A huge vegan festival will welcome independent chefs and plant-based food companies from across the north to Manchester in a huge celebration of the vegan lifestyle.
Bringing over 100 vegan exhibitors together, the Northern Vegan Festival will return to the city this summer – landing at Bowler’s Exhibition Centre on Sunday, 14 May 2022.
All for charity, it will unite hot street food sellers and market stalls under one roof for a day-long vegan festival, with all proceeds from ticket sales going to support animal welfare charities thanks to the event being staffed entirely by volunteers.
If you’ve made a change in your diet this year, or you’re a long-standing vegan eager to explore the newest ethical and sustainable products available to you, this market sounds like an absolute must.
Showcasing everything from cooked and raw food products to pies, cakes, chocolates, sandwiches and salads, cheeses, healthy treats, sweet treats and more, the Manchester vegan festival will be a one-stop-shop for anyone looking to bolster their vegan-friendly stockpiles.
But that’s not all. After all, being vegan isn’t just about what you eat, it’s a lifestyle and, to that end, there’ll also be stalls selling vegan-friendly jewellery, various crafts, items of clothing, beauty and skincare products, homeware, candles, charity merchandise and more.
As for vegan drinks, expect sellers with everything you can think of. – ranging from juices and smoothies to coffee and bottles of something a little bit stronger too.
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There’ll be a huge selection of world caterers on hand too – so you can enjoy some quality vegan street food as you shop, and free samples at many stalls so you can try before you buy.
Think stalls selling nibbles like stuffed vine leaves, olives, Turkish delight, sundried tomatoes, chilli peanutes and sea salt cashews and pickled garlic; raw chocolate, vegan carribean food, vish and chips, pizzas and more.
Starting from 10.30am and running until 4.30pm at Bowlers, Trafford, tickets cost just £5 each whilst under 16s can visit for free. VIP tickets are also available, with added fast track entry and a goody bag full of products, samples, discounts and special offers included in the price.
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Parking at Bowlers is free. The festival has also arranged morning and afternoon visiting slots to prevent long queues or any overcrowding at the venue.
To find out more and purchase tickets, visit the event website here.
An iconic vintage train is set to pass through Greater Manchester this summer
Danny Jones
Calling all railway enthusiasts: another historic vintage locomotive is set to visit two Greater Manchester train stations this summer.
Whether you’re a passionate trainspotter or just a nearby resident curious to see what all the fuss is about, the cult favourite retro carriages will pass through the pair of Manc boroughs and surrounding areas early next month.
Despite an adjustment in the initial plans, locals will still be able to witness and board the train at multiple stops along the way in the Stockport (Reddish South station) and Rochdale areas.
So, if you consider yourself a bit of a ‘Francis Bourgeois’ figure, or a general public transport connoisseur, pay attention.
Designed by Sir Kenneth Granger and officially launched back in 1976, the fleet was named as such after the top speed of 125mph – simple as that.
Once again, it’s worth noting that the originally proposed route and stops have now been changed due to issues with Network Rail.
As a result of there currently being no standing approval to use the connection from Paignton to Bury on the East Lancs Railway line, they have been forced to change the start and terminus points.
Writing on the dedicated 125Group website, they say: “We are reviewing our options to start as close as possible to the advertised departure point, and it seems likely that Rochdale will become the start and finish point, with all other previous pick-ups retained.
“For those in the far south west, we are looking to see whether we can offer an Exeter to Paignton return – subject to availability of space. We will add this to the booking site shortly, although we may have to limit numbers sold until we are more certain of booking levels to Bristol and Exeter.”
Two 125s, including ‘The Mancunian Princess’, travelled through the SK region earlier this year.
They have reassured that the journey will still be going ahead and have simply advised those hoping to catch it to keep their eyes peeled on the website and their socials for the latest updates.
Kids’ tickets start from just a tenner, and standard passes for the full tour cost £99, with first-class the class option priced at £149 (there’s also a table for two supplement available for £50).
You can see the full map, find out more information, and grab your seats right HERE.
Bet the internet signal on this relic isn’t far off the current standard either, to be fair…
Temporary location for ‘Number 10 North’ in Manchester city centre reportedly confirmed
Emily Sergeant
The temporary location for the new Number 10 North project has been announced.
You may remember that earlier last month, it was revealed that Andy Burnham had intentions to create a Number 10 North if he was to become Prime Minister, and now that he is, more details on this move to Manchester have been revealed.
Number 10 North is expected to be a ‘dominant driver of the UK’s economy’ once it’s officially up and running, Government ministers say.
According to BBC News reports, civil servants working for Government departments based in London have been offered relocation packages to encourage them to move to the northern base in Manchester, which is said to be being overseen by cabinet minister and ally of Andy Burnham, Louise Haigh.
The temporary location for ‘Number 10 North’ in Manchester city centre has reportedly been confirmed / Credit: gov.uk (via Wikimedia Commons)
Haigh – who is the first secretary of state – has reportedly been asked, according to the BBC, to have been asked to lead a new Office for the Prime Minister and the Cabinet (OPMC), which will give her control of key decision-making bodies across Government.
The OPMC will include No 10 and No 10 North, as well as other teams within the Cabinet Office.
It is understood, according to the same BBC reports, that the initial temporary location of No 10 North will be Heron House, just off Albert Square in central Manchester, which is the same building that currently houses offices for the intelligence service GCHQ, and where eyewitnesses have spotted police officers guarding in recent days.
🚨 NEW: No 10 North will temporarily be based at Heron House in central Manchester
Whitehall civil servants have been offered relocation packages to encourage them to move pic.twitter.com/BVyUkNfxRr
The longer-term base for Number 10 North, however, is expected to be at the new Government ‘Digital Campus’, which is currently under construction in the Ancoats and is not due for completion until 2032.
Alongside Whitehall officials who are willing to move to Manchester, it is also likely there will be a significant movement of staff from Burnham’s former mayoral team at the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), the BBC reports.
You can discover more about the plans for Number 10 North here.
Georgina Pellant -
17th February 2022 
