Stranded holidaymakers can get free rail travel today to help them get home after an Air Traffic Control (ATC) fault led to hundreds of UK flights being cancelled and severely delayed.
LNER and Transpennine Express are both offering free standard class travel today for any customers who have been impacted by the Air Traffic Control technical issue and are having issues getting home across the UK all day on Tuesday 29 August.
The free rail travel has been offered by the train companies as an alternative after thousands of flights were cancelled and delayed due to a fault affecting flights in and out of the UK.
Travellers only have to show their boarding pass to claim the offer, which is running throughout Tuesday.
The LNER statement reads: “Following a UK Air Traffic Control technical issue on Monday 28 August 2023, some customers may need to return home earlier than originally planned.
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“LNER is offering free Standard Class travel for those affected and for anyone whose flight back to the UK has resulted in them landing at a different airport, or who is travelling on a different date than originally planned, meaning their journey home will involve a trip along the LNER route.
“Customers will be asked to present their airline ticket or boarding pass to make use of this offer, which will run across the 28th and 29th of August 2023.”
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We are allowing customers returning home from holiday following Air Traffic Control issues to travel at no charge today. Customers should present their airline ticket or boarding pass as proof of returning during the disruption.
The fault, first detected early on Monday 28 August, has seen UK airports move to delay flights – leaving thousands of unhappy passengers waiting in airports.
It is estimated that more than 500 flights have been cancelled or delayed by airlines operating across the UK, with countless numbers of those who have been/were set to travel this bank holiday weekend now stuck in limbo as they wait for their rescheduled flights or for alternative means of transport.
Even more concerningly, according to the National Air Traffic Services (NATS), while the network-wide technical issue is now thought to have been “identified and remedied”, they have warned that the subsequent disruption could last until later into the week.
A limited number of flights were able to operate but overall air traffic was severely restricted as engineers struggled to locate and rectify the problem, with controllers left with no other choice but to input flight plans manually.
With some prospective passengers facing up to as much as 12-hour delays or massive price hikes following the flights being outright cancelled, it’s hard to overstate just how long the disruption will last or exactly how many will have been affected.
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Meanwhile, NATS has insisted they will be continuing to investigate what caused the system failure “very thoroughly”. The technical fault is said to have lasted for more than four hours, only causing further chaos in airports and on planes as people were informed they would be stuck there for the time being.
Blackpool Pleasure Beach is getting a new multi-million pound ride
Thomas Melia
One of the North West’s favourite theme parks, Blackpool Pleasure Beach, is receiving a brand new, multi-million pound ride next year.
The newest addition to the massive coastal amusement park will be a giant gyro swing, and work on making it come to life in the park has already started.
Although the concept of a swinging pendulum may exist at other theme parks in the UK, Blackpool Pleasure Beach reassures thrill-seekers that this will be bigger than any other – especially in terms of height. You could say this is the new rival to ‘The Big One’.
It’s certainly big in terms of cost, as estimates have construction valued at around £8.72m.
Blackpool Pleasure Beach is home to some phenomenal rides and they’re gaining another.Thrill seekers will be able to the Pleasure Beach’s latest ride next year. Credit: Pleasure Beach Resort
The attraction is set to hold 40 riders who, if brave enough, will face outward with their legs dangling over the edge to replicate the feeling of flying.
This new ride has been on the horizon ever since Blackpool Pleasure Beach sent a digital van to their rivals over at Thorpe Park (currently closed for maintenance), which read: “We’ll just have to come up with something else then, won’t we?”
The next closest competitor at Drayton Manor is ‘Maelstrom’, which reaches nearly 74 feet, while this gyro swing will more or less double this number, racking up to 138 feet at its highest point at a 120-degree angle. Gulp.
Suspense has been building for this new addition as eager adrenaline junkies noticed the demolition of the former Bowl-A-Drome building, with no words from the park itself – until now.
CEO of Pleasure Beach Resort, Amanda Thompson OBE, said: “We’re thrilled to confirm the addition of a Gyro Swing at Pleasure Beach Resort, with work already underway.” It doesn’t have an official name yet, but it’s been dubbed ‘Project MMXXVI’.
We're delighted to unveil Project MMXXVI, a colossal 138ft Gyro Swing coming to Pleasure Beach next year. 🐍 pic.twitter.com/xAtEKpcgv5
— Pleasure Beach Resort🎢 (@Pleasure_Beach) March 20, 2025
Thompson also stated, “We’re well known for doing things on a large scale, so becoming home to the largest Gyro Swing in the UK made complete sense.”
This isn’t the only attraction receiving all the love at Blackpool Pleasure Beach as ‘Wallace & Gromit‘s Thrill-O-Matic’ is adding some new scenes, thanks to its recent win at the BAFTAs.
Much-loved ride ‘River Caves’ is also going to be re-imagined, while the ‘Launch Pad’ – which recently finished an upgrade earlier this year – will be open in Spring.
The Gyro Swing will be opening sometime in 2026, and while the date for its grand debut might not be released, the park has spoken on its location, announcing it will be placed up in the north of the park.
How exciting!
Blackpool Pleasure Beach is constantly adding innovative rides.This new Gyro Swing will be joining the infamous ‘The Big One’.Credit: Supplied
Local Stockport school opens library in memory of ‘selfless’ and ‘truly special’ teacher
Danny Jones
A local school in Stockport has opened a brand new library in memory of a former teacher, with the learning space being named after the “life-changing” educator.
The late Danyon Robert Chesters, or simply Dan to colleagues and friends, was a secondary school educator who enjoyed a long teaching stint at Offerton High (OHS), which was formerly the site of two girls’ school and a boys’ secondary which went on to merge in 1972 and was ultimately renamed in 1983.
Since closed over a decade ago, the premises is now home to two educational facilities for students with learning disabilities and complex needs: Castle Hill High and Lisburne School. The latter officially opened last December after being built on the site of OHS’s old Woodbank Building.
Now, in an effort to both connect to the school’s history and honour the man known to so many simply as Mr Chesters, Lisburne School has now opened the new reading and study space in his name.
Credit: Lisburne School (supplied)
Unveiled earlier this month, the Lisburne Special School Library was formally dedicated as ‘The Dan Chesters Library’ on the same plot of land where he taught history for over a decade.
Writing via the ‘Do it For Dan’ charity page set up in the wake of his death and which has raised thousands for mental health causes through regular sports-based fundraisers, his husband and fellow academic, Jeff Evans, was present for a “bright and sunny afternoon” spent remembering him.
Local Liberal Democrats Lisa Smart, MP for Hazel Grove, and Stockport MBC Councillor, Dan Oliver – a previous student of Dan’s – were also in attendance as Lisburne’s Headteacher Sam Benson and several students help cut the ribbon.
Speaking on the opening, Cllr Oliver said: “Dan made such a difference to so many of us, both at school and after we left. Over the last few weeks, I’ve re-read our emails, he was always so supportive and keen to know what was going on in our lives.
“He also came to perform at a fundraising event that we organised, a sign of just how special he was and how committed he was to all of us. This library now stands in honour of Dan Chesters, on the site of the building that he taught in, as a permanent reminder of his commitment to education, his kindness, his selflessness and his brilliant smile. Thank you, Dan.”
He often organised history school trips home and abroad.‘The Dan Chesters Library Wellbeing Wall’
Structured Pathway Lead and Class Teacher, Jess Jones, told The Manc: “Here at Lisburne, we offer a specialist provision for children aged 4-11 years in Stockport. We have recently opened our new school building, providing amazing facilities to meet the diverse needs of all students.
“As part of our opening celebrations, we have created a well-being area in our Library in memory of Dan Chesters, a well-loved teacher who taught at the old Offerton High School. The aim of this space is to provide an area of reflection and emotional regulation.
“This marks the beginning of our project here in school and is something we are hoping to expand. We are looking to work collaboratively to fundraise for appropriate resources to engage and support learning, regulation and wellbeing of the full school community.”
As well as the school welcoming local support, Mr Evans himself is now exploring the latest Do it For Dan fundraising event – of which there have already been many – to help fill the library with books and other resources specifically geared towards its students.
An even bigger character than his brain.A school trip to Germany, where he also taught.Credit: Supplied
The organisation has held everything from annual charity football matches, group hikes and memorial runs in the years since his passing.
While he was an inspiration to countless kids during his days teaching in schools, helping build their self-esteem and world views as young adults, Dan Chesters sadly battled with mental health throughout his life. In 2018, he tragically decided to take his own life.
He was just 44.
Reflecting in a lengthy and emotional post on the first anniversary of his death on 2 July 2019, his partner Jeff said: “I would use this deeply painful occasion to again enlist your help for all those other Dan’s in our community who need our voice.
“Family members, friends and workmates that are suffering today, often alone, similar mental illness that plagued Dan’s life. Please do continue speaking out about mental health and thereby challenging the taboo about this increasingly common illness…
“Please do consider raising with your MP and local NHS Mental Health Trust the consistent underfunding of the NHS Mental Health Services. In doing so, you’re practically honouring Dan’s life and enhancing his legacy by helping others […] he’d love that.”
The impact he had not only on generations of secondary school students but his fellow teaching colleagues, members of the LGBTQ+ community and beyond cannot be overstated.
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Fellow ex-pupil, Jake Sheppard – who not only has a PhD in history but now works for Seashell Trust in Cheadle Hulme, an organisation that also provides severe learning disability support – told us: “Every boy’s heart responds to the examples set by greater men. Mr Chesters was that greater man.
“He was the first person to prise open my own heart to the wonder of the past, the strength of responsibility truly great teachers hold, as well as to the potential goodness of humankind.
“I owe my three history degrees to his strength, wisdom, depth, courage, and kindness.”
Another former student of his and a university graduate turned Greater Manchester nurse, Sophie Williams, added: “Dan was a dedicated educator whose passion for teaching and commitment to his students left a mark on the lives of all who had the privilege of learning from him.
Credit: Supplied
“His love for his students and his profession was evident in every lesson he taught and every interaction he had. We loved him.”
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“He was known for his patience, empathy, and ability to make learning engaging and meaningful. He always went above and beyond for his students (even after they had left school) to ensure that they felt valued and empowered.
“His classroom was a space where curiosity thrived, and every student was encouraged to reach their full potential.”
“He leaves behind a lasting legacy in the hearts of his students, colleagues, and everyone who knew him. His influence will continue to resonate in the lives of the countless people who were fortunate enough to know him, and his spirit will live on in the stories shared by all.”
Put simply by the Wilkinson family in a tribute along with a donation on his JustGiving page back in 2023, they described him as “a teacher who always went the extra mile.”
A well-travelled man full of wisdom.An musician, an athlete and a charitable spirit.A lifelong City fan and a loving partner.Credit: Do it For Dan (via Facebook)
Georgina Pellant -
29th August 2023 
