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.
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.
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.
“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.
Olivia Dean has announced a special intimate show in Manchester
Danny Jones
Soulful singing sensation Olivia Dean has set the UK music scene alight by announcing a number of intimate shows up and down the nation, including one right here in Manchester.
The fast-rising solo artist, who blends everything from pop and jazz to neo-soul as well as R’n’B, is one of the best and up-and-coming artists in Britain right now, with her highly anticipated sophomore album, The Art of Loving, set to release at the start of autumn.
As well as releasing her smash hit new single ‘Nice To Each Other’, the 26-year-old recently delighted even more music fans by joining Sam Fender on stage in London for a live twist on his track ‘Rein Me In’, which was instantly adored by millions and has now been shared as an official studio version.
Safe to say she’s flying high right now, and the second LP isn’t even out yet, which makes this small handful of gigs even more special and tickets super sought-after.
Revealing just seven pared-back shows across the country, Olivia said on her socials: “The art of loving in person! We’re doing some intimate shows, playing some songs acoustically and talking about making the album”, which is due to release on Friday, 26 September.
Partnering up with music shop chain and independent artist champions Rough Trade for the event, she’s set to play the just over 500-capacity gem that is Manchester’s Gorilla.
Other gigs up north include Liverpool at The Jacaranda and over at The Wardrobe in Leeds, where beloved local legends Crash Records will be helping host the show.
With the debut single already out, along with an already viral music video and accompanying dance alongside it, there’s plenty of excitement surrounding this project.
We’d pay virtually anything to see Olivia Dean and a group of backing singers do this at an intimate gig in Manchester.
We think we speak for pretty much everyone when we say that not only are we excited to hear The Art of Loving once it’s out, but hearing it live and in this special acoustic format is sure to go down as one of those ‘I was there moments.’
Playing smaller acoustic album launch shows is nothing new, but they are sometimes the only chance fans will get to hear their favourite musicians play their songs in such a way, so Olivia Dean die-hards are understandably going to be scrambling for these tickets.
Once again, her second album is available to pre-order now, and tickets for her show on Friday, 19 September, will go live tomorrow (Wednesday, 5 June) at 10am.
You can get ready to grab yours HERE, and for now, why not read our review of the last time she came to Manchester for what was a truly magical headline slot?
Manchester Cathedral will be hosting a series of huge concerts this year
Daisy Jackson
Manchester is famed for its music venues, from the tiny (The Peer Hat) to the massive (The Co-op Live) – and now our beautiful cathedral is getting in on the concert action too.
Manchester Cathedral will be the host of a captivating concert series this year as the Echoes live music series comes to town.
The packed programme of concerts ranges from pop music to soul and reggae, all set against the backdrop of the Grade I-listed landmark.
Running from September all the way into November, Echoes will bring together live entertainment with timeless architecture in the city’s most majestic setting.
The line-up includes nostalgic pop royalty like Peter Andre, B*Witched, and Vengaboys, who’ll be bringing pure party energy to the Manchester Cathedral.
Some of the world’s most soulful voices will also be filling the grand building, with performances from Tunde of Lighthouse Family, Heather Small of M People, and Sister Sledge.
There’ll be more 90s energy with Noughties Baby, as JLS’s Marvin Humes brings Dappy as a special guest.
Completing the line-up this autumn are indie rockers The Feeling and a night of reggae with Maxi Priest and David Rodigan.
Expect nostalgia, energy and soul beneath the historic vaulted ceilings and sandstone arches of the Manchester Cathedral.
Whether you’re reliving the soundtrack of your youth, soaking in some proper anthems, or just basking in the acoustics of the magnificent cathedral, Echoes will have something for you.
The concert series is brought to you by JBM Music with tickets on sale on Friday 27 June from 9am HERE.
You can see the full line-up with dates below.
Echoes at Manchester Cathedral concert line-up in full
Thursday 25 September – Sister Sledge
Friday 26 September – Tunde Of Lighthouse Family
Saturday 27 September – B*Witched
Thursday 2 October – Peter Andre
Saturday 4 October – Marvin Humes Presents Noughties Baby with special guest Dappy
Friday 31 October – The Feeling
Saturday 1 November – Boney M
Thursday 27 November – Maxi Priest & David Rodigan
Friday 28 November – Vengaboys
Saturday 29 November – Heather Small – The Voice Of M People
Emily Sergeant -
10th March 2022 
