In what is a combination that virtually no one asked for, Walkers has decided to launch Christmas pudding-flavoured crisps.
And, as you’d probably expect, public reaction to the release has been mixed.
We all know the legendary crisp manufacturers are certainly no strangers to bringing out some weird and wonderful concoctions and collaborations – with Marmite, spicy tomato ketchup, chicken tikka masala, fish and chips, and steak and ale pie being just some of the foods turned into crisp form by the company over the years.
The company is also known to have brought out quite a few other inventive, and occasionally bizarre, festive flavours in the past too, including Brussels sprouts, glazed ham, and turkey and stuffing.
But while other limited-edition Walkers flavours have been known to see shoppers flocking to their nearest supermarket to stock up before they sell out, somehow, we don’t think that’ll be the case this time round.
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Walkers has launched new Christmas Pudding-flavoured crisps / Credit: The Manc Group | Pikist
Three new festive flavours of Walkers’ original crisps have been launched ready for Christmas this year, and, in true middle aisle style, you can currently get your hands on multipacks of them for £1.65 on ‘Specialbuys’ offer from your nearest Aldi.
The Pigs in Blankets, and Festive Turkey varieties seem to have suitably satisfied crisp connoisseurs, but the same definitely can’t be said for the Christmas Pudding flavour, as many are already turning their noses up at it, and a few are questioning what Walkers is playing at by even considering the flavour in the first place.
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Some shoppers on social media have been crying “hell no”, and one crisp fan has even aptly asked “Is someone taking the p**s?”.
After the news of the new crisps dropped on all the usual food-spotting blogs and Instagram pages, such as @NewFoodsUK, @UKnewestfoods, @bigdaddybsfoods, and UK’s Latest Bargains, reactions to the Christmas Pudding flavour in particular started coming in thick and fast.
“Hell NO,” one person in the comments addressing the Christmas Pudding flavour directly, while another wrote: “Christmas pudding is disgusting… why would they make crisps with that taste?”, and a third questioned: “Christmas pudding? Is someone taking the p**s?”.
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A few others admitted they are currently “unsure how I feel” about the flavour, and will probably need to try them out before giving their verdict rather than jumping to conclusions.
Not everyone was displeased though, as one pleasantly-surprised shopper wrote in reaction on Instagram: “I tried the Christmas pudding ones today just to be curious, and honestly they are nice – they taste of Carmel and cinnamon.”
“They’re actually kinda good,” another concluded.
Featured Image – The Manc Group
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Tickets go on sale for massively popular pumpkin festival near Greater Manchester this autumn
Emily Sergeant
Tickets for one of the North West’s most popular pumpkin festivals with thousands of pumpkins to pick have now officially gone on sale.
We know it’s still technically summer and the sun is still shining, but in just over a month’s time, Kenyon Hall Farm’s popular Pumpkin Festival will be back up and running for 2026.
This is an ideal autumnal activity for when the leaves start turning golden, and is always popular with families every year.
Think fields full of pumpkins of all shapes and sizes, where you can grab yourself a wheelbarrow and get searching for your perfect gourd – whether it’s a classic round orange one, or a weird and wonderful wonky one.
Kenyon Hall Farm’s popular Pumpkin Festival will be back from next month / Credit: The Manc Group | Concetta Huffa (via Unsplash)
As well as the pumpkin picking itself, Kenyon Hall Farm also has loads of photo opportunities dotted around, like a house built of pumpkins, a giant throne, a vintage tractor, a love heart frame, and even a Hollywood sign-style sign screaming ‘PUMPKINS’ as you enter.
This year, the owners are also teasing some brand-new displays for 2026, so stay tuned for what’s in store.
While you’re at the farm, you can also browse a pop-up market packed with autumnal treats, including more pumpkins, novelty homewares, and seasonal goodies, and then head on into the gorgeous on-site cafe for some pumpkin-inspired specials like spiced lattes, scones, and soup.
What could be more a perfect autumn activity than rummaging around in a field picking your perfect pumpkin with your pals?
Kenyon Hall Farm’s Pumpkin Festival officially returns from Saturday 26 September, and tickets are now on sale at £3.95 each, so make sure to book yours soon as they’re already selling fast.
Jimmy Bradbury, Reuben Haycocks, Aoife Anson O’Connell, and Paddy Murphy – better known together as Westside Cowboy – formed back in 2023 when they were students at the Royal Northern College of Music, so while they may not all be from Manchester, they definitely have the spirit of our city at the heart of everything they do.
After playing in different bands across the city throughout their student years, the four-piece joined forces to create Westside Cowboy – an indie rock collective credited with self-coining the genre of ‘Britainicana’.
Put simply, Britainicana is a cultural concept that mixes the hazy, mythic feel of American country and folk, with the sound of raw British punk, indie rock, and small-town life.
Westside Cowboy have released their debut album, It Goes On / Credit: Clementine Schniedermann (Press Shots – Supplied)
If that sounds like your cup of tea, then you’ll be pleased to know that Westside Cowboy have released their debut album, It Goes On, to the world today (21 August).
And the reception from critics, arguably, couldn’t be better.
Prior to the release of their debut album, the band had released two EPs, including So Much Country ‘Till We Get There in January earlier this year, and had started to make a name for themselves with their popular debut single ‘I’ve Never Met Anyone I Thought I Could Really Love (Until I Met You)’ in 2024.
They went onto make even further waves when they supported equally-rising American rock band Geese on their UK and Irish tour back in March – with many fans calling it one of the best support and main act combinations in some time.
Three singles from their debut album were shared with the world ahead of its release – ‘Kick Stones (The Boys)’ came first, followed by ‘Pin Up Boys’ and ‘Dobro’.
So, it’s fair to say the anticipation for album was high… and if the reviews are anything to go by (which we think they are), it looks like the band has very much delivered what they set out to achieve.
Westside Cowboy’s debut album It Goes On is now available to stream, or you can purchase a physical copy in a range of formats from their website here.
Emily Sergeant -
20th October 2023 
