Latest news with #NorthernPride
Scottish Sun
6 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Iconic 90s beer RETURNS to taps after over a decade – and punters will be buzzing
The beer was renowned for its adverts which led to one TV star finding fame - do you remember them? CHEERS TO THAT! Iconic 90s beer RETURNS to taps after over a decade – and punters will be buzzing Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) AN iconic 90s beer is returning to pub taps after over a decade to the delight of punters. The legendary "Cream of Manchester", Boddingtons Cask Ale, became a symbol of Northern Pride, with the brewery famed for its memorable adverts starring Melanie Sykes. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Boddingtons Cask Ale is returning to pubs soon (Credit: JW Lees) 2 Melanie Sykes found fame starring in the iconic Boddingtons ad in the 90s Credit: Boddingtons First brewed in 1778, the famous ale disappeared from handpumps in 2012 but is now set to return to pubs across the North West. Manchester's oldest brewer JW Lees is to brew the cask ale close to its original home under licence from Budweiser Brewing Group. Punters who have waited 13 years for a sip of the creamy ale will be able to order a pint of it in selected pubs across the North West from September, before it becomes more widely available. The brewery said it would be brewed using traditional methods, but would be given a fresh twist for modern punters. The relaunched cask ale will have an ABV of 4% - slightly weaker than its original 4.1% recipe. JW Lees director William Lees-Jones said: 'When I joined JW Lees in 1994, Boddingtons was 'The Cream of Manchester' and we were in awe of their position in leading the cask beer revolution…' 'We are planning to put Boddingtons back where it rightly deserves to be, as one of the leading premium UK cask beers, particularly in our heartland of the North West. 'We also look forward to working with Budweiser Brewing Group with their portfolio of market-leading lagers and premium packaged beers in our pubs.' Boddingtons is best known for its creamy texture and the catchphrase "Do you want a flake in that?" which it adopted in its iconic 90s advertising campaign. TV presenter and Northerner Melanie Sykes first found fame starring in the ads, which originally aired in 1996, before she made the leap into presenting thanks to The Big Breakfast. Mel Sykes stars in classic Boddington's Bitter advert with athlete Ken George The star reunited with her "old muckers" in 2017 to shoot a new Boddingtons ad. While production of its cask beers stopped in 2012, cans of Boddingtons draught bitter can still be found in high street stores. As part of the beer's relaunch, JW Lees has created a new ad campaign referencing another of Boddingtons' famous slogans. A poster by the brewery readers: "By 'eck, the Cream of Manchester is back on cask" - a reference to the original "By 'eck it's gorgeous" line synonymous with Boddingtons' 90s ads. AB InBev (Budweiser Brewing Group) president Brian Perkins said "We are excited to relaunch Boddingtons Cask Ale in partnership with JW Lees, combining one of the UK's most iconic beer brands with one of its most respected brewers. "We see real growth potential for Boddingtons in the UK On Trade, and this is a great example of how strategic partnerships can unlock value for both businesses and beer lovers alike.' Other iconic beers returning to pubs The Cream of Manchester isn't the only iconic beer returning to pub taps. Double Diamond beer was among the nation's best-selling drinks from the 1950s to through to the early 1990s, before it was discontinued in 2003. It made its return to pubs last year, and it was recently revealed that it has returned to the high street, with cans of the pale ale on sale in Tesco. In other booze news, Captain Morgan announced this month it's launching a "tropical beer" for the first time. The iconic rum maker's "Muck Pit Brew" is described as a "tropical beer-inspired drink with a gently fizzy twist, combines spiced rum, hops, and vibrant Caribbean vibes." The flavours are inspired by hops, which are a common ingredient found in beer, and fermented fruits such as mango. The booze contains 4% alcohol by volume (ABV) and is available in 440ml cans. Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@ Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Pride marchers 'don't let it rain on their parade'
Rainy weather has failed to deter thousands from taking part in a festival celebrating the LGBTQ+ community. The weekend-long Newcastle Pride festival got under way earlier with a march through the city centre. Organisers Northern Pride said the theme was being "unapologetically visible". Director Ste Dunn had said the event was set to be "bigger and better than ever". Starting at the Civic Centre, the march headed along John Dobson Street and New Bridge Street West to avoid construction works on Northumberland Street. It joined its usual route along Blackett Street and Percy Street, before finishing back at the Civic Centre. The route was planned around bringing the festival further into the city centre. In previous years it had been based further out in Exhibition Park and at the Town Moor. Vante, one of those taking part, said: "It's about standing together as one creating an inclusive environment. "Yes it's raining, but as Barbara Streisand once said, 'It won't rain on my parade'. "This is brilliant thousands of our community coming together to celebrate." The event was set to close with a candlelit vigil at 21:00 BST on Sunday at Times Square, which organisers said would give people "time for reflection and remembrance". Director Ste Dunne said: "Launching Newcastle Pride as a city-wide takeover last year was truly transformative, and we are so excited for this year's Newcastle Pride festival to be bigger and better than ever. "We are confident that we have been able to make the new route work, and that the right decision has been made to ensure the safety and welfare of participants." Newcastle City Council leader Karen Kilgour said the weekend's events were a celebration, but also an act "of defiance and solidarity". She added: "We are aware of increases in hate crime against the LGBTQ+ community recently, and that is why events like this are important. "I am proud that Newcastle is an open, diverse and fair city and one that is safe and welcoming for everyone." Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. More on this story Northern Pride brings thousands to city centre Related internet links Northern Pride Newcastle City Council
BBC News
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Newcastle Pride event 'a celebration and show of solidarity'
Thousands of people are again expected to attend a festival celebrating the LGBTQ+ weekend-long Newcastle Pride festival will get under way at midday with a march through the city annually, organisers Northern Pride say the theme will once again be "unapologetically visible".Director Ste Dunn said the event was set to be "bigger and better than ever". Starting at the Civic Centre, the march will head along John Dobson Street and New Bridge Street West to avoid construction works on Northumberland will then join its usual route along Blackett Street and Percy Street, before finishing back at the Civic Times Square will host music performers and food vendors, while a Family and Youth Zone will be at the Theatre Royal and the area around Grey's Monument will have a Market follows a move last year to bring the festival into the city centre having previously been based further out in Exhibition Park and the Town event will close with a candlelit vigil at 21:00 BST on Sunday at Times Square, which organisers say will give people "time for reflection and remembrance". "Launching Newcastle Pride as a city-wide takeover last year was truly transformative, and we are so excited for this year's Newcastle Pride festival to be bigger and better than ever," Mr Dunn said."We are confident that we have been able to make the new route work, and that the right decision has been made to ensure the safety and welfare of participants."Newcastle City Council leader Karen Kilgour said the weekend's events would be a celebration but also an act "of defiance and solidarity".She added: "We are aware of increases in hate crime against the LGBTQ+ community recently and that is why events like this are important."I am proud that Newcastle is an open, diverse and fair city and one that is safe and welcoming for everyone." Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
Telegraph
3 days ago
- Politics
- Telegraph
Pride rainbows taken off police cars after court ruling
A police force has agreed to remove all Pride rainbows and transgender livery from its vehicles following a landmark High Court ruling. Northumbria Police has also told its officers and staff they cannot attend a Gay Pride march in uniform this weekend, in a move that could set a precedent for other forces. Chief Constable Vanessa Jardine ordered the removal of all diversity-based symbols from police cars and vans after a judge rebuked her force over its lack of impartiality. Northumbria was taken to court by a gender-critical lesbian who said it was wrong for officers to take part in events that promoted gender ideology. Now, in a letter seen by the Telegraph, the force has confirmed it is withdrawing all visible support for this year's Northern Pride. Going even further, Ms Jardine, who is LGBT+ communities lead for the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC), said all of Northumbria's police vehicles would have Pride livery removed. The letter stated: 'This work has commenced but may take a short amount of time. No vehicle carrying Pride, Progress and/or transgender colours and/or insignia will be deployed at the Northern Pride march and there are currently no vehicles with this livery deployed operationally.' The letter made clear that officers and staff would not be allowed to attend the march wearing uniform or anything else that identifies them as being associated with Northumbria Police. In addition the letter stated that while there would be a police stall at the event, there would be 'no Pride, Progress or transgender colours/insignia on display'. It is not clear whether Ms Jardine's approach will now be mirrored by other forces, but her role in the NPCC means her position is likely to carry some weight. The move comes after Linzi Smith, 34, a gender-critical lesbian from Newcastle, brought a case against Northumbria Constabulary, arguing that it had been wrong to allow uniformed officers to actively participate in an event that promoted gender ideology and was supported by transgender activists. In his ruling, the judge, Mr Justice Linden, said it was important that police forces were not perceived as taking sides in contentious social debates. He said: 'The fact that the officers had publicly stated their support for transgender rights by taking part in the 2024 march would be likely to give the impression that they may not deal with the matter fairly and impartially.' The judge was clear that his comments were only a reflection on the force's conduct during last year's march and it was unclear what Northumbria Police's approach would be for this year's event, which is due to take place in Newcastle on Saturday. The founder of Fair Cop, an organisation which was set up to remove politics from policing and supported the legal challenge, welcomed the move and said hopefully other forces would now follow. Harry Miller said: 'There was never any place for contested livery on a police van, and we are relieved that the Chief Constable has finally seen sense. 'The message it gave was stark, brutal and overtly political: comply, shut up, or risk facing the consequences. 'A healthy democracy requires rigorous debate, and a police force which remains unstintingly vanilla. Our hope is that chief officers throughout the UK will take note of the positive action by Vanessa Jardine and follow suit.' Following the High Court ruling, Gavin Stephens, chairman of the NPCC, said forces were working through the details of this judgment. He added: 'We are also working with the College of Policing on broader guidance which will help local forces make decisions around participation in events to maintain their impartiality. 'Policing values all our communities and will continue to police in a way that aims to build trust and confidence, including among those who have less confidence in our service. 'This is the cornerstone of good policing and especially neighbourhood policing. Our desire to ensure we recognise and provide good policing for all communities will remain unchanged.'
Leader Live
3 days ago
- Politics
- Leader Live
Off-duty officers in Pride event told not to wear items linking them to police
The decision by Northumbria Police comes after a court ruled that the force acted unlawfully by allowing its officers to take part in a Pride event last year. High Court judge Mr Justice Linden said his ruling on Wednesday related only to the 2024 event and that it was up to the force to decide how it approaches Saturday's parade. Northumbria Police has now confirmed uniformed officers will not be permitted to take part and said any of those who are off-duty and do participate must not visibly identify themselves as being officers or members of the force through clothing, flags, or accessories. In an update on Friday, the force also said any participating off-duty officers must not 'express support for political aims (e.g. changes to law or policy) or opposition to other lawful views'. On-duty attendance 'is only permitted where it forms part of the official policing response', the force said. In a statement it said the approach was 'designed to maintain public confidence in our impartiality, while also respecting our employees' individual rights under the European Convention on Human Rights'. It added: 'This guidance is not about limiting personal expression, but about ensuring that when our people represent Northumbria Police, they do so in a way that is fair, balanced, and impartial to all communities.' Lindsey Smith, who describes herself as a 'gender critical' lesbian, took legal action against Northumbria Police over its decision to allow officers to participate in the Newcastle Pride in the City event last July, in which she also participated. Lawyers for Ms Smith told the High Court that the officers' involvement breached impartiality rules, and that the decision to allow them to take part was unlawful, although barristers for the force opposed the challenge, claiming the decision, made by Chief Constable Vanessa Jardine, was within her 'discretion'. In his judgment, Mr Justice Linden said Ms Smith is opposed to 'gender ideology', which she believes is 'wrong and dangerous' but has been 'embraced' by the organisers of the event, Northern Pride. While Ms Smith agreed that the event should be policed, she objected to officers 'associating themselves with the views of supporters of gender ideology and transgender activists by actively participating', the judge said. Last year's event saw uniformed officers march with some carrying flags which included Pride colours alongside police insignia, and others wearing uniforms with the word 'Police' in Pride colours. There was also a 'static display' staffed by uniformed officers, which displayed a Progressive Pride flag, which includes representation of transgender and non-binary people, people of marginalised ethnicities and those living with Aids, the judge said. A police van with the colours of the transgender Pride flag painted on its sides was also present, the court was told. Northumbria Police said it will have a community engagement display at Northern Pride this weekend, adding that it believed a complete withdrawal of police engagement from such events 'would be a retrograde step and damage trust and confidence amongst members of LGBTQ+ community'. The force added: 'We want to ensure everyone knows that we are absolutely here for them when they need us.' The LGB Alliance charity called on the rest of the UK's police forces to follow suit on the withdrawal of uniformed officers from such events and to put in place measures around the participation of off-duty officers. The charity's chief executive Kate Barker said: 'Since our founding, LGB Alliance has been working with police and crime commissioners to raise our supporters' concerns about partisan policing that favours gender activists over LGB people. 'We will continue this work until the UK's remaining 42 forces follow the lead of their colleagues in Northumbria, and stop endorsing a movement they do not understand.'
