Jewish Telegraph Wedding Showcase: A message from the Lowry Hotel

Jewish Telegraph Wedding Showcase: A special message from The Lowry Hotel's director of sales Scott Brown about our historical event on Sunday, September 22. MORE DETAILS: Jewish Telegraph Wedding Showcase (inc other simchas)

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Simon Yaffe: Bury Football Club’s demise has ripped heart out of the town It was so bitterly cold that I couldn’t feel my legs or my feet. And I’m sure I had icicles on my frozen hands. It was Gigg Lane, the home of Bury Football Club, in the middle of November. The game I had been taken to see was, I was reliably informed, “proper football”. I disagreed at the time and just wanted to be at home in the warmth, daydreaming about yet another majestic Eric Cantona goal for Manchester United, my childhood club. Twenty-five years later and I have realised what I was told was true. Bury FC was not just another corporate behemoth sitting at the top end of English football, not caring about its fans and only interested in how much money it can make. Bury FC was the lifeblood of a proud, Lancashire town. Bury FC was the heartbeat of a community, a twice winner of the FA Cup and a welcoming club who defied the odds time and time again. Now, however, it has ended up as an asset-stripped shell, mortgaged off and crippled by millions of pounds of debt. The heart has been ripped out of the town, with the final blow struck yesterday when the English Football League confirmed there would be no way back following the club’s expulsion this week. When the news came through, it hit me like a sledgehammer, which took me by surprise, as I am a passionate Manchester United fan of 30 years and counting. Starting in 1994, whenever my team were not at home, we would go to Gigg Lane to watch the mighty Shakers — along with many other north Manchester Reds who wanted to cheer on their local team. I was there when a win over Millwall Football Club confirmed an historic promotion to the-then second tier in May, 1997. I watched on, even feeling a little proud, when Bury survived in the second tier, famously beating Manchester City at Maine Road, in what has become known as the St Valentine’s Day Massacre. They were relegated the next season and there were more promotions — and relegations — over the next 18 years or so. That is part of football below the top level and at least Bury’s fans had a club to be happy with and cry about. Not any more, however inconceivable and surreal it may be. Jeopardised by consistent financial mismanagement, Bury’s supporters — and the wider football family — asked why, with all the billions in the Premier League, could United or City not help salvage the club? Well, why should they? As tough as it may sound, clubs need to micromanage their own finances, but with the help of the EFL — which has badly failed Bury and left the town bereft of a football side. The EFL, despite its protestations, seemed to fail to carry out any proper due diligence on Bury’s last two owners in Stewart Day and Steve Dale, the latter an asset-stripper whose 43 of 51 associated companies have previously been liquidated. Fans from clubs all around the world have sent messages of hope to Bury’s heartbroken supporters. Fans gathered outside Gigg Lane — their second home — waiting and clutching at any sort of positive news. But it never materialised. Now there is talk of a phoenix club potentially being formed, but it won’t ever be the same. It won’t ever be the same as sitting in the stands at Gigg Lane, frozen to the bone, watching and cheering on those mighty Shakers. (AP Photos/Alastair Grant)

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JEWISH TELEGRAPH WEDDING SHOWCASE The first-ever Jewish Telegraph Wedding Showcase (inc other simchas) — will be held at Manchester’s five-star Lowry Hotel on Sunday, September 22 (11am to 4pm). But while the Jewish Telegraph, which has been an established and trusted name in Manchester for nearly 70 years, is the driving force behind the Wedding Showcase - which is FREE to attend - it is NOT just for the Jewish community. Co-ordinating the event at the JT is Julie Wheeler, who has many years’ experience organising showcase events throughout the North. She said: “A marriage is a celebration spread across all faiths and none. “It's a joyous occasion, a union of two souls regardless of beliefs which requires ideas often from a source you never expected. “I am very excited to be helping organise the Jewish Telegraph’s very first Wedding Showcase. “It's certain to be a swish event and certainly won’t be the last.” Ms Wheeler has previous experience with organisations such as the Bury Times, Bolton News, Lancashire Evening Telegraph and Warrington Guardian. Past events with which she has been involved include the Bolton and Bury Business Awards at the University of Bolton Stadium, Retirement Roadshow (Bury Venues), Beach Party at Chesham Fields in association with Bury Metro, and more. She added: “The difference with this event over all others is that this is a regional newspaper- promoted event, with a team of editorial professionals behind it, with top exhibitors like Taylor Lynn Corporation - TLC.” The event, hosted by Elissa Baker: Master Of Ceremonies, will also feature catwalk shows and hair and make-up demonstrations, along with live music. There will also be wedding dresses, cars, caterers, mother-of-the-bride wear, floral artistry, photography — everything to make your event a success. Jewish Telegraph editor Paul Harris said: “After almost 69 years of continuous publication, and after approaches for a long time by many of our regular advertisers, we felt it was time to branch out and host a wedding showcase to complement our regular brides, barmitzvahs and batmitzvahs supplement. “Remember, this event is not just about weddings. It will incorporate just about every type of celebration you might be contemplating. “We have joined forces with the Lowry, a five-star hotel. “We look forward to welcoming readers and anyone else who wants to attend on the day.” Admission is free. * A limited number of stands is still available. Contact Julie Wheeler on 0161-741 2639, 07899 170191 or jwheeler@jewishtelegraph.com MORE DETAILS: https://www.facebook.com/events/361762988106554/

#Manchester, #Leeds, #Liverpool and #Scotland editions' front page: HOME SECRETARY PRITI PATEL VOWS TO FIGHT JEW-HATE Home Secretary Priti Patel this week vowed to stand up against Jew-hatred. Her pledge to fight rising antisemitism came in a meeting with Jewish leaders. She promised to work with them to banish the scourge once and for all. “I want to work with Jewish organisations to ensure the security and safety of Jewish communities,” she said. Her vow delighted the Jewish leaders who met her — including The Board of Deputies of British Jews president Marie van der Zyl, CST chairman Gerald Ronson and The Jewish Leadership Council vice-chairman Debra Fox. They thanked her for her pledge to “make the UK safer and more secure for Jews”. “We were also very pleased to hear of her willingness to work with us to eliminate the potential challenges posed by Brexit,” they added. Tuesday’s meeting — arranged by the BoD — followed a Community Security Trust (CST) report earlier this month showing a record number of antisemitic attacks in Britain during the first six months of 2019. There were 892 incidents reported nationwide – a 10 per cent increase over the same period last year. In November, 2017, Mrs Patel quit as international development secretary over her unauthorised meetings with top Israelis, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu - בנימין נתניהו. In her resignation later to the-then PM, Theresa May, she said that her actions “fell below the standards of transparency and openness that I have promoted and advocated”. Boris Johnson returned Mrs Patel to the Cabinet last month.

In tomorrow's Jewish Telegraph, with editor Paul Harris (30.08.2019)

In tomorrow's Jewish Telegraph, with editor Paul Harris (30.08.2019): - Home Secretary Priti Patel vows to root out antisemitism. - Shtisel star Michael Aloni מיכאל אלוניi in conversation with Paul Harris - The sad demise of Bury Football Club, from the perspective of lifelong fans. - And it's not quite over yet between Bolton Wanderers Official and Laurence Bassini...

#PicOfTheDay Sagi Muki won Israel’s first-ever gold medal in the Judo World Championships this week. He took the honour in Tokyo, Japan on Wednesday after facing six opponents in the under-81kg category. Muki has won gold at the European Championship in 2015 and 2018 and finished fifth at the 2016 Olympics. In the quarter-finals, Muki beat Egyptian Mohamed Abdelaal, who refused to shake his hand. The biggest question coming into this tournament was whether Muki, ranked second in the world, would face Iranian Saeid Mollaei in the final and whether Mollaei would forfeit in order not to fight an Israeli, as has happened in the past. But the Iranian lost the semi-finals and did not get to face Muki. The Iranian judoka lost his battle for the bronze medal, so he was unable to boycott the medal ceremony to avoid standing next to Muki. (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara)

There is devastation, sadness and anger across the region today after 134-year-old Bury Football Club were expelled from the English Football League. We would like to hear the views of Jewish Bury supporters. Please email newsdesk@jewishtelegraph.com or phone 0161-741-2631 (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

Were you at Headingley on Sunday to witness Ben Stokes' amazing match-winning innings against Australia in the Ashes? The Jewish Telegraph would like to hear from any Jewish members of the crowd who attended this never-to-be-forgotten match. Email newsdesk@jewishtelegraph.com or comment below. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

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EXCLUSIVE: Prankster has become simple Simon Brodkin after more than a decade Comedian and professional prankster Simon Brodkin could stage his next stunt in Israel. Having already showered former FIFA president Sepp Blatter with fake banknotes, handed Theresa May her P45 and thrown swastika-emblazoned golf balls at Donald J. Trump, the Jewish state may be in his firing line. “It depends who I could target,” Simon laughed. “If it worked, I could end up with a tree being planted for me in a JNF UK forest.” Best known for his range of characters, including London wide boy Lee Nelson and Premier League footballer Jason Bent, he has now decided to perform as himself in 100% Simon Brodkin. It debuted at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, with its sell-out run coming to an end tomorrow. It was so popular, in fact, that he had to schedule extra performances. It’s also been the first time that Simon, who has previously taken six shows to Edinburgh, has performed as himself. “It feels great,” the 41-year-old told me. “Obviously I have done so much in different characters, which is always fun, so it was strange at first. “It was a bit like writing with your right hand all your life and then suddenly being asked to use your left. “I have been in comedy for over 10 years, but I thought that nobody knew who I was. It is nice to be able to talk about the things I care about. It is fulfilling, too, but, at the same time, keeping it funny.” A bulk of the show is taken up with Simon chatting about his Jewish identity and antisemitism, particularly in The Labour Party. “Jews traditionally turned to Labour to fight racism, but now it has a problem with Jews,” the married father-of-two explained. “I cannot vote for them any more, but I don’t think that has been the biggest let down in my life, considering Lance Armstrong, Bill Cosby and Jimmy Savile were my childhood heroes. “I have also been telling audiences about being raised in a deprived part of London called Hampstead Garden Suburb where, if you ask a kid what is four times four, they will answer, ‘a RANGE ROVER’.” Simon is — literally — a laugh a minute, which may explain why he gave up a career in medicine to concentrate on comedy. He trained as a doctor at St George’s Hospital medical school in London, and then moved north to work at Manchester’s Trafford General and Wythenshawe hospitals. It was a case of also going back to his roots, as his father, lawyer Adrian, and uncle Stuart Brodkin, a former Jewish Telegraph journalist, were raised in the city. His mother, Diane, is also a solicitor. “I never took anything seriously, which is the minimum people want from their doctor,” Simon joked. “I failed a big practical exam where I was asked what would I do if someone came in with three gunshots wounds — I panicked and answered, ‘call an ambulance’. “People always ask me if I was scared before I did one of my stunts, but I always tell them, ‘try telling a Jewish mother you’re giving up a career in medicine to become a bloody clown, as she referred to it’. “I am slightly exaggerating because both my parents are supportive, although my mum was a little more reticent than my dad. “I remember her saying, ‘just do 10 more years, bubbeleh, then you can become a consultant’.” His first solo comedy show, Simon Brodkin: Everyone But Himself, was performed at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2006. He went on to create the Lee Nelson and Jason Bent characters and made Lee Nelson’s Well Good Show and Lee Nelson’s Well Funny People for BBC Three. As Bent, an unintelligent, Liverpudlian footballer, he made TV programme Jason Bent’s World Cup’s Best Ever Goals, Ever! It was around the same time that Manchester City supporter Simon, in character as Bent, warmed up on the pitch at Goodison Park with the City squad ahead of their game with Everton — before finally being spotted by stewards and escorted from the stadium. He also mixed with the England football squad at London Luton Airport as they were about to board a plane for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. Simon, as Nelson, then invaded the stage during a live performance on that year’s The X Factor on ITV. Perhaps his best-known stunt, however, came in June, 2016, when he hijacked the re-opening of Donald Trump’s golf course in Scotland. It was the focus of a Channel 4 documentary, Britain’s Greatest Hoaxer, which followed Simon as he planned and executed the Trump stunt, as well as attaching a 25-foot sign to the side of shamed former BHS owner Philip Green’s £100 million super yacht, renaming it the BHS Destroyer, and auditioning for Britain's Got Talent as a rapping rabbi called Steven Goldblatt. Most people would be nervous at the thought of carrying those out, but not Simon. He said: “I don’t have the head space to be scared before I do the stunts. “With the Trump one, in hindsight, I probably should have been frightened as I was told later that guns were close to being drawn. “David Duke, the Grand Wizard of the Ku Klux Klan, outed me as a Jew which, to be honest, I already knew. I received hate mail, too. “My daughter asked me if some people are mean to Jewish people, which ended with me inappropriately telling her the long history of antisemitism. “She has trouble sleeping, anyway, but I think I scared the hell out of her by explaining that Jews have been murdered for hundreds of years.” A year after Trump, Green and the X-Factor, Simon, quite prophetically, interrupted Prime Minister Theresa May’s speech at the Conservatives conference, handing her a mocked-up P45 and telling her “Boris (Johnson) asked me to give this to you”. “Thinking about it, I could have been taken down as I am not sure if you’re supposed to go within a certain amount of centimetres of the prime minister,” he continued. “It could have been classed as a code red or something!” The closest he has come to being physically hurt was after a stunt where, after the Volkswagen emissions scandal, he attached a ‘cheat box’ to a VW car at its launch at the Geneva motor show. “They thought I might have been a terrorist, so they were pretty damn rough with me,” Simon said. “I tried to explain to them that I was a comedian, but they didn’t believe me. It was only after I persuaded one of the senior officers to look on Google that she realised I was a comedian. “She called me a ‘very funny guy’ and they asked me to pose for photos.” Now, though, he has taken off his mask to perform as himself. And he hasn’t ruled out taking the show on a national tour. “In the past, I was just as character comedian and that was what felt natural to me,” Simon explained. “I was in my element, but there must have been a feeling of not feeling comfortable in myself. “Like a lot of men, I felt it difficult to open up, but once I was on stage it felt liberating because I wasn’t pretending.” * simonbrodkin.com

UPDATE: Laurence Bassini still adamant he can save Bolton Wanderers Official Laurence Bassini is still pursuing his plan to take over Bolton Wanderers, which could be on the verge of extinction. But he feels that there appear to be “some people who are doing everything to prevent me from acquiring the club”. He says: “I want to go before the EFL tomorrow and show that I have the funds (£30 million). “There’s no reason why it shouldn’t be approved.” He says he wants to be accompanied by an independent observer and three lawyers, one a barrister. He declared: “I am also prepared to do a deal with (Bolton owner) Ken Anderson if it means saving the club. "I feel it is impossible for me to communicate with the administrator." - The EFL has set a deadline of Tuesday (5pm) for a credible deal to be approved.

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In the first of our new weekly Israeli football round-ups, Simon Yaffe dissects all of the news from the opening weekend in the Ligat Tel Aviv Stock Exchange - or, the Israeli Premier League for the rest of us. There may well be no Israeli football teams in the UEFA Europa League group stage this season. Hapoel Beersheba lost 3-0 to Feyenoord Rotterdam in the play-off round first leg, while Bnei Yehuda went down by the same scoreline in Sweden to Malmö FF. Leroy Fer scored twice for Jaap Stam's Feyenoord Rotterdam, with Sam Larsson adding another ahead of the second leg in Israel on Thursday. Markus Rosenberg (no, he's not Jewish), Ramsus Bengtsson and Oscar Lewicki were on-target for Malmo, who will meet Bnei Yehuda in Tel Aviv, also on Thursday. Hapoel's miserable start to the new campaign continued at the weekend in the opening round of matches in the Israel Premier League. They drew 0-0 at fellow title favourites מועדון הכדורגל בית"ר ירושלים - F.C. Beitar Jerusalem, while Maccabi Tel Aviv FC - מועדון הכדורגל מכבי ת"א, last season's champions, won 2-0 at league new boys Sektzia Nes Tziona thanks to goals from Dor Micha and Eliran Atar. Fellow league new boys Hapoel Kfar Saba lost 1-0 to Hapoel Haifa, the winning goal coming from new signing Eli Balilti. מועדון כדורגל מכבי חיפה Maccabi Haifa FC twice came from behind at home to Hapoel Ra'anana to win 4-3. Or Dasa struck twice for the visitors within the first 25 minutes before new signing Yuval Ashkenazi and then Ayad Habashi levelled matters. Ra'anana retook the lead in the 64th minute thanks to a Adi Nimni penalty, before Australian striker Nikita Rukavytsya scored twice in the last six minutes of the game to win it for Haifa. Kosovan international Alban Pnishi scored a 90th minute winner for Bnei Yehuda as they beat Hapoel Ironi Kiryat Shmona F.C. 2-1. Irish striker Cillian Sheridan had given the northern side a 1-0 lead, but Mohammad Ghadir and Pnishi ensured the three points went to Bnei Yehuda. Hapoel Tel Aviv FC - מועדון הכדורגל הפועל תל אביבv take on FC Maccabi Netanya - מועדון כדורגל מכבי נתניה in tonight's game.