Sandwich Technician

Magical new illuminated nature trail to light up popular Rochdale lake this autumn

Thomas Melia

Those autumn walks are going to be better than ever, as a brightly-lit nature trail is hitting Hollingworth Lake this October.

Known for drawing visitors from all over Greater Manchester and the north west, this Rochdale country park is set to host an environmental art experience suitable for all ages.

Running from Thursday 24 October to Sunday 27 October 2024, walkers can expect the skies near Hollingworth Lake to be lit up by a magical variety of lanterns and light features inspired by animals, insects, and the surrounding wildlife.

Titled Wild Wanders, the event will be completely free, and is the creative genius of Rochdale Borough Council and international outdoor arts specialists Walk the Plank – with funding from Arts Council England and the Garfield Weston Foundation.

300 local school children, community groups, and artists have helped make the trail come to life.

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A post shared by Rochdale Borough Council (@rochdalecouncil)

This is a full sound and visual experience, as alongside the bright lights and captivating displays will be a soundscape of school children‘s voices describing their ambitions for a more environmentally-friendly world.

The event aims to show people what it could be like to live in a world that is biodiverse, carbon neutral, beautiful, and sustainable. 

Advanced booking is advised, and visitors will have the option to select a 30-minute time slot between the events opening hours each night.

Parking and toilet facilites will be available on site, with accessible spaces for blue badge holders able to be requested when booking tickets online, and visitors can also purchase drinks and snacks from the nearby The Woodlands Cafe before or after the trail too.

“This will be something we’ve never seen before, you’ll feel like you’ve been transported to another world,” teased Councillor Sue Smith, who is the cabinet member for communities and co-operation at Rochdale Borough Council.

“There will be something to captivate all ages, including hands-on elements and a kaleidoscope of colour featuring fire gardens, flowers, moths, stilt walkers, lanterns, woodland animals and much more.

“It will be bold and magical, so don’t miss your chance to get free tickets when they are released.”

Read more:

• Manchester’s biggest outdoor ice rink will be returning to the city centre this winter
• You can ALREADY book tickets for Greater Manchester’s beloved Santa steam train rides this Christmas
• Manchester’s iconic inflatable monsters are set to invade the city centre again this Halloween

Wild Wanders will run from 6:30pm to 9pm on 24 & 25 October, and 6pm to 9pm on 26 & 27 October – with free tickets available to book from 10am on Monday 23 September here.

Featured Image – Rochdale Borough Council

A popular Manchester bar is giving away hundreds of FREE beers next week

Emily Sergeant

One of Manchester’s most popular city centre bars is set to give away hundreds of free beers for just two days only.

And it’s all to celebrate the long-awaited return of Oktoberfest.

In case you hadn’t heard, Manchester is gearing up for a two-week “Bavarian extravaganza” starting at the end of this month, as popular city centre hangout, Albert’s Schloss, unveiled its programme of Oktoberfest-themed events a couple of weeks back, and it’s packed with plenty of bier-fuelled fun, foodie classics, and round-the-clock revelry.

The much-loved venue has become “the ultimate purveyor of Bavarian bliss” in Manchester over the years, and 2024 is expected to be absolutely no different.

Revellers are invited to head on down to Schloss for a whirlwind of celebrations.

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Throughout the 16-day event, which is kicking off from next Thursday 26 September, you can get stuck into everything from ‘Keg Tapping’, and sipping specially-selected beers, to experiencing must-see “eclectic” entertainment, a live Oompah brass band, best dressed competitions, and a whole host of other games and activities.

But it wouldn’t be Oktoberfest without the beer, right? Or should we say, ‘bier’.

Luckily, Albert’s Schloss will be serving Munich’s ‘Big Six’, making it the only venue in Manchester to serve all six of the legitimate Oktoberfest beers synonymous with the festival this year.

To celebrate the festivities in true Bavarian style too, Schloss will be giving away 100 free biers to the first 100 guests through the door on both Thursday 26 September and Thursday 3 October.

Eager bier-lovers will need to be ready to enter the venue from 5pm on both Thursdays if they want be in with the chance of getting to sip on a pint of Höfbrauhaus, Löwenbräu, Augustinerbräu, Paulaner, Hacker-Pschorr, or Spaten-Franziskaner from the classic lineup, all without having to spend a single penny.

Schloss’ beloved Cook Haus will also be offering Oktoberfest classics too, like crispy Bavarian Schweinshaxe pork knuckle, and a whole section dedicated to Schnitzels and the traditional Bratwurst.

Read more:

• Annual Oktoberfest celebrations to return to Manchester with two-week ‘Bavarian extravaganza’
• Spooky steam train rides return to Greater Manchester this Halloween
• Massive music and beer festival takes over Manchester’s Depot Mayfield

Oktoberfest 2024 is running at Albert’s Schloss Manchester from Saturday 21 September – Sunday 6 October, and you can find out more on the venue’s website here.

Featured Image – Supplied