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Manchester’s famous Santa steam trains are back and ‘local heroes’ can ride them for FREE

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 7th December 2022

East Lancashire Railway (ELR) is inviting five local heroes to catch a ride on one of its famous Santa Special steam trains this Christmas.

And all you have to do is nominate someone you think deserves it.

As the heritage railway is keen to celebrate those who have made a difference within the local Greater Manchester community, or those who have impacted peoples’ lives for the better, five ‘local heroes’ are going to get the chance to take a ride on one of the famous Santa Specials steam trains for free of charge this December.

The much-loved festive event has not only become an essential part of Christmas for many in the north west, but this year, it’s bigger and better than ever before.

East Lancashire Railway’s famous Santa Special steam train rides are back / Credit: Darren Robinson (via ELR)

The five local heroes will get to bring their families along with them for a truly special Christmas day out as they make their way through a winter wonderland at Bury Bolton Street Station.

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They’ll first get to meet some old favourites and new characters, including the magical talking Christmas tree, Mrs Claus, and ELR’s very own Ice Princess, all before before having a singalong with a chorus of musical polar bears. 

The festive fun will then continue on the Santa Special steam trains on an 80-minute “enchanting voyage” through the magical Irwell Valley.

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You can nominate a ‘local hero’ to ride them for free / Credit: Darren Robinson (via ELR)

Santa himself will be on board handing out gifts, while a festive brass band plays traditional Christmas tunes for a singalong, and adults tuck into a mince pie and a festive tipple or two.

Kids can feast on chocolate, juice, and get stuck into a brand-new ELR festive activity pack.

“It’s more important than ever to celebrate our local heroes who give back to the community and make a positive impact on people’s lives and we are thrilled to be able to give back to these people,” explained Mike Kelly – Chairman at ELR.

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“The Santa Specials have become a staple in many families’ Christmas celebrations.

“If there’s someone in your life or your local community that has made a positive impact over the past year, whether it’s through the work that they do, the time they volunteer or any acts of kindness you think a light should be shone on then head over to our website and tell us why you think they deserve a magical day out with their families at the railway this Christmas.”

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Keen to nominate a ‘local hero’ for this special Christmas experience? Make sure you can your entries in before they close on Monday 12 December.

You can enter on the ELR website here.

Featured Image – Darren Robinson (via ELR)

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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 Danny Jones Peter Kay Co-op Live gigs cancelled

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 cancelled and 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.

This comes barely a day after its official opening event this past weekend which also saw thousands have their tickets cancelled for the accompanying ‘test gig’.

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.

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.

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Featured Images — The Manc Audio/Press Images

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Blackpool Pleasure Beach announces closure of legendary ride after 64 years

Emily Sergeant 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.

Read more:

Find out more and book tickets here.

Featured Image – Blackpool Pleasure Beach

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