A Worsley lad has turned his passion for cleaning into a successful business with the support of his local community and a few famous faces.
15-year-old Zykiah Ditchett from Boothstown showed an interest in cleaning from a young age, but after concerns were raised by loved ones over his “constant” cleaning at home, he was eventually diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) at aged 13.
To help nurture his love for cleaning, but in a bid to get him outside more, Zykiah was given a car valeting set for Christmas.
He soon began to use his kit to clean relative’s cars for just £5 each time, but after he discovered his passion had a chance of becoming a blossoming business, Zykiah – who is a pupil at Culcheth High School, in Warrington – asked if he could clean neighbour’s vehicles too, and so his mum, Jo Ditchett, reached out to the community by posting to a local Facebook group to see if anyone was interested.
And the community showed up in style.
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Jo asked those who want their car cleaning leave their vehicle outside the family home, and just hours after the post went live, dozens of cars lined the quiet street to show their support.
After a successful start to life for Zykiah’s venture – named Dirt2Clean Manchester – it didn’t take long for local Boothstown pub Coal & Cotton to offer him a permanent base to work from at weekends after reaching out to the family saying they were “really impressed” by his work.
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Now, two years on, Zykiah’s business is booming like never before and has even attracted the custom of plenty of famous faces, with the youngster cleaning the cars of huge stars including current and ex-Manchester United players Gary Neville, Ryan Giggs, and Scott McTominay, as well as former-Love Island contestants like Molly-Mae Hague and Tommy Fury, and plenty of other big names.
After being diagnosed with OCD, Zykiah was given a car valeting set for Christmas to help nurture his cleaning passion / Credit: Instagram (@dirt2cleanmanchester)
Zykiah’s business is booming like never before, and has even attracted the custom of plenty of famous faces / Credit: Instagram (@dirt2cleanmanchester)
“Anyone who has a high-performance car comes to him, but he does all cars, and he’s all self-taught too – he’s never done a course, he’s done it all online, and has designed his own flyers.
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“A lot of young lads message him asking how he started.”
Jo continued: “He had a bucket and sponge for the whole year before he knew how to use a valeting kit [and] he went on Instagram and YouTube, or any channel he could to watch the process.”
Zykiah hopes to one day own a car valeting company in his own name, with branches right across the UK – but for now, his family feels “so proud” of where he is at.
Jo concluded: “We support him fully – we know he’s going to do well and continue.”
You can find out more about Dirt2Clean Manchester here.
Featured Image – Dirt2Clean Manchester
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You can now have a private sleepover amongst all the history inside Manchester Museum
Emily Sergeant
Manchester Museum is now offering one lucky family the chance to have a sleepover with Stan the Tyrannosaurus rex.
For the first time in Manchester Museum’s history, one lucky family will be given the chance to experience an incredible night at the museum.
This unique opportunity is being offered as part of a prize draw, allowing visitors to find out what happens once the sun goes down inside the Fossils and Dinosaurs gallery – in the company of Stan, the famous Tyrannosaurus rex, of course.
The Fossils and Dinosaurs gallery is one of the most iconic spaces within Manchester Museum.
Having opened to the public all the way back in 1888, it’s part of the museum’s original building designed by celebrated Alfred Waterhouse, who also designed Manchester Town Hall and London’s Natural History Museum.
Not only will the lucky winning family enjoy an overnight stay in the gallery, but they’ll also be treated to a guided torchlight tour of the galleries after the Museum has closed, as well as other fun activities and a film screening too before bed.
You can now have a private sleepover inside Manchester Museum / Credit: The Manc Group
“We can’t be completely sure what happens when the sun goes down in our Fossils and Dinosaurs gallery, because nobody has ever spent the night in there before, but we can only imagine the kind of fun that can be had with Stan the T. rex and his friends,” said Dean Whiteside, Head of Commercial and Operations at Manchester Museum.
“This is a chance to be a part of museum history and enjoy the kind of once-in-a-lifetime experience you can’t usually buy.
“At the same time, Manchester Museum is a charity so, by getting behind this initiative, you’ll be helping to support vital work that impacts the lives of people across Greater Manchester and beyond.”
Fancy it then? You can enter the prize draw by buying a ticket for £5 from the Manchester Museum Shop, with each ticket counting as one entry and the winner set to be chosen at random from all valid entries.
The prize draw is now open and closes on Monday 28 September 2026.
Featured Image – Supplied
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A Twilight rave is coming to Manchester with DJs blasting 2000s indie and emo anthems
Emily Sergeant
A Twilight rave is coming to Manchester this spooky season.
It’s been nearly 20 years since the release of the titular first film in the Twilight Saga, based on author Stephanie Meyer’s bestselling book series of the same name, but despite two decades having passed, the films remain as beloved as ever.
Twilight went on to become a global phenomenon when it first hit cinemas back in November 2008, not just with its target audience of teens and young adults, but with people of all ages – making stars out of its lead actors Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart in the process, and generating millions at the box office.
With the impact it had on the culture at the time, it’s no wonder Twilight remained among fans’ favourites all these years later.
And this success is why events company Throwback Events is hosting a series of Twilight Raves across the UK and Europe this autumn, making a stop off here in Manchester in late November with tickets now on sale.
The event description reads: “Bella, where the hell you been loca? Join us as we celebrate Twilight at the club, where every day is Hoa Hoa Hoa season.
“Step into the shadows and relive the magic, mystery, and eternal romance of Twilight. Get ready for a night of anthems, nostalgia, and glittering darkness as we transform the dancefloor into Forks’ most iconic vampire coven.”
DJs will be spinning Twilight soundtracks on the night, alongside dark pop, emo, indie, and 2000s bangers, as well as playing fan edits from the films on big screens.
Oh, and to make it all the better, dressing up as vampires and werewolves is ‘highly encouraged’.
Fancy it then? The Twilight Rave is coming to the Deaf Institute in Manchester on Saturday 21 November, and tickets will set you back upwards of £7 each.
Emily Sergeant -
25th October 2021 
