A Manchester couple has been gifted the bench they met on at a city centre bar to keep as a memento in their new flat.
In a classic Manc love story, Christian Steels and Jade Hindley first met each other at the popular Revolución de Cuba Manchester, just off Deansgate on Peter Street, during a “fun-filled fiesta” over three years ago, and have been “soulmates” living happily together ever since.
“I took a particular shine to Jade,” Christian said.
“She was the most stunning girl I had ever seen, so I pulled her to one side on the street outside the entrance and invited her to sit with me on one of the benches.
“It was a very out-of-character move from me [but] I must have been spurred on by several Zombie cocktails and I asked for her phone number. Then later that night, I messaged her (keen, I know), and we have now been going out for over 3 years and live together.”
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With Jade’s birthday fast approaching and the pair having recently moved into a new flat together, Christian hatched a plan to celebrate his girlfriend’s birthday with a gift that would commemorate their time together and decided that the original bench from outside the bar would be the perfect memento, so he sent a heartfelt to Revolución de Cuba asking if he was able to buy it of them.
And Revs were more than happy to take him up on the offer, gifting Christian the bench for free.
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Revolución de Cuba Manchester
The owners of Revolución de Cuba’s Manchester branch then contacted the original manufacturers of the bench to organise for its proper removal and modification, so that it could be safely re-installed on the balcony of the couple’s new flat.
Once it had been moved to its new location, Christian then attached a gift tag to the bench, which read “Where It All Began” to complete the birthday surprise.
Jade was apparently “utterly flabbergasted” when the gift was unveiled.
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Speaking on the heartwarming gesture, Clinton Ghent – Operations Director for Revolución De Cuba, which is currently temporarily closed to the public amid England’s third national lockdown – said, “When Christian approached us, we fell in love with his story, and with our bars currently closed we wanted to extend the fun and fiesta we usually host in our bars to him at home.
“This felt like a great second best, and along with some of our freshly made cocktails, he can enjoy the fiesta experience until we reopen”.
Revolución de Cuba Manchester is due to reopen for indoor hospitality as part of ‘Step Three’ of the government’s roadmap to lifting lockdown on 17th May, at the earliest.
There’s a FREE Children in Need event coming to MediaCityUK
Thomas Melia
An all-new and completely free to enjoy Children in Need event is making its way to MediaCityUK later this November, and it’s bringing along some iconic brands.
Everyone’s favourite yellow bear is returning to Manchester to take over MediaCityUK and rename it Pudsey’s Piazza for one night only.
Pudsey Bear is heading down to MediaCityUK and he’s bringing all the best activities, games, famous food, live music and more for four hours of FREE family-oriented fun.
You can expect to see Pudsey and the team alongside a whole host of celebrities, brand partners and lots of friends when Children in Need hosts its celebration later this November.
Some of the brands which have been announced include staple high street bakery Greggs, a collaboration between McDonald’s and its sports counterpart, Fun Football UK.
DJ AG is just one of the special guests preparing to take over MediaCityUK this November for Children in Need (Credit: Supplied)
Also joining the bill is viral TikTok potato-loving duo Spud Bros, who will be serving up their famed jacket potatoes with an array of fillings to choose from inside their recognisable big red van.
Greggs will be bringing a huge double-decker bus to Pudsey’s Piazza at MediaCityUK with treats on hand throughout this evening celebration, as well as interactive games for you to play.
You’ll also be able to catch a glimpse of a replica Red Arrows jet, which will be situated on the piazza all night long courtesy of aerial experts Royal Air Force.
If that wasn’t enough for you, your night will be soundtracked by the one and only viral nomad music maker DJ AG, who’ll be playing out tunes as part of a charity livestream at the bandstand.
MediaCityUK is the home of BBC Children in Need, so it’s only fitting that Pudsey would throw one of his biggest parties yet right here in Greater Manchester.
Pudsey and his friends are transforming MediaCityUK into Pudsey’s Piazza on Friday, 14 November from 4pm to 8pm, and they’re encouraging anyone to come along, especially since it’s FREE.
Featured Images — David Dixon (via Geograph)/Supplied
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Adventurous cat caught taking a train from Yorkshire to Manchester Airport
Daisy Jackson
Train conductors have reunited an adventurous senior cat with her owners after she was caught taking a train all the way to Manchester Airport.
15-year-old Angel was discovered on board an hour-long TransPennine Express service from West Yorkshire to the airport.
The black-and-white moggy had been strolling along the train making friends with passengers on board, following conductor Will Saunders through the carriages.
It turns out Angel is something of a local legend in Brighouse, and has been caught riding rail replacement buses in the past too, as well as making herself at home in the local pub.
On this occasion, she fancied herself a little holiday and hopped on board the 3.55am service from Brighouse to Manchester Airport.
Will kept a close eye on the gorgeous cat all the way to Manchester Airport, where they settled her into a cardboard box at the station.
Will then took Angel home to Stockport for the night to keep her safe, later discovering a phone number on Angel’s collar.
He and his partner then drove Angel all the way back home to Brighouse.
Will Saunders, conductor at TPE, said: “As a cat lover myself, I couldn’t leave her to fend for herself. She was so calm and confident on the train – it was like she’d done it before!
“I’m just glad we could keep her safe and get her back home. She’s clearly a much-loved cat.”
Andrew McClements, Customer Experience & Transformation Director at TPE, added: “Our teams are used to helping customers reach their destinations, but this was definitely one of our more unusual passengers.
“We’re just glad we could make sure this adventurous feline made it home safely.”
Now back where she belongs, Angel’s tale shows that even the most curious traveller can count on TPE to help them land on their paws.
Emily Sergeant -
8th March 2021 
