Totally Roarsome has decided to extend its stay in Cheshire, and will now be running all throughout the Easter holidays.
For the past couple of years, Totally Roarsome has taken the region by storm and has become one of the North West’s most popular outdoor events, with visitors flocking from far and wide after it first opened following the initial lifting of lockdown restrictions in mid-2020, and returned after popular demand in 2021.
Earlier this year, it was announced that the attraction would be returning and had found a new home for 2022’s event at the picturesque Arley Hall in Cheshire.
And now, it’s sticking around for more and will be open throughout the entire Easter half term.
Unfamiliar with what Totally Roarsome is all about? Aimed at primary school children, and named as being one of the safest attractions for all the family in Greater Manchester, there will be more than 200 individual dinosaur and wildlife models making up the woodland trail this year.
Families will be able to get up close to the raptors, brontosaurus, spinosaurus, triceratops, stegosaurus, and more.
Totally Roarsome’s new home for 2022 is Arley Hall in Cheshire / Credit: Totally Roarsome
It’s not all just about the dinosaurs though, as there’ll also be other creatures and animals to keep the prehistoric beasts company too, from sea creatures and unicorns, to aliens and farm animals, and so much more.
Groups enter every 15 minutes to space people apart, with the trail said to take between an hour and an hour-and-a-half to complete, and the path being suitable for pushchairs and prams.
If the chance to see all sorts of creatures in the wild wasn’t exciting and educational enough as it is, on entry, visitors are given a quiz sheet that features different levels of questions aimed at different age groups, and the answers are on the fact boards as you make your way around.
There’s also hundreds of photo opportunities too.
The popular event has taken the region by storm and has seen visitors flock from far and wide the past two years / Credit: Totally Roarsome
Having already been open for weekend visits in February and March, Totally Roarsome will now be open everyday throughout the Easter holidays from 2-24 April 2022, with tickets selling fast and now available to book online.
Tickets will set you back £8.95 each, with under 2’s going free and a £2.50 booking fee per transaction, and they must be booked in advance.
You can find out more information about Totally Roarsome and grab tickets here.
Featured Image – Totally Roarsome
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Rochdale will be hosting its FIRST EVER comedy festival later this year
Thomas Melia
There’s a comedy festival making its way to Rochdale for the first time ever, and it’s taking place over 10 days this autumn.
Rochdale is preparing for barrels of laughter, as the borough is about to host a comedy festival as part of its events programme for being crowned Greater Manchester’s Town of Culture for 2025-26.
The line-up features some well-renowned names in thecomedy world, many of whom have received awards and recognition along the way.
You can expect appearances from Lou Conran, who features as a regular support act for Sarah Millican, Tez Ilyas, from ‘Man Like Mobeen’, and TV comedy legend Mick Miller. There’s even some Britain’s Got Talent alumni in the form of last year’s finalist Alex Mitchell and 2017 semi-finalist Jonny Awsum.
Tez Ilyaz, Lou Conran and Brennan Reece are just some of the acts listed for Rochdale Comedy Festival / Credit: Supplied
Edinburgh Festival favourite Patrick Monahan will be performing along with English comedian of the year Rob Mullholland, Aaron Wood – named by Rolling Stone UK as one of the 12 rising comedy stars to see at the Edinburgh Fringe this summer, and comedy musician Alex Camp.
The lineup also includes Robin Ince, co-host and creator of Sony Gold Award winning BBC Radio 4 series The Infinite Monkey Cage, and a whole host of other stand-up acts who are all gearing up ready to make Rochdale giggle.
“Us northerners are famous for our sense of humour and there’s a big appetite for comedy,” commented Councillor Sue Smith, who is the cabinet member for communities and co-operation at Rochdale Borough Council.
Rochdale Comedy Festival has an array of comedians taking part including Jonny Awsum and Daisy Earl / Credit: Supplied
“I’m happy to see Rochdale Comedy Festival launching during our year as Greater Manchester Town of Culture.
“It will bring together communities and give new comedians a chance to shine.”
So whether you’re in need of a cheer up, or you’re a comedy aficionado, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to crack a smile at Rochdale Comedy Festival, as it’s happening across 10 days from 26 September to 5 October in various venues across the Greater Manchester borough.
Featured Images – Supplied (via Publicity Pictures)
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Northern Quarter favourite The Pen and Pencil announces massive 10th birthday party and huge offers
Daisy Jackson
The Pen and Pencil, an absolute staple for brunches and drinks in the Northern Quarter, is celebrating a major milestone this month with a huge party and some unbeatable deals.
The bar and restaurant will be marking 10 years on Tariff Street in September – and it’s only right that we all pile in to celebrate with them.
This spot is one of the city’s original bottomless brunch venues and is similarly famed for its happy hour offerings, and opened in 2015 to bring a taste of Manhattan to Manchester.
Pen and Pencil took its name from the infamous New York City bar that was seen in Mad Men.
And now as it turns 10 years old, it’ll be throwing one big party on Saturday 27 September, featuring 10 hours of DJs, free pints of Red Stripe at 10pm, and a special bottomless brunch offering.
Those DJing on the day will include Drag Race UK’s Banksie, as well as Les Croasdaile, Mark Hogg, Danny Ward and A Deeper Groove.
Pen & Pencil has amazing deals for its 10th birthdayPen & Pencil is a Northern Quarter OG
The Pen and Pencil 10th birthday party will kick off from 2pm and run until late – but if you can’t make that one, there’ll be celebrations all week (and, indeed, month) long.
On Tuesday 23 September, you’ll be able to play for double prize money in The Pen and Pencil quiz, as well as enjoying happy hour drinks all night.
Then on Friday 26 September, it’ll be an all-night happy hour, with free tequila shots at 10pm and music from DJs Nev Johnson and Gareth James from 7pm.
All September long, there’ll be 50% off food every Monday, two-for-£10 cocktails every Wednesday, £10 burgers every Thursday, happy hour all night on Fridays, 10 dishes for £10 and two bloody Marys for £10 on Sundays, plus DJs on Fridays and Saturdays.
There’s a new colourful art installation outside the venue inspired by the bar’s New York roots.
Owner Kevin Connor said: “We’re really excited to be celebrating being part of the Manchester community for ten years!
“New York’s Pen and Pencil was a classic steak and cocktail joint, and we’re proud to have created our very own iconic Northern Quarter hangout. We hope everyone will join us in celebrating ten years on Tariff Street.”
Walk-ins are welcome for The Pen and Pencil 10th birthday party on Saturday 27 September, but booking is encouraged – book your spot HERE.
Emily Sergeant -
1st April 2022 
