The morning after New Year’s Eve can bring with it a multitude of emotions – excitement for the year ahead, reflection on the year that was, and maybe a raging hangover.
Whatever you’re dealing with on New Year’s Day, there’s nothing quite like a big dose of fresh air to bring things back in order.
Us Mancs are seriously blessed to live so close to the Peak District and all its rolling hills.
The walk we’re bringing you today is something a little different, and looks like it’s been lifted straight from a Lord of the Rings set.
The focal point of this Peak District stroll is Lud’s Church, a deep, almost eerie chasm in the heart of the woodland near Gradbach.
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The chasm itself was caused by a landslip, and over the ages the walls have been covered in bright green moss.
The base of the 18-metre deep gorge has been lined with steps and boards so that visitors can stroll right through it.
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You’ll notice the temperature drop suddenly as you walk down, and a strange dampness and darkness will greet you.
It’s not hard to imagine you’ve blinked and been transported to Middle Earth.
There are myths aplenty shrouding this area – one tale says that Robin Hood and Friar Tuck hid from the authorities in Lud’s Church.
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Others say the chasm was actually created by the devil’s fingernail as he dug through the earth.
The landmark was historically used as a place of worship in the 15th Century.
Lud’s Church is, however, only around 100m long, so while it’s awe-inspiring, you might want to extend your walk to see what else the area has to offer.
A short distance away is The Roaches, a rocky ridge with staggering views of the surrounding countryside.
The Christie cancer patients’ artwork to be displayed at Manchester’s new Banksy-inspired exhibition
Emily Sergeant
Cancer patients will have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see their artwork exhibited in Manchester this month.
The Christie Charity has partnered with the upcoming immersive exhibition, The Mystery of Banksy – A Genius Mind – which is opening down at Depot Mayfield this week, making its UK debut – meaning that patients currently being treated at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust will have a chance to prove just how powerful and transformative art can be.
The Christie has been invited to showcase a selection of artwork, all with the aim of highlighting the role art plays in supporting cancer patients.
The new exhibition – which is set to celebrate the powerful, visual storytelling associated with Banksy – will feature more than 200 Banksy-inspired works under one roof, and the Christie patients’ pieces will now accompany them.
At present, The Christie is the only hospital in the UK that offers a dedicated art service for patients.
Funded by The Christie Charity, the hospital provides a relaxed and welcoming space for patients between treatments.
The Christie cancer patients’ artwork to be displayed at Manchester’s new Banksy-inspired exhibition / Credit: Supplied
Led by artist in residence Pat Mountford and supported by volunteers, the art sessions are informal, accessible, and open to all – with no previous artistic experience required to join, and patients being given the option to drop-in as and when they choose.
The art room offers patients a place to unwind during what is often of the most challenging period of their lives, as through painting, drawing, and collaborative projects with one another, they’re encouraged to explore their creativity and take time away from the clinical environment.
“Art has an extraordinary ability to help people process what they’re going through,” commented Pat Mountford.
“For many patients, the art room becomes a place of calm, creativity and connection at a time when life can feel overwhelming. Seeing their work showcased in a public exhibition is incredibly empowering.”
Visitors to the exhibition will also have the opportunity to bid on the Christie patient artwork.
A QR code displayed alongside the artwork will allow members of the public to place bids, with all proceeds supporting fundraising efforts for the Total Body PET-CT Scanner. Additional pieces created by patients will be displayed throughout The Christie’s hospital corridors and will also be available to bid on as part of the auction.
The Mystery of Banksy – A Genius Mind is set to open this Friday 13 March and will run through to 5 July 2026 at Depot Mayfield.
Tickets are now on sale, with standard adult tickets starting at £22, children under six going free, and a range of concession tickets also available for 7-16 year olds, seniors, and all NHS workers to benefit from.
Spectacular 360° immersive experience Luminiscence extends Manchester run to summer
Emily Sergeant
The spectacular 360° immersive experience that’s currently lighting up Manchester Cathedral has extended its run in our city.
Due to ‘overwhelming demand’ and a roster of impressive reviews since making its UK debut earlier this year, LUMINISCENCE – the 360° immersive spectacle – has now extended its run at Manchester Cathedral until the early summer, having captured the hearts of thousands of Mancs and visitors to the city in the process.
If you haven’t had the chance to visit yet, LUMINISCENCE combines 360° video mapping, new orchestral arrangements of iconic songs, and a narrative story celebrating everything that makes Manchester and its residents so special.
Visitors are invited to step into a ‘spellbinding fusion’ of light, sound, and storytelling.
Light from a battalion of high-power projectors becomes the storyteller inside the Cathedral, transforming the ancient architecture into a vast living canvas where every statue, carving, pillar, and stained-glass window comes to life.
Narrated by Manchester icon Christopher Eccleston and written by BAFTA-winning writer Tim Whitnall, the 45-minute standing concert features newly orchestrated versions of Manchester’s most iconic anthems, all performed alongside the acclaimed Collectives Gospel Choir.
LUMINISCENCE extends its Manchester run through to the summer / Credit: Supplied
Paying tribute to Manchester’s rich cultural heritage through specially arranged orchestral renditions of iconic anthems, the setlist includes songs by local bands like Oasis, The Verve, Joy Division, and Elbow, just to name a few.
LUMINISCENCE will now be running at Manchester Cathedral up until Friday 5 June 2026.
Tickets are now on sale for the new dates, and a portion of every ticket sold will be donated directly to the ongoing upkeep and preservation of Manchester Cathedral.
Gold tickets include fast-track entry and a glass of fizz on arrival, while Silver tickets for adults start from £29 (including a 10% booking fee), with concession prices available too.
Daisy Jackson -
31st December 2021 
