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Blackpool Zoo announces death of beloved 105-year-old tortoise

Darwin had helped inspire the next generation of conservationists.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 14th April 2022

Blackpool Zoo has announced “with great sadness” that its oldest resident and much-loved tortoise has died.

Darwin – who was an Aldabra tortoise, was believed to be around 105-years-old, and was a popular mainstay at the Lancashire zoo – had been receiving specialist treatment for a severe progressive leg problem for a period of time, but despite all the best efforts of his keepers and veterinary team, his condition kept deteriorating.

After consulting with leading worldwide reptile veterinarians, Blackpool Zoo said that there was sadly there was no cure for his decision, and “the very difficult decision” was made to put him to sleep earlier this week.

Darwin arrived before the zoo opened in 1972, and it’s fair to say that he became an iconic animal, mostly due to his hefty size and the fact he was the first animal that people came across when visiting the zoo.

Blackpool Zoo described him as “a wonderful link for so many people to the fascination of reptiles”.

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Blackpool Zoo announces the death of its beloved 105-year-old tortoise / Credit: Blackpool Zoo (via Twitter)

He helped inspire the next generation of conservationists, the zoo said.

Aldabra tortoises are one of the largest species of tortoise in the world, and they originated from the islands of Aldabra Atoll in the Seychelles.

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They are known to be the longest living animal on the planet.

As mentioned, Darwin himself was thought to be around 105 years old, although the zoo doesn’t have an exact age as there are no detailed records of his history – but what they do know is that he remains “an irreplaceable feature” of the Blackpool Zoo’s history.

Blackpool Zoo said that Darwin had “a personality on par with his size”, which is what made him such a “hugely popular member” of the family and was loved by all of our visitors.

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The staff and the keepers at Blackpool Zoo have said that they are “extremely saddened” at Darwin’s passing, but they are being comforted by the “kind messages of condolence” they are receiving from members of the public.

R.I.P Darwin.

Featured Image – Blackpool Zoo

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Icelandic airline offering incredible Northern Lights holiday experience including hotel, breakfast and tours

Danny Jones Danny Jones cheap flights to Iceland from Manchester Northern Lights package deal

Icelandair, the nation’s principal airline and proud flag carrier is offering an incredible package to holiday-goers this winter by giving them a chance to book their flights, hotel, breakfast, multiple unique tours and the opportunity to see the Northern Lights all in one affordable deal.

With the Northern Lights being one of the most magical tourist attractions in the world, its popularity only increases by the year and, as a result, so does the cost of going to see it.

That’s where Icelandair come in: the flight operator is offering Brits an amazing new package centred around the legendary natural light display at a discount. Trust us, you seriously want to consider snapping up this one whilst you can.

From this week, Icelandair is offering UK travellers a special package deal which includes a three-night holiday with return flights, a hotel room with breakfast and three unique and unforgettable Icelandic tours for just £459 per person.

iceland holiday packages
flights to iceland from manchester
(Credit: Icelandair)

This deal will see holidaymakers board an Icelandair economy flight from either London, Glasgow or Manchester Airport to the nation’s beautiful capital of Reykjavik, with a complimentary 23kg checked bag allowance, plus a 10kg in hand luggage allowance, your choice when it comes to where you want to seat, seat, on-board refreshments and a personal in-flight entertainment system. 

For your accommodation, you’ll be staying at the four-star Hotel Island Spa and Wellness Resort, located right near the centre of Reykjavik and treated to breakfast every morning for two adults sharing a room. And then you get to make the most of what the country’s incredible landscape.

Onto the main event of your holiday: Icelandair’s Northern Lights experience is a breathtaking three-to-four-hour tour that allows you to see the glory of the incredible natural phenomenon with your own eyes.

As for the FlyOver Iceland tour, this unique experience is the ultimate flying ride which utilizes state-of-the-art technology to give you the exhilarating feeling of flight. During this virtual journey, you’ll experience the more remote but no less spectacular areas of Iceland through motion, wind, sound and even scents.

northern lights iceland
where are the northern lights?
People wait their entire lives to experience the Northern Lights. What’s stopping you?

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Last but not certainly least, you have the lava show, which is one of the top-rated attractions anywhere in Scandinavia, receiving numerous awards for innovation and educational value. You literally get to watch as they recreate a volcanic eruption and allow you to safely experience hot lava in close proximity.

Once again, all this is yours to enjoy from just £459 per person. We believe the phrase you’re looking for is ‘value for money’.

Available right now until 4 October 2023, you can book to travel to see Iceland and the Northern Lights from November 2023 right up until March 2024.

You book your flights HERE and find out more information about this incredible package via the Icelandair website.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Image — Icelandair/Supplied

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This Greater Manchester area has just been named one of the best in the UK to raise a family

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

We all know Greater Manchester is home to a wide range of neighbourhoods and residential areas to suit every need.

But one area, in particular, has just been named among the best in the UK to raise a family.

Fresh off the back of two of our region’s towns being highlighted as places that first time buyers should consider looking at to get onto the property ladder, and not long after another two local towns earned themselves a place within the top 20 ‘most desirable’ in Britain, Greater Manchester has now got another title to talk about with pride.

After the team at home security experts ADT decided to do some research into the best places in the country for those looking to raise a family, Trafford has made it into the top 10.

The Greater Manchester borough has earned seventh place on the list after a number of factors were analysed for the research – including the quality of the local schools, the general safety of the area, and the number of parks within walking distance.

The top 10 most family-friendly areas in the UK 

RankAreaCrime Rate Per 1,000 People, Year ending March 2023Burglary Rate Per 1,000 People, Year ending March 2023Average number of Parks, Public Gardens, or Playing Fields within a 1,000 m radiusPercentage of Oustanding and Good Rated Schools and CollegesMedian House Price, Year Ending Dec 2022Cost of a single bus fare, adultFamily Safety Score /10
1Waltham Forest823.2682.8%£520,000£1.757.23
2Kirklees1113.5677.6%£181,000£1.607.12
3Havering762.9489.5%£445,000£1.756.99
4Bexley652.4481.3%£425,000£1.756.96
4Bromley693.1679.7%£529,000£1.756.96
6Wirral962.6677.8%£200,000£2.006.80
7Trafford884.4583.2%£193,000£2.006.72
7Newcastle1243.7881.6%£178,000£2.006.72
9Hounslow884.2583.2%£478,000£1.756.64
9Hillingdon803.6580.5%£485,000£1.756.64

Waltham Forest in London takes the top spot for the most family-friendly area in the UK, according to the research, as it ranked within the top 15 for both the lowest crime and burglary rates, and also ranked seventh for schools – with 82.8% having a “good” or higher rating from OFSTED. 

Kirkless in West Yorkshire took second place, followed by Havering, Bexley, and Bromley all rounding out the top five.

As well as Kirklees placing second and Trafford being in the seventh spot, the Wirral and Newcastle-upon-Tyne are also fellow northern representatives within the top 10.

Trafford has been named one of the best areas in the UK to raise a family / Credit: ADT

Sadly, on the other end of the spectrum, the least family-friendly area in the UK was found to be Birmingham, according to ADT’s research, as despite the average house price being £221,000, with a crime rate of 141 per 1,000 people, and a family safety score of just 2.5/10, the Midlands city takes the bottom spot.

On a more positive note though, when it comes the postcode area with the lowest crime rate in the UK, the North West is representing once again, as this has come out as CW12 3 in Cheshire East.

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For the year ending June 2023, the crime rate for this postcode area was just 4.7 per 1,000 people. 

Featured Image – Alexandra Park

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