A high school in Bolton is one of five to have been called out by Northern rail for having the most fare-dodging students.
Turton School in Bromley Cross, joins several other high schools in Cheshire, Merseyside, and West Yorkshire in being “put on report” by the region’s rail operator due to there being a high number of students caught evading fares on certain journeys.
Wilmslow High School and Wade Deacon High School in Cheshire, Rainhill High School in Merseyside, and Honley High School in West Yorkshire were the other schools rounding out the top five.
Northern explained that a large majority of the fare-evading incidents take place when students are travelling relatively short distances between rural and suburban stations, which are usually not barrier-controlled, and given the high number of students on-board and the limited journey duration, conductors cannot always carry out a full ticket inspection.
This then leads to students deciding to “risk it” without a ticket, Northern claims.
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Northern said students hop on the train at Hall i’ th’ Wood without a ticket and travel one stop to Bromley Cross station – which is right outside Turton School.
Turton School in Bolton features on Northern’s top five list / Credit: Google Maps
The train operator says it’s now working with Turton School and all the other schools on the list to urge parents to buy the existing Educational Season Tickets when schools return in September – which are heavily-discounted up to 75% off – rather than give their child money for the fare.
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Students given rail fares daily are instead deciding to pocket the cash, and choosing to risk travelling without a ticket, Northern says.
Commenting on its decision to name the top five fare-dodging schools, Mark Powles – Commercial and Customer Director at Northern – said: “Everyone has a responsibility to buy a ticket before they travel.
Students from 5 secondary schools in Cheshire, Greater Manchester and Merseyside have been highlighted as the worst fare evaders in the area.
We're now working with the schools to help urge parents to use the 75% educational discount already available to avoid penalty fares. pic.twitter.com/LUdC5ncZWQ
“But unfortunately, some students think that rule doesn’t apply to them – and routinely fare evade on our services.
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“It’s important they know that fare evading is a criminal act, and in the future they could end up with a criminal record for the sake of paying the heavily-discounted student fare.
“With the end of the school year almost upon us, we are urging parents from September not to give their child money with the hope they will buy a ticket, but to save money by ensuring their child has a ticket by buying it for a cheaper rate in advance.”
Featured Image – Northern
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You can now have a private sleepover amongst all the history inside Manchester Museum
Emily Sergeant
Manchester Museum is now offering one lucky family the chance to have a sleepover with Stan the Tyrannosaurus rex.
For the first time in Manchester Museum’s history, one lucky family will be given the chance to experience an incredible night at the museum.
This unique opportunity is being offered as part of a prize draw, allowing visitors to find out what happens once the sun goes down inside the Fossils and Dinosaurs gallery – in the company of Stan, the famous Tyrannosaurus rex, of course.
The Fossils and Dinosaurs gallery is one of the most iconic spaces within Manchester Museum.
Having opened to the public all the way back in 1888, it’s part of the museum’s original building designed by celebrated Alfred Waterhouse, who also designed Manchester Town Hall and London’s Natural History Museum.
Not only will the lucky winning family enjoy an overnight stay in the gallery, but they’ll also be treated to a guided torchlight tour of the galleries after the Museum has closed, as well as other fun activities and a film screening too before bed.
You can now have a private sleepover inside Manchester Museum / Credit: The Manc Group
“We can’t be completely sure what happens when the sun goes down in our Fossils and Dinosaurs gallery, because nobody has ever spent the night in there before, but we can only imagine the kind of fun that can be had with Stan the T. rex and his friends,” said Dean Whiteside, Head of Commercial and Operations at Manchester Museum.
“This is a chance to be a part of museum history and enjoy the kind of once-in-a-lifetime experience you can’t usually buy.
“At the same time, Manchester Museum is a charity so, by getting behind this initiative, you’ll be helping to support vital work that impacts the lives of people across Greater Manchester and beyond.”
Fancy it then? You can enter the prize draw by buying a ticket for £5 from the Manchester Museum Shop, with each ticket counting as one entry and the winner set to be chosen at random from all valid entries.
The prize draw is now open and closes on Monday 28 September 2026.
Featured Image – Supplied
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A Twilight rave is coming to Manchester with DJs blasting 2000s indie and emo anthems
Emily Sergeant
A Twilight rave is coming to Manchester this spooky season.
It’s been nearly 20 years since the release of the titular first film in the Twilight Saga, based on author Stephanie Meyer’s bestselling book series of the same name, but despite two decades having passed, the films remain as beloved as ever.
Twilight went on to become a global phenomenon when it first hit cinemas back in November 2008, not just with its target audience of teens and young adults, but with people of all ages – making stars out of its lead actors Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart in the process, and generating millions at the box office.
With the impact it had on the culture at the time, it’s no wonder Twilight remained among fans’ favourites all these years later.
And this success is why events company Throwback Events is hosting a series of Twilight Raves across the UK and Europe this autumn, making a stop off here in Manchester in late November with tickets now on sale.
The event description reads: “Bella, where the hell you been loca? Join us as we celebrate Twilight at the club, where every day is Hoa Hoa Hoa season.
“Step into the shadows and relive the magic, mystery, and eternal romance of Twilight. Get ready for a night of anthems, nostalgia, and glittering darkness as we transform the dancefloor into Forks’ most iconic vampire coven.”
DJs will be spinning Twilight soundtracks on the night, alongside dark pop, emo, indie, and 2000s bangers, as well as playing fan edits from the films on big screens.
Oh, and to make it all the better, dressing up as vampires and werewolves is ‘highly encouraged’.
Fancy it then? The Twilight Rave is coming to the Deaf Institute in Manchester on Saturday 21 November, and tickets will set you back upwards of £7 each.
Emily Sergeant -
18th July 2022 
