Trending

You can walk through the UK’s longest Christmas lights tunnel at this Cheshire castle

The Bolesworth Christmas Lights trail is described as a "magical fusion of colours, music and unique experiences".

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 9th December 2021

The longest tunnel of Christmas lights has arrived at a castle in Cheshire, and thousands have been flocking to see it.

In the first-ever Bolesworth Christmas Lights Trail – which happened over this past weekend – the iconic Cheshire venue welcomed visitors from far and wide as it opened doors to its illuminated winter wonderland.

As well as including the UK’s longest Christmas lights tunnel – which is over 100 metres long and is made up of 27,500 lights – the 1.2-mile magical lights trail also runs along the lakeside and through winding woodland paths and grounds to provide what is described as a “magical fusion of colours, music and unique experiences”.

You can also watch a “spectacular” laser light show that’s been carefully-choreographed to music, and take the time to appreciate sculpture trail that showcases some of the best local and nationally-recognised artists.

Visitors are also told to keep an eye out for some real reindeer too on the trail.

ADVERTISEMENT

Not only that, but there’s also a handful of fairground rides for all the family to enjoy, as well as a wide selection of festive food and drink at the on-site Christmas markets, and a number of festive stalls to snap up some special gifts for friends and family.

There’s even the chance visit Santa in his grotto, and go skating on an all-weather and “environmentally-friendly” synthetic ice skating rink. 

ADVERTISEMENT
The tunnel is over 100 metres long and is made up of 27,500 lights / Credit: Bolesworth

Speaking on the success of the first weekend, Nina Barbour – Managing Director at Bolesworth – said: “It was fabulous to finally welcome so many to our first Christmas Lights Trail at Bolesworth and to see everyone enjoying the attractions.

“We’ve had such positive feedback from visitors, and the team is looking forward to welcoming more guests to our winter wonderland as we run up to Christmas.”

Bolesworth Christmas Lights Trail runs until the 24 December, and you can grab tickets here.

Featured Image – Bolesworth

Trending

One in 10 Brits are fired or disciplined after their work’s Christmas party, new survey finds

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

We’re in peak office Christmas party season right about now.

With just under two weeks to go until the big day itself is here, many businesses across the UK are treating their staff to night out to celebrate both the festive season and all of the hard work they have been putting in throughout the year… and as you can expect, these are usually quite eventful gatherings, shall we say.

But now, a survey by has shed light on just how ‘eventful’ they actually are, as a new survey has revealed that, apparently, one in ten Brits face some sort of disciplinary action or dismissal due to their behaviour at Christmas parties.⁠

The study was conducted by After Drink, and included more than 2,000 participants.

During the research, it was highlighted that 89% of employees admitted to drinking alcohol at these events, Lad Bible reports – with 65% of these confessing that they drank “excessively”.

One in 10 Brits get fired or disciplined after their work’s Christmas party / Credit: Kraken Images | Mimi Thian (via Unsplash)

There are a multitude of incidents which could lead to disciplinary action in the workplace nowadays, but according to the survey, some of the common reasons following festive celebrations with colleagues included inappropriate comments (23%) and even getting into fights (21%).

16% of these incidents were because of drug use during the event, while inappropriate interactions with colleagues accounted for 14%.

Some of the legal reasons you can be fired from your place of work after a Christmas party include gross misconduct, drunken behaviour, and fighting of any kind.

Despite all these risks, however, Christmas parties still remain as popular as always, and a whopping 79% of respondents said they are planning to attend theirs this year.⁠

Read more:

Clearly, the moral of the story here is , enjoy yourself… but just not too much.

Featured Image – The OurWhiskey Company (via Pexels)

Trending

Half of Mancs don’t know how to cook Christmas dinner, new survey reveals

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Christmas dinner is one of the key parts of any festive celebration.

No matter whether you choose to tuck into a traditional roast with all the trimmings and lashings of gravy, or you prefer to go for something a little different like a curry or a Chinese instead, your Christmas dinner is a chance to gather round with your loved ones and enjoy one of the heartiest meals you’ll likely have all year.

However, some shocking new figures have revealed that half of Manchester residents have no clue how to even cook a Christmas dinner.

Through a major study by the UK’s leading electrical retailer, AO.com, it was revealed that the majority of our city’s residents are “losing confidence” in preparing even the simplest of British dishes – with a traditional roast or Christmas dinner being one of them.

A new survey has revealed that half of Mancs don’t know how to cook Christmas dinner / Credit: Freepik | GoodFon

As part of its new campaign to get Brits back into the kitchen, AO found that just 57% of respondents reckon they would be able to make a roast dinner, 52% could whip up a classic shepherd’s pie, 58% could cook bangers and mash, merely 61% could prepare a full English breakfast, and again, only 57% could tackle fish and chips.

Classic desserts are clearly a struggle for us Mancs too, according to the survey, as only 19% of respondents said they’d feel confident cooking a Christmas pudding.

The survey also found that nationwide, it was Gen Z – those between the age of 16 and 27 – that are the least confident in their ability to cook great British classics, while on the other end of the spectrum, Baby Boomers are the most capable, proving that culinary confidence increases with age.

Our region’s residents are apparently ‘losing confidence’ at cooking simple British classics / Credit: Freepik

Commenting on the results, Jay Lockton, oven expert at AO.com, said: “Kitchens should be a place of creativity and joy, but our data shows that a lot of people in Manchester are losing confidence in preparing even the simplest of British dishes.

“Based on our findings, many younger people may be opting for convenience foods or takeaways due to their busy schedules and the perception that cooking from scratch is time-consuming or difficult.

Read more:

“But with simple guidance and the right tools, we believe everyone can rediscover the joy and simplicity of homemade meals.”

Featured Image – gpointstudio (via Freepik)

More Trending

Trending

New Hairy Bikers documentary to take viewers on ’emotional journey’ in tribute to Dave Myers

Snoop Dogg wants to join MasterChef UK

Music

Snoop Dogg says he wants to replace Gregg Wallace on MasterChef – and so do we

4 Northern athletes nominated for BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2024

News

Keely Hodgkinson, Sarah Storey, Luke Littler and more shortlisted for BBC Sports Personality of the Year

Audio

Clint Boon takes us around Manchester's iconic Deaf Institute

Eats

We go meatballs deep with Mira's traditional Neapolitan sandwiches