Earlier this month, thousands of people descended on Manchester to do just one thing – celebrate food and drink.
Members of the hospitality industry buzzed around Manchester Central like giddy bees around a hive and over two days, the city really felt like the centre of the universe.
They were brought here by one man and his small but mighty team of events experts – and that man is Thom Hetherington, our Manc of the Month for March.
Thom is the CEO of Holden Media, the team behind the massive Northern Restaurant & Bar event that draws so many here every year.
NRB itself was a celebration of hospitality in all its forms – of all the new businesses that took the leap in lockdown and all the others who made it through to the other side against the odds.
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Thom Hetherington winning an Outstanding Achievement Award at the MFDF Awards 2019. Credit: Carl Sukonik, The Vain Photography
Some of the world’s best chefs shared their wealth of knowledge to attendees, with further chats from the likes of Simon Rogan and Soho House founder Nick Jones.
It was a celebration of collaboration, innovation and sheer talent, and it all happened right here in Manchester.
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As Thom said: “The North’s operators have demonstrated incredible tenacity, resilience and creativity to come through so strongly. I’m delighted to see the region’s leading restaurants, bars and pubs looking to the future with plans for new sites, new launches and new concepts, and it’s no surprise to see the recent industry data showing that new openings in Northern cities are running at twice the level of London.”
Thom’s company is also responsible for the Manchester Art Fair, which has a similar pull for those in the art world.
Above everything, Thom is a die-hard advocate for the north of England.
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Thom Hetherington at NRB this year.
Us Mancs know how amazing our city is – after all, that’s why we’re all here – but Thom has a knack for thrusting that message onto a global platform.
He has helped to grab the spotlight that’s been shining on London for generations with both hands, and forced its gaze northwards to Manchester.
Whether it’s through the events put on by Holden Media or through his never-ending tweets about local food and drink businesses, Thom is a loud champion for our brilliant corner of the world.
He supports and celebrates hospitality in all its shapes, sizes and price-points.
1/2 My highpoint of @NRBManchester 2022? It's hard to pick one thing, but my #NRBDebate with Soho House founder Nick Jones would be up there. What a week, with *so* much positivity and love. Team NRB smashed it – The biggest and best one ever with records broken across the board. pic.twitter.com/DhbPA4g8vy
Thom will wax lyrical about more high-brow establishments like Mana and Hawksmoor in one breath before raving about the naan breads and £4 curries in Cafe Marhaba (on Back Piccadilly) in the next.
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Many of those national reviews of local gems – like Jay Rayner’s trip to Pho Cue for the Guardian – came from Thom tips.
In fact, Jay himself described him as a ‘terrific cheerleader’ for Manchester at the time.
It’s not just Manchester, of course – as anyone who has ever met him, or followed him on social media, will know, Thom is from Glossop, and he’s pretty proud of his charming Peak District hometown.
He’s drawn the big city’s attentions to everything from Hyssop to the Howard Town Brewery, Shepley’s to Harvey Leonard’s, and on to the rolling hills that surround the town.
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Whatever he happens to be turning his hand to, the underlying message is this – Manchester is a top-tier city, and we think Thom is a pretty top-tier Manc.
About Manc of the Month
We all know that Manchester is home to some special people, some born here and others drawn here, and after a bumpy two years that effectively amounted to one big lockdown, it’s these special people that have inspired and led us through the tough times – so we decided to start a series that shines a light on those who should be celebrated.
Following on from our ‘The Mancs of the Year’ feature towards the end of 2020, Manc of the Month officially kicked off in July 2021, with Marcus Rashford MBE, Manchester’s mural king Akse P-19, the local chef feeding the region’s vulnerable families Mary-Ellen McTague, and Manchester’s groundbreaking new Council leader Bev Craig among previous honourees.
Featured image: Thom Hetherington
Art & Culture
The best things to do in Greater Manchester this week | 22 – 28 April 2024
Emily Sergeant
Can you believe we’re already into our last full week of April, and May is right around the corner?
So far, April has been full of foodie festivals, cultural celebrations, wholesome spring-themed events, and so much more – and thankfully, there’s more where that came from as there’s loads more in the Greater Manchester social calendar for everyone of all ages to be getting involved with throughout this week too.
If you’re finding it a bit tricky to pick what to do, we’ve chosen a few of the best bits for another edition of our ‘what’s on‘ guide.
Here’s some of our recommendations.
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Bloomtown Blossom Trail
Manchester City Centre
Monday 22 April – onwards
Bloomtown Blossom Trail / Credit: The Manc Group
Manchester never looks better than it does when all the blossom trees burst back to life, right? Well now there’s a walking trail through town that shows off the best bits.
From the iconic purple blooms outside the Central Library, to the surprising sprays that pop up in the middle of Ancoats, there are pretty colours appearing all over, so the National Trust is once again shining a spotlight on Manchester and bringing back its new-and-improved Bloomtown Map.
There are 39 spots all over the city centre (and slightly beyond) included along the route, each one showcasing one of the city’s most picturesque locations.
A brand-new art exhibition curated by visual artist Emma Evans in partnership with six other creators is now open in Manchester, and it’s completely free to visit.
Tales of Manchester 2.0 down at Kimpton Clocktower Hotel is a collection of multi-platform art celebrating our brilliant city, and it’s showcasing six spoken word pieces by established Manchester based poets – Griot Gabriel, Ilaria Passeri, Lisa O’Hare, Mark Jackson aka Keith’s Brother, Matt Concannon aka The Thirsty Poet, and Sarah Attwell.
The spoken word is paired with visual pieces painted by self-taught artist Emma Evans, where the words have served as inspiration for the art.
The Manchester College ‘Greater Mancunians’ Exhibition
Manchester Central Library
Monday 22 April – onwards
The Manchester College ‘Greater Mancunians’ Exhibition / Credit: Supplied
Photography students from The Manchester College will be showcasing their ‘Greater Mancunians’ project as part of a landmark exhibition at Manchester Central Library’s Main Exhibition Hall from this week.
150 students have participated in the groundbreaking photography project, and it features images of some of Manchester’s most famous and influential people shot at numerous locations across the city.
More than 100 contributors are featured in the project, including musicians Noel Gallagher and Johnny Marr, athletes Diane Modahl and Ricky Hatton, local politicians Andy Burnham, Angela Rayner, and Bev Craig, actors Maxine Peake and Bill Roache, artists Stan Chow and AKSE P-19, and other local figures like Jonathan Warburton, Simon Martin, and Professor Erinma Bell MBE.
Did you see that one of the biggest charity shops has recently opened here in Greater Manchester?
The independently-run Regenerage superstore is the newest resident at the massively-popular Middlebrook Retail Park in Bolton.
Inside the huge 10,958 sq ft store, shoppers can find everything from ladies and menswear, to homeware, furniture, and children’s clothing too, plus books, and new white goods – including washing machines, fridge freezers, and more.
There’s also a specially-created bridal and occasional wear department too.
And if all of that didn’t sound brilliant enough as it is, there’s even the chance to get your hands on designer brands like Vivienne Westwood, Ralph Lauren, and Armani, all without the hefty price tag.
Did you know there’s a huge gaming event currently happening in Manchester?
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With more than 160 consoles and hundreds of games to play, Power UP is back for more in 2024 down at the Science and Industry Museum, and it’s taking ticket-holders on a journey through five decades of gaming every weekend.
There’s everything from retro arcade games, to state-of-the-art virtual reality, and so much more to get stuck into, and each ticket includes unlimited play all day.
Pieminister’s Bottomless Brunch / Credit: The Manc Group
Pieminister’s legendary pie bottomless brunch with free-flowing drinks has finally made a comeback.
The popular pie restaurant chain – which has two sites here in Manchester city centre on Church Street in the Northern Quarter, and on Deansgate – is known and loved all across the UK for its thick and chunky pies, but its bottomless brunch offering is something else.
Whether you’re a meat lover, a veggie, vegan, flexitarian, or gluten free, there’s something to suit everyone on the menu.
Find out more and book your bottomless brunch slot here.
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The Wizard of Oz
Palace Theatre Manchester
Wednesday 24 April – Sunday 5 May
The Wizard of Oz / Credit: ATG Tickets
A sensational new take on of one of the world’s most beloved musicals, The Wizard of Oz, is arriving here in Manchester this week.
Taking to the iconic Palace Theatre stage, starring award-winning comedian and musical theatre star Jason Manford as The Cowardly Lion, JLS sensation Aston Merrygold as The Tin Man, and RuPaul’s Drag Race UK winner and Dancing On Ice star The Vivienne as The Wicked Witch of the West, this new production is set to be truly magical for all the family.
The Botanist has brought back The Botanist LIVE to “help everyone celebrate summer” with free live music every weekend.
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Set to “supply the soundtrack to your weekend” every Friday and Saturday night, The Botanist’s talented artists are set to play live from 8pm until late, and guests can expect a vibrant party atmosphere with sounds of rock, pop, soul, R&B, funk, disco, and blues.
The events are not ticketed and are free to attend, so all you need to do is turn up and wait for its house band get the party started.
Greater Manchester’s iconic heritage railway is hosting one of the most unique fine dining experiences in the region this week.
Running on selected Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 1 March right through to November this year, East Lancashire Railway’s Red Rose Diners are described as being “the ultimate first class foodie experience”, as they start with a glass of fizz and stretch over an almost three-hour steam train journey through the Irwell Valley.
The experience includes a four-course dinner with complimentary sparkling wine, followed by tea or coffee and after-dinner chocolates.
Fancy heading out a walk somewhere in Greater Manchester and beyond this week?
The weather is FINALLY warming up a little, and it’s beginning to feel like we might finally have made it through winter.
So that means it’s time for a walk, right?
Some of the green spaces that wrap around Greater Manchester are in their prime right now with blossoms, bluebells, and more – and that’s saying something, as they’re pretty spectacular all year round – so it couldn’t be a more perfect time to go for a walk to appreciate their beauty.
Read our round-up of stunning spots for a spring walk here.
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Spring Fest
Alderley Park
Saturday 27 April
Farm Weekend / Credit: Jody Hartley
Spring Fest is taking over Bruntwood SciTech’s Alderley Park this Saturday.
With families from all across Greater Manchester and the North West set to make their way to Macclesfield, Spring Fest is a chance to celebrate the magic of spring and everything that it means for wildlife, animals, and nature.
You can expect a jam-packed day full of different outdoor family-friendly activities, performances, markets, and lots of local food and drink.
A festival especially for dogs is all set to take over a popular Manchester city centre park for some “paw-tastic fun” this weekend.
And the best bit about it? It’s absolutely FREE to head on down to.
Back by popular demand, the Ex-Paw Extravaganza festival is returning to Angel Meadow Park near Manchester‘s Green Quarter this Saturday for a jam-packed day of “pawsome activity”.
Kicking off from 11am and running right through until 4pm, this year’s dog-themed festivities include a selection of different stalls to shop from, dog agility courses, puppy play areas, hands-on pet first aid courses, and so much more.
Looking for somewhere to go for a hearty roast dinner in and around Greater Manchester this weekend?
From the moment we start to feel the weekend rolling in, we can’t help but turn our thoughts to Sunday roasts, steaming jugs of gravy, and big glasses sploshing over with red wine.
It’s just the best feeling, and there’s plenty of it to be found here in our region.
We’re used to it being wet and miserable most of the year, and while we do love Sunday lunch on a sun-soaked afternoon in the beer garden when we get the chance, nothing warms the cockles more on those darker days than a giant plate piled high with roasted meats, vegetables, and gravy.
Read our round-up of some of the best Greater Manchester roast dinners here.
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Featured Image – Ex-Paw MCR | The Manc Group | Bruntwood
Art & Culture
Manchester palaeontologist unearths bones of what may be the largest known marine reptile
Emily Sergeant
A Manchester-based palaeontologist has unearthed the bones of what may be the largest known marine reptile.
This new identification is a crucial part of a fascinating eight-year long discovery journey.
It all started when a seasoned fossil collector named Paul de la Salle found a giant jawbone on Lilstock Beach, near Bridgewater in Somerset, back in May 2016, and then father and daughter, Justin and Ruby Reynolds from Devon, found the first pieces of a second jawbone and another giant bone while searching for fossils on the beach at Blue Anchor, also in Somerset, in May 2020.
And now, a palaeontologist at the University of Manchester (UoM) Dr Dean Lomax, has identified the fossilised remains of the second gigantic jawbone that measures more than two metres long.
Experts have identified these bones as belonging to the jaws of a new species of enormous ichthyosaur – which is a type of prehistoric marine reptile – and astonishing estimations suggest the oceanic titan would have been more than 25-metres long.
Dr Lomax has been working together with Justin and Ruby Reynolds, along with Paul de la Salle and several family members, since the father-daughter duo first contacted them about their groundbreaking discovery in 2020.
A Manchester palaeontologist has unearthed bones of what may be the largest known marine reptile / Credit: UoM
“I was amazed by Justin and Ruby’s find,” Dr Lomax commented.
“In 2018, my team and Paul de la Salle studied and described Paul’s giant jawbone, and we had hoped that one day another would come to light.”
He explained that Justin and Ruby’s new specimen was “more complete and better preserved” than the first find, and that he “became very excited” at the chance to learn more following their discovery.
As mentioned, the Manchester-based research team, led by Dr Lomax, revealed that the jaw bones belong to a new species of giant ichthyosaur that would’ve been about the size of a blue whale, and they have called the new genus and species Ichthyotitan severnensis – which means ‘giant fish lizard of the Severn’.
The bones – which represent the very last of their kind – are around 202 million years old, and date back to the end of the Triassic Period in a time known as the Rhaetian.
During this time, the gigantic ichthyosaurs swam the seas while the dinosaurs walked on land.
The University of Manchester, where Dr Dean Lomax works as a palaeontologist / Credit: UoM
Ichthyotitan is not the world’s first giant ichthyosaur, but the discoveries by Paul, and Justin and Ruby, are said to be “unique among those known to science”, as they appear roughly 13 million years after their latest geologic relatives – including Shonisaurus sikanniensis from British Columbia in Canada, and Himalayasaurus tibetensis from Tibet in China.
Speaking on the confirmation of the bones’ identification this week, Dr Lomax said: “This research has been ongoing for almost eight years.
“It is quite remarkable to think that gigantic, blue whale-sized ichthyosaurs were swimming in the oceans around what was the UK during the Triassic Period.
Daisy Jackson -
25th March 2022 
