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.
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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.
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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Manchester bar Banyan is serving martini trees, pigs in blankets and cocktail baubles this Christmas
Sophie Smith
Cocktails in a bauble – have we got your attention now? Because Banyan is pulling out all the stops for us in Manchester this Christmas.
The gorgeous bar brand, which has sites in both Spinningfields and at the Corn Exchange, is delivery festive cheer like never before, with an amazing selection of offers.
First, let’s talk cocktails.
Banyan is already known and loved for its wide selection of boozy concoctions, with 2-for-1 deals aplenty with seemingly endless sweet, sour and fresh to choose from. But now, there’s a whole host of new festive specials to take full advantage of to add to the list.
We’re talking Orange Espresso Martini served by the tree and Bauble Trays full of exciting gin combinations served inside its namesake- both are ideal for sharing this winter.
Banyan’s Christmas offering. Credit: The Hoot Leeds
If you’re looking for a bottomless option, there’s also plenty of scope to taste test the best of Banyan with free-flowing fizz this Christmas. The festive bottomless brunch menu serves up a combination of unlimited Prosecco, Bloody Mary cocktails, Aperol Spritz, Orange Blush Spritz, pints of Coors- and the limited edition Berry Crumble Spritz.
All this booze certainly needs some delicious foodie options to soak it all up, and there’s a mouthwatering festive feast that’ll trump your mum’s turkey dinner any day.
Served to a minimum of eight people at a time, take on a selection of Banyan classics like the Bang Bang chicken skewers and mini versions of the gourmet burgers, or stay true to the seasons with generous helpings of pigs in blankets, all served as a buffet-style dinner. This one’s perfect for Christmas office lunches, festive gatherings with friends or even just a wintry weekend get together with the family.
Banyan’s Christmas offering. Credit: The Hoot Leeds
Naturally, those looking for a feast with their nearest and dearest might want an added level of privacy for a game or to disclose Secret Santa gifts, so Banyan is offering a range of private dining experiences in addition to all of these fantastic food and drink options.
If you love to celebrate the changing of the seasons with a carefully curated menu of festive flavours like brie, bacon or a good old fashioned Christmas pud, there’s also a host of treats awaiting at any of the Banyan restaurants.
Tis the season to make the most of porcini mushroom arancini oozing with cheese and roasted cod with creamy lobster sauce, and there’s plenty to go around. Banyan burgers have also had a festive makeover with a limited edition Christmas burger with all the trimmings, and you can grab one no matter whether you’re a meat-eater, vegetarian or vegan- there’s even a meat-free Festive Beyond Burger with a plant-based ‘pig’ in blanket on the menu.
To book your next visit to Manchester’s worst kept Christmas secret, visit the Banyan Bar website.
Feature Image- The Hoot Leeds
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Christmas burgers, Golden Boot cocktails and beer by the keg – celebrate the footy and the festive season at BOX
Sophie Smith
Since BOX opened on Deansgate last year, it’s become one of the most popular places in town, both for watching the sport and for dancing the night away.
With a proper festive season ahead (not a lockdown in sight, we hope) and a World Cup happening at the same time, it’s set to be a sillier season than ever.
BOX has got both parts covered, with a Christmas line-up of food and drink as well as offering you the chance to cheer on the England squad in Qatar.
Combining the footy with the festivities is clearly a strength of BOX, and the St. Nick’s Kicks is just one example of the imaginative cocktails on offer this year. Served in boot-shaped glasses, choose from a striking red drink that resembles either the England squad or Father Christmas’ boots, and there’s even a dedicated Golden Boot cocktail for those strictly celebrating the football.
The Brewdog kegs are another crowd pleaser that’ll have the whole team at the table this winter. Served in huge five litre kegs, you’ll get almost nine whole pints out of these whilst you while away the freezing nights without having to leave the table.
Whilst there used to be no place like the beer garden for a football match, the wintry season has got us thinking less about huddling up outside and more about warming foods served whilst we watch the game- and BOX has got all the half time snacks sorted.
Festive food offerings at BOX Deansgate. Credit: BOX
There’s a festive special pizza option with all the tasty trimmings you’d expect this time of year with pigs in blankets, pulled turkey and, of course, sage and onion stuffing. Prefer your trimmings wrapped between two delicious burger buns? There’s an option for that too. The Christmas Burger is all about encapsulating that taste of a sit-down dinner from December 25th- and there’s even a vegan version with Beyond plant-based alternatives too.
The Ho Ho Hotdog is also destined to be a favourite throughout the festive lead-up. Imagine a giant pig in a blanket: nine inches of hot dog goodness wrapped in pancetta with sage and onion stuffing inside one giant fluffy bun.
If you’re looking for something that brings the best of post-match treats and the World Cup together without stuffing yourself with turkey, the Santa Sub and Christmas kebab are ideal options if you want an easy-to-grab food option whilst watching a match.
Click here to book your next visit to BOX Deansgate.
And the options aren’t just for watching the footy either, BOX is also offering a festive feast fit for any footballer this season.
Festive Feast. / Image: BOX
There’s a Christmas buffet option for sharing that offers the best of the festive menu on one giant tray. Think burgers with mountains of fries and the added option of bottomless drinks to make this a night of food and flavour to remember- the unmatched atmosphere that the football brings is just a bonus.
All this talk of Christmas is bound to have you singing along to Jingle Bells in no time, but for those wanting to step it up a notch, grab the mic at Bandeoke every Thursday night and sing the night away with the best Christmas hits. This is where karaoke meets a live band and offers you the unique chance to get up on stage and give the crowd your best Wham!, or Mariah impression.
There will also be plenty of live music every Friday and Saturday night for those that prefer to be singing and dancing in the crowds, and we really can’t think of a better place to get in the Christmas spirit.
Whilst booking ahead of any football games or peak party hours is highly recommended, BOX knows that sometimes there’s nothing better than spontaneous plans, and has room for walk-ins every day of the week.
For more information on any of the BOX Christmas menus, or to get yourself a table booked, visit the BOX website.
Emily Sergeant -
26th May 2022 
