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 ELR is inviting five local heroes to attend the new and improved Sant Specials event this December, all you have to do is nominate them!
If you have a hero that you believe deserves a special experience, why not nominate them now?
“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.”
Chase and Status announce highly-anticipated UK tour with just three dates — and one of them is Manchester
Danny Jones
Drum and bass icons Chase and Status have just announced a brand-new limited-run UK tour with just three dates and, lucky for us, Manchester is one of them.
Still one of the biggest electronic artists on the planet and comfortably up there with one of the best acts we’ve ever seen live, the production and DJ duo (Saul Milton and Will Kennard) are hitting the road early next year and they’ll be gracing the O2 Victoria Warehouse.
With the boys not only bringing a full live band along with them for the ride but also set to release their new mixtape, 2 Ruff. Vol 1, the crowd will be treated to both the classics and all the new tracks to boot.
To be honest, we’d pay ridiculous money just to hear that new ‘Baddadan’ track in the flesh.
With the new record dropping on Friday, 27 October, just over a year after their previous and sixth studio album, What Came Before, the 10-track mixtape is set to feature massive collaborations with Flowdan, Arrdee, Stefflondon; Becky Hill, long-time friend and collaborator Takura, as well as many others.
Everything we’ve heard so far has been an absolute banger and we can only imagine how amazing these new tracks are going to sound in a live space as good as the legendary Victoria Warehouse.
I mean, these lads spent time here at university so they know full well just how special a venue this is.
Bringing along a number of special guests for each date — sorry, they haven’t let any info slip just yet — the London-based artists will be playing the Cardiff Utilita Arena and London Drumsheds in February 2024 before rounding things off with the main event: Manchester on Friday 1st March.
While pre-sale sold out in a flash, general admission tickets go live today at 9:00am (Friday, 29 September), so you better be quick if you fancy getting some.
You can grab your tickets for Chase and Status in Manchester HERE. Best of luck getting your hands on some!
An adults-only ‘after hours’ event is happening at the Science and Industry Museum next week
Emily Sergeant
If you need an excuse to leave the little Mancs at home, then one of Manchester’s most visited museums might have just what you’re looking for.
Fancy releasing your inner child?
If you’re keen to play your way through 50 years of video games, embark on an adventure through the digestive system, or relax with a drink while discovering the small matter of the infinite vastness of the universe, then you’ll probably want to make your way down to the Science and Industry Museum next week.
With the nights drawing earlier than ever now autumn is here, this is your chance to explore the museum in a whole new light after the sun’s gone down.
Explore the museum after hours at our next adult-only, evening event on 5 Oct. 🎟️ https://t.co/GVUYI3D8UE
Play your way through 50 years of video games in Power Up, embark on a playful adventure through the digestive system in Operation Ouch! Food, Poo and You, experience a… pic.twitter.com/NRIqNp7tQi
It’s giving grown-ups a unique opportunity to make the most of all the museum’s best-loved exhibitions without the kids running around.
Kicking off from 6pm next Thursday 5 October, tickets to the one-off Museum After Hours event are now on sale, and include evening passes to the museum’s showstopping special exhibitions ‘Power Up’ and ‘Operation Ouch! Food, Poo and You’, as well as access to the popular Revolution Manchester, Textiles Gallery, and Experiment areas.
There’ll also be the chance to see Paul Miller’s MicroCosmic installation, as well as talk to the artist himself, and get involved with lots of drop-in activities too.
An adults-only ‘after hours’ event is happening at the Science and Industry Museum next week / Credit: Science Museum Group
Several exciting textile demonstrations will also be taking place throughout the evening.
And of course, because this is an adults-only event, the museum’s events bar will be popping up on the night, and will be serving up a wide range of wines, beers, and non-alcoholic drinks to wet your whistle while you’re looking around.
Emily Sergeant -
7th December 2022 
