Dear readers — Congratulations to both Kings of the North, Andy Burnham and Jack’s brother Harry, who both completed this year’s Great Manchester Run over the weekend. Alongside the pair were 40,000 or so others, including many participants from the TV show Race Across the World, who ran in memory of former contestant Sam Gardiner, who died in a car crash near Manchester a year ago. Sam’s mum, Jo, said it was a “very moving” day.
Tonight, some of The Mill team are down in London with colleagues from Sheffield and Liverpool for the Paul Foot Awards, celebrating some of the best investigative journalism of the past year. We’re on the shortlist for our piece about Andrew Milne, the London lawyer who targeted leaseholders with letters requesting large sums of money after he bought their freeholds on the cheap.
The bulk of the reporting was, admittedly, done in Sheffield, but we managed to sneak our way onto the back-end of the byline when we found Milne had pulled the same stunt in Bolton. We’re up against five other very impressive candidates so do wish us luck, but either way, the drinks and canapes are free!
But now, here’s your briefing, which begins with a shocking case of sexual harassment at the University of Manchester’s School of Medicine — and a review of a new film eerily similar in theme.
Breathtaking opera in the Peak District
Every year, Buxton International Festival puts on some of the very best opera in Britain. In 2026, their two lead operas, La traviata and The Merry Widow are set to be sell-outs with tickets being snapped up fast.
Take a trip to 19th-century Paris with Giuseppe Verdi’s La traviata for a fresh take on the classic tale of forbidden love, sacrifice and social prejudice. Or let Franz Lehár’s The Merry Widow transport you to 1950s Manhattan, for a deliciously rich comedy of bankruptcy, infidelity, and social climbing.
Whether you’re a long-time opera lover or looking to try something new this summer, escape the city and head to Buxton for an evening at the opera – grab your tickets below. With over 160 stellar events, there’s a show for everyone.
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