Pictures of Jude..

A stab at the famous baby portrait. Jude is Dean and Jenny's young son - both good friends of mine, and wanted to capture his image before he'd learned to open cupboards, stand in front of the TV, and handle kitchen knives. As it turns out, Jude already has very sharp teeth, and Dean will be fishing around in nappies for his thumb in the next 8 hours.

Robbie Williams cameos at the Palace Theatre

'Panto's On Strike' is a uniquely foul-mouthed show currently on at the Palace Theatre and stars Jonathan Wilkes (constantly referred to in the show as 'you know, Robbie Williams's best friend') and Max & Paddy's Paddy McGuiness. Press night featured a surprise cameo by Ricky Hatton, and fortunately for Jonathan, Robbie Williams appeared during the singalong, where he sang the chorus of 'Angels' to a basically overwhelmed crowd. MEN cutting kindly forwarded by MEN.

Remembrance Sunday in Trafford

A service from North Trafford in Urmston, and South Trafford at the Hale War Memorial, with new content commemorating the fallen in the newer war theatres Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as the old. The service in Hale contained a Christian, Muslim and Jewish element - but neither service attended today catered for the atheist or agnostic soldier! How old fashioned..

Vieira visits Man City training ground

Senegalese footballer Patrick Vieira visited the Manchester City football training ground at Platt Lane yesterday. At 34, still in very good shape, though following a brief Q & A with the young men training there it emerged that he's a little upset to be on the bench so much these days.

Karl Jenkins & Kazakhs at Abbey Road Studios

Hirsute welsh composer Karl Jenkins was down in Abbey Road Studios this week, recording a composition based on the works of a Kazakh musician and poet named Shakarim. Present on the day were three Kazakh folk singers, and former child prodigy violinist from Kazakhstan named Marat.

Also posted is me, entirely obscured by the back end of my camera, photographing the composer during an interview.

Two royal visits in one day

Gruff Scot Duncan Bannatyne visited Wellacre Technology College in Flixton today, seeming as socially adept as he does on Dragon's Den, and HRH Princess Anne was at Altrincham School for Girls to unveil a plaque while 1200 shivering schoolgirls looked on, rapt.

Cheri & Jamie in Priory Gardens

A young couple who live in Cardiff came to Manchester, to have pictures taken that illustrate their affection for each other. (Ahh). The first location was a small woodland area in Sale, but my fondness for industrial grunge later took us to a large yellow gate in Trafford Park.