The Mancunian Way: A gruesome discovery

Hello,

A gruesome discovery has gripped the region in the last few days after human remains were found wrapped in plastic in a Salford nature reserve.

The shocking find has seen Kersal Wetlands taped off since last Thursday (April 4), with forensic officers still on the scene. The identity of the victim is not yet known, though he is thought to be 'older than 40' and 'has only been dead for a matter of days', officers said.

Today, investigators are hunting for more body parts in bins across parts of Salford, with rubbish collections suspended in Kersal and parts of Broughton.

A national check of missing persons is taking place by detectives as they try to identify the human remains. It is understood that there was no clothing on the body parts which could have assisted police with identifying the victim, and at this stage police have no indication as to whether the victim is local or has been killed elsewhere and their remains left in Salford.

The story, which has shocked and captured the public in equal measure, has not been without its peculiarities. On Saturday (April 6), a second grisly discovery sparked a huge police presence in Salford - before detectives realised it was just a Halloween prop.

The false hand was found by boys warming up before a game at Broughton Cricket and Rugby Club on Saturday morning, shortly after police uncovered a real human torso wrapped in plastic at Kersal Wetlands.

Mr McEwan, 54, the club steward who lives on the grounds, told the M.E.N: "It did look genuine. We had 20 police and CSI down here and they cordoned it off. They've picked it up and realised it was a Halloween prop."

He went on that officers photographed the item and 'went through all the procedures' before one 'picked it up and said it was actually a Halloween prop'. You can read the full story from John Scheerhout here.

The M.E.N’s chief reporter Neal Keeling has all the latest on the grim investigation into the mystery torso this afternoon - you can read it here.

Candidate 'MuscleManc1'

A candidate in the local council elections in Trafford has taken down a social media account displaying some saucy pictures of himself.

Marc Ramsbottom - who used the handle 'MuscleManc1' - is seen in the pictures showing off his physique wearing only a jockstrap with the caption: “How’s the view?”

Mr Ramsbottom is standing as the Liberal Democrat candidate in the Hale Barns and Timperley South ward in the local council elections on May 2. He told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS): “It is the case that my two old social media accounts contain some risqué images.

“Both accounts predate my candidacy for the local elections and both accounts were private and not public. Whilst I am completely entitled to a personal life just like anyone else, these old accounts are certainly not something I’d have time for if I become a councillor anyway.

“Having not used them for a considerable amount of time, they have now been taken down.” The leader of the Liberal Democrat group on Trafford council, Coun Shaun Ennis, said: “Trafford Liberal Democrats were not aware of these two old accounts previously. We are a liberal party.

“We don’t judge people for having a private life. I’m pleased that Marc has taken down these accounts. He will certainly be too busy working for his residents if he is successful in May.” Nick Jackson has the full story here.

Mini ballers

Does your kid fancy themselves the next Phil Foden or Chloe Kelly? If training with Manchester City sounds like their dream come true, then this one’s for you.

The Blues are among several Greater Manchester clubs offering kids the opportunity to train with them for FREE this summer. The summer camps programme, led by Manchester-based cereal giant, Kellogg's, are aimed at children aged 7-14 of all abilities and promise a 'safe, fun and engaging' environment for Manchester's kids.

Local clubs Bolton Wanderers, Salford City and Stockport County will also be featuring in the camps.

Kellogg's is giving away 30,000 free spaces before the nationwide programme kicks off this summer. City say they joined up with Kellogg's in rolling out these camps in order to 'expand' their free football sessions to local children 'who need it the most'.

For more information - including how to sign your kid up - Maisie Grice has all you need to know here.

Heartbreak as Oldham woman stabbed

The devastated mother of an Oldham woman who was stabbed to death while pushing her baby in a pram ‘cannot stop crying’.

Kulsuma Akter was knifed outside a shop in the Westgate area of Bradford on Saturday afternoon (April 6). The 27-year-old was pushing her baby in a pram at the time, though the baby was unharmed.

Ms Akter's devastated family members have now spoken of their heartbreak over her death, describing the pain at breaking the news to her mother in Bangladesh. Her brother Hossain told the MailOnline: "We had to call our mother in Bangladesh to tell her the news. Can you imagine what this was like for us?

"I can't believe my sister is dead. I'm sorry, I can't speak any more."

Ms Akter's cousin Aftab Miah told the BBC that when he spoke to her mother she had 'never stopped crying' and was 'all the time mentioning her name'. He said Ms Akter had moved to the Oldham area with her husband around two years ago.

He added: "She had a good personality, she used to make people laugh. She was a wonderful lady... a good, humble, likeable person, a caring person.

"She always used to offer me tea and biscuits when I went to her house. I am going to miss her very much."

A 25-year-old man, also from Oldham, has been arrested on suspicion of her murder. This is Habibur Masum, who was at the centre of a huge manhunt after the attack. You can read the full update from Ashlie Blakey here.

New monument

Plans have been submitted for a National Trans Monument in the heart of Manchester’s Gay Village.

If given the green light, the new monument will be housed in Sackville Gardens on the former site of the UK’s first trans memorial, which was destroyed following a fire two years ago.

The Sycamore tree, which had been specifically carved as a memorial and was decorated with plaques of trans people who had passed away, was left ‘irreparably damaged’ by a fire during Manchester Pride 2022.

Sparkle, the national transgender charity, has now unveiled plans to replace the sculpture with a new ‘Passing on Light’ design that symbolises the strength and spirit of the trans community and gender diverse people.

Made from polished metal, which will subtly mirror visitors, the gardens and the city, the new monument is made up of a series of figures which offer moments of contemplation and reflection.

The final design, named Passing on Light, was conceived by Bek Ziola, lead architect at New Practice, following an extensive open-call to artists and designers.

The National Transgender Monument is a project that I hold very dear to my heart and have personal interest in getting delivered,” Bek said. “When I thought about how I wanted to respond to the project brief, I began by reflecting on my own journey to embracing my transness and becoming authentically who I am today.

“The notion of ‘Passing on Light’ that is conveyed in the monument concept is a message to the trans community, that if you can live authentically as yourself, you will in turn encourage others to do the same. Being transgender is beautiful and every day I am thankful for reaching acceptance of my identity which was achieved through the support of my community and the love they have given me.”

Sparkle have now launched a fundraising campaign to help get the project off the ground. Adam Maidment has more here.

Weather etc

Thursday: Overcast changing to sunny intervals by lunchtime. 19C.

Roadworks: A5145 Barlow Moor Road in both directions closed due to electricity work between Pine Road and B5093 Wilmslow Road.

Manchester headlines

• Stormy weather: Greater Manchester is set for another unsettled day of weather following Storm Pierrick. The storm, named by Meteo France, brought rain and heavy wind to the UK yesterday (April 10). Full forecast here.

• Murder trial: Ten teenagers are due to appear at the first day of an eight-week trial at Manchester Crown Court today, charged with the murder of 16-year-old Kennie Carter. Updates here.

• Tribute: The heartbroken family of a mum and grandmother-to-be have paid tribute to her after she was killed in a hit-and-run on the M6 motorway. More here.

Worth a read

Daisy Allen taught herself to sing by watching free online videos as her family struggled to pay for professional lessons. But the gifted 13-year-old has been noticed by a certain Johnny Marr, and given a £1000 grant to help pay for formal tuition and stage equipment.

Neal Keeling has this heartwarming story here.