Greater Manchester’s iconic heritage railway is hosting one of the most festive fine-dining experiences in the region this Christmas.
It’s no secret that East Lancashire Railway (ELR) is known and loved for its immersive events that give rail enthusiasts and curious Mancs the chance to step back in time by hopping on one of the historic Pullman-style carriages and riding a steam train through the picturesque Greater Manchester countryside.
Every time the festive season rolls around, it always tends to be ELR’s beloved Santa steam trains that grab headlines more, as the event has gone on to become an absolute Christmas classic for families in the North West over the years.
But especially for the grown-ups, how does getting the chance to tuck into a luxury Christmas dinner onboard the retro locomotive sound instead?
ELR’s unique ‘Dining with Distinction’ package is known to be a fan-favourite all year round, but this December, the railway’s festive edition of the experience is back once again by popular demand for another year – and, apparently, “yule be sorry to miss it”.
Throughout December, passengers can enjoy their Christmas dinner whilst travelling through and taking in the seasonal sights of the stunning Irwell Valley.
You’ll be onboard one of ELR’s restored Pullman-style steam train carriages, which boasts the most luxurious furnishing and polished panels to provide the perfect atmosphere for a sumptuous festive feasting dining experience.
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Upon boarding, you’ll be presented with sparkling welcome drink to kick-off the festivities, all before you’re served up four courses of festive delicacies.
East Lancashire Railway’s festive ‘Dining with Distinction’ experiences are back this Christmas / Credit: ELR
Traditional roasted turkey served with kilted chipolata and stuffing, a festive wellington, balsamic and cranberry glazed rib of beef, a homemade Christmas pudding with brandy sauce, and an apple and cinnamon crumble with nutmeg custard are just some of the dishes being served by personal dedicated waters on selected dates throughout the month.
And of course, no dining experience is complete without coffee and after-dinner chocolates.
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A wide range of dietary requirements can be catered for, including vegetarian, pescatarian, vegan, gluten free, dairy free, halal, and diabetic.
“This Christmas dinner experience is one you won’t forget,” teased Mike Kelly, who is East Lancashire Railway’s Chairman.
“It’s perfect for friends, couples, or families looking to do something different to celebrate the festive season together this year [and] we can’t wait to end the year in style with an evening of fantastic food, stunning surroundings, and cracking company.”
It means you can eat a luxury Christmas dinner while riding a steam train through Greater Manchester / Credit: ELR
The Christmas Dinner services are running on selected dates from Friday 1 – Saturday 23 December, with tickets now on sale and setting you back £77.50 per person.
Boarding will start at 7:15pm for a 7:30pm departure, and the journey lasts just under three hours, with guests returning to the station at 10:15pm.
Blue Peter is launching a FREE book club for kids at Manchester’s Central Library
Emily Sergeant
Blue Peter is launching a book club for kids right here in Manchester later this month, and it’s free for everyone to get involved with.
Book-loving mini Mancs are in for a real treat in a couple of weeks time, as the iconic BBC children’s TV series is partnering with Manchester Libraries and The Reading Agency for an exciting new project called ‘Blue Peter Book Club Live’.
Officially kicking off at the Central Library in the heart of Manchester city centre next Saturday (18 May) Blue Peter Book Club Live is set to be a “fun-filled event” that’s open to all.
It's official! The Blue Peter Book Club is launching live from Manchester Central Library. 💙
— Manchester City Council (@ManCityCouncil) May 8, 2024
Not only will kids get to discover a whole host of “brilliant books” and “celebrate the joy and adventure of reading” with guest authors Eve Ainsworth, and the Children’s Laureate Joseph Coelho, but there’ll also be the chance to meet Blue Peter presenters Abby, Joel, and Shini, along with Henry the Blue Peter Dog, at the free event too.
CBeebies presenters George Webster and Gyasi Sheppi will also be there to take families on some “enchanting escapades” with magical story time sessions.
Creative crafts, masses of books, and the opportunity to meet some classic book characters like Alice, the Mad Hatter, Willy Wonka, Peter Pan, and more, are also set to make the library “come to life”.
Blue Peter is launching a free book club for kids in Manchester / Credit: BBC & The Reading Agency
The Blue Peter Book Club ‘Badge Trail’ also launches on the day too, and it challenges children to discover special Blue Peter badges on display in 12 different cultural venues across Manchester – with a bonus badge in the Blue Peter Garden in Salford, and some exciting prizes up for grabs.
Beyond the launch event, a series of ‘Book Hunt events will also be coming to “unexpected settings” in Manchester’s parks and open spaces throughout the summer too, and schools across the Greater Manchester region can also join in with Blue Peter Book Club Live by using activity packs and reading resources developed by The Reading Agency to create a “nationwide celebration”.
Ahead of the event next weekend, Councillor John Hacking, who is the Executive Member for Skills Employment and Leisure at Manchester City Council, has called Blue Peter’s new book club a “magnificent initiative”.
Blue Peter Book Club Live will kick-off with a launch event at Manchester Central Library / Credit: Ricardo (via Flickr)
“We are thrilled to be hosting this exciting book event alongside our partners in the iconic Central Library,” Cllr Hacking commented.
“The book club is a magnificent initiative to inspire a love of reading and creativity to get our children engaged and excited by books, and this launch event is one that families with young children will not want to miss.”
Find out more about Blue Peter Book Club Live on the BBC website here.
Featured Image – gov.uk (via Flickr)
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Science and Industry Museum reveals ‘gloriously gross’ half term events lineup
Emily Sergeant
One of Manchester’s most-visited museums has unveiled its exciting events lineup ahead of half term in a couple of weeks time.
Fancy diving into the “gloriously gross” world of our brilliant bodies?
It’s certainly not an invite you get every day, but as schools across Greater Manchester break up for half term at the end of this month, and parents and carers gear up to entertain the little ones, the Science and Industry Museum has, thankfully, just announced a wide range of events and activities especially for the holidays.
Anyone who considers themselves to be “curious about the incredible inner workings of the human body” are invited to join in with the series of anatomy-themed special events, star-studded appearances, and half term transformations.
And the best bit is that a good chunk of the events planned are actually open for you to get involved with for completely free of charge.
As the curtains on Operation Ouch! are due to close for good on Sunday 9 June, the museum has chosen to dedicate the entire month of May to celebrating the record-breaking exhibition and making sure it goes out in “a blaze of glorious grossness” by having it inspire all the upcoming ‘brilliant bodies’ events – and this half term is no different.
The Science and Industry Museum has revealed its ‘gloriously gross’ half term events lineup / Credit: Science Museum Group
As well as exploring the exhibition before it closes, mini Mancs can also bring a bear (or any soft squishy friend) to the museum and take them round the departments of the ‘Teddy Hospital’, as well as learn all about looking after their brains, bones, and bottoms with fun and fascinating activities, and find out how their skeleton works, what their poo is made of, and why we have blood.
The museum‘s team of Explainers will also be back in action this half term.
They’ll be putting on interactive science shows packed with “fun facts and wow moments” that explore how and why our bodies are all the same, but different too.
There’s so much to discover and explore about our ‘brilliant bodies’ at the museum this month / Credit: Science Museum Group
Away from the ‘brilliant bodies’ events, if you haven’t had the chance the make the most of the museum’s smash-hit gaming exhibition, Power UP, then this upcoming half term is the ideal time to do so.
Revolution Manchester, the museum’s interactive Experiment gallery, and the Textiles Gallery are also open for exploring for free all throughout the half term week.
Both free entry tickets to the museum, and charged-for tickets for Operation Ouch! Food, Poo and You and Power UP, can be booked now on the Science and Industry Museum website.