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A lavish black-tie banquet is happening beneath the wings of a Concorde plane in Manchester

It's to mark 20 years since the iconic aircraft's final flight.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 5th September 2023

Manchester aviation fans will be able to tuck into a lavish banquet-style dinner beneath the wings of an old Concorde plane next month.

In what is a bid to properly mark the 20th anniversary of the final Concorde flight to depart the Northern hub, Manchester Airport has announced its plans to host a special celebration under the wings of the the iconic aircraft at its Runway Visitor Park.

Tickets are now on sale, and available for the general public to get their hands on.

The supersonic aircraft famously caused a stir when it first flew into Manchester all the way back in 1980, with thousands of people lining the streets and parking up on the roads around the airport to catch a glimpse.

Its final commercial flight from Manchester took place on 22 October 2003, and then, just one week later, the flagship aircraft in British Airways’ Concorde fleet touched down in our city for one last time.

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The aircraft was flown in to be put on display at the airport, where it remains to this day.

A lavish black-tie banquet is happening beneath the wings of a Concorde plane in Manchester / Credit: Runway Visitor Park

The black-tie event to celebrate the plane’s 20th year will start with a drinks reception in the Concorde hangar, before guests are seated for a four-course meal, Manchester Airport explains.

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Soprano vocalist Gemma Ashley will provide the musical entertainment on the night, while diners will also get to hear exclusive accounts from former Concorde pilot, Captain John Tye, as well as Concorde’s most frequent flyer, Fred Finn, before getting the chance to board the aircraft themselves for a tour.

The evening will then be rounded-off with a demonstration of Concorde’s famous nose droop.

“Concorde is an iconic aircraft,” Runway Visitor Park’s Manager, Paul Emblow, commented as the anniversary event was announced.

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The flagship aircraft touched down in our city for one last time in October 2003 / Credit: Manchester Airport

“Its story is intrinsically linked with the story of Manchester Airport, and of the Runway Visitor Park, as for most of its years of active service, Concorde was a regular visitor to Manchester and its iconic silhouette even appeared in the airport’s former logo, such was its resonance with passengers and planespotters.

“The Runway Visitor Park now provides a permanent home for British Airways’ flagship G-BOAC, which transported members of the Royal Family among other famous faces.

“It’s the perfect setting to celebrate the anniversary of its retirement.”

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The exclusive Concorde 20th Anniversary Gala event takes place on Friday 27 October from 6pm, with tickets now on sale and setting you back £90 per person.

If you fancy it, you can grab yours here.

Featured Image – Manchester Airport

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Viral sportswear brand Gymshark is holding a massive bodybuilding competition in Manchester

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson The Ryan Terry British Championship will be brought to Manchester by Gymshark

Gymshark will be back in Manchester this month, this time for a huge bodybuilding competition.

The viral fitness brand will be taking over the enormous space at Manchester Central, drawing in huge crowds of fitness experts and enthusiasts.

The Ryan Terry British Championship will bring together male and female bodybuilders on one stage.

There’ll be everyone from rookies taking part in their very first bodybuilding competition to seasoned bodybuilders competing for a PRO card.

It’s Gymshark’s first ever bodybuilding competition and if it’s anything like their last event in Manchester, it’ll be a popular one.

Last time the brand was in town for its LIFT MCR event in the spring, they had queues stretching down the street as thousands flocked to see figures from the worlds of lifting, fitness and bodybuilding.

Gymshark’s event this October will also feature Athlete Meet & Greets with some high-profile Gymshark athletes.

Fitness personalities including Ryan Terry himself, Phil Heath, and Kai Green will all take part in panel talks at the Q&A Stage.

Ryan Terry is a well-known figure in the industry (with 2.3 million followers on Instagram) who has claimed victories across the world competing in Men’s Physique.

Ticket-holders to Gymshark’s The Ryan Terry British Championship will be able to browse a range of exclusive merch in the Retail Zone.

And Gymshark will even open the Cheat Day Diner for the weekend, where you can grab a bite to eat in amongst all the action.

Plus, the first 500 guests to arrive on each day will get a goodie bag filled with secret, exclusive stuff.

The Ryan Terry British Championship will be brought to Manchester by Gymshark
The Ryan Terry British Championship will be brought to Manchester by Gymshark
The Ryan Terry British Championship will be brought to Manchester by Gymshark
The Ryan Terry British Championship will be brought to Manchester by Gymshark

Gymshark itself was founded by Ben Francis in his garage in 2012. He used YouTube tutorials – and a little help from his grandmother – to learn to sew.

Now, there are more than 18 million Gymshark customers across 180 countries, and it’s achieved ‘unicorn’ status after being valued at more than £1bn.

The brand turned over around £500m in its last financial year and employs around 800 people worldwide.

Hosted by 2BrosPro, The Ryan Terry British Championship will take place on 14 and 15 October at Manchester Central.

Tickets are £40 and include entry to watch the bodybuilding shows on the main stage, plus access to all the side events taking place.

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Featured image: Gymshark

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Drunk Histories: Project Halcyon Distillery launch ‘Still Room Sessions’ where you drink whilst learning about drinking

Danny Jones Danny Jones Project Halcyon Still Room Sessions drinking experiences

Project Halcyon Distillery is well and truly up there with our favourite new openings in Manchester city centre and after having enjoyed many unique visits already, the speakeasy-style bar is now offering up yet another interesting drinking experience: their ‘Still Room Sessions’.

There’s a lot to it and we’ll get to all that in due course but, put in simplest terms, it’s kind of a bit like if the TV show Drunk History and a tasting event had a baby. Sold.

Still Room Sessions are Project Halycon‘s brand new monthly interactive workshop experience which will be held on the second Sunday of every month.

Each month, a member of their award-winning bartending team — and trust us, they really are worthy of the recognition — will cover a completely new topic as they take guests through a guided talk on various aspects of the history and ongoing drinking culture behind drinking.

project halcyon still room sessions
where is project halcyon manchester?
Credit: Project Halcyon Distillery

Now, before any of jump the gun and say ‘I don’t want a history lesson, I want a drink’, let us stop you right there; each session revolves around tasting various different cocktails and spirits for the bar’s incredible drinks selection, as well as specials that they create for events like this.

Tickets to one of Project Halcyon’s Still Room Sessions include a drink upon arrival, at least two cocktails during the sessions and a spirit tasting. Oh yes, you might have some trouble concentrating by the end but god knows you won’t be even more interested with a few drinks down you.

Also, it is worth reiterating that the subject matter the guys will be covering is genuinely interesting stuff, not just if you’re a history buff but a fan of drinking in general. In fact, we can personally vouch for that.

After going along to their first session in September, simply entitled, ‘A Century Later’ — an exploration of the effects of the infamous American prohibition 100 years on, its lasting impact on today’s drinking culture, bartending style, as well as how the whole idea of a speakeasy bar came about — we were hooked inside the first five minutes.

After being presented with a refreshing G and T on arrival, we were welcomed into the still room for our first couple of drinks, which came in the form of their irresistible Bees Knees cocktail (created exclusively for this first event) as well as a taste of their house gin. Strong start — literally.

Then, as we prepared for the second 30-minute segment of knowledge and knocking back a few, everyone received an Apple Blossom cocktail along with a taste of Calvados as a nod to both gin and the distilled type of cider being two of the most bootlegged spirits ever.

Finally, to tie things off, the last 10 minutes saw them open up the floor for a more casual discussion and Q&A of sorts, with people asking everything from ‘why do people shake instead of stir for certain cocktails?’ (that one’s for you, Mr Bond) to tips on how to make a proper drink at home.

Oh, and did we mention that everyone got 33% off their bill for the rest of the night? Oh yes, all 12 of us stayed behind to enjoy a few more drinks afterwards. We could hardly turn an offer like that down.

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Their second session kicks off this weekend next week on Monday, 9 October, with ‘The Journey of Juniper‘, which will see the staff talk about the world of gins and its illustrious history.

Starting all the way back with Dutch genever and the bathtub gin craze of 18th century London, to newer, more modern style expressions, including their very own, made on sight in the back of house, guests won’t just be sat listening, they’ll also be taught how to make the perfect martini at home.

We’ve always believed in the importance of education…

We think this is a really exciting opportunity for guests to learn and interact with Halcyon’s already rich, culturally-infused drinking space. Each event is limited to just a dozen tickets, so these talks and tasting sessions really are exclusive. You can secure your place on the next one HERE.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Image — Project Halcyon Distillery

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