Just lately the news from America has been dominated by bad news on almost every front. This two people have done more than most to echo what Martin Luther King said all those years ago. Keep Hope alive! When you have the time or when you feel there is no hope, please watch these two speeches. I hope they inspire you as much as they did me.

On behalf of Mrs. Robert Kennedy, her children and the parents and sisters of Robert Kennedy, I want to express what we feel to those who mourn with us today in this Cathedral and around the world.

"IN HIM, THE STRENGTH OF A BILLION BLACK DAUGHTERS AND SONS ."

The British Basketball fraternity was rocked last week with the sudden death of BBL Chairman Ed Percival.

Writer and broadcaster Lemn Sissay MBE has been elected as the next Chancellor of The University of Manchester.

Obviously, living in and around Manchester every one knew Tony WILSON. He was a television star on Regional station Granada and he was legendary in the Manchester area for discovering punk, introducing it to Manchester and launching the Madchester music scene.

The Joy that it is. New additions for 2015. Continuing one of my favourite features on mikeshaft.com.

For the last few years I have had the pleasure of being on the air at BBC Radio Manchester on Boxing Day. As usual we looked at some of the people who had passed away in 2014.

Mickey Clifford, one of the legends of the Chester Sporting scene, passed away on November 18th aged 71.

Recently I received this wonderful letter from one my favourite people in the world. I thought you might like to read it. I hope it inspires you.