The popular Farm Weekend full of food markets, lamb cuddles, tractor rides, and more is returning to Cheshire for some springtime fun next month.
Alderley Park is known for being a place where world-leading science, innovation, and stylish living come all come together, but on Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 April, it’s set to be taken over by the return of Farm Weekend – a weekend of family friendly activities, performances, markets and local food and drink.
From tractor rides and cuddling lambs, to Easter-themed crafts and artisan markets, there’ll be something for everyone at the two-day event.
Headlining the fun-filled programme of events is CBeebies favourite gardener, Mr Bloom, who will perform four shows over the weekend and use his trademark humour and musical talents to bring fans what looks to be an interactive and energetic set.
With Farm Weekend taking place just as spring blooms into life, and as Alderley Park is also home to a working farm, families will have the chance to experience all the magic of this new season.
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Farm Weekend returns to Alderley Park in Macclesfield on 9 & 10 April 2022 / Credit: Alderley Park (via Facebook)
You can visit the baby lambs, hitching a ride on a tractor, taking in some of interactive animal displays, and even get crafty with a range of different workshops, including wooden egg decorating, bunny ear making, and so much more.
There’ll also be animal-themed face painting, archery sessions, obstacle courses, and you can even go on one of the many scenic woodland walks that Alderley Park has to offer.
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With more than 400-acres of green area to explore, and a wide range of locally-sourced food and drink market stalls also on site, Farm Weekend is ideal for all ages.
It promises to be a “wholesome and inspiring day filled with nature and enjoyment”.
Alderley Park is known for being a place where world-leading science, innovation, and stylish living come all come together / Credit: Jody Hartley (via Alderley Park)
Speaking ahead of the return of Farm Weekend, Sam Darby – Head of Development at Bruntwood SciTech – said: “We are delighted that Farm Weekend is returning to Alderley Park [as] it’s the perfect opportunity to bring our customers, residents, and the wider Cheshire community together to enjoy the vast parkland and amenities the Park has to offer.
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“With the amount of exciting activities programmed over the two days, it’s set to be a weekend to remember.”
If you’ve never been to Alderley Park, it’s basically a life, science, and tech campus that’s home to a range of workspaces for over 250 forward-thinking companies, and it’s the brainchild Bruntwood SciTech – a joint venture between property company Bruntwood, and Legal & General.
Farm Weekend tickets are £6 per person for a three-hour session, with all activities included in the ticket price.
Festive pop-up cafe filled with hundreds of dogs in Christmas jumpers is coming to Manchester
Emily Sergeant
Are you a dog person? Love seeing lots of little pups in the same place? Looking for your dog to make some four-legged friends?
Well you’re in luck, as the Pup Up Cafe is heading back out on a tour of the UK next month, and if the concept of the popular event wasn’t already flipping cute enough as it is, this time around, it’s a Christmas-themed edition, and it’s sounding set to be the perfect festive day out in the city with your fur baby.
If you’re looking to get in the Christmas spirit early, then both the ‘Jingle Paws’ all-breeds and dedicated ‘Dashing Dachshund’ pop up cafes – or we should say ‘pup up cafe’ – are returning to Manchester in late November.
The adorable events will be filling a popular city centre venue with loads of dogs to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year.
A festive pop-up cafe filled with hundreds of dogs in Christmas jumpers is coming to Manchester / Credit: Supplied
Last year, hundreds of different dogs visited the cafe to join in on the festive fun, and this year is expected to be no different, as the event organisers have secured a large city centre space for all the dogs to roam free.
Whether you’re a dog owner yourself, or just a big fan, everyone’s free to attend to mingle with many furry little friends, take part in a range of seasonal activities, and stock up on canine-related goodies as early Christmas presents.
There’ll be ball pits, toys, and tunnels for all the zoomies, while the pups themselves can enjoy unlimited dog treats and free puppuccinos.
With up to 50 dogs allowed per session, and festive fancy dress very much encouraged, each pup will get a Christmas present on arrival at the party, and will even have the chance to win some extra prizes if they’re the best dressed.
A dedicated photographer will be getting snaps of each session and there’ll be loads of Christmas props to use in the pictures.
So, if you fancy joining The Pup Up Cafe when it arrives in Manchester for Christmas on Sunday 23 November, then tickets will set you back £12 if you’re a dog owner, and £15 if you’re just a dog person who’s keen to go along for the fun anyway.
A local Manc content creator is looking to set a world record by running around Old Trafford
Danny Jones
A local content creator, who specialises in running/hiking content (and sandwiches), is looking to raise money and potentially set a world record by jogging around Old Trafford.
Oh, and by jogging, we mean running – for a really, REALLY long time…
If you’ve never come across his channel before, let us introduce you to local influencer and videographer Sam Matthew, a.k.a. ‘Peaks and Pubs‘.
Boasting plenty of fans on both Instagram and TikTok within the world of trail running, the outdoors community and beyond, he’s set to toastreaching a very specific achievement by “turning a milestone into a mission” and doing laps around Old Trafford, the home of Manchester United Football Club.
As explained in the video, he’s now surpassed 74,310 followers, i.e. the same capacity of supporters you can fit inside the Theatre of Dreams itself.
We know, it’s distance running and feats of endurance aren’t everyone’s cup of tea, but they are a great way of raising money and awareness, not to mention possibly getting yourself in the official Guinness Book of World Records.
Explaining the challenge in the caption of the video, Sam writes: “There’s now enough of you lot following this daft account of mine on here to fill a stadium I’ve adored since I was a little boy. And that genuinely means so much to me.
“So why not celebrate the occasion by punishing my legs and raising money for good causes along the way? Donations are, of course, the aim, but I understand that not everybody is in the position to do that, so any engagement on this post is hugely appreciated.
“I mean it from the bottom of my heart that you lot genuinely make this all happen for me, and I couldn’t be more grateful that I get to do silly stuff like this on a random Wednesday [29 October]. Giving off pure ‘your unemployed friend on a Wednesday’ vibes, but I love it!”
Raising money for the club’s in-house Manchester United Foundation, which has already shown its support for the upcoming ultra-marathon distance event, they are also looking to generate crucial funds with the return of another annual charity event too.
The Foundation does some incredible work all year-round, if you’d rather swap running around Old Trafford for sleeping.
Once again, Sam will be kicking off the serious step-count from approximately 9am this Wednesday (28 Oct), he’s estimating it’ll take him around a whopping nine and a half hours, “with plenty of breaks for food and fluids”, thank god.
As the man behind most of the Bada Bing videos, we expect plenty of butties to fuel the running.
Furthermore, although he’s set to take on the distance solo for the morning, he’s invited as many people who fancy getting involved to come and join him for a lap or two from 12 noon onwards; hopefully, he’ll see the Guinness people popping along to see if he registers a world record while he’s at it, too.
We hope there are a few pints at the pub waiting for you at the end, as always, Sam.
Emily Sergeant -
10th March 2022 
