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The UK’s largest indoor Christmas theme park returns to Manchester after 4-year break

There'll be over 50 rides to enjoy, plus elves and fairies, festive Christmas food stalls and theatre shows - plus Santa in his grotto

Georgina Pellant Georgina Pellant - 21st September 2021

The UK’s biggest indoor Christmas theme park is returning to Manchester after a four-year break – bringing the magic of Christmas back to be enjoyed by families across the region.

The original Christmas spectacular Winter Wonderland will be coming home to Trafford’s indoor venue EventCity for 2021, having become a top attraction in the city in the years from 2013-2017.

The event will be bringing with it some magical Christmas experiences, with real reindeer on-site and elves and fairies on hand to greet little ones as they arrive to visit Santa in his grotto.

Image: Winter Wonderland

Organisers Kingpin Events will transform the indoor 22,000 sq m exhibition space into an “unbelievable and magical winter wonderland” with over 50 family rides on hand to enjoy, including popular favourites like the dodgems, roller coasters, waltzers and more.

They’ll also be bringing a huge array of children’s theatre to the fore this Christmas, with plenty of child-friendly shows taking place on the main stage with daily performances held throughout the Christmas period.

And as a special thank you to families, organisers will be introducing reduced ticket prices on certain days throughout the festive period to celebrate their return to Manchester.

Image: Winter Wonderland

Featuring TV stars Daisy and Ollie, families can head down to enjoy shows like the Ice Princess Show, Christmas Meltdown and the return of Winter Wonderland’s spectacular Christmas Circus.

There’ll be festive foods aplenty to enjoy too, from German bratwursts to waffles and crepes, plus lots of Christmassy games stalls to keep the kids happily entertained. Elsewhere, a German bar will serving up fresh Bavarian beers and other festive drinks and adult refreshments.

The magical festive bonanza has taken over Trafford’s EventCity every Christmas until 2017, at which point it was replaced with similar concept Winter Funland.

Image: Winter Wonderland

However, after a brief hiatus, the original spectacular Christmas event is back – and organisers still say they’ve more surprises up their sleeve that are still to be announced. Personally, we can’t wait.

Speaking on their return, organisersTammy 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.

Image: Winter Wonderland

“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.”

Located at Event City next to the Intu Trafford Centre, this year’s Winter Wonderland event runs from Saturday 4th December 2021 to Sunday 2nd January 2022.

Tickets are on sale now, priced at £29.50 for adults and children off-peak and £35 at peak times. OAPs are priced at £20 and £27.50 respectively, and under-threes can visit for free at any time. 

Grab yours here.

Feature image – Winter Wonderland

News

Mayor Andy Burnham promises Greater Manchester will honour Ricky Hatton ‘properly’

Danny Jones Danny Jones Mayor Andy Burnham confirms Greater Manchester tribute plans for Ricky Hatton

The Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, has promised that the city and wider boroughs have plans to honour Ricky Hatton MBE following his passing this weekend.

Hatton, just 46, sadly passed away this Sunday, 14 September, with the region left shocked by the sudden and tragic news.

Details surrounding his exact cause of death are still scarce, but Greater Manchester Police (GMP) have said that it is not being treated as suspicious.

Posting on social media, Mayor Burnham has now assured that there will be official tributes paid to the boxing legend.

“He was the kind of person who would always turn up for people, supporting so many causes”, writes Burnham, adding: “He made us smile and made us proud. We will find a way of honouring him properly.”

There seems to be a clear intimation that at least one or more public tributes will be carried out at the earliest opportunity.

In fact, several already have up and down the country, including a 10-bell salute, which rang out at the World Boxing Championships at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool on the 11th day of the competition.

Locals and ‘Hitman’ fans alike have been leaving flowers, wreaths and other personal tributes outside his address in Tameside as well as his gym in Hyde.

The minute’s appreciation before the 197th Manchester derby also saw his friend, fellow die-hard Blue and City Square fan zone presenter, Danny Jackson, deliver a touching speech before applause rang out around the stadium, with the Man City manager himself looking visibly moved by the moment.

Manchester City dedicate derby win to late and beloved boxing blue, Ricky Hatton
Pep Guardiola is one of many members around the club, both past and present, to have offered their condolences.

His nephew Jack Hatton has now posted on social media too, saying simply: “I love you so much Uncle Rick. I will always remember all you have done for me and the great times we had together I love you so so much I’m going to do all I can to make you proud.”

Brother Matthew, also a boxer, shared similar, collating pictures of the two together over the years.

énergie Fitness Hyde, home to his well-known gym and popular community outlet, have also shared a statement online, writing: “Ricky was much more than a world-class fighter and an exceptional trainer. He was a remarkable person who inspired countless individuals.

“His influence reached far beyond Hyde and the local community, touching the lives of millions around the world. Everyone at the gym is devastated by this loss. Ricky’s legacy will live on in the hearts of those he motivated, mentored, and uplifted.

“We send our sincere condolences to Ricky’s family, friends, and all who knew and loved him.
As a mark of respect, the gym will be closed for the rest of the day. Rest in Peace, Ricky.” Since then, his family have now shared their own statement in full via GMP.

Asking for privacy during this difficult time, they wrote: “It is with the heaviest of hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved son Richard. Richard was so much more than a world champion. To us he was simply ‘Richard’, our son. A loving father, grandfather,and brother, and a true friend to many.

“He had a heart as big as his smile, and his kindness, humour and loyalty touched everyone who was lucky enough to know him.

“To the wider world, Richard will always be remembered as one of boxing’s greatest champions — a man who gave everything inside the ring and wore his heart on his sleeve outside of it.

“He inspired generations with his fighting spirit, his humility, and his love for the sport. But beyond the titles, the nights to remember, and the roar of the crowd, he remained the same down-to-earth Richard who never forgot where he came from.

“As a family, our loss is immeasurable, and words cannot truly capture the pain we feel. Yet in the midst of our grief, we have been deeply moved by the overwhelming outpouring of love and support.

“It has been a source of great comfort to see just how many lives Richard touched, and how widely he was admired and respected.

“At this time, we kindly ask for privacy as we come to terms with life without him. In the days and weeks ahead, we will take strength from one another and from the knowledge that Richard’s legacy — both in boxing and as a man — will continue to live on.

“Richard’s memory will forever remain in our hearts, in the hearts of his fans, and in the sport he loved so dearly. With love and gratitude, The Hatton Family.”

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Featured Images — Aeropixels Photography/Scottish Government (via Flickr)

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Manchester City dedicate derby win to late and beloved boxing blue, Ricky Hatton

Danny Jones Danny Jones Man City tributes to Ricky Hatton

Manchester City players past and present, club members and fans alike have paid tribute to the late, great boxer, Ricky Hatton MBE, following his shock passing this weekend, honouring him with a fitting derby day win.

Safe to say there’ll be a blue moon all over Greater Manchester this week.

The tragic news about Ricky Hatton was sadly announced just hours before the 197th Manchester derby at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, 14 September, with the entire ground observing a ‘minute of appreciation’ before kick-off.

Manager Pep Guardiola looked visibly emotional when the camera panned to him applauding his memory in the crowd, and there were plenty of other tributes to ‘The Pride Hyde’ spotted both the home and away ends, with several famous City faces taking to social media after full-time to share their own.

Perhaps one of the most moving tributes came from Guardiola himself, who has always immersed himself in local Manc culture beyond just football, so it was no surprise he felt the sorrow in the stands.

Speaking to the media in his post-match duties, the Catalan coach and former athlete himself said: “I’ve been here for ten years, [seen/heard] a lot of minute [silences/applauses], and I don’t remember one so, so intense like today.

“I want to say thank you so much to the Man United fans because they behaved and applauded. I know he was a World Champion in boxing. It was a special, special moment. There are no words that can contain the pain that the family can feel right now for this loss, but we are close.

“I know how much of an incredible Man City fan [he was]. He lived the bad moments and the good moments in the last 10/15 years. I know for the fans how close he was [held]. The moment of applause was unbelievable.

“It was an experience I will always remember because I felt in every applause of every person in the stadium the gratitude for what he has done professionally and being a massive, massive City fan.”

Once again, he wasn’t the only familiar sports personality, blue or otherwise, who made it known how much he was admired by those in and around the region of Greater Manchester.

Both Manchester United legend Roy Keane and ex-Man City defender Micah Richards joined the Sky Sports panel in discussing his legacy as a local sporting icon.

It’s worth noting that the die-hard City fan became a key ambassador and charity champion, raising huge funds and awareness surrounding mental health.

Rest in peace to a legend and a mental health hero.

Everyone involved paid tribute to Ricky Hatton as City claimed the win over United.

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Featured Images — Sky Sports (screenshot)/SamboD (via Flickr)/Man City via (X)

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