons, dealing with severe pain, blood clots, muscle weakness, and balance problems.

A significant cycling accident in January 2017, involving multiple injuries, pushed Johnson to seek beyond standard physiotherapy methods to find effective running rehabilitation techniques.

With “Start Now, Finish Strong!”, Johnson introduces a program that goes beyond generic methods, especially catering to the needs of individuals over 40. This eight-week online course focuses on physical and mental fitness, rehabilitation, joint mobility, strength, sleep, nutrition, and specific exercises to combat typical running injuries. Stephen Taylor’s journey, overcoming a chronic Achilles issue to return to pain-free running in just eight weeks, highlights the program’s success.

Johnson’s over £10,000 investment in business coaching underscores her commitment to assist runners over 40 in overcoming similar challenges.

In Johnson’s words: “I passionately believe that being over 40 does not equate to giving up on running or enduring pain. With the right approach, understanding, and techniques, individuals can not only resume running but do so better and stronger, embracing a new lease on life.”

To join the “Start Now, Finish Strong!” program or for more details on personalised support, please visit (www.physiofitgbonline.com) or email [email protected].

New pasta restaurant opens in Ancoats today

Rigatoni’s – the latest addition to Manchester’s culinary scene – opens its doors today in Ancoats.

The pasta venture comes from the Manchester-born brothers who originally founded Sugo Pasta Kitchen, in Altrincham in 2015.

Having gathered a cult following over the last eight years, the team behind the brand have now developed Rigatoni’s, set to champion simplicity and affordability, bringing quality pasta to the masses.

Their commitment is to integrate pasta seamlessly into the everyday dining scene in the city, serving the communities for years to come.

This marks the beginning of Rigatoni’s launch roll-out, with two additional Greater Manchester locations scheduled to open in Altrincham and Sale on Tuesday (9th) and Wednesday (10th).

Rigatoni’s expertise lies with its house-made rigatoni made fresh at each site, which is meticulously crafted using a bronze die, resulting in a textured finish, designed to capture and complement the sauces ‘asciutta’ style. The menu features a diverse array of hearty pasta bowls, starting at an accessible £7.50.

Distinguished by its commitment to simplicity and quality, Rigatoni’s offers a range of sauce options, including Nduja Meatballs in Amatriciana Sauce.

Alex de Martiis, co-founder said “Rigatoni’s marks a new beginning for our restaurants. Our aim is to serve our communities for years to come with a quality, accessible and uncomplicated menu.

“So far we have seen an incredible reception for Rigatoni’s, and we are looking forward to welcoming old and new customers into our restaurants over the coming weeks”.

Rigatoni’s is also set to open its kitchen within Exhibition in the city centre this weekend, with Deliveroo and takeaways available from all venues.

The British Hamper Company lands major European retail listing

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British gifting business The British Hamper Company has secured a new listing with premium European retailer, the Rohlik Group.

Expanding its reach in Europe, the family business has secured multiple listings of its high quality range of hampers on e-comm retailer Rohlik.

A leading online grocery delivery business based in the Czech Republic, Rohlik operates in countries including Germany, Hungary, Austria and Romania.

The deal strengthens The British Hamper Company’s reach across Europe. Selling both direct to consumer and to industry for corporate gifting, the Rohlik listing is the latest string to The British Hamper Company’s bow as it marks nearly 10 years of successful European trading since 2014, both prior to and following the UK leaving the EU Customs Union at the end of 2020.

Alice Tod, sales and marketing manager at The British Hamper Company, said: “We are already well established in Europe having delivered there direct to customers very
successfully for nearly 10 years.

“Gift givers recognise the exceptional value from our quality British produce, underpinned by a reassuring brand. Our new partnership with Rohlik is an exciting business milestone to bring The British Hamper Company gifts to new audiences.”

A spokesperson from the Rohlik Group, said: “Company to our platform ahead of the festive season represents a significant enhancement to our curated range of gift offerings.

“Their dedication to curating high-quality artisan hampers resonates with our commitment to providing premium selections to our customers.”

The British Hamper Company typically sells direct from britishhamper.com for UK wide and
international delivery. Hand-packed with gourmet produce, the business caters for a wide range of audiences including vegans, coeliacs and diabetics.

‘I appreciate Rory falling on his sword’ – Norman labels McIlroy’s new LIV Golf stance a turning point

Rory McIlroy’s softened stance on LIV Golf represents a “significant turning point” for the sport, according to Greg Norman, chief executive of the controversial breakaway circuit.

McIlroy has been one of the most vehement critics of LIV Golf, which has used the financial muscle of the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund to lure several household names away from the PGA Tour during the last two years.

Talks over a proposed merger between the two circuits began last June but failed to bring about a resolution before a self-imposed deadline of December 31, 2023, though they are expected to continue throughout 2024.

Read our other sports news stories here:
Scotland captain Berrington excited to be paired with England at T20 World Cup
Nadal ‘not 100 per cent sure’ of Australian Open involvement after injury scare
Manchester City boss Guardiola cautious over returning trio

McIlroy, who criticised several players for making the move to LIV and said he felt like a “sacrificial lamb” when the PGA began talks with the circuit, revealed a somewhat softened stance on the rival tour earlier this week.

The world number two said he would be open to playing an event backed by LIV, adding he would like to see the Circuit take on a role resembling that of cricket’s Indian Premier League.

Two-time Open champion Norman welcomed McIlroy’s words when speaking on LIV’s ‘Fairway to Heaven’ podcast on Thursday, saying: “The reason I appreciate Rory falling on his sword, to some degree, is the fact that he did judge us while not knowing the facts.

“He judged us on other people’s thoughts and opinions. So, I say, ‘hey, thank you Rory’.

“We all knew it was going to work within the golf ecosystem. We all wanted to be there, we are going to be there. He said that. To me, this is a hugely significant turning point for everybody.”

Masters champion Jon Rahm became arguably LIV’s most significant recruit last month, having previously ruled out a move to the circuit.

That switch led McIlroy to say he regrets being “too judgemental” of players who first joined LIV during its inaugural season in 2022.

During a United States Senate sub-committee hearing in Washington last year to investigate the framework agreement which should lead to a merger, it was revealed that LIV considered offering McIlroy and Tiger Woods ownership of team franchises as part of their peace deal with the PGA.

Scotland captain Berrington excited to be paired with England at T20 World Cup

Scotland are relishing the chance to face England at the T20 World Cup following the release today of the draw and schedule.

Defending champions England will play Scotland, Australia, Namibia and Oman in Group B in the tournament hosted by the West Indies and the United States. The top two sides qualify for the Super Eight phase.

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Nadal “not 100 per cent sure” of Australian Open participation
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The all-British meeting will take place on June 4 in Barbados and Scotland captain Richie Berrington is excited at the prospect of facing Jos Buttler’s men.

He told the BBC: “It’s a great draw for us to play, in England and Australia, two of the best teams in the world, so as a squad we are really excited about that.

“It’s a great opportunity for us, especially at a World Cup. Namibia and Oman are two excellent sides as well, which we’ve had great battles with over the years.

“As we know with these tournaments, a lot of the time on your day, if you have a good day anything is possible. As a squad, we want to keep building on the success we’ve had, particularly in T20 cricket, so this is another great opportunity for us to do this on the world stage.”

Scotland have never played England in a T20I but did, famously, beat their neighbours in their last one-day international meeting in 2018.

Berrington added: “The game against England in 2018 was a special day for everyone involved and I think for everyone in Scottish cricket. It was one of the best atmospheres I’ve been involved in during my career with Scotland, to have the crowd behind us like that at home.

“It’ll be an exciting game for us first up in the group, and hopefully we’ll get a few people travelling out to the Caribbean to support us as well, so it should be a great occasion against the defending champions.”

India and Pakistan were paired together in Group A, along with Ireland, Canada and the USA. The high-profile clash between the two Asian heavyweights will take place in New York on June 9.

Group C comprises New Zealand, West Indies, Afghanistan, Uganda, Papua New Guinea while Group D features South Africa, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Netherlands, Nepal.

Nadal ‘not 100 per cent sure’ of Australian Open involvement after injury scare in Thompson defeat

Rafael Nadal is not “100 per cent sure” he will make the Australian Open after needing medical treatment during Friday’s gruelling defeat to Jordan Thompson at the Brisbane International.

Nadal breezed through the first two rounds in Brisbane upon his return to the court following a year on the sidelines, beating Dominic Thiem and Jason Kubler in straight sets to reach the quarter-finals.

It looked as though another routine success might follow in the last eight when he took Friday’s opening set 7-5, only for Thompson to rally for a 5-7 7-6 (8-6) 6-3 win in a three-hour, 25-minute epic.

Nadal failed to convert three match points in the second set, with home favourite Thompson clinging on before edging a tie-break, and the 29-year-old didn’t look back after breaking in the fourth game of the decider.

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More concerningly for Nadal, he required medical attention at 4-1 down in the final set, though he was able to carry on without appearing to be in obvious discomfort.

The 22-time grand slam champion had surgery on the psoas tendon in his left hip last June, having failed to recover from an injury he suffered five months earlier at the 2023 Australian Open.

Ahead of a tilt at the next edition of the Melbourne Park event this month, Nadal revealed his latest problem was in the same area, though he is hopeful it is not serious.

“I feel the muscle is tired,” he told reporters after the loss. “For sure it’s not the same as last year at all, because when that happened I felt something drastic immediately.

“Today I didn’t feel anything. The only problem is because the place is the same, you are a little bit more scared than usual.

“I need to see how I wake up tomorrow morning. We have been talking these last days, talking about the positive things. That’s why I am not overly positive when I have been talking.

“I have been talking with a lot of precaution because I know after a year it’s difficult for the body to be playing tournaments at the highest level.

“When things are becoming more difficult, you don’t know how your body is going to react.

“I hope it is not important and I hope to have the chance to practice next week and to play Melbourne. Honestly, I am not 100 per cent sure of anything now.”

Thompson will now face second seed Grigor Dimitrov in the semi-finals on Saturday, while Holger Rune takes on Roman Safiullin in the other last-four matchup.

Manchester City boss Guardiola cautious over returning trio

Kevin De Bruyne, Erling Haaland and Jeremy Doku are closing in on Manchester City comebacks but Pep Guardiola says he will manage their returns carefully.

De Bruyne has had the longest absence of the three having not featured since the opening-day win at Burnley while Doku and Haaland have been missing since early December.

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The trio’s return would give City a huge boost as they look to maintain their improved form which included their FIFA Club World Cup win in Saudi Arabia before Christmas.

Next up for City is Sunday’s FA Cup third-round clash with Championship side Huddersfield Town at the Etihad.

Guardiola said: “Jeremy feels really, really good and Kevin as well. Erling is also a little bit better but with him we have to be careful.

“We have to be patient and give them the right minutes. In the last two or three training sessions they have felt good and are improving. I don’t know about Sunday, or the game against Newcastle (next weekend) but for the rest they will be ready.”

On De Bruyne specifically, he added: “He was a long, long time so we have to be patient and give him exactly the right minutes. I would love Kevin to play the way he has the last eight years with me.

“I think he’s not going to change his qualities. A big injury, the biggest concern is to try and avoid a repeat. If the intention is I want to play today, we have to be careful and speak with him and the physios over the best process and the minutes.

“Kevin needs to accumulate weeks of training and minutes and not take a step back. He can train four, five, six sessions in a row.

“He can accumulate time in the training sessions, more important than 90 mins, 80 mins. Do it now and he will get injured again. It’s been a long time, no pre-season. He’s so fresh and has incredible desire, but we have to be careful.”

City have some selection worries for the weekend with six players unlikely to feature.

Kalvin Phillips, whose future has been a topic of some debate given his lack of playing time, has a heavy cold, as does Bernardo Silva, Matheus Nunes and third-choice goalkeeper Scott Carson.

Defensive lynchpin Rodri is also missing following the death of his grandfather while John Stones remains sidelined.

Having come through the hectic festive period, City potentially have just four games in January but Guardiola is happy for the chance to rest and spend some valuable time with his players on the training ground.

“I think the Premier League took a great decision to make Boxing Day intense and then have a break,” he said.

“We won a lot even in the tough period. It is good now to have the FA Cup, an important game at Newcastle and then two weeks after to refresh our minds.

“I have more time for training that we do not have [normally] in the busy schedule. There are always things we have to improve.”

THE BEST SNEAKER SHOPS IN MANCHESTER

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It’s easy to see that Manchester is one of the best shopping cities in the entirety of the UK. We’re lucky to have a vast selection of choices when it comes to retailers, making heading out to spend some of your hard-earned cash easier than ever before. From world-renowned brands right through to luxury independent stores, there’s something for all tastes and budgets, so you’ll never leave empty handed and disappointed. However, it’s always good to know the best spots in town, as with so many choices out there it can be easy to get confused about where to head first. One industry that’s continuing to experience rapid growth is the footwear sector. 

Whether it’s high-end trainers or the latest hot Nikes, consumers up and down the country are spending more of their money than ever before on shoes. So with that being said, we thought we’d check out what Manchester has to offer when shopping for the latest footwear releases and limited-edition sneakers. After plenty of market research, we can safely say that we’ve narrowed down our list to five top spots, so without further ado, let’s jump straight into it and check out the best sneaker shops in Manchester!

size?

First off, it would basically be a sin to create a list of this kind and not include size?. As one of the UK’s first-ever dedicated sneaker stores, it’s safe to say that the business (now a part of JD Group) has left a lasting impact on the UK sneaker scene and continues to serve the local footwear community with the latest and greatest releases. Located on Manchester’s iconic Market Street, you can find all the best general release sneakers from the likes of Nike, adidas and New Balance, as well as an entire streetwear range that consists of offerings from brands such as Stüssy, Carhartt WIP and Gramicci. If you’re lucky, you may even be able to get your hands on some truly hard-to-find pairs via the store’s very own launches program. 

Crepslocker

If you’re looking for rare and hard-to-find trainers then look no further, as Crepslocker is one of the UK’s leading destinations for limited-edition footwear. Situated on King Street, here you’ll find dream pairs such as the highly sought-after collaborations between Nike and Travis Scott, Nike and Off-White, plus Jordan 1s. If that’s not enough, Crepslocker also stocks Nike Dunks, UGGs, luxury footwear from the likes of Louis Vuitton and Dior and so much more! If you’re into luxury fashion too then this store is without a doubt one of the best in town. The team over at Crepslocker even offer a personal shopping experience too, where you can request rare items that will then be personally sourced for you. A must-visit for those passing by!

Foot Locker

Located within Manchester’s Arndale Centre, Foot Locker has been an integral part of sneaker culture ever since its inception in 1974. While originally as a USA-based business, the retailer eventually made its way over to the UK and has been a hit ever since. Browse the likes of Jordan Brand, Reebok and ASICS. If you’re looking specifically for basketball apparel too then you’ve come to the right place, as Foot Locker offers up a whole variety of jerseys, shorts and so much more. 

END. 

Founded up in Newcastle, END. Clothing has quickly grown to become one of the most respected names within the UK sneaker scene. The retailer opened its first Manchester outpost back in September 2022, with the store already proving popular with locals and tourists alike. What wins us over with END. is the sheer amount of different brands and styles available, you could easily spend days in here, although it wouldn’t be too friendly on the wallet. Expect all the usual sneaker suspects as well as limited edition launch products too. END.’s apparel range is nothing short of expansive too, with streetwear, luxury and contemporary labels all stocked here.

Offspring

Last but by no means least we have Offspring’s Manchester HQ, located within Selfridges on Exchange Square. Well-known within the UK sneaker community, Offspring continues to lead the way when it comes to sneaker retail stores, offering the finest-selected ranges and newest releases to its consumers. Expect to find hot new-in lines from Nike, adidas and Vans, as well as hundreds of other brands too. If you’re looking for the hottest new collaboration in town then Offspring is certainly a solid contender! If that’s not enough, the store also offers plenty of raffles via its social media channels, where you can enter to win hyped sneakers that are guaranteed to sell out fast. Unlike many other stores, Offspring ensures to conduct this in the fairest way possible, helping get the sneakers in the hands of those who will appreciate them the most!