A new two-day festival filled with music, multi-arts, food, and wellness is coming to the Lancashire countryside this summer.
And tickets are now on sale.
After the success of a number of 2021 summer pop-up events, the inaugural Gatherings Festival will take over the Gisburne Park Estate in Clitheroe on Saturday 20 & Sunday 21 August 2022 – with event organisers promising a weekend of cultural indulgence, music and arts, fabulous feasts, and a sanctuary for wellbeing.
The festival will take place across the 1000-acre historic private estate, and will have an eclectic lineup across two days.
With the River Valley Main stage nestled in the woodlands, some of the live acts and DJs on the lineup include sets from Ibibio Sound Machine, Roger Sanchez, Crazy P, Craig Charles, Children Of Zeus Live, House Gospel Choir, Horse Meat Disco, Greg Wilson, PBR Streetgang, Homoelectric DJs, Hot Gorilla Records DJs, Moodymanc and more.
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The weekend will also be packed full of chances to tuck into exceptional dinners and feasts prepared by award-winning local chef Steven Smith.
The inaugural Gatherings Festival is happening on Saturday 21 & Sunday 22 August / Credit: Gatherings Festival
There’ll also be a VIP pool party, a Village Green with immersive theatre games, The Peacock Tales lounge with poets Chris Jam and Griot City, the chance to listen to some Ribble Valley folklore tales, a Mad Hatters Tea Party, and Hindelinis Jazz Café.
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When it comes to wellness, those looking for a rejuvenation experience like no other will get the opportunity to try out the popular ice bathing phenomenon, as well as IV drips, goat yoga, and so much more, all alongside wellness expert and influencer Davina Taylor.
And as Gatherings Festival is set in the ancient and mythical landscape of Lancashire’s Ribble Valley, and is said to take inspiration from the Sika deer that are synonymous with the wildlife sanctuary Gisburne Park Estate, festival-goers will also be able to experience the charm of their surroundings through performances of dance, theatre, art, poets, and storytellers, who will all play their part.
There’s a number of accommodation options to choose from too, including luxurious lodges, historic houses, and cosy cottages all with hot tubs, or a fully-kitted-out glamping village and the option to bring your own tent to camp in.
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It will take over the Gisburne Park Estate in Clitheroe and take inspiration from Lancashire’s mythical Ribble Valley / Credit: Gatherings Festival
“We are excited to bring Gatherings to all,” said Guy Hindley – co-founder of Gatherings Festival.
“On the success of our pop-ups last year, we wanted to create an annual music and cultural led boutique festival in the North, on this historic estate that I grew up on [and] Gatherings is just that – it’s the coming together of various tribes, creating a cultural melting pot.
“Music, multi arts, immersive theatre, wellness experiences, pop up restaurants, glamping, and much more will all happening throughout the weekend.
“And we have more plans to develop this beautiful estate’s Grade I-listed mansion and to create a series of smaller events throughout the seasons.”
The two-day festival will be filled with music, multi-arts, food, and wellness / Credit: Gatherings Festival
Tickets for Gatherings Festival are now on sale.
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There’s daily admission tickets available, adult weekend tickets – including general camping – priced at £166.95, Gatherlings (6-15 years) tickets setting you back £90.95, all under 6s going free, and Golden Gatherers packages available from £240.95.
You can find more information and grab tickets here.
Featured Image – Gatherings Festival
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JD to host exclusive Josh Baker set at massive World Cup watch party in Manchester
Danny Jones
JD x JB: The well-known British and Manchester-founded sports fashion brand is teaming up with local artist Josh Baker for an exclusive pop-up set at a massive World Cup screening in the city centre tonight.
The two Manchester icons are teaming up at an otherwise sold-out Castlefield Bowl, getting the matchday vibes going ahead of the England vs Argentina game this evening.
With all eyes on the semi-final, keeping nerves steady will be a tall task, but Baker will be helping play his part in getting the energy up ahead of kick-off.
No matter what happens with the scoreline, it’s set to be a proper party atmosphere beforehand.
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Fresh off the plane from his White Isle residency over in Ibiza, the 30-year-old Manc musician will be taking to the stage from 6:15pm at none other than Castlefield Bowl, where nearly 9,000 people will be watching the big game.
In case you missed it, after wrapping up Sounds of the City ’26, the Bowl is now being taken over for Road to Victory’s outdoor fan zone.
Doors will be open from 5:30pm ahead of the 8pm kick-off, and you’ll want to get down there with plenty of time to make sure you get a good view of the action – and by that, we mean both the game and Josh’s exciting set.
Better still, not only are those at the venue in for a night of amazing music and incredible vibes, but they’ll be cheering on Thomas Tuchel’s men straight after, in a crucial clash that could see England reach a second consecutive final in the last two major tournaments.
There’ll be plenty of entertainment before, during and after the breaks.
We will, of course, be keeping our fingers crossed for you and the boys tonight; the only thing we’re certain of is that the man himself will deliver on the night.
We had the honour of chatting with JB ahead of the BRITs back in February, and he’s only looking to bigger and better things this year.
For those looking to go along for this special one-off, once again, tickets to the event are already sold out, so your only chance is to sign up for the waiting list HERE. Fingers crossed for you and a result at full-time!
Last but not least, keep your eyes peeled on the JD Sports Instagram page and their other socials for all other updates ahead of the huge night. We can feel it: it’s coming home…
Featured Images — Press shots (supplied via JD Sports)
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Meet the team that reimagined The Horse and Jockey into a gastropub masterpiece
Lydia Mastrolonardo
The Horse and Jockey is a historic neighbourhood pub that has forever been a cornerstone in the heart of Chorlton, with its iconic Tudor exterior and outdoor seating looking out onto The Green.
Since the team behind the well-known and loved The Black Friar and Leo + Roobs in Salford, headed by Managing Director Neil Burke and Executive Chef Ben Chaplin, reopened the pub in October 2025, we have since seen some significant changes.
Positioning themselves as Chorlton’s first-ever proper gastropub, they’ve expertly balanced maintaining the pub’s character and restoring the cosy indoors while catering for Manc foodies, with an ever-evolving menu consisting of fresh local produce as well as a wide selection of Joseph Holt award-winning beers.
Credit: Bigger Boat Hospitality
We’re not the only ones who have noticed the hard work these two have put in – the transformation has led to the Horse and Jockey being crowned as one of the best local boozers at the Pub and Bar Awards.
Today, we had a chance to talk with Ben, who is the mastermind behind their delicious dishes and makes it all possible…
For anyone who doesn’t know you, give us a little bit of background on your career as a chef thus far?
“I started in the kitchen when I was 15 and worked my way up through different kitchens. Ended up working for Aiden Byrne, who remains the youngest person ever to achieve a Michelin star at 22. I worked for him for about nine years, ran one of his pubs for him and helped develop Manchester House.”
“I then went off and worked as head chef at Australasia for two years and 20 Stories for another three years before meeting Neil. Together we opened The Black Friar in 2021, Leo + Roobs in 2024, now the Horse and Jockey and are 100% looking for more venues.”
How would you sum up the Manc food scene at the minute?
“Very diverse. Within the industry side of it, it’s difficult with a lot going on with VAT and wages, but there are some great venues doing some great food even just in Chorlton alone, and there is a lot of choice – I actually think it rivals London.”
This has become a staple of their annual calendar of events. See more from this year’s edition HERE.
We already know you’ve worked wonders bringing The Black Friar back to life and taking it beyond just a pub – what lessons have you taken from that experience to the Horse and Jockey?
“I think not just the Horse and Jockey but one of our values as a company for Bigger Boat is we are ‘yes people.’ So trying new things and not just saying no to something because we don’t want to do it, saying yes first and trying to find a way to achieve it.”
“It’s something that we don’t just do here, but we do it at the cafe, The Black Friar, and we’re going to do it going forward, opening more and more places.”
If you could describe how the approach is different between the two venues, what would you say?
“The spaces in The Black Friar allow us to do a lot more events; we obviously have a bigger outdoor area, so that leads to us being able to sell different areas for different events. We don’t have that as much here, and this is more of a neighbourhood, local pub, serving gastro-style food.
“The Black Friar we can go from events to weddings pretty seamlessly – we do a lot more there as there’s space for it and even more to come.”
They’ve even started doing a picnic basket offer. (Credit: The Manc Eats)
What is your favourite dish on the menu?
“We change the menu so often here (the Horse and Jockey) following the seasons, often changing a dish a week. However, right now my favourite is probably our lamb rump with a red pepper and harissa hummus with a hazelnut and sesame seed dhukka.”
And if you could sum up the food in three words, what would they be?
“Evolving, tasty and bold.”
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These two truly know what they’re doing with these restorations, and we can’t wait to experience what else they take over in the future.
Don’t believe us? Go on down and try it for yourself.
You can read our full review of the food and drink from when they first reopened the gorgeous suburban, village-style spot down below.
Emily Sergeant -
26th May 2022 
