In an attempt to keep the festive spirit of the city alive, Manchester’s iconic Christmas celebrations have been re-created entirely out of lego.
Welcome to MINILAND.
After the cancellation of the city’s major festive events were sadly announced by Manchester City Council last month due to social distancing measures amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Manchester has added “a little seasonal sparkle” to its miniature build of the city, introducing the much-loved Christmas markets, Santa Dash, ice-rink, and even a carol concert.
Built using 1.5 million LEGO bricks, MINILAND features Manchester’s most famous buildings, including the city’s town hall, Manchester Cathedral, Manchester Piccadilly train station, and of course the world-renowned Christmas markets.
And the festive fun doesn’t stop there either.
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Aiming to brighten the city’s spirits even further, the leading attraction is also inviting all those craving a little seasonal joy to join them in switching on Manchester MINILAND’S Christmas lights at 6.30pm this Thursday 19th November live on Facebook.
LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Manchester
Fans will have the opportunity to join LEGO Santa in pressing the button and lighting up the city’s skilfully recreated landmarks with twinkling fairy lights.
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In a tribute to the NHS and support of the city’s virtual Christmas light switch on – which has been postponed until December – Manchester MINILAND even sees three members of the NHS stood in front of Manchester Town Hall, where the Christmas light switch on has historically been staged, ready to press the button.
A model remake of the annual Santa Dash also sees thirteen miniature figures – all wearing the famous red suit and modelled out of giant LEGO candy sticks – race towards the finishing line.
Christmas trees, model snowmen and LEGO decorations all adorn the mini cityscape too.
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LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Manchester
MINILAND Manchester has been impressively created by Master Model Builder James Windle and the project took over 50 hours to create.
He is one of only 25 Master Model Builders in the world.
Speaking on the festive miniature build, Stuart Jarman – General Manager Merlin Entertainments Manchester Cluster – said: “The absence of the Christmas markets and all the annual festivities to which we have become accustomed, whilst entirely necessary, have been felt by all this year.
“We wanted to do our bit to help raise festive spirits and share a little joy.
“What better way than with an alternative Christmas light switch on in Manchester MINILAND where you can get a taste of all that Manchester does best?
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“We would like to invite anyone in need of some Christmas cheer to join us as we stream our alternative Christmas lights switch-on, as well as lighting up Manchester’s landmarks, we will also be unveiling some spectacular festive scenes at MINILAND, designed to celebrate some of the city’s best-loved Christmas traditions.”
You can tune into the MINILAND Christmas Lights Switch-On this Thursday at 6:30pm via the LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Manchester Facebook page here.
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‘Hairy men’ needed to play soldiers in returning major fantasy TV series
Thomas Melia
A huge TV series has issued an urgent casting call for, very specifically, ‘hairy men’ to play soldiers.
The exact show hasn’t been named in the casting call, but it’s definitely a major returning fantasy, and is reportedly House of the Dragon, the hit Game of Thrones spin-off.
This big on demand show is set to start filming in just two months’ time, meaning anyone considering shouldn’t wait to apply.
There are a list of key characteristics candidates should have if hoping for this role, including a great work ethic and a professional attitude, something all Mancs like to think we have.
The job description states that no prior acting experience is required, one of the only other things you need to be good at is waking up early (well that’s me out).
Most importantly, headhunters are looking for individuals to take on that have one big factor in common… lots of hair.
On the official website where you can submit your headshots and photos, you will find a mood board filled with ranging hairstyles that fit the desired look the show is going for.
Just one example of a long-haired man who fits the criteria for the returning series.Another similar hair style choice to the guide from the casting call.Credit via Unsplash
Most of the pictures on the site range from long curly locks to big bushy beards – it’s a shame Santa will be back in the North Pole by now.
All candidates must have grown-out hair, ‘overgrown scruff to longer beards’, this means no short, back and sides, or any ‘modern fades’ as stated by the casting team.
If the rumours are true and this turns out to be a shoot for House Of The Dragon, it would be great to see even more Northern talent feature in this show.
It wasn’t too long ago that fans and Mancs alike realised that actor Olivia Cooke, who plays Lady Alicent Hightower, was a local lass herself, born not too far away in Oldham.
One final and important note is that anyone who is likely to apply must make sure they’re 18+ and have a right to work in the UK.
Filming will take place across North Wales and the South East from March onwards, with rate of pay roughly £140-£300+ per day (depending on hours worked).
To apply for a chance to feature in the returning major fantasy series, you can do so by visiting the site HERE.
Greater Manchester set to be battered by ‘impactful’ heavy rain and wind this week
Emily Sergeant
Greater Manchester is set to be battered by some heavy rain and wind this week, according to the Met Office.
While things have seemed surprisingly more settled for the time of year over the last week or so, with clearer skies and chilly winter mornings being fairly commonplace, all that will change very soon, as the Met Office has forecasted that the UK is set to be battered by some ‘impactful’ heavy rain and strong winds as the week goes on.
Low pressure systems will bring a more ‘unsettled’ spell of weather, with a severe weather warning for wind issued for certain parts of the UK.
Today is expected to be filled with grey skies and light rain here in Greater Manchester, with cloud covering much of the rest of the country, and other outbreaks of rain elsewhere, whereas on Wednesday, the focus of rain will shift to southern England instead.
The weather looks set to turn more unsettled during the forthcoming week 🌧️ 🌬️
Thursday is where it’s set to take the biggest downturn though, as a front bringing heavy rain moves eastwards through the day, and it’s us here in North West England that are expected to see the highest accumulations too, with 20-30mm could falling over the hills, and some hill snow even possible over the Scottish mountains too.
A deep area of low pressure will also have ‘deepened rapidly’ by Thursday, bringing ‘strengthening winds’ to western parts of the UK along with it overnight, followed by more heavy rainfall.
Greater Manchester is set to be battered by ‘impactful’ heavy rain and wind this week / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
“A very deep area of low pressure will bring a very unsettled, potentially disruptive, spell of weather to the UK through Friday and into Saturday,” explained Chris Almond, who is the Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist.
“Winds will begin to strengthen on Thursday night, with the peak gusts forecast through Friday in Northern Ireland and western Scotland. The wind will also be accompanied by heavy rain bringing some unpleasant conditions to end the week.
“We have issued a Yellow weather warning for wind, and with several days before the impactful weather, the forecast details are likely to be fine-tuned during the week, so stay tuned to your local forecast and keep up to date with Met Office warnings.”
Emily Sergeant -
18th November 2020 
