There isn’t much more to say about the past 15 months or so that hasn’t already been said by this point now, right?
2020 was unlike any other year in recent memory, with life as we once knew it completely flipped on its head, but despite restrictions easing over the past couple of months and confirmation expected later today that Britain’s so-called ‘Freedom Day’ will actually happen on 19 July, 2021 has felt like much of the same.
It really is no surprise that many are eager to escape that Groundhog Day feeling by getting some holidays booked in then.
Travel Secretary Grant Shapps told Sky News last month that: “It is possible in this pandemic for things to move and change quickly… [however, these changes also] mean there is a little bit of relief for the travel industry and for people who wish to get away.
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“It won’t be quite like it was in 2019 and the old days, but we are moving in a positive direction.”
Considering the uncertainty that’s still involved in booking a holiday abroad in 2021, it’s understandable that people are choosing to plan ahead and look to 2022 when it comes to booking trips and time off work instead.
You can secure a whopping 45 days off work using just 18 days Annual Leave / Credit: Dan Gold (Unsplash) | Flickr
As you’ve probably worked out, the key is all to do with Bank / Public Holidays and the days that fall either side of those nine pre-scheduled days off.
Where the weekends fall in 2022 also plays a significant part in it.
Monday 26 & Tuesday 27 December: Boxing Day & Bank Holiday
Wednesday 28 – Friday 30 December: Annual Leave
Saturday 31 December 2022 & Sunday 1 January 2023: Weekend
Monday 2 January 2023: Bank Holiday
It’s worth noting that before you rush to book all these days off, you should check your employer’s policies on Annual Leave and keep in mind that they don’t actually have to give you paid leave on Bank / Public Holidays.
You can find out more about what you’re entitled to on the gov.uk website.
Featured Image – Piqsels
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You can get FREE sandwiches in Manchester this weekend – but only if you have certain names
Emily Sergeant
Hungry Mancs can help themselves to free sandwiches this bank holiday weekend… but there’s a bit of a catch.
You can only get yourself a sandwich if you have one of these particular names.
We’ve been enjoying some absolutely stunning sunshine across Greater Manchester and much of the UK over the past couple of months, and nothing says sunny days more than taking a packed lunch or grabbing a meal deal and taking it to your local park or greenspace for a picnic.
This is why Pret A Manger has decided to make picnics easier for those who are lucky enough to have a certain type of name.
This late May bank holiday weekend, the popular high street coffee shop chain will be dishing out hundreds of free sandwiches across the UK – including here in Manchester – to anyone whose name happens to start with ‘Nic’.
That means people called Nick, Nicholas, Nicola, Nicole, Nico, Nicolette, and plenty of others could be in with a chance of some free feasting over these next couple of days.
You can get FREE sandwiches in Manchester this weekend / Credit: Wikimedia Commons | Supplied
Here in Manchester, it’s the chain’s Portland Street site, just off Piccadilly Gardens, that’s participating in the free giveaway this weekend, and there’ll be 50 sandwiches a day given out, so you’ll need to be quick if your name starts with ‘Nic’ and you’re feeling peckish.
The offer is only limited to Pret’s freshly-made sandwiches, and unfortunately excludes baguettes, wraps, or rye rolls… but free food is better than no food, after all.
All you’ll need to do to grab a freebie is show your ID at the tills of participating stores this Saturday (24 May) to prove your name, and you’ll get to walk out with your lunch in hand, all without having to spend a penny.
Manchester’s Portland Street Pret A Manger will be giving out 50 free sandwiches to ‘Nics’ this Saturday, and they’re on a first-come-first-served basis.
Featured Image – Eaters Collective (via Unsplash)
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BBC needs adventurous Mancs to take part in next series of Race Across the World
Emily Sergeant
Are you a fan of travelling? Got a bit of a competitive streak in your nature? This might just be your calling then.
The BBC is currently casting for the next series of Race Across the World.
The BAFTA-winning hit show is currently airing to thousands of viewers each week, but with the next series now in the works, producers are on the look-out for ‘intrepid duos’ of all ages who reckon they’re ready to take a step into the unknown, and embark on an epic race across land and sea – and that includes Greater Manchester residents.
With applications for the next series of the massively-popular show now open, nomadic Mancs are being encouraged to take part.
On a limited budget and away from the luxuries of modern technology and conveniences, those lucky applicants selected to take part in the next series will get the chance to experience life in some of the world’s most beautiful and remote locations.
BBC is looking for Mancs to take part in next series of Race Across the World / Credit: BBC
Navigating their way across thousands of miles, they’ll travel through spectacular scenery and dynamic cities, visit ancient wonders, learn local customs, and take part in time-honoured traditions.
But, as producers are keen to point out, “the physical journey is only half of the story”.
That’s because, as the contestants take on the challenge of travelling across the world, the greatest thing they’ll discover along the way could actually be about themselves and one another.
Putting out a UK-wide casting call on the BBC website this week, producers Studio Lambert wrote: “We are now accepting applications for the next series of Race Across the World. This experience is open to all, whether you’re a seasoned traveller or total novice.
“We want to hear what undertaking a trip like this would mean to you, and with a cash prize at stake, what lengths you would go to to win.
Applications for the massively-popular show are now open / Credit: BBC
“Maybe you’re looking to change something in your life? Or are keen to share the journey with someone special like a family member, best friend, or someone you’ve lost touch with. You may even have a very personal reason for wanting to travel at this time in your life or explore a particular part of the world.”
Fancy it then?
Applications for the third series of Race Across the World are now open for anyone over 18 years of age, with a deadline date of 6 July 2025, and you can find out more information and apply via the BBC website.
Emily Sergeant -
5th February 2021 
