Welcome to Unmissable – our weekly digest of the stories we think you might have missed.(Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)

Last week, MEN editor-in-chief Sarah Lester outlined some exciting upcoming changes for our readers. Speaking about the launch of our premium product, she said that when she first walked into the newsroom, she knew it was a “very special place.”

I couldn’t agree more, and not just because she’s the boss.

I joined the Manchester Evening News in 2015 after a ten-year stint at The Independent in London. I thought I knew all there was to know about journalism, until the MEN proved me wrong. The first thing I noticed was the paper’s intimate connection with its readers. That’s something you rarely find. Here, people are deeply engaged, sometimes supportive, sometimes critical, but always providing insight into what we’re doing right or what we might do differently.

If you’re reading Unmissable this week, there’s a strong chance you’re already a premium member. So I’ll skip the hard sell and simply say, thank you. Your support is a vote of confidence that means a lot.

For those new to Unmissable, it’s designed to help you catch the stories that can get lost in the daily news grind. Algorithms don’t always show you the journalism we’re proudest of, so our weekly digest highlights the best pieces you might have missed. And this week, there are some real gems.

For the launch of our premium offer, we ran a brilliant investigation into the controversial YouTuber Charlie Veitch by James Holt. The idea grew from James’ earlier story about the chaos in Piccadilly Gardens. The Veitch investigation explores what drove him from his earlier, more positive work to the right-wing agit-prop that now gets him thousands of views. We may not have reached a definitive answer, but the journey itself is fascinating.

We also published an outstanding feature by senior reporter Neal “Killer” Keeling, a stalwart of the MEN newsroom for 38 years. Neal reflects on what’s changed and what hasn’t over nearly four decades, offering remarkable insight into the history of this paper.

Weekend coverage didn’t disappoint either. Our new series, “Pub of the Week,” kicked off brilliantly. Jenna Campbell’s piece on Erling Haaland’s favourite Chinese restaurant and Dianne Bourne’s interview with Jason Manford are both worth your time. Beth Abbit’s chat with Steve Diggle uncovered a chilling encounter at a bonfire that’s hard to forget.

And a special shout-out to Damon Wilkinson’s interview with John Cooper Clarke. From Clarke rocking up at Bernard Manning’s Embassy Club to his signature look, black sunglasses, newsboy cap, matchstick legs, this piece is a joy to read. Clarke tells of his early encounter with Manning who told him: “They don’t like poetry here, kid. Half of them can’t f****** read.”

True to form JCC still tells a great story.

Have a great week, and enjoy discovering the stories that make our newsroom tick.

Rob Williams, Features and perspectives editor.

‘The first day I walked in here, I knew it was a special place’Sarah Lester, Editor-in-Chief of the Manchester Evening News

Manchester Evening News editor Sarah Lester on how the newsroom is evolving – and what it means for you.

‘I just played to my strengths for 50 years’: John Cooper Clarke on Bernard Manning, the Arctic Monkeys and shopping in AldiJohn Cooper Clarke(Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)

As he gears up for the release of a new collection of poetry and a huge new UK tour – including a homecoming show at Manchester Apollo – the Bard of Salford spoke to Damon Wilkinson.

Will the real Charlie Veitch please stand up? “You are all free! You don’t need permission to be happy!” “You are all free! You don’t need permission to be happy!”(Image: Marianna Longo)

Sixteen years ago, Charlie Veitch stood on pavements offering hugs, hope and a homemade philosophy of freedom. Today, he marches through Manchester flanked by bodyguards, a camera pointed at the city’s most vulnerable. James Holt reports.

Neal Keeling has been at the Manchester Evening News for 38 years. He has one regretManchester Evening News veteran Neal Keeling(Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)

For 38 years, Neal Keeling has reported on the streets of Salford and Manchester.

‘Our pub is one of the oldest buildings in the city – we’ve seen everything’The Old Wellington pub in the city centre has a history dating as far back as 1552The Old Wellington pub in the city centre has a history dating as far back as 1552(Image: Sean Hansford | Manchester Evening News)

For Pub of the Week, we’re going to a very well established spot in the city.

The £15 Chinatown dish so good that Erling Haaland had to get his ownHappy Seasons is a Manchester institution Happy Seasons is a Manchester institution (Image: Sean Hansford | Manchester Evening News)

The Manchester City striker is well-known for his goal scoring and healthy appetite so it was only a matter of time before he visited this Chinatown institution.

On Bonfire Night 1964 a man said: ‘Come and sit by Myra’“I nearly went and sat with her but because of the peer pressure from others I didn’t. “

“Even as us kids danced around the flames, there were real life monsters watching from the shadows.”

Jason Manford: ‘One day no one will want me, so you’ve got to take it while you can’Jason Manford is preparing to star in panto in Manchester – capping off a hectic year for the busiest man in showbiz(Image: Phil Tragen)

Jason Manford is everywhere right now – from hosting the Royal Variety Performance to gearing up for another Christmas panto in Manchester – but as he juggles comedy, TV, fitness, family life and even a recent health scare, the Salford-born star tells Dianne Bourne he’s simply making the most of every opportunity while he can.