Have you ever looked at a field of cows – especially the soft fuzzy Highland variety – and thought ‘wow, I’d love to wrap my arms around that beast and smash my face into its fur’? Just me?
Well anyway, a farm up north is offering a special Cow Cuddling experience, where you can stroke, groom and cuddle these gentle beasts to your heart’s content.
The therapeutic experience also includes the chance to meet Dumble Farm’s goats and alpacas, finishing up with a hot drink and biscuits. My soul literally needs this.
Dumble Farm in Beverley, East Yorkshire, is allowing you to get up close and personal with their local cows, The Hoot reports.
Their Cow Cuddling experience allows adults to spend time stroking, grooming and having some quiet time getting to know the cows around the farm.
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Cow cuddling is a new wellness phenomenon that is becoming more popular and readily available at farms across the UK.
Whether you want to give their luscious locks a brush or simply lay down next to them, you’ll feel immediately put at ease due to their relaxing, gentle nature.
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The cows you can cuddle at Dumble Farm
The experience lasts approximately 2 hours, and costs £50 per person.
After arriving at Dumble Farm you’ll receive an introductory talk where you’ll learn about the fascinating history of the farm, before being introduced to the retired dairy cows who you’ll be cuddling.
Their website reads: “When they lie down quietly, they enjoy the company of friendly people cuddling them.
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“You can take time to relax with them, listening to their cuddling and sensing their gentle nature, and while they are stood up you can brush and stroke them (we can’t guarantee the cows will always be lying down, so cuddling experiences may vary).”
After this you’ll meet the younger highland cows who you can stroke and pet before finally being introduced to Dumble Farm’s goats and alpacas.
“Then you’ll meet our goats, who will love to see you and be fed, they are always playful and wanting attention. Finally the alpacas with their very gentle fleeces, faces and nibbling mouths.”
And to round off this brilliant experience, you’ll even be treated to a hot drink and homemade biscuits and cake, sounds like a perfect afternoon if you ask us.
If you’d like to find out more and book yourself a spot on this Cow Cuddling experience, visit Dumble Farm’s website.
Green light given for new train station in Greater Manchester town without one for 60 years
Emily Sergeant
The green light has been given to build a new train station in a Greater Manchester town that’s been without one for 60 years.
It’s been a whopping six decades, but the residents of Golborne will soon be able to hop on a train out of there, and that’s because a planning application to connect the Greater Manchester town, in the Wigan borough, that was submitted back in November of last year has been approved by Wigan Council.
This means connectivity is finally one step closer to becoming reality.
Plans to deliver a new £32m train station in Golborne have reached a milestone moment. 🚅@WiganCouncil has given the green light to the planning application for the station and #TfGM have appointed a local company to design it.
In case you didn’t know, Golborne currently has no direct bus, train, or tram services to Manchester, while the wider area is the largest and most-populous area in Greater Manchester not connected to the rail network.
The application includes plans for a new accessible two-platform rail station, including step-free access throughout with a footbridge across the tracks and lifts to both platforms, a new hourly service between Wigan and Manchester Victoria, and onwards to Stalybridge, an improved town centre car park, and also new walking and cycling links to the town centre.
According to Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), the Golborne station scheme forms part of a wider ambition to bring eight commuter lines into the Bee Network by 2028 – of which ‘significant investment’ has been put into.
A CGI image showing an aerial view of the proposed Golborne train station / Credit: TfGM
The planning approval milestone will also help to boost access to jobs and opportunities for people both in the town and in the wider Wigan borough.
Now that plans have been approved, this means TfGM, Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) and Wigan Council, working with Government, will now develop a full business case and detailed design throughout this year.
To deliver this work, TfGM has appointed Golborne-based engineering firm Murphy to develop the final station designs.
Subject to approval from the Government, work to make the Golborne station vision finally become a reality will begin in 2026, and it’s hoped that the first trains will stop there in 2027.
Featured Image – TfGM
Travel & Tourism
Tram disruption to continue into the evening following damage in city centre
Daisy Jackson
Disruption to Metrolink trams will continue into the evening as engineers scramble to repair damage to an overhead line.
Power has now been restored following an earlier incident but services are still unable to run through Deansgate-Castlefield, a crucial stop in the city centre.
It’s left trams operating on a revised service pattern while damage to the overhead line is repaired.
Earlier today a driver in Manchester city centre reported a loss of power and damage to a pantograph – which is used to connect trams with the overhead power lines.
Images now shared by TfGM show the damage that has taken place, with the pantograph collapsed onto the roof of the tram.
The new tram service pattern began at 3pm and will continue until further notice, as follows:
Altrincham – Cornbrook
Eccles – Cornbrook
Manchester Airport – Firswood
East Didsbury – Firswood
Rochdale Town Centre – Exchange Square
Bury – Ashton-under-Lyne
Trafford Centre – Wharfside
Customers are able to use their Metrolink tickets on Bee Network bus services and some train services while the disruption continues.
TfGM’s Network Director for Metrolink, Ian Davies, said: “We are sorry to anyone whose journey has or will be impacted because of today’s disruption.
“Power has now been restored, and the cause has been identified as damage to overhead lines near to Deansgate-Castlefield Metrolink stop.
“Specialist engineers will be making repairs today and staff will remain out on the network to assist passengers with their journeys.
“We have had to make some changes to services while the repair work takes place, and I’d encourage people to continue to check the Bee Network app, website and social channels for the latest information and advice for the remainder of the day.”
Clementine Hall -
17th November 2023 
