A Bury-born swimmer has grabbed an Olympic gold medal as the GB men’s 4x200m freestyle relay teamscored an emotional, record-breaking victory in Tokyo on Wednesday.
Guy – originally from north Greater Manchester but educated at Forest Preparatory School in Timperley – was shown collapsing in tears of joy at the result; having added gold to a personal trophy cabinet already containing two silvers from Rio 2016.
Team GB’s Tokyo freestyle relay team featured Tom Dean and Duncan Scott (who took gold and silver respectively in Tuesday’s 200m freestyle), Matthew Richards and Guy himself.
The barnstorming performance resulted in a third swimming gold for the nation whilst also setting a new European record of 6:58.58.
The result also proved to be just 0.03 seconds off the world’s fastest time.
Speaking to the cameras after the victory, Guy told the BBC: “As a kid winning an Olympic gold medal was my absolute dream and to do it finally after 25 years is pretty emotional.
“With these four lads here we’ve got the best freestylers in the world.”
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He said that getting a gold was “a dream come true”.
Team GB’s official Twitter account called it a “stunning, stunning swim”.
The last time Great Britain won a gold in the 4×200 freestyle relay was in London in 1908 – over 113 years ago.
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Guy’s medal-winning performance marks another triumph for Greater Manchester-born athletes at the latest games – with Mancunian Georgia Taylor-Brown taking silver in the women’s triathlon earlier this week despite a flat tyre during the cycling section.
As of Wednesday morning (28 July), Team GB have 15 medals at Tokyo 2020 so far – including five gold, six silver, and four bronze.
Featured image: Olympics.com
Bury
You can eat Christmas dinner on a retro steam train travelling through Greater Manchester
Emily Sergeant
Greater Manchester’s iconic heritage railway is back with 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, giving rail enthusiasts and curious Mancs the chance to step back in time by hopping on board one of the historic Pullman-style carriages through the picturesque Greater Manchester countryside, but it gets even more magical at Christmas.
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?
East Lancashire Railway’s festive ‘Dining with Distinction’ experiences are back this Christmas / Credit: ELR
ELR’s unique ‘Dining with Distinction’ package is known to be a fan-favourite all year round, but this December, the festive edition of this experience is back once again by popular demand for another year, and passengers can enjoy their Christmas dinner whilst taking in the seasonal sights of the stunning Irwell Valley.
You’ll be onboard one of ELR’s restored Pullman-style steam train carriages, boasting the most luxurious furnishing and polished panels to provide the perfect atmosphere for a sumptuous festive feasting dining experience.
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.
Traditional roasted turkey served with kilted chipolata and stuffing, a festive wellington, tender sirloin of beef with horseradish, a homemade Christmas pudding with rum sauce, and a warm sticky toffee pudding with custard, are just some of the dishes being served by personal dedicated waters on selected dates throughout the month.
A wide range of dietary requirements can be catered for, including vegetarian, pescatarian, vegan, gluten free, dairy free, halal, and diabetic.
The Christmas Dinner services are running on selected dates from Friday 29 November – Monday 23 December, with tickets now on sale and setting you back £69 per person.
If you haven’t heard (or your friends haven’t tormented you enough about going) by now, you should know Scare City is back!
Taking place at the abandoned Camelot theme park site in Chorley, there are 10 zones of live actors, set design and SFX like nowhere else.
Voted the ‘Best Scare Attraction Halloween 2023’ by ScareTrack, this immersive horror experience is set to shiver your timbers, literally.
Get your hands on tickets via the Scare City websitehere.
Halloween In The City
Last year’s inflatable monsters in the Halloween in the City trail in Manchester.Halloween in the City celebrations. Credit: Supplied
Manchester city centre will be hosting a two-day family festival across popular shopping destinations this October.
There will be dozens of inflatable monsters popping up around the Manchester skyline and even an art trail running from Friday 25 October to Thursday 31 October, meaning there’s a wide range of activities for families to get involved with.
‘Halloween in the City’ officially returns to Manchester on Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 October 2024 with several Manchester landmarks turning ‘ghoulish green’ on Thursday 31 October.
Time to Die at Diecast
Only an eight minute walk from Manchester Piccadilly Station, this next spine-chilling destination is easily accessible no matter where you are in the city.
The Wilderspool Woods will be decorated with lasers, a light trail and Skeleton Village display illuminated by 100,000 lights as part of ‘Spookfest 2024’.
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After a walk in the 4.5 acre woods, visitors can get their hands on some well-deserved grub from a food line-up curated by Freight Island.
This includes 22” New York-style Pizzas and the sweetest hot chocolates with marshmallows, caramel and sweets from Cabin Chocolat.
Tickets are on sale now and you can grab yours here.
Halloween Ghost Train at East Lancashire Railway
Departing from the station in Bury from 24 October to 31 October, the Halloween Ghost Train has several time slots to step onboard the steam railway and join the Monster Squad.
All events are allocated time slots from between 5.30pm and 8.30pm, and guests are invited to help Zombie Bob, Veronica the Witch and Count Brian the Vampire to take down the Pumpkin King and his pesky crows.
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There will be singing and dancing from the infamous King and company who will be waiting on the platform to greet every guest.
Printworks will be hosting everything from scare performers to a haunted selfie station, plus a line-up of eerie events this Halloween
And on Friday 25 October between 12pm and 5pm, they’ll be giving away £50 vouchers to those who unleash their loudest and most bone-chilling screams.
Characters roaming the leading entertainment space in Manchester will include a devilish red demon and creepy living dolls.
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And of course, its ground-breaking new digital ceiling will be getting into the spooky spirit with ‘The Curse of Printworks’ being broadcast live overhead while talented live actors recount ghostly stories.
Paint a Pumpkin at Seven Bro7hers Beerhouse
This Ancoats bar is providing guests the chance to decorate their own foam pumpkin that can become the pride and joy of your mantlepiece or shelf for Halloweens to come.
The beerhouse is providing all the equipment necessary to make your newest piece of autumn decor.
Dressing up is not mandatory but the best-dressed will win a free ticket to a future painting class.
Taking place on 27 October, there’s limited spaces due to the classes being small (No Under 18’s) – Tickets are available here.
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Silence of the Baths at Victoria Baths
People on the dance floor inside Victoria Baths People on the dance floor inside Victoria Baths Inside Victoria Baths, decorated for Halloween Silence of the Baths is taking over Victoria Baths in Manchester for Halloween 2024. Credit: Supplied
The legendary Grade II listed building will be ‘possessed’ by DJ’s of the past as Victoria Baths is hosting a special Halloween club night ‘The Silence of the Baths: Back from the Dead’.
In tribute to the clubs that once dominated Manchester’s bustling nightlife scene, South, Jilly’s Rockworld, and The Tiger Lounge are joining forces to put on a night of dancefloor fillers and dead-good bangers.
This event takes place on Saturday 26 October and tickets are on sale here.
Halloween SFX Makeup Masterclass at GRUB
Manchester’s biggest street food venue is hosting a terrific and terrifying makeup masterclass for over 18’s.
You’ll be able to learn how to create realistic scars, ghostly face painting, injuries and wounds, taught by UCEN Manchester.
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There will be experts on hand to help you perfect your techniques and answer any of your makeup queries.
The street food vendors will be open still but attendees are asked to arrive earlier if they’d like to order any of the tasty treats.
Taking place on 30 October, guests have a great opportunity to practice before the big day, tickets can be found here.
‘So Fetch’ 2000s Halloween Party at Deaf Institute
Everyone’s favourite intimate concert venue is hosting a y2k inspired Halloween party playing nothing but 2000’s anthems.
The night will feature music from Rihanna, Avril Lavigne, Justin Timberlake and all your favourite 2000’s musical icons.
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Fancy dress is encouraged and if your birthday falls between 20 October to 5 November, you can get in for free!
Deaf Institute aren’t trying to make fetch happen, they ARE making fetch happen on Friday 1 November (No Under 18’s) – Tickets are on sale here.
Manchester is bursting with many different and interesting events to get involved with and we couldn’t list every single place in this Halloween guide.
These fantastic highlights should help you find some new activities and there will definitely be a selection of local things-to-do on offer wherever you choose to make the most of your Autumn holiday.
The Manc -
28th July 2021 
