A ‘pub for plants’ will be taking over one of Manchester’s favourite watering holes and transforming it into a foliage-friendly boozer.
Northern Quarter pub The Freemount will be reimagined as ‘The Seed & Sip’ for one night only on Wednesday, June 29, as part of a partnership between Inch’s cider and leading online plant retailer Patch.
It will play host to an array of forna-inspired events including, wackily, a gig for plants that will be performed by indie rock band Red Rum Club.
Promising the perfect night out for plant and human punters alike, the Seed and Sip will also host its own horticultural twist on speed dating in the form of ‘speed planting’ sessions.
Image: The Freemount
Open to singles and couples, it’s more about finding your perfect plant than your perfect partner – with expert advice from the Patch team to prove there really is a plant out there for everyone.
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On entry guests will be given tokens for free pints of Inch’s cider and Heineken 0.0, as well as delicious snacks and the chance to win stellar prizes to see out the summer.
Those heading down will be met with a living wall of plants that will permanently take over the pub’s exterior, created by the award-winning Edible Bus Stop who have just taken home the Silver-Gilt at The Chelsea Flower Show.
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Plant Doctors from Patch will be on hand to help guests discover their perfect plant partner, and a special guest comedian will host a Plant Pub Quiz where guests will be in with the chance of winning a number of festival tickets to Tramlines and Boardmasters.
The Seed and Sip will be launching at 73-75 Oldham Street in Manchester on 29 June from 6pm for over 18s.
Image: The Freemount
A limited number of spaces are available, and you can register for a place by emailing [email protected] with your full name. The pub will also be open to walk-ins during the night.
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The partnership hopes to showcase the importance of sustainability, connecting pubs and nature together as one.
Rachel Holms HEINEKEN UK, Cider Unit Director, says: “Inch’s Cider focuses on sustainability and nature, which is why we’ve teamed up with Patch to bring consumers a taste of nature in a fun and exciting way. The Seed and Sip is an experience like no other for pub-goers and plants alike, an environment to chill, drink a cold cider and meet new friends – of both the human and horticultural variety.
“Patch is the go-to brand for a new generation of urban drinkers who have an increased interest in nature, so we’re excited about this partnership and shared passion for bringing pubs and nature together as one – and you may even leave with a personality-matched plant to move in with you too!”
Red Rum Club’s lead singer, Francis Doran, said: “We have performed to many different crowds in a wide variety of venues over the years, but this is by far the most unique audience we will have the pleasure of entertaining. We hope that the plant guests at the Seed and Sip not only enjoy our music but find it uplifting and help them grow!”
Freddie Blackett, Patch Founder, added: “The pub is a great British institution, and the UK is famous worldwide for its gardens, so it makes perfect sense for pubs to have lush and inviting spaces for customers to enjoy with a drink, like a pint of cider.
Image: Supplied
“We are delighted to be collaborating with a brand who shares our passions, as we set out to create greener spaces in urban areas together.”
Police release footage of missing Manchester man Adeo Alston-Ekpei’s last-known movements
Emily Sergeant
Video footage showing the last-known movements of a Manchester man who’s been missing for three weeks now has been released.
Detectives at Greater Manchester Police (GMP) are continuing to search for Adeo Alston-Ekpei, who has not been seen since Friday 16 May.
The 25-year-old was seen in Fletcher Moss Park in Didsbury at around 3pm, before later being seen walking down Kingsway away from Manchester and close to the River Mersey, at around 5.20pm that same day.
Multiple lines of enquiry being explored by police at present, but anyone who believes they may have seen him from around this time, is asked to get in touch.
Adeo is described as being a mixed-race male, with long curly black hair and a long singular dreadlock, and bleached eyebrows. He has a cupid’s bow piercing and a right eyebrow piercing. He also has an ‘AKA’ tattoo on his right wrist, and a ‘24’ tattoo in the right side of his chest.
He was last seen wearing long blue denim shorts, an undone green short-sleeved button-up shirt, and white Adidas trainers.
Friends have also recently set up a public fundraiser to help with the search for Adeo.
Adeo Alston-Ekpei has been missing for almost three weeks / Credit: GMP
“We are dedicated to finding Adeo and getting much-needed answers for his family,” commented Detective Inspector Kelly, from GMP’s Manchester district, as the footage was released to the public this week.
“I would ask any residents around the Kingsway area, and surrounding housing estates off Kingsway into Gately, and who may have dashcam or CCTV footage from around this time, to please check and get in touch if you have any information.
“Likewise, if anyone believes they have seen Adeo, please get in touch with one of our officers. Any information is appreciated and investigated as we continue our work.”
#MISSING | We are continuing to ask for information relating to missing Adeo, who was last seen on May 16.
We have additionally released CCTV footage showing Adeo’s last known movements on Kingsway, Manchester.
— Greater Manchester Police (@gmpolice) June 5, 2025
A spokesperson for Adeo’s family described the missing man as ‘kind, funny, and intelligent’ with a ‘huge heart’, but they say he ‘wasn’t himself when he disappeared’.
“He may have come across as agitated, lost, or confused,” the spokesperson admitted. “In his last call to his mum, he was in a very vulnerable state.”
Anyone with any information regarding Adeo’s whereabouts is urged to contact South Manchester CID directly on 0161 856 6051 or 0161 856 6063, or you can use the LiveChat function on GMP’s website and quote log number 838 of 18/05/25.
Alternatively, you can report information to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Featured Image – GMP
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Tributes pour in after Heaton Park’s beloved resident donkey Ralph dies at age 40
Emily Sergeant
The time has come… one of Heaton Park’s beloved resident donkeys, Ralph, has sadly died at the impressive age of 40.
As regular visitors to Manchester‘s largest park may be aware, Ralph the donkey recently celebrated his 40th birthday – which, even more impressively, actually made him 120 in donkey years – and it was a truly incredible achievement for him to reach, especially as The Donkey Sanctuary says that the average life expectancy for a donkey is just over 30 years of age.
But earlier this week, things sadly took a turn for the worse.
Heaton Park‘s Estates Team made the decision to contact a vet for a site visit after identifying some changes with Ralph’s behaviour, and unfortunately, this was found to be caused by a ruptured intestine.
So it’s with ‘deep sadness’ that the park had to announce to the public that Ralph passed away later that afternoon.
“Ralph meant a lot to many, both staff and all our visitors, and he will be deeply missed within the park,” Heaton Park & Hall said in tribute to their beloved friend on social media this week.
They also shared an adorable image of him when he was just a young foal.
Those who had the pleasure of seeing Ralph roam the park over the past four decades soon began flooding the comments, sharing their own emotional tributes to the friendly face who’s sadly no longer with us.
Heaton Park’s beloved resident donkey Ralph celebrating his 40th birthday / Credit: Heaton Park & Hall (via Facebook)
“Sleep easy buddy, you had a wonderful charmed life and you deserved it,” one touching comment read on Facebook, while another added: “Aww Godspeed Ralph, you had a happy life, now its time to rest,” and a third commented: “So sorry to hear this sad news about Ralph, but glad to know he has enjoyed a long and happy life.”
Another tribute reads: “RIP Ralph, you brought a lot of joy to a lot of people,” as does this similar one: “Aww bless him. He’d had a long and happy life, and gave much happiness too.”
Georgina Pellant -
20th June 2022 
