A massive festival especially for dogs and their owners is heading back to Tatton Park in Cheshire by popular demand next month.
Described as being the “ultimate dog’s day out” and created by dog-lovers, for dog-lovers, DogFest was a huge hit when it took over the Knutsford-based estate last summer – and in just a couple of weeks time, the thrilling two-day event will be back at Tatton Park so you and your pup have the chance to “try your paw” at a whole host of activities.
Dog diving, agility courses, the ever-popular hay bale race, or entering the Fun Dog Show for your chance to win ‘Best in Show’, are just some of the things four-legged friends can get involved with.
You can also see some sensational dog displays, get advice from a variety of animal experts, learn training tips at the Dog School run by leading UK dog welfare charity and DogFest event partner, Dog’s Trust, and so much more.
DogFest 2023 is back at Tatton Park in Cheshire in just a few weeks time / Credit: DogFest
There’s plenty of chances to shop, and grab some festival food and drink too.
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This will be the third year that Dogs Trust UK has been DogFest’s charity event partner, and as the organisation has done in festivals previous, will be setting up its own ‘Dogs Trust Village’ where festival-goers can head to to learn all about some of the dogs currently looking for forever homes across the North West.
“We can’t wait to welcome dog lovers and their canine companions to this fantastic event,” Dogs Trust’s Regional Supporter Relations Manager, Shauna Stedman, said ahead of the festival’s return.
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“This is the third year running that we’ve been the DogFest charity partner, and we always have a brilliant time meeting dogs and their owners.
The two-day festival is set to be the “unmissable dog event of the year” / Credit: DogFest
“Our very own Dogs Trust Village will be at the event and is open to everyone to meet our dedicated team and take part in fun-filled games and activities like our enrichment garden to keep your pooch happy and entertained.”
DogFest 2023 is taking over Tatton Park on Saturday 17 & Sunday 18 June.
Both single-day and weekend tickets, family tickets, and a range of VIP packages are still available to get your hands on – with prices starting from as little as £21 for adults and £13 for children.
Legendary pop duo Erasure announces huge Manchester arena gig on 2027 UK tour
Emily Sergeant
Legendary pop duo Erasure have announced a UK arena tour next spring, and they’re set to stop off in Manchester.
Andy Bell and Vince Clarke – better known by their duo name, Erasure – have announced details of their long-awaited upcoming 20th studio album today, titled Radio!! Radio!!, alongside details of an arena tour in spring 2027 across the UK and Europe.
Described as a ‘deeply personal’ project, the BRIT and Ivor Novello award-winning duo’s first new studio album in six years sees Bell and Clarke continue to refine and deepen the pop catalogue they’ve been building over the past 40 years.
The album will be comprised of a set of songs about love, loss, and injustice that they hope speaks to our ’empathy-starved times’.
Erasure will take to the road in 2027 for an arena tour that kicks off at Cardiff’s Utilita Arena on 25 April before travelling throughout the UK, including a stop in Manchester at the AO Arena on 1 May, before finishing off in London and heading over to Europe, with more dates to follow.
Vince Clarke will be Musical Director for the tour, but will not be appearing onstage alongside Andy Bell, it has been revealed.
Bell says: “I’m so pleased that we were able to find a way for the tour to work for Vince. He’s always too modest but he’s so much more than the Musical Director, Vince is one of the great loves of my life and everything we do as Erasure we decide together.”
Erasure will be performing at the AO Arena in Manchester on 1 May 2027, and tickets go on presale this Thursday 1 October at 10am, before general sale begins a day later (2 October) also at 10am.
Strictly Come Dancing Live to return to Manchester as part of 2027 UK tour
Emily Sergeant
Strictly Come Dancing Live is set to return in 2027 for a spectacular new UK arena tour.
Hot on the heels of last weekend’s dazzling launch show for the 2026 BBC series, audiences are invited to get their dancing shoes on and their ’10’ paddles at the ready, as a new lineup of celebrities and professionals will be taking to the dancefloor for 29 shows across the country – including three shows in Manchester.
Head judge Shirley Ballas will be hitting the road, alongside fellow judges Anton Du Beke and Craig Revel Horwood, with Janette Manrara also presenting.
Directed by Craig Revel Horwood himself, Strictly Come Dancing Live takes the magic of the BBC TV show and turns it up to another level.
Expect jaw-dropping group dances, breathtaking routines, stunning costumes, and live music from the legendary Strictly band and singers, all brought together in a first-class arena production.
As always with the Strictly Live Tour, there is one very important decision to be made at every show – which couple will lift the Glitterball Trophy?
And that decision is not in the hands of the judges. The judges are there to critique and provide their invaluable opinions on each dance routine, but they do not hold the power, as this lies with the audience instead, who can vote using their mobile phones to decide who is the winner.
Strictly Come Dancing Live is returning to Manchester as part of its 2027 UK tour / Credit: Supplied
The tour kicks off at Birmingham’s Utilita Arena on 22 January for the first of five shows, and will then cha-cha-cha its way across the UK, visiting other major northern cities like Sheffield, Newcastle, Liverpool, and Leeds, before arriving in Manchester at the start of February.
Strictly Come Dancing Live will take to the AO Arena stage on Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 February 2027, with two shows happening on the Saturday.
Tickets officially go on sale this week, with venue pre-sales beginning at 10am on Thursday 24 September, before general sale starts on Friday (25 September), also at 10am.
Emily Sergeant -
18th May 2023 
