Ever wondered what it's like to be a fire fighter on one of the busiest nights of the year?
Reporting for BBC Radio Manchester, I went out 'on the run' with Bolton Central fire crews for Bonfire Night. 
From near car crashes, to fireworks thrown at patrols to endless paperwork - there wasn't a moment to sit still.... One of the most terrifying and exciting moments of my job.


Real life: Out 'on the run' with fire crews...

A service for sex workers in Manchester says despite seeing a 20% increase in numbers of women using the service, funding cuts could force them to reduce their outreach.
Yet the charity Manchester Action on Street Health - or simply MASH – the city has the highest number of sex workers outside the capital.
Throughout the week they run drop in clinics on the streets and in their headquarters near Piccadilly Station. Reporter Clare Freeman went to visit and meet some of the workers of old and new from the streets of Manchester....

Exclusive: The real lives of prostitutes in Manchester

Gay Muslim women tell BBC Radio Manchester they are being victimised, not for their sexuality but for their colour; by the gay community… In this exclusive interview the women tell reporter Clare Freeman how they've been spat at, had beer thrown at them and suffered abuse during a gay pride event. The LGBT community have since apologised and say they're working on  building better relations with people of all religions and backgrounds.

Meet the gay, Muslim women outcast from the LGBT community...

Women based at the Ahmadiyya Muslim Women's Association partnered with BBC Radio Manchester, and opened the book for a full and frank series called 'behind The Hijab'. It's primary aim was to challenge stereotypes about Muslim women, but in the process there was love, laughter and great friendship. Produced by Clare Freeman.

Behind The Hijab: Challenging Stereotypes

Parents of pupils at a primary school in Bury have expressed their concerns over a 'staged robbery' exercise which took place in the classroom earlier this week. The school in Whitefield says it was 'part of a project to encourage the children to improve their creative writing', and adds that any parents who were concerned 'have since been re-assured'.
BBC Radio Manchester reporter Clare Freeman looked into the issue, and told Adam Catterall more details.

Parents concerned at 'staged' robbery in Whitefield school

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham says he DIDN'T snub the party leader Jeremy Corbyn when he didn't join him at a rally last night. The newly elected mayor told BBC reporter Clare Freeman he was absent from the gathering which was called to celebrate his victory. Mr Burnham said he had made it clear that he'd already said he couldn't attend. 
This morning the mayor announced the appointment of three deputies. When asked on how the Labour Party will need to move forwards for the General Election next month, Mr Burnham said the focus must be on "going back to grassroots, to build a connection with people at local level."

*Please be aware this is not a post expressing support for/against the Labour Party over others, this is a breaking news report meant to be a stand alone.

#GMMayor Andy Burnham: "It's the kind of politics I'm leaving behind. I'm getting on with the job."

It's an area of land that's been farmed and used by those living in Bolton for many years but now the farmers on the Hulton Estate are angry with plans to change the landscape's future.
The owners - Peel Holdings - announced some months ago its proposals to build more than a thousand homes, to restored lost gardens, build a golf course and provide hundreds of jobs. But as yet no formal application has been submit.
Well this weekend, campaigners from the 'Hulton Estate Area Residents Together' group will host a free walk to promote awareness of the developments. BBC Radio Manchester reporter Clare Freeman has been to find out more.

Questions marks over the future of farming in Hulton

BBC Radio Manchester's Clare Freeman investigates reaction to #ThreeGirls drama in Rochdale town centre. Some of the comments heard by members of the public included: 
"The Asian community are being targeted" "This programme is just adding fuel to the fire" "The girls were stupid" and "I think it's rife"...

A Parents Against Grooming spokesperson said: 
"Stop blaming the kids. There are still people who say these kids knew what they were doing. We can't live in a pink world where everything is wonderful. It's taken a long time for this to come out, and I'm glad. "

Listen to this full report, which includes comments from Greater Manchester Police and practical advice of how to help protect vulnerable teenagers.

Programme: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b08rgd5n
Help available here: http://www.itsnotokay.co.uk/who-we-are/

*CLARIFICATION: The quotes above are NOT my personal opinions or views, they are the views of random people spoken to in the town.

"The girls were stupid..." versus "stop blaming the kids" #ThreeGirlsBBC reaction

This audio is a discovery of what epilepsy is, how it affects those living with it and if all else fails - what happens when brain surgery is the last resort.
Prince, Neil Young, Ian Curtis...some of the well-known names who have struggled with epilepsy. But would you know what to do if your family member, friend or colleague had a seizure?

More info: Epilepsy.org.uk or EpilepsySurgeryFriends.co.uk
Thanks to Kenny Borland, Anthony Williams & Mark Morton.

Music: Joy Divison - She's Lost Control & Prince - Sacrifice of Victor.

Epilepsy: Myths, music & action

We all know that we have an ageing population. As a result, more of us are living alone - either by choice or not... Sometimes, that can lead to older people feeling isolated from the rest of the community, with many of them struggling to leave the house.  BBC Radio Manchester reporter Clare Freeman has been to meet a group of older wiser folk in Cheshire, to find out just exactly how to deal with the problem of loneliness.

With thanks to Brightlife Cheshire.

The problem with loneliness...

Clare Freeman Commercial Voiceover Reel

Presenter. Podcaster. Storyteller.
"Helping ordinary people tell their extraordinary stories..."
For bookings, email: ASFBproductions@gmail.com
Or visit: www.ASFBproductions.com

Clare Freeman

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