Award-winning illuminations event Lightopia is returning to Heaton Park in Manchester with new “festive fantasy” installations and light shows.
Ahead of the grand opening of the popular outdoor Christmas lights event – which is returning for the third year running – next Friday, Lightopia has also announced a new charity initiative called Light of Love that supports a range of local organisations around Greater Manchester, and for 2021, will officially partner with Hits Radio’s Cash for Kids ‘Mission Christmas’.
Cash For Kids ‘Mission Christmas’ is known for bringing the magic of Christmas to children who may otherwise wake up without a visit from Santa.
Last year, ‘Mission Christmas’ was able to help 30,697 children across the region, while Cash for Kids itself aims to support the one in three children that are living in poverty across Greater Manchester.
Visitors to Lightopia this year will be able to add on an optional donation as they purchase tickets for the Manchester outdoor Christmas lights event.
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Lightopia is returning to Heaton Park in Manchester with new “festive fantasy” installations / Credit: Lightopia
Commenting on the exciting partnership, Michelle Williamnson – Regional Manager at Cash For Kids – said: “We are thrilled that Lightopia Manchester is supporting Mission Christmas this year, as with more families hitting unexpected hardship over the past year, Christmas is a luxury that many simply can’t afford [and] some households are having to make difficult decisions between food, heating, and gifts.
“For some children and young people, Christmas can be just like any other day – but we want to make sure it’s different and as special as possible this year.
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“Every child deserves a gift, and with your help they can wake up to a visit from Santa on Christmas morning.”
Lightopia is promising a ‘state-of-the-art’ lakeside water show for 2021 / Credit: Lightopia
Ian Xiang – Creative Director of Lightopia – adds: “We are excited to bring a new element to Lightopia Manchester this winter, Light of Love aims to support local charities doing vital work in the Greater Manchester communities.
“The work of these organisations has never been so important [and] this year, we are helping to raise funds for Cash for Kids Mission Christmas, helping to make Christmas special for every child, with a gift this Christmas.”
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The Light of Love initiative will also be supporting OUR PASS and SEND this year.
OUR PASS is a membership scheme for young people who live in Greater Manchester, for both school leavers and care leavers, while SEND is the system that supports children and young people with additional needs throughout their education.
Visitors to Lightopia this year will be able to add on an optional donation as they purchase tickets / Credit: Lightopia
The Light of Love initiative, and additional outdoor light installations aren’t all that’s new at Lightopia in Manchester this year, as there’s also the new illuminated ‘Dining Domes’.
Nestled in the park’s woodland and surrounded by lanterns, the ten domes make for a unique and atmospheric dining experience for families, friends and couples, while The Stables Courtyard Bar and Dining will offer a more casual dining experience, with food, music and festive spirit under a heated canopy.
Lightopia will be open to the public Thursdays – Sundays from the 25 November until 11 December, and then will be open every day until Monday 3 January 2022 except for Christmas day, with opening times between 5pm to 10pm, and last entry is 8.30pm daily.
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Lightopia’s illuminated ‘Dining Domes’ make for a unique and atmospheric dining experience / Credit: Lightopia
Advance tickets are priced at £20 for adults (or £22 on the day), £13 for children (or £15 on the day), £60 for families of two adults and two children (£68 on the day), and children under three can go free.
Essential carers of disabled visitors can attend for free, the disabled visitor pays the normal admission fee.
Government announces homebuying overhaul to fix country’s ‘broken’ housing system
Emily Sergeant
The Government has announced what it’s calling the biggest shakeup to the homebuying system in this country’s history.
In a bid to ‘rewire a chaotic system which has become a barrier to homeownership for thousands nationwide, the Government has today (Monday 6 October) unveiled proposals that it says will speed up the long-drawn out and costly process of buying a home by four weeks.
The Housing Secretary says this will not only save people money, but unnecessary stress too.
The proposed new plans would see sellers and estate agents required to provide buyers with ‘vital’ information about a property upfront – including the condition of the home, leasehold costs, and chains of people waiting to move.
It’s hoped this will help end any last-minute chain collapses and ultimately give greater confidence to first-time buyers when they’re making one of life’s most important decisions.
The Government has announced plans to fix the country’s ‘broken’ housing system / Credit: Benjamin Elliott (via Unsplash)
Binding contracts could also be introduced to stop people walking away from agreements after buyers painstakingly spend months in negotiations to hopefully halve the number of failed transactions.
The new reforms are also proposing that prospective buyers are provided with side-by-side information on estate agents and conveyancers, including their track record and expertise, alongside new mandatory qualifications and Code of Practice to drive up standards and work to rebuild trust in the industry.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer took to Twitter this morning to address the proposed new homebuying overhaul, commenting: “I promised that my Government would fix the broken housing system.
“Buying or selling a home will be faster, unlocking the dream of homeownership and allowing hardworking people to focus on the next chapter of their lives. That’s national renewal.”
I promised that my government would fix the broken housing system.
Buying or selling a home will be faster, unlocking the dream of homeownership and allowing hardworking people to focus on the next chapter of their lives.
“Through our Plan for Change, we are putting more money back into working people’s pockets and making a simple dream a simple reality.”
Featured Image – James Feaver (via Unsplash)
News
English rugby legend Lewis Moody reveals MND diagnosis
Danny Jones
Much-loved English rugby legend Lewis Moody has revealed his heartbreaking MND (motor neuron disease) diagnosis.
The Leicester Tigers and Bath icon, who was captain of the Rugby World Cup-winning England squad back in 2003, unfortunately announced to the world that he is now suffering from MND, also known as ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis).
Moody, 47, is just the latest well-known rugby player to have developed the progressive neurological disorder, with both former players and others being forced to retire due to the condition.
The Ascot-born rugby union veteran has admitted that the news has come as a ‘sudden shock’ to him and his family, but has been left moved by the overwhelming wave of positivity he has received since making the health update public.
We are deeply saddened to hear the news of Lewis Moody's MND diagnosis and join the entire rugby community in getting behind Lewis and his family at this extremely difficult time ❤️ pic.twitter.com/46doNRQFvq
Sharing a lengthy message online, Moody wrote: “I’m writing to share some tough news. I have recently been diagnosed with ALS, also known as Motor Neurone Disease (MND). This has been incredibly hard to process and a huge shock to me and my family.
“I feel fit and well in myself, and I’m focused on staying positive, living life and dealing with the changes / will experience as they come.
“I am being well supported by my family, friends and medical professionals, and I’m truly grateful to those who, in their time, helped progress research to support others, like me, living with this disease.”
Notable ex-pros who have sadly passed away from the disease in recent years include Doddie Weir and, of course, Rob Burrow MBE.
There is currently no known cure for MND at present, but as Burrow’s best mate and inspirational teammate, Kevin Sinfield has famously, the belief is that this is because it remains “underfunded” and a breakthrough could still be found.
Speaking to BBC Sport with his long-term partner on Monday, 6 October, ‘Mad Dog Moody’ gave a very open and honest interview about the last few weeks, going from noticing some weakness in his shoulder at the gym to having now been given the tragic diagnosis.
Lewis’ statement continues: “Since retiring from the sport I love, and alongside my wife Annie, I’ve been able to dedicate much of the past 12 years to fundraising for The Lewis Moody Foundation in support of those affected by brain tumours.
“My plan is to continue with this, but to also create an opportunity to support a charity closer to my current situation. I would be so grateful for your help with this and look forward to sharing more, once l am clear on what this looks like.
“For now, please know I feel your love and support; all l ask is that I am given some space to navigate this with my wife and sons, and those closest to us – but without doubt, I will continue to embrace life and grasp opportunities in the same way I always have.
Sharing a post of their own on social media this morning, the Red Roses wrote: “Everyone at England Rugby is saddened to learn that former captain Lewis Moody has been diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND).
“All of our thoughts are with Lewis, his family and friends as they come to terms with this diagnosis. We will be offering both practical and emotional support, and know the entire rugby community will stand with them at this incredibly difficult time.
“We encourage people to show their support through the fundraising initiatives now being set up and available through GoFundMe.”
Sending our strength and support to Lewis Moody, as well as his family, friends and fans; you can donate to his fundraiser down below.
Emily Sergeant -
17th November 2021 
