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A pop-up indoor pumpkin patch is coming to Greater Manchester this Halloween

You can get your perfect pick whatever the weather.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 24th September 2024

A pumpkin patch that’s perfect for all weather will be popping up in Greater Manchester this Halloween.

Now that autumn is officially here, the nights are drawing in, and the temperatures are dropping by the day, this means the spookiest time of year is officially around the corner, and the region’s biggest shopping centre has a whole host of events and activities for all the family to get involved with this Halloween and October half term.

The Trafford Centre has been embracing the spooky season more and more as the years have gone on, and this year is set to absolutely no different.

The shopping centre has now unveiled its lineup of “thrills, chills, and plenty of Halloween fun” for 2024.

One of the stand-out events on the family-friendly lineup this year is the indoor ‘Pop-Up Pumpkin Patch’, which is perfect for pumpkin pickers of all ages who fancy getting into the spooky spirit, all while staying dry and warm at the same time despite whatever the Greater Manchester weather has in store for us.

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For just £2 per child, you’ll be able to make your way to the indoor pumpkin patch on Wednesday 23 and Thursday 24 October to pick out your pumpkin to take home for carving or decorating.

Every single penny from the ticket sales of this event will go to the Trafford Centre’s chosen charity for 2024, FareShare Greater Manchester – the region’s largest food redistribution charity, which is fighting food poverty while saving nutritious food from going to waste.

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No booking is required for the pumpkin patch, and while dressing up in spooky costumes for the occasion is optional, it is highly recommended.

The Trafford Centre has unveiled its lineup of “thrills, chills, and plenty of Halloween fun” for 2024 / Credit: Supplied

Some of the other events on the Trafford Centre’s Halloween lineup next month is the ‘Halloween Trail’, which is kicking off on 17 October and features captivating interactive installations made up of more than 100,000 lights, and the return of the ever-popular ‘Spookfest’ on 19 October, complete with a ghastly ghost train, haunted house, five-metre-tall pumpkin tower, and lots of tasty treats.

Gandeys Circus is also back at the centre once again this autumn from 11 October, with a brand-new ‘Halloween Spooktacular Big Top Show’ for all the family.

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Other activities include pumpkin carving, marshmallow roasting, and a skeleton petting zoo and skeleton disco.

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Halloween events begin at the Trafford Centre from 11 October, and you can find out more on the centre’s website here.

Featured Image – Concetta Huffa (via Unsplash)

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Inside The Martlet, Rochdale Town Hall’s new restaurant with a northern twist

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia The Martlet Kitchen rochdale town hall

The newest restaurant in Rochdale, The Martlet, is finally here, taking up a corner of the Rochdale Town Hall, and it’s being backed by some well-known names.

The much-anticipated restaurant has a smart menu packed with classic northern dishes, sourced locally, like Jackson’s rag pudding, and bacon chop with Bury Black Pudding and Denshaw egg.

The Martlet restaurant has opened in the heart of Rochdale town centre, in the multi-million pound renovated Rochdale Town Hall, which fully opened to the public for the first time in its 150-year history back in March.

And inside the stunning space, guests aren’t just treated to tasty delights, but visual delights too, with artwork adorning the eatery’s grand walls.

The Martlet is offering everything from seafood and meat and veggie dishes, sure to go down a treat with everyone who pops in to visit.

The leading powerhouses behind this remarkable venture are renowned chef Tristan Welch and award-winning chef Darren Parkinson, who have expertly crafted the menu for the establishment taking careful consideration of its location.

Parkinson has previously worked at restaurants not too far away in Halifax including Shibden Mill and The Fleece Inn, growing up in Heywood less than 15 minutes away from where The Martlet is situated.

Eager-eyed sweet-treat lovers may notice a familiar favourite from Grandpa Greene, a local ice cream parlour based in Delph, whose soft serve delicacy will definitely be a favourite with all dining guests.

The Martlet, the new restaurant at Rochdale Town Hall
Beef wellington (Front) and Cauliflower steak (Back) at The Martlet.
The Martlet, the new restaurant at Rochdale Town Hall
Espresso martinis on hand at The Martlet.
The Martlet, the new restaurant at Rochdale Town Hall
A lovely trio of Grandpa Greene’s finest ice cream.
Inside The Martlet, the new restaurant at Rochdale Town Hall

There are a multitude of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drink choices with standouts being the aptly-named ‘Peregrine’ whisky, named after the resident birds that have been nesting in the eye-catching clock tower since 2008. 

Rochdale’s newest fine dining restaurant is named after a mythical bird, one which is featured in imagery of the town over the years and even on the borough’s coat of arms.

The Martlet holds a respectable 70 guests with its seating arrangements spread across a range of booths and tables.

A two course meal at this new food spot is £30 and those who are feeling a little more peckish can tempt their tastebuds to three courses for only £35.

The restaurant is a multifunctional space, so from 10am until 4pm on Monday to Fridays, it’s providing guests with a café luxe day-time menu and afternoon teas, which stay true to the dining destination’s northern roots.

Visitors wanting to enjoy The Martlet can come down on Friday and Saturday evenings from 27 September and will be greeted to a luxurious menu utilising local produce in its exquisite recipes.

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Featured Image: Supplied

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Blossoms to play new album Gary in full at special Stockport show

Danny Jones Danny Jones Blossoms to play new album Gary in full at The Plaza Theatre Stockport tickets

Blossoms have just announced they will be returning to play a hometown show in Stockport at none other than The Plaza – and playing Gary in full, might we add. Oh yes.

Ready for round two, Stopfordians?

The local lads are flying higher than ever right now; with the Wythenshawe Park gig going down in history – and not just because of that Oasis teaser – a brand new record already nailed on for number one, an instant sell-out Manchester residency on the horizon and now this, it’s all coming up Blossoms.

Promising to play their fifth studio album in full (and presumably from start to finish), plus a selection of the hits, this is going to be a very special night for the flourishing Greater Manchester town.

Now truly the toast of SK if they weren’t already, this will be the third time they’ve played the stunning Plaza theatre and cinema space, having first headlined it in 2020 alongside their Back to Stockport documentary screening, and then two years later for the Ribbon Around the Bomb album cycle.

So this isn’t exactly new territory for them and since they’ve already sold out other home venues like Edgeley Park and countless gig venues across the country, not to mention headlining multiple festivals over the past couple of years, this should be a walk in the park.

Well, maybe more like a strut given how Gary sounds and the current flared pants look.

Having just announced five Manchester shows that sold out in literally the blink of an eye, it goes without saying that with a capacity of just over 1,300, this particular Blossoms gig will be snapped up faster than you can say ‘Why is there a big gorilla on the stage?’

Speaking of capacity, this gig will be a little different and more reserved than others, just so you know.

All tickets are strictly unreserved seating and under 16s must be accompanied by an adult, so if you’ve ever been wanting to see them not just on home turf in Stockport but in a less rowdy setting, now is your chance.

The show is taking place on Sunday, 3 November, shortly before their mini-Manc residency kicks off and tickets are going on sale today at 5pm via popular music shop and friends of the band, Crash Records – a particular favourite of our friends over at The Hoot. A lovely way to support a local business too.

There’s a limit of four tickets per person but you can get ready to grab yours HERE and best of luck!

I mean, just look at how beautiful that room is.

Even that back curtain just screams Gary, doesn’t it?
Blossoms Gary album show at The Plaza, Stockport goes on sale today at 5pm. (Credit: Dunk/Jeff Carr via Flickr)

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Featured Images — Press Images/Flickr

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