Mancs are being given the chance to name an actual real life snake after their snakey ex this Valentine’s Day.
If you cast your mind back to a couple of years ago, you may remember their was a local waste disposal company giving bitter Greater Manchester residents the option to have their ex’s name printed on the front of a wheelie bin, and obviously, people thought it was absolutely hilarious.
But if a wheelie bin wasn’t quite enough for you, then how about a snake instead?
Valentine’s Day can be just as much about celebrating the loves in our lives, as it is a chance to reflect on all the bad eggs who’ve been and gone, and be glad they’re a firmly a thing of the past – and now, as bizarre as it may sound, SEA LIFE Manchester is putting is giving you an opportunity to put those thoughts into action.
That’s because, the marine life attraction is letting disgruntled lovers and broken-hearted singles name one of its corn snakes after a not-so-special someone.
ADVERTISEMENT
SEA LIFE Manchester is home to three female and two male corn snakes, which means everyone can get involved with the naming activity, and make sure their ex is… hiss-tory, if you will.
Mancs can name a snake at SEA LIFE Manchester after their ex this Valentine’s Day / Credit: SEA LIFE Manchester
One of the most popular species to own as pets in the UK, and typically docile creatures – which some might say is a fitting feature of their ex – corn snakes have a lifespan of around 10-15 years, and while this sadly means they are often abandoned or handed over to rescue centres, it does also mean that you’ll be able to visit your newly-named snake for years to come.
ADVERTISEMENT
All five of SEA LIFE Manchester’s corn snakes have either been rescued by the RSPCA, or donated by those unable to look after them anymore, and the attraction says it’s “proud” to have been able to offer these slippery serpents their forever home, even if they will now be named after estranged exes.
“Valentine’s Day is one of the most miserable days for singletons,” admitted Jenn McDonough, who is the General Manager at SEA LIFE Manchester, “So we’re giving people who are unlucky in love a new reason to celebrate by naming their former lovers after snakes.
“If you want to heal your heartbreak or release some unresolved anger, then now is the perfect time to get revenge.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Fancy it then? To be considered for a the chance to name a hissing reptile and cement your ex’s sneaky status, then all you’ll need to do is head on over to the SEA LIFE Manchester website and simply submit the name of your former snakey partner.
The five winners will be selected at random by SEA LIFE Manchester staff, with the most popular names set to be released on the attraction’s social media platform soon.
Classic FM will be back playing calming music for anxious pets this Bonfire Night
Emily Sergeant
Classic FM will be back playing calming music for anxious pets during this year’s fireworks season.
Bonfire Night may be loved by us humans for the spectacular firework displays and all the festive-themed activities that come along with it… but sadly, the November holiday isn’t quite so fun for our four-legged friends.
Loud bangs, flashing lights, and unpleasant strong smell of spent explosives are just some of the reasons why fireworks are frightening to pets.
Not only that, but with multiple bangs occurring from numerous displays across this time of year, pets are rarely able to pinpoint when and where the booming explosions are coming from, therefore creating even more anxiety around this time of year.
Classic FM will play calming music for anxious pets during this year’s fireworks / Credit: DESIGNECOLOGIST (via Unsplash)
Which is why, for the ninth year running now, Classic FM is once again teaming up with the RSPCA for two Pet Classics programmes packed with ‘the most soothing and comforting classical music’.
The music has been handpicked to help calm and settle any anxious pets.
A survey by the RSPCA revealed that almost two-thirds (63%) of animal owners reported their pet was distressed during fireworks season, and that playing relaxing music was the most common way (36%) to help calm or prepare their animal.
Presenters Dan Walker, Aled Jones, and Dawn O’Porter will each host a night of the specially created programme to help keep the nation’s pets calm through the whizzes and bangs.
Dan will present the first programme on Bonfire Night itself (Thursday 5 November), and then as celebrations continue throughout the weekend, Aled will be on hand to bring some peace to Friday 6 November, and Dawn picks up the baton on Saturday 7 November.
All three Pet Classics programmes will be broadcast from 5pm to 10pm, and you can listen on Classic FM or Global Player available across the UK.
Featured Image – The Manc Group
Trending
What is the UK’s national dish? New survey reveals Brits’ pick in landslide victory
Emily Sergeant
If you’ve ever thought to Google the question ‘what is Britain’s national dish?’, then you probably came away thinking it’s chicken tikka masala.
But is that actually the truth? A new survey has disproved the claim, massively.
There’s no denying that chicken tikka masala – an Indian curry that’s actually widely thought to have been created in Britain – is a popular dish that’s loved by many, but despite what many headlines have claimed over the years, a new YouGov survey has revealed it’s not what Brits consider to be the country’s ‘national dish’.
YouGov conducted two online surveys earlier this month, made up of 2,079 and 2,104 adults aged 18+ living in Great Britain.
And, in their own words, Brits chose fish and chips as the country’s national dish, making it the ‘resounding’ winner with 49% of the vote.
What is the UK’s national dish? A new survey has revealed Brits’ pick in a landslide victory / Credit: The Manc Group
With nearly half of the overall vote, this puts fish and chips far ahead of the roast dinner in second place, which only 24% of people picked – including the 6% who made sure to specify a beef roast.
In fact, only 3% of Brits actually name chicken tikka masala as the UK’s national dish, although 52% in the survey did confess that they eat some form of curry at least once a month, so it is still a popular pick regardless.
Fish and chips is by far the most common answer across all generations too, according to the survey (45-50%), with the biggest difference between age groups being that 18-24 year olds are less likely to have nominated roast dinner and more likely to have chosen chicken tikka masala instead.
What do Brits say is the UK’s national dish?
Fish and chips – 49%
Roast dinner – 24%
Chicken tikka masala – 3%
Curry (non-specific) – 2%
Full English breakfast – 2%
Bangers and mash – 1%
Cottage or shepherd’s pie – 1%
Other – 3%
Don’t know – 15%
The survey also showed that, of the three top contenders for the UK’s national dish, roast dinners are the most frequently eaten, as 52% of people said they eat them on a monthly basis – including 16% who do so every week.
Aside from the frequently mentioned dishes, some survey respondents also gave shoutouts to the full English breakfast (2%), bangers and mash (1%), and cottage or shepherd’s pie (1%).
Emily Sergeant -
9th February 2024 
