A giant 11-foot wooden puppet that captured the hearts of Manchester last year is returning to the city once again this summer.
After a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the much-loved free event that is Manchester Day is back for 2022 on Sunday 19 June, and thousands of people are set to flood the city’s streets for what promises to be a bigger and better parade than ever before.
Back for its first outing since 2019, the spotlight for this year’s Manchester Day – which is created by Manchester People, and produced by award-winning local arts organisation Walk the Plank – will be dedicated to the city’s children and young people, who Cllr Pat Karney said “have missed out on so much during the pandemic”.
Organisers are pulling out all the stops to make sure the city centre will be buzzing with plenty of things to see and do all day long.
And what better way to celebrate the children of the city that with a visit from a very special young guest who recently made Manchester her home after an epic 8,000 km journey through Turkey and across Europe from Syria.
Little Amal – the 3.4 metre high puppet of a Syrian girl refugee who arrived in Manchester last summer – will be out and about taking in all the sights and sounds of the unforgettable annual Manchester Day parade as it makes its way through the city streets.
With the spotlight for the return of Manchester Day this year firmly fixed on children and young people as part of the city’s year-long 2022 Our Year campaign, and as Manchester works towards becoming a UNICEF recognised child-friendly city, event organisers are asking the city’s children and young people to look out for Little Amal and be ready to “extend the hand of friendship to her” to show her the true spirit of Manchester and how the city likes to celebrate.
“This year, we’re focusing on the contribution of children and young people to our city, and the future of our planet, so we’re delighted to welcome Little Amal, one of the city’s most famous children, to the celebration,” said Liz Pugh – Creative Producer at Walk The Plank.
“And she will take the spirit of Manchester’s youth with her as she sets off on her next journey at the start of Refugee Week.”
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Little Amal will be returning to our city for the 2022 Manchester Day parade / Credit: Bevan Ross (via MIF / The Walk)
Speaking on the return of Manchester Day for 2022, Cllr Pat Karney – Chair of Manchester Day – said: “Manchester Day is the city’s way of celebrating everything we love about our incredibly diverse city and all its brilliant communities, who together help make Manchester the best place in the world to be, and this time we’re dedicating it specially to all our children and young people who we know had such a rubbish time and missed out on so much during the pandemic.
“We’re honoured also to have Little Amal with us this year.
“She’ll be joining families and children as our iconic Manchester Day Parade makes its way through the city, and can’t wait to show her some Manchester love to hold in her heart and take with her on the next leg of her important journey.”
Featured Image – Bevan Ross (via MIF / The Walk)
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Peter Kay’s gigs at Co-op Live have been postponed as the arena admits it’s not ready for opening act
Danny Jones
Just a day before the venue was set to welcome its very first act, Co-op Live has announced that arena opener Peter Kay’s gigs have unfortunately been cancelledand postponed until later this month.
Both of Peter Kay‘s highly-anticipated shows have ultimately had to be called off after Co-op Live revealed that the brand-new entertainment venue is simply not ready to welcome guests just yet, with work still to be completed on key areas of the building, namely power supply issues.
Issuing a regretful statement on social media, the arena has confirmed that the shows will now be rescheduled to Monday and Tuesday, 29-30 April.
An important update from Co-op Live. Following our first test event on Saturday, regretfully we have made the difficult decision to reschedule our two opening performances by Peter Kay. These dates will move from 23 April and 24 Wednesday to Monday 29 and Tuesday 30 April. pic.twitter.com/SxW50Ph5hm
Co-op Live confirms Peter Kay’s pair of opening shows have been cancelled and rescheduled.
Addressing the situation online, Co-op Live said: “Following our first test event on Saturday, regretfully we have made the difficult decision to reschedule our two opening performances by Peter Kay…
“It is critical to ensure we have a consistent total power supply to our fully electric sustainable venue, the completion of which is a few days behind. Rescheduling gives us the extra time we need to continue testing thoroughly.
“This is vital to satisfy the rigorous set of guidelines and protocols that are necessary for a venue of this size. Peter Kay has very graciously agreed to perform his record-breaking comedy at Co-op Live on 29 (rescheduled from 23) and 30 (rescheduled from 24) April 2024.
“All tickets remain valid and ticket holders will be contacted by their point of purchase. Refunds will be available for those who can no longer attend. We are very sorry for the inconvenience that this change will undoubtedly cause for some.” Safe to say many of those looking forward to the show have been left frustrated.
Booked train ticket hotel and can’t make next week! Place is a joke !!
Please tell me why I am finding this out of flipping TWITTER and have not been emailed?!
— 🧜🏽♀️ Lauren Sparks – Book Siren 🧜🏽♀️ (@thickthighnolie) April 22, 2024
Speaking to The Manc, a Stockport gig-goer who had tickets said they had to find out via social media and that her group had still received no email notifying them about the cancellation, adding, “We just logged into the app to find the date on our tickets had been changed to next Monday”.
As for the beloved Bolton-born stand-up and British comedy legend himself, Kay added: “I’m truly gutted as I know how disappointing this will be for everyone with tickets, but obviously it’s a brand-new venue and it’s important that everything is finished and safe for full capacity audiences.
“Fortunately, we’ve been able to reschedule the shows to next week, (I’ll have to miss my Bums & Tums class) but hopefully I’ll see you then.”
The venue also went on to assure that they will still be hosting The Black Keys on 27 April in the lower bowl with 10k fans as planned and will continue to test the resilience of the venue and its operations for the time being.
They also reminded fans who previously missed out on tickets that due to dates being moved, tickets may now become available.
Blackpool Pleasure Beach announces closure of legendary ride after 64 years
Emily Sergeant
Blackpool Pleasure Beach has announced that it’s time to say goodbye to one of its legendary rides after more than six decades.
The Lancashire seaside theme park is calling on fans to travel from far and wide to help “wave the chequered flag for a final time” as it bids farewell to the beloved Grand Prix ride after an impressive 64 years of racing.
In case you’re unfamiliar with the attraction, Grand Prix is a track ride that opened at Blackpool Pleasure Beach all the way back in 1960 – but, after more than six decades in action, the resort announced that the ride would not operate for the 2024 season as it is “planning a new attraction” instead.
And so, a “spectacular send-off” is being planned in a couple of months time in a bid to properly show the historic ride the love it deserves.
Grand Prix: The Final Lap is all set kick-off from 6pm on Friday 7 June, and tickets are now on sale and already selling fast among those keen to wave the race off into the distance.
A description for the highly-anticipated event on the Blackpool Pleasure Beach website reads: “It’s lights out, and away we go. As our Grand Prix ride leaves the pits for the final time, join us in celebrating 64 years of racing.
“An evening of memorable performances by local artists and musicians, live DJ sets, and entertainment from Pleasure Beach’s own Grid Girls. Of course, as the main event, guests will have the chance to enjoy the Grand Prix for one final time, experience the same G-force as an F1 driver on ICON, and receive a commemorative certificate to verify that they were one of the last people to ride such an iconic ride, as well as a memento ticket.”
The legendary Grand Prix ride at Blackpool Pleasure Beach is to close after 64 years / Credit: Blackpool Pleasure Beach
Real-life supercars provided by Bispham-based business Elite Competitions, along with the Pleasure Beach’s own Jordan F1 car, will also be there on the day for fans to marvel at, and you’ll even be able to have your pictures taken with the iconic vehicles too.
You’ll be greeted with prosecco on arrival to the party, all before you get to tuck into a wide array of Grand Prix-themed snacks and food.
As mentioned, tickets to Grand Prix: The Final Lap are now on sale on the Blackpool Pleasure Beach website, and will set you back £50 each.
Emily Sergeant -
26th May 2022 
