Kids & Family

An indoor Christmas theme park is opening in Manchester as Silcock’s Winter Wonderland returns

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 24th November 2021

Silcock’s Winter Wonderland and its indoor Christmas theme park is returning to Greater Manchester this December.

The massive festive event will be taking over EventCity for the first time in four years, transforming the space into a magical wonderland.

The 22,000 sq metre exhibition space will have more than 50 rides and attractions, including rollercoasters and waltzers, all under one roof.

As well as its indoor fairground, Kingpin Events will be putting on theatrical entertainment.

TV stars Daisy and Ollie, an Ice Princess Show, Chrsistmas Meltdown and a Christmas Circus will all have daily performances.

Live performances at Silcock’s Winter Wonderland. Credit: Prakash Photography

The organisers have also confirmed a return of the Celebrity VIP Night and an annual Charity
Night, which this year will work with NHS and mental health charities.

Visitors will be greeted by elves and fairies and have the chance to visit Father Christmas – and his real-life reindeer friends – for a photo and a present.

Silcock’s Winter Wonderland was a top attraction for the region when it ran between 2013 and 2017.

Organisers Tammy and Billy Silcock of Kingpin Events said: “We are absolutely delighted to be returning to Manchester this Christmas after a four-year gap.

“After the last 18 months we all need to create magical memories with our families, and we hope the return of the event will spread joy across the region.

Credit: Prakash Photography www.prakashphotography.com

“As a special thank you for the hard work of our NHS and Armed Forces we are introducing reduced ticket prices on specific days throughout the run.

“We have worked really hard to ensure that we bring back all the magic we had before as well as ensuring we create a safe space for our visitors, performers and staff.

“We recommend early booking to ensure you get a ticket.”

Tickets include four-hour sessions of non-stop entertainment, with food stalls on site and free parking for up to 3000 cars.

Silcock’s Winter Wonderland Manchester is offering ticket insurance and a ‘Buy with confidence, exchange with ease policy’ should a ticket-holder have to isolate.

The event will return between December 4 and January 2.

A Black Friday sale means you can get tickets for opening weekend (December 4 and 5) for £24 each.

To book your tickets, visit www.winterwonderlandmanchester.com.

Kids & Family

Strictly Come Dancing favourite Oti Mabuse is hosting a free dance class in Manchester

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Strictly Come Dancing star Oti Mabuse. Credit: Michael Wharley

One of Strictly Come Dancing’s best-loved professionals, Oti Mabuse, is going to be hosting a free family dance class in Printworks this month. 

The two-time Strictly champion will be getting Mancs jiving and waltzing with a fun and inclusive workshop, geared towards all ages and abilities. 

Whether you’ve got a little one desperate to boogie or have two left feet yourself but love to dance, this event is for you. 

Oti will be bringing her world-class moves and infectious energy to Printworks, dancing beneath Europe’s largest digital ceiling just in time for the show’s glittering premiere, screened on the huge gaming screen. 

After your own dancing workshop you can watch Strictly Come Dancing’s first show as the new cast of celebs and professionals hit the famous dance floor. 

The evening will kick off at 6.10pm on Saturday 20 September, with a dance class led by Oti followed by the launch episode screened on the giant Printworks gaming screen. 

Oti Mabuse will lead a Strictly Come Dancing dance class at Printworks beneath the digital ceiling
Strictly Come Dancing star Oti Mabuse. Credit: Michael Wharley
Oti Mabuse will lead a Strictly Come Dancing dance class at Printworks beneath the digital ceiling
Oti will lead a dance class beneath the digital ceiling at Printworks

Ahead of the event, Oti Mabuse said: “I’m so excited to be coming to Manchester’s Printworks! It’s such an iconic venue, and I can’t wait to feel everyone’s energy and see how the city comes alive here – show me what you’ve got!”

Kristian Brennan, Marketing Manager at Printworks, said: “Printworks is the ultimate city centre destination for anyone ready to catch the Strictly fever. 

“Europe’s largest digital ceiling will feature bold, bright and energy-inducing content to compliment the unique dance class led by the dancing queen herself Oti Mabuse, it’s set to be an unforgettable experience.” 

Don’t miss this chance to learn from one of the UK’s most celebrated (and twice-decorated with the glitterball trophy) performers – book your spot HERE.

Read more

Featured image: Supplied, Michael Wharley

Kids & Family

Asda is being praised for its revolutionary and affordable new ‘adaptive’ clothing range

Danny Jones Danny Jones Asda launch new disability friendly adaptive clothing range

UK supermarket ASDA and its in-house clothing brand, George, are being praised for their affordable new ‘adaptive’ clothing range, which could prove revolutionary for countless Brits.

The new 28-piece collection is aimed at people with additional and complex needs, providing comfortable and carefully designed clothes to suit disabled individuals.

Announced on Monday, 8 September, the new accessibility-driven line of fashion is set to be made available to order online next week.

Speaking via an official press release, qualified medical professional Sarah Phillips (who has been directly involved in the initial adaptive trial herself) has dubbed the upcoming range as nothing short of “a game-changer.”

Credit: George at Asda (press shot)

Phillips, who lives with a neuromuscular disease that requires a feeding tube, catheter, and extensive scans, says ASDA’s adaptive range is “not just designed for people who need it – it’s designed by people who need it, and that’s what sets it apart.”

Noting that the impressive amount of first-hand knowledge pulled from those living with various disabilities is what makes “it far better than anything else available” on the market right now, the revolutionary adaptive range is crucially costed up at a price point in keeping with ASDA‘s values.

For example, the cheapest item starts at just £11 and the most expensive is still only £24.

Most importantly, all of the designs include key features to create as much ease in the wearer’s life as possible, such as hospital-friendly plastic zips, openings for feeding tubes, discreet pockets for stoma bags and more.

This comes after Alex Newman – the husband of late breast cancer campaigner, Nicky Newman, whose story inspired this particular adaptive range – said that struggling to get in and out of clothes was not only a frustrating part of her battle, but that she “found it undignified”.

“She looked for adapted clothing she could wear”, he adds, “but there wasn’t much choice. She bought a jumper from one brand and, while it really helped her, it cost £90 – a huge expense at a time when our finances were already impacted by her leaving her job due to the effects of cancer on her health.”

Nicky sadly passed away on 17 September 2023.

Karl Doyle, Vice President of George Clothing, said in an official statement: “We have worked closely with Nicky, Alex and their network of friends to create this bold adaptive range that we hope has fulfilled Nicky’s wishes.

“We have taken time and passion to really understand the specific needs of each item produced – how we can make them more comfortable, fashionable, affordable and dignified. Today is such a proud moment to see the range launch; we hope it’ll benefit many more people with specific treatment needs.”

The entire ASDA adaptive clothing range drops online-only in full on Monday, 15 September; for now, you can see the full list of all 28 items, find out more information on each, and read more touching tributes about Nicky and the journey behind this disability-friendly clothing revolution HERE.

Congratulations to everyone involved with this inspirational and heartwarming project – you’ve done yourselves, Nicky and countless people living with disabilities SO proud.

Read more:

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Featured Images — ASDA/George/@eastleighbusman (via Flickr)

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