In what is an undoubtedly rare sight for much of the UK, Northern Lights have been visible in our skies for several nights this week.
And this staggering phenomenon could even be set to stick around until Saturday.
Unlike the last time the Northern Lights – also known by the more scientifically-correct name of Aurora Borealis – paid a visit to the UK back in February of this year, and stopped skygazers in their tracks with a show-stopping light display, but Greater Manchester missed out on seeing them thanks to our classic rainy winter weather, even our region is being treated to the rare sight this time.
Sightings of Northern Lights have been reported right across the nation this week, of course from people in Scotland, and other northern places like Northumberland and in the Lake District, but not only that, even from as far south as Cornwall – and, right here in Greater Manchester too.
Northern Lights may be visible across Greater Manchester / Credit: Pxfuel | PDP
But if you’ve missed out on catching a glimpse of them this week, don’t worry, you’ve still got some time left, as according to the Met Office, Lancaster University’s ‘Aurora Watch’, and the Royal Greenwich Observatory, Northern Lights could be visible to the naked eye along the northern horizon from Scotland, where skies are clear, until tomorrow (Saturday 16 September).
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Not actually sure what Northern Lights are? Or you’ve heard of them, but haven’t a clue how they occur? Or why we’re even seeing them from the UK in the first place?
We’ll try and sum it up briefly
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Predominantly seen in high-latitude regions around the Arctic and Antarctic, and most commonly-associated with Nordic and Scandinavian countries such as Norway and Iceland, Aurora Borealis is a natural light display in Earth’s sky that often appear as curtains, rays, spirals, or dynamic flickers covering the entire sky.
This staggering phenomenon could be set to stick around in the UK until Saturday / Credit: StockVault
Northern Lights occur as a consequence of solar activity and result from collisions of charged particles in the solar wind colliding with molecules in the Earth’s upper atmosphere, according to the Met Office.
They tend to appear as large areas of colour in the direction due north, with pale green, pink, shades of red, yellow, blue, and violet all typically seen depending on how strong or weak the Auroras are.
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So now you can tell how rare it is to be able to see them from our region, right?
If you’re keen to catch the Auroras before they disappear tomorrow, then the best source to keep an eye on for information is Lancaster University’s ‘Aurora Watch’ here.
Everton manager Sean Dyche randomly pops up in the music video for Blossoms’ new single – and he’s great
Danny Jones
Did anyone else think they’d ever see Sean Dyche make his acting debut in the role of a Northern crime boss in a silly little music video for the Blossoms?
No, us neither but that’s the bizarre alternate reality we’re living in, apparently.
Blossoms are currently working on the fifth studio album and have already released their lead single entitled, ‘To Do List (After The Break-Up)’, but now they have a new song out as well, with a rather amusing music video to go along with it and somehow Sean Dyche has found himself the star.
The Stockport band teased the curious collaboration in April, giving us just short glimpses of the Everton manager and former Burnley boss with very little explanation – all we know is that it looked funny and it was.
Sean Dyche sends the five of us on a mission in our new single What Can I Say (After I’m Sorry) out Wednesday 1st May ⏰ pic.twitter.com/WcDdfgAD1m
Sean Dyche stars as the boss in the music video for Blossoms’ latest single, ‘What Can I Say After I’m Sorry?’ As you do.
Dyche is still busy trying to finish the Premier League campaign as strong as possible after successfully navigating the Toffees to safety even in spite of their points deductions this season, but it sounds like keeping them up has given him enough time to moonlight as an actor.
Sending the indie five-piece on a mission to collect something of value (yes, that’s all the info we have at this point as the story is still to be continued), it looks like the Kettering-born coach has a larger role to play in whatever this narrative turns out to be.
Playing what can only be described as some kind of semi-Manc mafia figure on the hunt for a very valuable piece of art, i.e. a big giant gorilla statue – one that many Stopfordians spotted being lugged around various parts of the borough –
They also shared a little bit of BTS footage from the shoot for the music video last week. Some lovely head-bobbing and unassuming surroundings here:
As for the track itself, it’s a bit of stylistic change for the lads who’ve mastered their 80s-tinged indie formula over the past decade but it’s an absolute pop and is already stuck in our heads.
Revealing that they’ve collaborated with contemporary funk, disco and electronic icons Jungle on the track, it doesn’t take too long to hear the influences. Look forward to hearing it at Wythenshawe Park this summer.
You can watch the music video for ‘What Can I Say?’ and the ginger-goatee’d football manager extraordinaire in full character HERE.
He’s not the only footballing figure who’s made an entertainment crossover recently either.
So, Erling Haaland is now a character in Clash of Clans… 👀
Bit random, we know, but it's a funny little trailer. 😅
Featured Images — Blossoms (via YouTube)/Virgin EMI
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KFC have launched their own perfume – oh, and a new burger
Danny Jones
Fast food giants KFC have launched their very own perfume in one of the weirdest marketing stunts we’ve seen in a long while.
That being said, we definitely want a bottle.
KFC‘s fried chicken-themed fragrance launches next month and is fashionably named ‘No 11 Eau de BBQ’, a nod to their newest menu item, the Ultimate BBQ Burger, which we also want in our possession as soon as humanly possible.
The franchise’s new signature scent launches in just a week’s time and, yes, you can genuinely buy it along with the new burger for a limited time only.
Again, this is a real thing you can pay actual money for. (Credit: KFC UKI)
The UK-only release actually sold out when it came to pre-orders but Brits will be able to get their hands on another batch when the second lot drops on 7 May.
Promising a charcoal and smoky wood-scented aroma that immediately transports you to your mate’s back garden as he turns cheap burger patties into overly blackened dry pucks of meat that you definitely would’ve cooked better if you were in charge, the stunt is also helping raise money for non-profits.
Available in 100ml bottles and for just £11, 100% of the proceeds of every sale will go towards the KFC Foundation, which supports grassroots organisations empowering young people to unleash their potential and build a positive future in local communities across the country.
As for the burger that inspired it, the special edition menu item is a nod to BBQ season gradually approaching and they’ve even made a nod to our famously reliable British weather and its attempts to derail the art of outdoor grilling in a new advert.
KFC perfume and a new burger? Christmas has come well early this year.
The Ultimate BBQ Burger has already launched and will be on the menu until 9 June, priced at £6.49 or £9.99 for a box meal which comes with the burger, a regular mini fillet, regular fries, BBQ sauce and a drink.
And don’t worry, it’ll be available on delivery too — we know we’ve had problems with that when it comes to specials in the past.
As KFC’s No 11 Eau de BBQ perfume, you can wait in the online queue like everyone else HERE and let’s just say you’ll be fighting us and plenty of other Mancs for every last drop.
Emily Sergeant -
15th September 2023 
