National Trust site Tatton Park is still unable to fully reopen following a night of ‘chaos’ when Storm Arwen ripped through the region.
The popular attraction has been left without external power, forcing it to close its restaurants and shops, and scale back its One Snowy Night festive event.
Tatton Park in Knutsford was fully closed on Saturday and had to cancel its first day of Father Christmas meets.
The park has been able to gradually reopen some areas since then.
Storm Arwen hit Greater Manchester on Friday night and into Saturday, temporarily closing the M62 when more than 100 lorries were stuck in the snow.
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Winds in the UK hit up to 98mph, and three people were tragically killed.
Tatton Park said Arwen left a ‘trail of destruction’, dumping debris across the site.
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In an update posted today, they said that Scottish Power and site staff are busy trying to restore power and tidy up from the huge storm.
The post reads: “Unfortunately, despite our best efforts we are still badly affected by Storm Arwen.
“Teams have been busy clearing up and repairing damage but an external power cut means we still have no mains power. Our electrical supplier, Scottish Power, are working on this, but it’s a changing situation by the hour and sadly out of our control.”
The parkland is now open again, as are the toilet facilities in the Stableyard, though the restaurants and shops remain closed.
Visitors are advised to book their parking in advance online or bring cash, as the power outage has left Tatton Park without tills.
One Snowy Night is going ahead but with no food and drink on offer – refunds are available.
Featured image: Facebook – Tatton Park
Cheshire
Viral ‘colour analysis’ trend now available at Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet
Daisy Jackson
Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet is preparing for summer with a series of brilliant fashion events – including jumping on the colour analysis craze.
The viral sensation which helps people to dress in their most flattering colours is now heading to the popular shopping destination.
Free consultations with expert colourists will tell you your ‘colour season’ and whether you’re warm or cool toned, pointing out the colours that will make your face quite literally light up.
Then armed with your new-found appreciation for your own favourite colour, you can browse a rail of pre-selected clothing from Pinko, Reiss and many other brands, or head out shopping around the many other brands based at Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet.
It’s all part of The Great Dress Up campaign running this spring/summer, which celebrates fun childhood memories of playing dress-up.
The last few weeks has also seen Cheshire Oaks have a spring makeover, with a vibrant flower wall and colourful seating areas.
The free Colour Theory consultations launched last weekend and will continue on May bank holiday weekend, with bookings available on 4 and 5 May.
Colour analysis is a trend which has taken over TikTok, designed to assign individuals with their most flattering colours based on complexations, skin tones and other factors.
People can learn the dos and don’ts of colour at Cheshire Oaks with Kate Harrison and EWA.
The 20 minute one-to-one consultations will take place within the beautiful Spring Garden opposite Under Armour.
Cheshire Oaks is hosting The Great Dress Up series of events this summer
Shoppers can sit back and relax while more than 30 different fabric swatches are draped across your shoulders to determine your perfect colour palette.
Free expert talks will help you to learn about the importance of knowing your colours and what they mean for your style.
There are bounce back vouchers to the stores involved in the event as well as goodie bags containing a gift bag with colour swatches and more treats.
Visitors can either pre-book a session or snap up one of the limited walk-in appointments available on 4 and 5 May.
For more information and to book an appointment visit: mcarthurglen.com
A rare giant otter has arrived at Chester Zoo to help save a species
Danny Jones
More happy news over at Chester Zoo as a rare giant otter has just arrived at the best zoo in the UK and, surprise, surprise, he’s a cutey.
The rare species, originally from the Guyanas to Central-North Argentina and which once spread across other parts of South America, is currently at risk of going extinct altogether but the addition of this new male otter could help bring it back from the brink.
Arriving at the end of April, this fine young fellow has now joined his new female partner, Tibiri, as part of a crucial international conservation breeding programme.
Manchester, meet Manú, Chester Zoo‘s newest and most camera-ready animal.
Manú, the rare and giant male otter, makes his Chester Zoo debut.
Zookeepers have now released the first heartwarming images of the otters meeting for the very first time, where they can be seen swimming and playing together and, judging by how loud and vocal the pair have been, it looks like they’re already getting on like a house on fire.
With no more than 5,000 giant otters remaining across the whole of South America, conservationists are hopeful the duo will go on to have pups in the near future.
The decline in numbers is a result of mass-scale deforestation, water pollution and illegal hunting in the region. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) listed the species as endangered back in 2020 and it’s now the job of places like Chester and other Zoos to stop them from going extinct.
Three-year-old Manú – who travelled all the way from Budapest Zoo in Hungary – is said to have been genetically matched with Tibiri, 8, giving the species the best possible chance at a more secure future.
A handsome boy already cosying up to his new mate. (Credit: Chester Zoo)
The species, which can grow up to nearly two metres in length and 30kg in weight (the largest of all otter species, as the name would suggest) has sadly already been declared extinct in Uruguay and its ancestral home of Argentina. There are thought to be less than 5,000 left in the entire world.
But that’s where the likes of Manú and Tibir come in: they could help popular future generations of the giant otter and hopefully see them return to lakes, rivers and wetlands in numbers one day.
Speaking on the arrival, Chester Zoo Carnivore Keeper, Anna Starkey, said: “Since arriving at the zoo only a few days ago, Manú has settled into his new surroundings very quickly… So far we’ve seen really positive signs between the two and they can be heard using a range of vocalisations while playfully swimming together, which shows us that they’ve instantly bonded.
“[They’re] apex predators in the South American ecosystems and play a crucial role in maintaining the balance of freshwater habitats. They do this by hunting prey populations, keeping the health and biodiversity of their environments in check. But sadly, the wild population feel enormous pressures from pollution and mass deforestation which continue to threaten their survival altogether.”
They’re nicknamed ‘river wolves’ for their razor-sharp teeth, muscular bodies and skilled hunting. (Credit: Supplied)
Each giant otter typically has unique markings of white or cream fur on their throat and under their chin, which allows every individual to be identified by experts.
Unusually though, Manú does not have any markings and his throat is chestnut brown, which makes him easily identifiable from his new lady friend.
Starkey added: “It will now be the role of conservation zoos like ours to play a pivotal role in turning the tide and safeguarding their future on the planet.”