Nothing is off the table. It’s a space where teenage boys can talk freely and without judgement about what it is to be a man in 2025. It’s a simple idea. But, in the age of Incels and Manosphere influencers such as Andrew Tate, it’s one that might help reshape the meaning of masculinity and create real change. Progressive Masculinity is the brainchild of former English teacher Mike Nicholson. He told Nicole Wootton-Cane that during his 17 years in the job boys would often come to him to speak about their problems. So, he decided to set up a lunchtime club for boys to come and talk with no agenda. “The teachers in my staff room laughed and said boys aren’t going to do that,” he said. “But within a month we had a queue down the corridor. “It’s an absolute fallacy that boys and men don’t like to talk. We’ve just got to create the right space.” After chatting with Mike, Nicole went along to observe a group of Year 10 boys at Moorside High School in Salford taking part in a Progressive Masculinity Workshop run by former serviceman Phil White. At the start of the session the boys are asked to compile a list of things they believe will make them happy and successful men. The answers are pretty much what you would expect – money, a good job, a family. But as the boys begin to open up, one boy admits he wouldn’t like to be with a woman who earns more than him. “Wouldn’t that like, put her off me?,” he asks. “As the man you’re meant to be the Alpha, the provider.” This is where Phil’s skill in engaging with the boys to challenge their thinking comes in. “You know, the last three women I have dated have all earned more than me?,” he tells them. “Yet when we go out for a meal I still feel like I should pay. You’re told you need to be the provider. But in reality, your partner earning more than you is something that’s very likely to happen to you in your life.” But he also doesn’t pull his punches. At one stage Phil asks the lads if they know what the biggest killer of men under 50 is. After one boy replies softly ‘suicide’ he starkly points out: “So boys – we’re winning at homelessness. “We’re winning at prison. We’re winning at suicide. And girls are smashing it at school. This isn’t just one year. This is every single year. So there has to be a reason for that.” You can read Nicole’s piece here . It’s an illuminating and, I think, ultimately positive, insight into the minds of teenage lads and the challenges they currently face. The people of Prestwich are being ‘gaslighted’ over the amount of money being offered as compensation for the disruption caused by next month’s five Oasis concerts at Heaton Park . That’s the view of local councillor Alan Quinn, who said the £25,000 being offered to community groups in the village was ‘pocket money’ to the Gallagher brothers and their promoters. “Regardless of the surge pricing, the ticket sales – £148 times 340,000, comes to something like £50m,” said Coun Quinn. “Manchester Council is doing well, the Gallagher brothers are doing well. “The only people not doing well are the people of Prestwich, who have to put up with the disruption.” Chris Gee reports Staying on the subject of the Oasis gigs for a moment. The Manchester Evening News has teamed up with the Bee Network, Transport for Greater Manchester, Manchester council and Beyond the Music to offer up five pairs of tickets for next month’s sold-out Heaton Park concerts. All you need to do to enter our competition is to take a photo when you’re travelling on the Bee Network – it could be the bus, tram or an e-bike – and upload it with your name and contact details in our entry form here . This is the moment a conman’s ‘fantasy’ life as an Instagram influencer came crashing down when he was arrested by police over an elaborate fraud. Jack Watkin, 26, from Alderley Edge, self-styled himself as ‘Cheshire’s very own Kardashian’. He lived a life of luxury, driving fast cars, wearing high-end brands and staying in some of the country’s fanciest hotels. But it was all a scam, funded by tricking his victims into handing over tens of thousands of pounds for highly sought Herme handbags. Opening a bakery opposite a Greggs might seem like an unusual business plan. But, if the queues of hungry punters outside Cheadle Heath’s Gluten Free Kitchen are anything to go by, it seems to be one that’s paying off. Chris Slater went to see what all the fuss is all about. Thursday: After a cooler spell, it looks like things are starting to warm up again as we head into the weekend. Tomorrow the forecast is for light rain, changing to sunny intervals by lunchtime, with a high of 21C. Roadworks: Cambridge Street in the city centre remains closed in both directions following the Hotspur Press fire. School threat: Bowlee Park Community School, in Middleton , was evacuated yesterday afternoon following a bomb threat . It came after the school received a number of ‘rude’ phone calls ending with a threat by the person on the other end of the line. Alleged rapist on trial: An alleged rapist targeted vulnerable and ‘intoxicated easy prey’ in Manchester city centre , before stealing from them, a trial has heard. Mourad Malki, also known as Sid Ali Djelid, is accused of ‘laying in wait’ before attacking five individuals, one woman and four men, over the course of five months. The attacks all took place around Manchester’s Canal Street, prosecutors allege. Read more Last orders: Renowned chef Gary Usher has closed his acclaimed King Street restaurant Kala with immediate effect in a shock announcement. In a statement he said: He said: “It’s with a heavy heart that I announce the immediate closure of Kala. I’m not really sure how to explain why we’ve closed other than we weren’t busy enough to cover our costs.” More here