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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

The son of a famous British sports presenter has signed for Sale Sharks

Danny Jones Danny Jones Gabby Logan's son Reuben joins Sale Sharks rugby

Sale Sharks have confirmed yet another new signing, and this one happens to come from a noteworthy sporting pedigree, as he’s actually the son of beloved British sports presenter and ex-athlete Gabby Logan.

And if you know your stuff, you’ll know that this also makes him the grandchild of Leeds footballer and Wales international Terry Yorath. Quite the professional little family tree, eh?

That’s right, the former rhythmic gymnast household name’s teenage son, Reuben Logan, is the latest acquisition by the local rubgy union side who have been busy lining things up for the next campaign.

Still just 19, he’ll join Sale Sharks at the start of next season.

Confirmed on Tuesday, 8 April, Reuben Logan – still just 19 years old – joins from Northampton Saints after having already impressed as a union youngster and on the international front too.

While he has represented England at youth level, he has since switched allegiances and is currently considered one of the hottest prospects in the Scotland U20s.

Coming through the ranks of Midlands Central Academy, he enjoyed his junior minutes at Wasps RFC before they ultimately fell into administration back in 2022.

Now heading for Greater Manchester ahead of the 2025/26 Gallagher Premiership, he’s the latest to join the squad following the arrival of other talents like Raffi Quirke and more, including one rather large figure indeed.

His mum, Gabby – a recognisable face on BBC Sport for nearly two decades now – did kind of get ahead of herself and let the news slip in a recent interview.

We’ll let her off, though, as she had some lovely things to say about our region and spends plenty of time over in MediaCity already.

Credit: Gabby Logan (via Instagram)

Reuben said on joining the Sharks in a club statement: “This is a great opportunity for me to play with and learn from some fantastic coaches and players – like the Curry brothers – who play in my position. 

“Sale have a young squad and I know a lot of the lads from playing international rugby. I know they’re all getting chances to play in the first team and that’s really exciting for me. 

“I’m a physical ball carrier with the ability to create space and get the team on the front foot, and I think my style suits the team really well.”

As for gaffer Alex Sanderson, he went on to recognise his undeniable physical attributes, adding: “He’s 120kg and he’s a physical specimen, but he used to be a winger so he’s got wicked feet too. He can add to our game in terms of our power, and we can help him develop his skills and his game.”

Read more:

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Featured Images — Sale Sharks/Gabby Logan/Northampton Saints (via Instagram)

Kids & Family

Steve Backshall to stop off in Manchester as he takes iconic kids’ show Deadly 60 on first UK live tour

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant Shirtless Steve and a hippo

One of the most iconic children’s TV shows of the 2010s is becoming a new stage show set to tour the UK.

Deadly 60 is a BBC and CBBC factual entertainment programme that first began back in 2009, where presenter and British naturalist and explorer, Steve Backshall, travels to different parts of the world in order to find the 60 most deadly animals living on the planet.

The show has run for five series now, with the most recent airing in 2024, and has got young people in their thousands invested in wildlife.

And now, a thrilling new live entertainment adventure inspired by the show is coming to UK arenas this October – including an all-important stop off here in Manchester.

Steve Backshall is taking Deadly 60 on a UK live tour later this year / Credit: Supplied

Deadly Live! is gearing up to be an ‘action-packed, edge of your seat experience’ based on the hugely-popular franchise Deadly, with BAFTA award-winning Backshall at the helm, and will be visiting 10 major UK arenas during the October half term.

Audiences are being invited to join Steve Backshall on an unforgettable journey as he tracks some of the world’s most formidable predators – from big cats and birds of prey, to Dinomania dinosaurs, snakes, and many more.

With daring stunts, mind-blowing experiments, and cutting-edge science, this thrilling live show takes fans across land, sky, and sea in a truly-unique wildlife spectacle.

The Deadly Live! tour is kicking off in Newcastle on Friday 24 October, and will be arriving in Manchester and taking to the legendary AO Arena stage on Wednesday 29 October.

“I’m thrilled to be bringing Deadly Live! to arenas across the UK later this year for the very first time,” commented Steve Backshall as the UK tour was announced. “We’ve got some amazing stunts and incredible experiments planned for this new supersized show for all the family, as we explore animals from 600 million years ago right through to modern day.”

Read more:

Tickets for the show will go on sale on Thursday 10 April at 10am here.

Featured Image – BBC

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