After all, when more than £15,000 was raised for the charity’s vital work supporting Manchester communities last year, then why not go for round two?
The We Love MCR Sponsored Firewalk is back early next month, and it’s set to be bigger and better than ever before, because if having 50 “brave soles” walk over 700-degree hot coals with dozens of spectators cheering them on wasn’t impressive enough last time round, the charity will be upping the stakes this year.
ADVERTISEMENT
For those gusty enough to give it ago, the charity will be putting on not one, but two, lanes of fire for walkers to conquer.
‘Brave souls’ can still sign up for this charity firewalk event in Manchester next month / Credit: We Love MCR Charity
The upcoming Firewalk is part of an ongoing series of ‘mind-over-matter’ challenges, and this isn’t the first time We Love MCR Charity has turned heads and raised eyebrows with its fundraising missions as of late, as over the last 18 months, the charity has persuaded hundreds to complete Manchester’s longest-ever abseil off a 22-storey tower block, and even take an ice-cold dip in Sale Water Park.
ADVERTISEMENT
With the Firewalk set to make its grand return to the city centre on Thursday 2 November, Mancs are being encouraged to, quite literally, “step out of their comfort zone” and onto hot coals, as sign-ups are open and there’s still a few spots available.
With specialist training provided for all participants, just like last year, places for this exclusive event are limited to 100 sign-ups on a ‘first-come first-serve’ basis, with a 16+ age limit, and an entry fee of £20 to cover expert provider costs.
Firewalkers are also asked to set a minimum sponsorship target of £200.
ADVERTISEMENT
Daredevil Mancs are “brave soles” are being encouraged to stick their name down / Credit: We Love MCR Charity
“I wasn’t quite sure what I was letting myself in for,” admitted 2021’s top firewalking fundraiser, Ruth Denton, “But I can honestly say the We Love MCR Firewalk has been one of the best things I’ve done in a long time and I’d encourage anyone looking for a challenge to sign up.
“It’s amazing to think I’ve raised so much money for such an amazing charity, and I have witnessed first-hand the amazing work We Love MCR does.”
Fancy it then? Reckon you’re up to the challenge? With only a couple of weeks left to go before the big day, you can find out more and sign up here.
Featured Image – We Love MCR Charity
What's On
Paddy McGuinness announces work-in-progress shows ahead of first stand-up tour in eight years
Danny Jones
Beloved British comic Paddy McGuinness is heading back out on his first live stand-up tour in eight years this year and has announced a new run of work-in-progress shows in preparation, including one right here in Greater Manchester.
McGuinness hasn’t been out on the live comedy circuit for the best part of a decade but announced his long-awaited return late last year, with the 50-year-old heading out on the road this October.
However, as he looks to get stage sharp shape ahead of his ‘Nearly There’ tour, Paddy has picked a pair of local North West venues for the WIP sets, with a trio of shows at The Met in Bury, as well as half a dozen over in Darwen, Lancashire.
Just like the tour itself, these are sure to go quickly.
The Phoenix Nights and Max and Paddy star is playing nearly half a century of shows across the UK and Ireland from this fall onwards before closing out his tour in Dublin by April 2025.
His last tour, ‘Daddy McGuinness’ ran from 2015-16 and got pretty decent reviews across the board, with the focus largely revolving around his journey into parenthood, but his latest material is set to be quite the shift in tone.
Speaking ahead of the tour, the former Take Me Out and Top Gear host said: “It’s been eight years since my last tour and there’s lots of things to laugh about! I’m looking forward to getting back in front of a live audience, along with running the gauntlet of cancel culture, clickbait and fake news!”
Paddy also made a bit of a stir around these parts recently after he declared Bolton as still being part of Lancashire. No likey, no lighty on that one – sorry Paddy.
But never mind all that, we’re glad to see him getting back to his roots. The Farnworth-born funny man was also recently given a permanent role on BBC Radio 2 after becoming a firm favourite amongst the listenership. He will now run the 11am-1pm slot on Sundays.
As for his tour, after his warm-up shows in Bury and Darwen, the household name will be heading to The Lowry in Salford in March next year, with other nearby shows in the likes of Blackburn and Blackpool.
Tickets for Paddy McGuinness’ work-in-progress dates go on sale Friday, 3 May at 10am.
The best things to do in Greater Manchester this week | 29 April – 5 May 2024
Emily Sergeant
We’ve only got a couple more days left of April before May graces us with its presence as this week goes on.
And there’s so much to look forward to this month.
Foodie festivals, cultural celebrations, wholesome spring-themed events, and so much more has been happening all throughout April – but thankfully, there’s even more where that came from in May, as there’s loads more in the Greater Manchester social calendar for everyone of all ages to be getting involved with.
If you’re finding it a bit tricky to pick what to do this week though, we’ve chosen a few of the best bits for another edition of our ‘What’s on‘ guide.
Here’s some of our recommendations.
___
Tales of Manchester 2.0
Kimpton Clocktower Hotel
Monday 29 April – onwards
Tales of Manchester 2.0 / Credit: Supplied
A brand-new art exhibition curated by visual artist Emma Evans in partnership with six other creators is now open in Manchester, and it’s completely free to visit.
Tales of Manchester 2.0 down at Kimpton Clocktower Hotel is a collection of multi-platform art celebrating our brilliant city, and it’s showcasing six spoken word pieces by established Manchester based poets – Griot Gabriel, Ilaria Passeri, Lisa O’Hare, Mark Jackson aka Keith’s Brother, Matt Concannon aka The Thirsty Poet, and Sarah Attwell.
The spoken word is paired with visual pieces painted by self-taught artist Emma Evans, where the words have served as inspiration for the art.
Did you see that Manchester’s newest live entertainment venue is finally almost ready to open?
The biggest indoor arena in the entire UK is (we think) ready to rock and roll.
It’s been a very long time coming, but Co-op Live will finally throw open its doors this week, with the massive space having room for 23,500 music fans and a clever ‘smart bowl’ that’s been designed to make the best possible gig experience.
There’s also a huge bill of artists lined up to perform here in the coming months, including The Black Keys (rescheduled), Olivia Rodrigo, and Take That in the next few weeks alone.
You can take a closer look at the inside of Co-op Live here, and read a round-up of all the events happening across the brand-new venue’s opening season here.
___
The Wizard of Oz
Palace Theatre Manchester
Monday 29 April – Sunday 5 May
ADVERTISEMENT
The Wizard of Oz / Credit: ATG Tickets
A sensational new take on of one of the world’s most beloved musicals, The Wizard of Oz, is now on stage here in Manchester.
Having taken to the iconic Palace Theatre stage, starring award-winning comedian and musical theatre star Jason Manford as The Cowardly Lion, JLS sensation Aston Merrygold as The Tin Man, and RuPaul’s Drag Race UK winner and Dancing On Ice star The Vivienne as The Wicked Witch of the West, this new production is a truly magical for all the family.
Yes, Manchester’s biggest free music festival is back for this upcoming early May bank holiday.
ADVERTISEMENT
Hosted at the ever-reliable Oast House in Spinningfields – one the best suntraps in the city when the sun finally decides to peek out (and it’s coming) – you can expect live music all day long, dancing well into the night, not to mention as much food and refreshing cocktails as you can stuff your face with.
We went along to the last one during Easter and even on a cloudy day it didn’t disappoint.
Find out more about the full season they’ve got lineup and sort your place here.
___
Bloomtown Blossom Trail
Manchester City Centre
ADVERTISEMENT
Monday 29 April – onwards
Bloomtown Blossom Trail / Credit: The Manc Group
Manchester never looks better than it does when all the blossom trees burst back to life, right? Well now there’s a walking trail through town that shows off the best bits.
From the iconic purple blooms outside the Central Library to the surprising sprays that pop up in the middle of Ancoats, there are pretty colours appearing all over, so the National Trust is once again shining a spotlight on Manchester and bringing back its new-and-improved Bloomtown.
There are 39 spots all over the city centre (and slightly beyond) included along the route, each one showcasing one of the city’s most picturesque locations.
The Manchester College ‘Greater Mancunians’ Exhibition
Manchester Central Library
Monday 29 April – onwards
The Manchester College ‘Greater Mancunians’ Exhibition / Credit: Supplied
Photography students from The Manchester College will be showcasing their ‘Greater Mancunians’ project as part of a landmark exhibition at Manchester Central Library’s Main Exhibition Hall from this week.
150 students have participated in the groundbreaking photography project, and it features images of some of Manchester’s most famous and influential people shot at numerous locations across the city.
ADVERTISEMENT
More than 100 contributors are featured in the project, including musicians Noel Gallagher and Johnny Marr, athletes Diane Modahl and Ricky Hatton, local politicians Andy Burnham, Angela Rayner, and Bev Craig, actors Maxine Peake and Bill Roache, artists Stan Chow and AKSE P-19, and other local figures like Jonathan Warburton, Simon Martin, and Professor Erinma Bell MBE.
Don’t forget there’s a world-first exhibition still running down at the Science and Industry Museum in Manchester, and it’s giving families the chance to “dive headfirst into the digestive system” and “travel like a poo”.
The new blockbuster exhibition, Operation Ouch!, is based on and will see the award-winning CBBC children’s TV series brought to life.
Visitors can expect interactive experiences, amazing objects from the Science Museum Group’s collection, and appearances from world-renowned doctors who will be on hand to guide audiences through this “lively, interactive, and playful adventure to better understand our brilliant bodies”.
Fancy heading out a walk somewhere in Greater Manchester and beyond this week?
The weather is FINALLY warming up a little, and it’s beginning to feel like we might finally have made it through winter.
So that means it’s time for a walk, right?
Some of the green spaces that wrap around Greater Manchester are in their prime right now with blossoms, bluebells, and more – and that’s saying something, as they’re pretty spectacular all year round – so it couldn’t be a more perfect time to go for a walk to appreciate their beauty.
Read our round-up of stunning spots for a spring walk here.
___
ADVERTISEMENT
‘Trust’ – Six by Nico
Manchester
Tuesday 30 April
‘Trust’ – Six by Nico / Credit: Six by Nico
Are you ready to put your trust in Six by Nico?
Previously a hit in London, but having now arrived here in Manchester at the Spring Gardens and Deansgate restaurants for the first time ever, ‘Trust’ is the latest dining experience from Six by Nico where guests are invited to put their trust in the popular restaurant’s chefs with a completely blind tasting menu that “puts culinary senses to the test”.
The three-hour tasting experience has 10-courses, and diners are given a blank menu with space write down what they think they’re eating.
ADVERTISEMENT
Ingredients of each dish are then revealed by your server following each course.
Find out more and book your place on one of the ‘Trust’ dining experiences on the Six by Nico website here.
___
KinderFest 2024
Haigh Woodland Park
Friday 4 & Saturday 5 May
ADVERTISEMENT
KinderFest 2024 / Credit: Haigh Woodland Park
Haigh Woodland Park is hosting a festival filled with fun activities for the whole family this bank holiday weekend.
KinderFest 2024 will bring together some of Greater Manchester’s best children’s entertainment to the walled gardens of Haigh – with themed activity zones, bubble parties, an inflatable playground, puppet shows, and live music all on the exciting lineup, as well as there being a wide range of food and drink vendors serving up tasty grub to took into.
Have you seen that a new ‘hobby house’ has opened up in the heart of Manchester city centre?
It’s called ‘Altogether Otherwise’.
Having recently opened down at Manchester’s growing neighbourhood, NOMA, the innovative new concept is is setting out to provide the Greater Manchester public with a welcome relief from all the demands and fast-paced culture of city centre life that we’ve, sadly, all become so used to.
It’s been dubbed a “place to pursue creativity” and a chance to explore and get stuck into some new activities, all while bumping into like-minded people in an ever-changing gathering space.
There’s an exciting lineup of workshops and events that are free to attend.
Everyone’s favourite little blue engine is once again making a long-awaited return to Greater Manchester this Early May Bank Holiday weekend.
The beloved Day Out With Thomas experience is said to be “a train ride like no other”.
Families will have the chance to hop onboard the East Lancashire Railway’s replica of the cult-classic blue train character when he returns in a couple of weeks time for a 45-minute trip through the Greater Manchester countryside.
Emily Sergeant -
17th October 2023 
