A handy new app is helping Man City and Man United fans carpool to Wembley for the FA Cup final
Starting out as an app designed to help students save money by ride-sharing, they are now giving both halves of Manchester an extra option for derby day.
A handy new app is helping Manchester City and Manchester United fans carpool down to Wembley for the FA Cup final amid the ongoing train strikes. Talk about timing.
STAXY is the ride-sharing app which has set up a special platform for fans of both clubs to connect with other supporters struggling to sort travel arrangements when it comes to heading down to London.
As alluded to in the video above, the app started out as a bespoke little tool to help university students safely carpool with other students to save money and reduce their impact on the environment in the process — a great little idea, right?
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So, after the app’s success around various different uni communities, they thought the dilemma drummed up by an all-Manchester FA Cup final was the perfect opportunity to once again put their service to good use, once again saving them on stress and carbon footprint as well as time and money.
Although there are obviously coach services being operated across Greater Manchester and all over the country, in fact, the demand is obviously massive and there simply aren’t seats enough for everyone.
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That’s where these lot come in. So, how does this specially-designed app work?
Well, as you can see, it all starts with you selecting your club — we don’t need anyone bickering in the backseat — and from there you can indicate whether you’re driving down to the match and are willing to take on passengers or if you yourself are in need of a lift.
Features include being able to put money towards petrol costs, with contributions being held until 24 hours after the journey has been completed to keep your money safe, info on car parks, e-bike points and public transport links nearWembley, and you can even track your carbon emissions throughout the journey. Impressive stuff.
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As for anyone that’s wondering about safety, STAXY verifies the MOT and road tax of all vehicles signed up to the app, with all drivers asked to submit their license before being allowed to carpool and they must be over 18.
Moreover, users are able to view each other’s profiles before joining up and can share their live location with family and friends whenever they set off on a journey. Carpooling is already going to be essential in order for many City and United fans to get to Wembley, this just makes it that little bit easier.
If you’re going to the game and still haven’t sorted out your travel plans, you can download the app HERE.
Students can join a Wagamama ramen-building workshop for just £5 this week
Daisy Jackson
Students will be able to take part in a build-your-own ramen workshop this week, led by everyone’s favourite pan-Asian restaurant group, Wagamama.
The workshops will cost just £5 (all of which will go to a brilliant cause), and will include the time spent creating your perfect meal, the actual food, plus drinks and sides.
Wagamama has teamed up with mental health charity SHOUT to host this cosy ramen-making workshop.
Students will be invited to join Wagamama chefs in the kitchen, selecting their own broth, protein and veggies, with perfectly-cooked noodles, before sitting down at the restaurant’s benches to slurp up their creations with fellow students.
There’ll also be toppings and garnishes including kimchi, tea-stained eggs, chilli oil, spring onions and more.
With merch to take home too, and steaming bowls of the best-ever autumn dish, this is a one-off event you won’t want to miss.
Students can join a Wagamama ramen-building workshop for just £5 this week. Credit: Supplied
Each £5 ticket includes your food and two drinks, plus a variety of the new Wagamama winter sides and sharers.
All money raised will be donated to SHOUT to support the vital services they provide.
A representative from SHOUT will also be in attendance to talk about student wellbeing and the services available from the charity.
Wagamama says: “At Wagamama, we believe having a conversation is one of the most powerful ways you can support someone struggling with their mental health. Whether it’s a quick check-in via text or an open conversation over a bowl of steaming ramen. no chat is too big or too small to make an impact.
Students can join a Wagamama ramen-building workshop with SHOUT this week. Credit: Supplied
“This ethos is one we share with SHOUT, a free, confidential, 24/7 text messaging service for anyone in the UK who needs someone to talk to. After huge demand during Covid, SHOUT’s service has become increasingly essential + today SHOUT is more highly in demand than ever before.”
The Japanese and pan-Asian restaurant is donating £40,000 to SHOUT this year, plus providing perks and rewards for their team of volunteers, and hosting events in their spaces.
The Wagamama ramen-building workshop will take place at the St Peter’s Square restaurant on Thursday 7 November between 2pm and 4pm. You can get your tickets HERE.
‘Glittering winter adventure’ set to take over Tatton Park this Christmas
Emily Sergeant
The magnificent grounds of Tatton Park will be transformed into a ‘glittering winter adventure’ this festive season.
With spooky season now a thing of the past, and Christmas merely a few weeks away, families will soon be whisked away into a world of folklore, enchantment, and enthralling performances as they enter the gardens of the stunning Tatton Park in Cheshire for an immersive, festival-like experience known as Yuletide.
Organisers say the captivating event promises to be a “truly magical experience” where folklore stories come to life through storytelling and live music.
A ‘glittering winter adventure’ is set to take over Tatton Park this Christmas / Credit: Supplied
All set to transport visitors right into the heart of Yuletide tales, the exciting new event – which opens next weekend, and runs through until late December – is produced by Wild Rumpus, who you may know for other magical local events such as ‘The Lanterns’ at Chester Zoo (2018-2022) and Just So Festival.
The highlight of this new event has to be The Glittering Trail, where beautifully-illuminated puppets and performers bring legendary stories of Yuletide to life as visitors wander through the park’s popular Japanese Gardens and make the most of the stunning winter landscape.
Families can gather around an open fire to toast marshmallows, all while they watch live performances that add even more magic to the evening.
Yuletide will be running at Tatton Park on selected dates from Saturday 16 November through to Monday 23 December, and tickets are on sale now – with adult tickets costing £20, children paying just £12 each, and free personal assistant passes are also available.
Danny Jones -
23rd May 2023 
