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About Me

I am a music and multimedia journalist with a gold standard NCTJ qualification and a first class degree in BA (Hons) Multimedia Journalism at News Associates. I have a passion for bringing news to the best city in the world. I am particularly interested in reporting on local affairs, local heroes and music from Manchester.

Featured Articles

Explore a featured selection of my writing work below.
Wigan Today •

Is Wigan' music scene the brightest in the country?

The musical talent emerging from Wigan today is as strong as in decades, but to ensure the scene continues to thrive, more performance spaces and infrastructure must support musicians.

Wigan’s music scene has evolved dramatically over the past five decades but has consistently held a prominent place in the British music industry. A city known for its industrial past, rugby fervour, questionable kebabs, and Uncle Joe's Mint Balls, Wigan is also home to a music scene as diverse as it is influential.
Mancunian Matters •

James Bulger murderer Jon Venables’ lawyers received more than £100,000 for re-offences as parole hearing is granted

One of James Bulger’s killers, who has had his recent bid for parole accepted, has had more than £100,000 worth of legal aid granted since his initial release in 2001.

A freedom of information request to the Ministry of Justice revealed Jon Venables’ legal aid cost £100,735.10 in anonymity and civil representation, relating to his re-offences after the horrific murder of two-year-old James Bulger, for which he was released in 2001.

Venables’ case will not be heard in public and will last for t

GigPig - How commission on merchandise is stifling gigging musicians

The Featured Artists Coalition (FAC) has urged venues not to charge commissions on artists as it attacks the touring ecosystem, an opinion which is shared by Nick Lewis, Head of Music at KOKO in Camden.

Touring costs are, at present, staggeringly inflated to the point where gigging is becoming more and more commercially unviable for musicians, leaving merchandise sitting on a tilting scale to whether artists make or lose money.

This ultimately means that venues take money away from sales of po
Mancunian Matters •

Missing Moors Murders victim's body could be found thanks to new legislation

After 56 years, Moors Murder victim Keith Bennett’s body could finally be discovered with the help of powers given to police by a new bill.

The Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill will go to Committee stage on October 20th, and it could pave the way for police to search Ian Brady’s locked suitcases.

This could be the last chance to access additional information that would assist the police in identifying the grave of Bennett.

Brady instructed his solicitor in 2017 to hold his two briefc

Multimedia Journalism

Mancunian Matters •

Watch: Manchester's spectacular candlelight concert

The best songs from the Japanese composer Joe Hisaishi were performed by the string quartet String Infusion at the Hallé St Peter’s in Ancoats on Saturday 9th December, under the glow of candle light.


His compositions from the Studio Ghibli franchise have created films such as My Neighbour Totoro and Spirited Away.


These original concerts were created by Fever, who is the leading global live entertainment discovery platform.


Initially showcasing the greatest classical composers, it now
Mancunian Matters •

Watch: The Interflora World Cup has come to Manchester

World Cup frenzy is sweeping the nation…and it’s not just about rugby! The 15th Interflora World Cup has come to the UK for the first time with Manchester as its host city.

The Interflora World Cup is the world’s largest floristry competition, which started in 1972, and has now arrived in the UK at the Manchester Central Convention Centre.

For the first time ever, the competition is opening its doors to the public to watch the competition take place this weekend (7th-9th September).

From acro
Spotify •

Mancunian Matters Culture Review Podcast: Episode 3 - Vinyl Revival

Listen to this episode from Mancunian Matters Podcasts on Spotify. In this third and final podcast episode, we will be shining a light on the resurgence of vinyls and record collections. There is no better person to tell the story than a man who has seen it all after operating his shop, Sifters Records for over 40 years. Peter Howard was immortalised as Mr Sifter following the Oasis song Shakermaker in 1993. Mr Sifter shares his anecdotes from running his shop on Fog Lane Burnage, and the story
Finn Toal Journalist •

Manchester Performers at Edinburgh Fringe’s 75th Anniversary

Manchester acts performing at the 75th anniversary of the Edinburgh Fringe 2022 express their excitement of the return to the Fringe during this special video piece from Mancunian Matters.

Deputy Chief Executive at Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, Lyndsey Jackson, shares her enthusiasm and gratitude for the Fringe, following a two years absence due to COVID-19.

Jackson also explores with reporter Finn Toal, the vision of the Fringe this year and if there were any pressures to bring something special to the public on this landmark celebration.

Additionally, The University of Manchester's Sketch Comedy Society, Manchester Revue, are back for the second consecutive year in Edinburgh after performing a sell-out show last year.

The president Nell and committee member Fraser shared their experiences last time round and how this differed to this year, with a key vision that the society wishes to achieve.

Finally, comedian Russell Arathoon speaks to MM on his return to the Edinburgh Fringe after his debut at the arts festival in 2018, where this year he is performing at least three shows for the entirety of the Fringe.

Arathoon, who was based in Manchester, and now lives in London, speaks around his feelings on performing multiple shows at The Fringe and provides speciliast insight into how to bring in a captive audience.