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.
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.
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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.
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.
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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.
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.
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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.
“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.
Helen Flanagan describes psychosis diagnosis as she breaks social media silence
Daisy Jackson
Helen Flanagan has broken a months-long social media silence to explain to fans that she has been going through struggles with her mental health.
The former Coronation Street star explained that she’d had a ‘really bad reaction’ to some ADHD medication, which triggered psychosis.
The 33-year-old actress also said that she had been ’emotionally struggling’ after splitting with Scott Sinclair, with whom she shares three children.
Helen Flanagan wrote on Instagram that she’s had ‘a lot of difficult things going on’, explaining why she has stepped back from the public eye since January.
She also said that she was unaware that she was in the psychosis, which lasted for days.
It left her unable to continue with theatre rehearsals and instead Helen stayed at home with her family to recover.
Helen also said that she’d decided to try the medication after struggling with her mental health throughout December and January, so that she could ‘cope better with being a working single mum-of-three’.
But the Bury-born beauty then assured her one million followers that she was in a ‘really good happy place now’ and ‘feels lighter’.
She wrote, alongside a fresh-faced selfie on Instagram: “Had a few months off from social but I’m back now. So basically I really struggled mental health wise December/ January. I felt really not great in my head over Christmas and I didn’t really feel that much different when I took the kids away for new year.
“I had a lot of difficult things going on, things I just can’t talk about on Instagram.
“I felt terrible, so I was due my theatre tour which I was excited about so when I came back from holiday I thought it was best for me to take some medication so I’d feel better and be able to cope better with being a working single mum of three and I was emotionally struggling with the break up from the father of my kids but I had a really bad reaction though to the medication ( an ADHD medication) and it sent me into a psychosis for a few days which I didn’t know I was in. I just love my kids so much.
“This bad reaction though was a few days before rehearsals were starting and sadly I just wasn’t mentally well enough to do it.
“I was heartbroken as I’ve always been professional as an actress but i needed to stay at home and feel better for me and my kids, with the help of my amazing parents.
“I’ve always been honest on here and I feel in a really good happy place now. Therapy can be amazing and I feel like I’ve worked on myself with things that were quite tough to me but I feel lighter now. Anyway sending love and please be kind.”
She’s been flooded with well-wishes since sharing the very personal update.
Her former Corrie co-star and on-screen sister Brooke Vincent wrote: “Nice to see you back my girl. Love you lots xx”
Another Corrie legend, Cath Tyldesley, said: “Beautiful girl love you lots you are so brave . Health comes first. Well done for sharing as I’m sure it will help others xxxx.”
Another person said: “I read the word struggle, but I felt the word strength. There’s so much strength in seeking help, especially as a busy, working mama. You don’t even need to explain.”
International manhunt launched to find killer of Daniel Burke, who died in Ukraine
Daisy Jackson
A global manhunt is underway to find the suspect wanted in connection with the killing of Daniel Burke.
Daniel, 36, from Wythenshawe, was found dead in Ukraine in September 2023.
Ukrainian authorities have now named the suspect in their investigation, who has fled the area.
Specialist officers are in pursuit of Abdelfetah ‘Adam’ Nourine, also known as ‘Jihadi Adam’, an Australian Algerian dual national.
Daniel Burke went missing from south Manchester on Wednesday 16 August 2023, with his family believing he had travelled to Ukraine.
In September 2023, a body was found by authorities, and late last year DNA tests confirmed it to be Daniel.
GMP has said that his death is ‘made more traumatic by the absence of justice’ as they shared details of the investigation.
Detective Superintendent Lewis Hughes of GMP’s Serious Crime Division, said: “Our deepest condolences continue to be with Daniel Burke’s family, who have endured the most awful six months. We know his death is only made more traumatic by the absence of justice, and those closest to Daniel remain at the heart of our involvement in this case.
“Since we were made aware of Daniel’s tragic death in Ukraine in September 2023, our specially trained Family Liaison Officers were quickly sent to support his close family members to offer advice surrounding the Ukrainian investigation.
“We’ve worked closely with the Foreign Office, The British Embassy, Ukrainian law enforcement agencies and also Daniel’s family, to help repatriate Daniel and bring him home so his family and friends could finally lay him to rest.
“Our officers and forensic specialists also conducted extensive additional tests on Daniel’s body upon his return to the UK to ensure that the best evidence was obtained and then shared with Ukrainian authorities as promptly as possible. Everything in our power continues to be done to assist the investigation team in Ukraine.
“Alongside Daniel’s family we have been informed by authorities in Ukraine that they have a named suspect in their investigation into Daniel’s death, Abdelfetah ‘Adam’ Nourine. Also known as ‘Jihadi Adam’ an Australian Algerian dual national, who has subsequently fled the area and remains outstanding in efforts to find him.
“His Majesty’s Area Coroner for Manchester Zak Golombek has been updated at every stage. The opening of the inquest into Daniel’s death last month was an important step forward in the journey to ensure that Daniel’s family receive the answers they deserve, but we know this will not stop until his killer is brought to justice in the Ukraine.
“Nothing will bring Daniel back, but regardless of how long the process may take, we remain committed to doing all we can to help gain justice for Daniel and his family.”