What's On

Ice Curling Lanes are coming to Winter Island at Depot Mayfield next month

The city's first dedicated Ice Curling Rink is arriving in Manchester in just two weeks time.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 30th October 2020
Pixabay / PhotoMIX Company

The city’s first dedicated Ice Curling Rink is arriving at Manchester’s newest social experience Escape to Freight Island at Depot Mayfield next month.

Escape to Freight Island is “so excited” to announce this morning that ‘Ice Curling Lanes’ will be arriving at the brand new Winter Island in just two weeks time, and it’s set to be Manchester’s first dedicated ice curling rink in the heart of the city centre, so if you’re looking for something a little different to do this winter, this’s surely got you covered.

Opening 12th November through to 23rd December, Winter Island Curling Lanes will be open Wednesday to Sunday, with sessions lasting 50 minutes.

There will be a number of COVID-secure procedures in place, including all lanes separated and socially-distanced – with a maximum of six people from one household/bubble only – and curling stones being thoroughly sanitised after each use, so you can “unleash your inner tiger”.

Prior curling experience is not required, but spikes and brushes will be provided, so you just need to bring the will to win.

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Winter Island will be the UK’s largest fully-outdoor, heated winter seated market and it arrives at Escape to Freight Island on Thursday 12th November.

It will take over the outdoor space of Platform 15 – where more than 80,000 people have visited safely since it opened in July – and it adds to the site’s recently-announced Ticket Hall annex, which has been the much-anticipated second phase for the outdoor food market and entertainment space, and is heralded as a carefully-planned and exciting expansion towards the “true vision” of what is fast becoming the most talked about and innovative venue in the UK.

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The industrial space we all associate with Depot Mayfield has been filled with buzzing bars and restaurants.

And, for the festive season, a 45ft Christmas tree will be installed as the centrepiece, there’ll be a Christmas light projection in the circle area of Winter Island, and a very special installation feature by Lightopia – the stunning light festival from Heaton Park – will extend into Escape To Freight Island for a one off collaboration.

The installation of a new 1500 sqft heated Garden Tent at Winter Island also means you can sit underneath a picture-perfect festive setting.

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Winter Island at Escape to Freight Island

The site will continue to operate with the world-leading Safe + Social Manifesto.

The Safe + Social Manifesto means ‘Winter Island’ at Escape to Freight Island has been designed as a space where you are able to socialise safely with your party, maintain social distance from others, and remain alert to the risks of coronavirus (COVID-19), while being part of the overall urban festival atmosphere.

You can find more information about Winter Island and book your tickets in advance via the Escape to Freight Island website here.

Follow Escape to Freight Island on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for all the latest updates.

What's On

A massive ultra and trail running event is coming to Greater Manchester this summer

Danny Jones Danny Jones Ultra marathon trail running event Greater Manchester

Has this past month’s Manchester Marathon and Great MCR Run heroics got you feeling all hyped up for the next big challenge? How does an epic ultra/trail running event sound?

Best get those legs resting because there’s a brand new event coming to the race calendar.

The advent of ultras and trail running, in particular, looks to be growing ever more popular and with some brilliant terrain to be enjoyed around the North West, it’s not hard to see why.

Greater Manchester has loads of these runs throughout the year already, and now beloved event organisers, Beyond Trails, are bringing their first-ever Manc date to life.

Simply titled ‘Beyond MCR‘, this dual event will see runners offered the chance to take on one of two races, both of which will see them plodding beyond the half-marathon distance.

Depending on your disposition, you can take on either a 25k trail around Manchester, Trafford and Salford, or an ultra around even more nearby boroughs.

The ultra marathon distance will see participants putting in the ones and twos for a total of 55k, passing through the likes of Bury, Bolton, Salford and more. It’s one way to see 0161, put it that way.

As described on the website: “See a little of Manchester’s wild side with Beyond Manchester: a running event with a 25km trail option or a 55km ultra route for runners and walkers.”

Beyond Trails will also be teaming up with local favourites Track Brewery to supply some much-needed suds after the slog is done, with runners being handed tokens to claim their free pints there afterwards.

Now that’s the kind of motivation we can get behind.

The announcement goes on to add: “With its accessible city centre start and finish, plenty of signage, and a trademark Manchester welcome, Beyond MCR is for every kind of runner, no matter whether it’s your first trail event or your umpteenth ultra.

“Parkland, street, disused railway, reservoir trails – you name it, Beyond Manchester’s got it. The city just feels different when you go beyond your usual route – and we think you’re going to love it.

No matter which one you choose, both runs will begin and end in the picturesque Castlefield district, and whether you’re lacing up your trail shoes or your most cushioned trainers for some serious mileage, you’ll be able to take some stunning views from around the city and beyond.

Taking place on Thursday, 26 July, with an 8am start for the ultra and 10am for the 25k, we reckon it’s a great excuse to book a long weekend off work. You can find out more information and enquire about booking a place HERE.

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Featured Images — Beyond Trails (via Facebook)

What's On

Manchester’s popular pop-up cafe full of hundreds of sausage dogs is back this bank holiday

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant Dachshund Pup Up Cafe

Manchester’s popular pop-up cafe full of hundreds of sausage dogs is making a big return this bank holiday.

Are you a big dachshund fan? Love seeing lots of little sausage dogs in the same place? Looking for your little pup to make some sausage friends? Don’t even have a sausage dog but want to join in on the fun anyway? Well you’re in luck, as the Dachshund Pup Up Cafe is back in our city for its second time this year… and what better day than bank holiday Monday.

Having already proved to be a smash-hit success in the years it’s visited Manchester since 2018, the dachshund pop up cafe – or we should say ‘pup up cafe’ – will be filling another popular city centre venue with so many sausage dogs.

Organisers are expecting more than 250 dachshunds to join in on the fun this time around, and there’s loads for them to look forward to.

Manchester’s popular pop-up cafe full of hundreds of sausage dogs is back this bank holiday / Credit: Supplied

Sausage dogs and their owners are all invited to descend on Revolution Parsonage Gardens in the city centre from 10am, with several other timed sessions throughout the day to book onto – as organisers Pup Up Cafe have managed to secure the whole venue the dogs to roam free and enjoy some wholesome fun in a safe space.

Whether you own a sausage dog yourself or you’re simply just a dachshund fan, you’ll get the chance to mingle with many furry little friends, take part in a range of activities, and stock up on dachshund-related goodies.

The pups themselves will get to enjoy unlimited dog treats and free puppuccinos, and play to their heart’s content with other sausages.

It sounds like it’s going to be a jam-packed day to remember, so luckily, there’ll be plenty of photo opportunities throughout.

Dachshund Pup Up Cafe
Organisers are expecting more than 250 dachshunds to join in on the fun / Credit: Supplied

The Dachshund Pup Up Cafe will arrive in Manchester on Monday 26 May from 10am-3:30pm, with different morning and afternoon sessions during the day, and numbers limited to 50 sausage dogs allowed per session.

Fancy ‘a sausage mad day’ then? Tickets will set you back £10 if you’re a sausage dog owner, and £15 if you’re just a dachshund fan who’s keen to go along for the fun anyway, and you can get yourself some tickets here.

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Don’t have a sausage dog, but do have another four-legged furry friend instead? Not to worry, as Pup Up Cafe has a session open to all friendly dogs on the day too, which you can get tickets for here.

And if you miss out on Manchester, there’s also events in Nottingham and Southampton this bank holiday too.

Featured Image – Supplied

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