Heaton Park has revealed a new trio of scenic lakeside dining domes, perfect for those looking for a unique afternoon tea experience in Manchester.
Situated in Manchester’s largest park with stunning views of the lake and gardens, not to mention the Grade-I listed Heaton Hall close at hand, the domes offer an extra special afternoon tea experience surrounded by nature.
Each is private and heated to ensure maximum comfort, with a menu that features a number of different afternoon tea options, including vegan options.
Image: Heaton Park Cafés
All carefully curated by Heaton Park Cafés, who host the domes, the menus are designed to offer a mix of afternoon tea classics and imaginative variations.
The classic afternoon tea keeps things traditional with delicious sandwiches, free-range Heaton scotch egg and homemade sage and onion sausage roll.
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On the sweet side, think chocolate brownies, homemade Victoria sponge, scones and homemade jam with vanilla Chantilly cream and a baked meringue with pineapple and passionfruit.
Image: Heaton Park Cafés
There’s a miniature offering for children, too, served on a decorative wooden boat for added lakeside fun. Inside, they’ll find a Manchester bee sandwich, sausage roll, mini-scone with jam and cream, Victoria sponge and chocolate brownie bites.
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Elsewhere, vegans are treated to a vegan Scotch egg and homemade ‘not so sausage’ roll, alongside pulled barbecue jackfruit and tofu sandwiches, vegan Victoria sponge, pistachio carrot cake, vegan scone with jam and plant-based crema, and fruit jelly with pineapple and passionfruit.
All menus are priced at £23.95 per person and served with a pot of English breakfast tea or regular hot drink. Children’s teas are priced at £14.95. The Dining Domes can seat up to six and advance booking is essential.
Heaton Park is a historic area on the edge of Manchester and is the perfect setting for a family day out. There’s something for all ages with an animal centre and tram museum, play areas, bowling greens and food and drink curated by The Stables Café and The Lakeside Café.
Former Manchester police officer jailed after sexually assaulting a child while on duty
Emily Sergeant
A former Manchester police officer has been jailed after pleading guilty to sexually assaulting a child while he was on duty.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) explained that, on 29 December 2023, Dean Dempster was one of three officers responding to a domestic incident involving an adult and children, and it was while he was taking an account from a six-year-old girl, away from his colleagues, that he sexually abused her when he should have been there to protect her.
After GMP investigated a complaint received later that evening in relation to the incident, Dempster was immediately confronted by his supervisor when he returned to duty the next morning.
The 35-year-old was arrested that day by officers in Oldham, and then “relentlessly pursued” by GMP’s Professional Standards Directorate to “explore any further evidence of offending” in an investigation directed by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
A former officer has been jailed for sexually abusing a child on duty last year.
Swift action from local officers made sure Dean Dempster never stepped foot in the community again.
Our unit for professional standards has brought Dempster to justice for his despicable crimes. pic.twitter.com/IN2HQOHQEw
A review of Dempster’s electronic devices revealed “further serious offending”, GMP revealed, including the making of indecent images of children.
Sadly, the police investigation also found images on Dempster’s mobile phone taken from his body-worn video camera at the incident in December 2023 of a second clothed child, and of another clothed child at a separate incident dating back to 2022 – with the victims of both families having been made aware, and kept updated throughout the investigation
Dempster was convicted and sacked “at the earliest legal opportunity” by the Chief Constable at an accelerated misconduct hearing in May this year, and he has since admitted six counts of making indecent images, and two counts of Misconduct in Public Office.
After pleading guilty, the former officer has now been jailed for nine years, and has also been ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register for life.
Deputy Chief Constable, Terry Woods, said Dempster “represents the very worst of society”.
“He is not a police officer, he is a child sex offender, a criminal, and he has no right to be near police uniform or serve the public,” DCC added. “Dempster was rightfully arrested and charged before he could ever work in our communities again.”
Featured Image – GMP
News
Manchester’s libraries will become ‘warm spaces’ with free hot drinks and Wi-Fi again this winter
Emily Sergeant
Manchester’s libraries are set to become ‘warm spaces’ offering free hot drinks and internet access to those in need again this winter.
After tens of thousands of local residents visited the “stigma-free safe spaces” to escape and take refuge from the cold back in both 2022 and 2023, Manchester City Council has decided to reintroduce its popular ‘Warm Welcome Spaces’ scheme again this year during the chillier months.
22 libraries across Manchester are, once again, taking part in the scheme this time around.
Designed to “provide support to people who need it” over some of the most challenging months of the year when temperatures drop, the Council’s scheme is offering a range of different services – and they’re all for free of charge.
Manchester’s libraries are becoming ‘warm spaces’ with free hot drinks and Wi-Fi this winter / Credit: Flickr | Geograph
Free hot drinks, Wi-Fi and internet access, data SIM cards, and newspapers are just some of the things people can make the most of inside these ‘warm spaces’, as well as get access to information, advice, and extra signposting to other support services they made need in the city.
There will be age-friendly spaces to connect with others, story times once a week at 11am for children under five, and even weekly digital drop-ins too.
Manchester Central Library, Miles Platting Community Library, Hulme High Street Library, Beswick Library, Longsight Library, and Abraham Moss Library are just some of the libraries taking part this winter.
Winter is a challenging time for households, but your library has something for everyone.
They are warm welcoming spaces to have a chat, get advice and get a data SIM to get online.
All 22 libraries will be free to enter, and the Council says people can stay in them “for as long as you like”.
“Heading towards winter, we are very much aware that the cost of living crisis still continues to affect many families across Manchester,” explained Councillor Bev Craig, who is the leader of Manchester City Council.
“This is why, more so than ever, we as a Council continue to do our utmost to support people who may be struggling.
“Our participation in the Warm Welcome Spaces programme, combined with our Cost of Living support package shows we are committed entirely to helping any many people as possible during this difficult period.”
Find your local free ‘Warm Welcome Space’ in Manchester here.
The Manc -
23rd February 2022 
