The Natural History Museum’s world-famous Dippy the dinosaur is starring in his very own TV documentary that’s hitting screens across the UK this evening.
And his extended stay at Rochdale is set to take centre stage.
The Dippy on Tour: A Natural History Adventure first opened in Rochdale at Number One Riverside and Touchstones as the only North West stop on its national tour back in February of 2020, with almost 115,000 visitors coming to see the dinosaur cast before the first national lockdown was put in place.
His arrival in Rochdale made waves and proved to be a smash hit for the region – especially after it reopened for a short time later in the year with safety measures in place – but the exhibition sadly had to be suspended on a number of occasions due to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and so instead, Rochdale Borough Council launched an online offering in its place.
8,000 school children visited with their classes and hundreds joined in with special zoom sessions organised by the council’s children’s services team to enable children to engage with Dippy during lockdown.
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It’s expected that this unprecedented rollercoaster experience for the exhibition will be touched upon in the documentary.
The six-part documentary series – Natural History Museum: World of Wonder – focuses on the famous London museum and its many special artefacts, with film crews getting special behind the scenes access to the institution’s treasures, and in episode two – which airs tonight at 8pm on Channel 5 – the team will feature Dippy’s visit last year to Rochdale as part of the national tour.
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Our friend @DippyOnTour might have left Rochdale, but he's still making waves! The famous dino's visit to our borough features in a new primetime @channel5_tv show, Natural History Museum: World Of Wonder, which airs this Thursday (14) at 8pm @NHM_London@JEMsoc@Touchstonespic.twitter.com/35a4SiSDph
Film crews captured the 21-metre long dinosaur cast alongside local visitors, and had a chat with Rochdale Councillor Janet Emsley and Lorraine Cornish from the Natural History Museum as part of their episode about dinosaurs and other prehistoric treasures.
This isn’t the first time Dippy’s stay in Rochdale has made it to the silver screen either.
Late last year, Dippy made and appearance from Rochdale on the iconic children’s programme Blue Peter, where viewers tuned in to see young dinosaur fan, Warwick Carter, join presenter Ritchie Driss to place Dippy’s head on at the end of the build.
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Speaking of Dippy’s star turn on television screens this evening, Councillor Janet Emsley said: “I’m not surprised that Dippy’s legacy is continuing, even now that he’s left our borough and I’m looking forward to catching up with my favourite dinosaur once more, albeit through my television,”
“Last year was a very difficult year, but Dippy was unquestionably a rare highlight, and it will be wonderful to be reminded of this wonderful exhibit and what a special time it was for our borough.”
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Natural History Museum: World of Wonder continues on Channel 5 at 8pm this evening.
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Manchester’s big wheel is returning to Exchange Square for the summer… sort of
Emily Sergeant
Manchester is set to reach new heights, as the big wheel that once stood proudly in the city centre is making a comeback this summer.
Well… sort of.
That’s because it’s not quite the same big wheel that many will remember from its glory days in locations like Piccadilly Gardens and Exchange Square throughout the 2000s, and more recently Albert Square during last year’s Manchester Christmas Markets – but it is a big wheel and it’s a big wheel that you’ll be able to hop on for a ride.
Celebrating the launch of its new Cloud Frappuccino blended drinks range, Starbucks’ Summer in the Clouds arrives in Exchange Square next Friday and Saturday (24 and 25 July), inviting people to escape the hustle and bustle and enjoy panoramic views of the city below from a big Ferris wheel.
The two-day takeover will give customers the chance to unlock a ride on the big wheel with the purchase of any Grande or Venti iced drink from participating Manchester city centre Starbucks stores.
Both in participating stores – which in Manchester are Starbucks stores in the Arndale, City Tower Offices, on Market Street and on Fennel Street – and at the Ferris wheel itself in Exchange Square, you can expect complimentary Cloud Frappuccino-inspired candy floss, live music from DJ and presenter Ethan Porte, and a free photobooth with digital and printed photos.
Alongside the big wheel ride, there’ll also be the chance for members to win exclusive Starbucks merchandise across the two days too.
A limited number of additional ferris wheel ride tokens will also be available to win via the fairground-style Plinko game on site.
The new Starbucks Cloud Frappuccino blended drinks range includes a range of bespoke creations like the Strawberry Matcha Cloud Frappuccino, the Brown Sugar Cloud Frappuccino, and the Caramel Mocha Cloud Frappuccino.
With skyline views and summer sips, Starbucks says its Summer in the Clouds is set to be one of Manchester’s must-visit experiences this month.
Starbucks’ Summer in the Clouds arrives in Exchange Square next Friday 24 and Saturday 25 July.
Featured Image – Cédric Dhaenens (via Unsplash)
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Liam Fray says ‘yes’ to Courteeners supporting Oasis on tour amid rumoured 2027 dates
Danny Jones
Liam Fray has said that the Courteeners are ready to “answer the call” if/when it comes to supporting Oasis on their next big live tour, with rumours of dates for shows in 2027 ramping up.
The fellow Manc favourites were heavily suggested as potential support acts for the Live ’25 reunion gigs, but Cast and Richard Ashcroft were ultimately selected as the warm-ups for the world tour.
With that in mind, when asked if Courteeners would be ready to open up for Oasis on their still only hypothetical tour next year, Fray had a very quick answer:
Not to speak for the Middleton musician, but it’s a bit of a no-brainer, really.
As you can see, in a recent interview with Radio X host Johnny Vaughan promoting the indie rockers’ new single, ‘Plus One Forever’, the 41-year-old frontman made it clear that he and his bandmates would bite hands off if the other Liam and/or his brother Noel offered a slot to them.
The younger Gallagher brother definitely had plenty of fun teasing supports last time around, before making some fairly more obvious posts and then seemingly just announcing them on social media according to his own timeline.
LG does what he wants, after all.
As for the supposed ’12 nights at the Etihad Stadium’ reported recently, not to mention all the other sets across the country that would no doubt follow should they come to fruition, Fray could say little else other than simply “Yes” to the prospect.
Joking, “Well, it is from me – I don’t know if someone else has said no!”, there have been no other indications on this front, but it’s safe to say it’d be a huge booking for everyone involved and a HUGE crowd-pleaser; Liam looks to be working on one of his own, elsewhere, too…
The two lead singers have both graced the stage of the Emirates Old Trafford stadium at Lancashire County Cricket Club, as well as Heaton Park, respectively.
Liam noted that he was at Heaton Park himself for that unforgettable summer last year, and also praised Wigan’s very own Ashcroft for being “unbelievable” when he caught him at Wembley. Big shoes to fill. The question is, who would you like to see supporting Oasis on their possible tour dates in the future?
In the meantime, we’ll have to be satisfied with gearing up for the release of the highly-anticipated reunion documentary, with the title and a first trailer now revealed.
Emily Sergeant -
14th January 2021 
