It’s been a long time coming, but it’s finally been confirmed that RHS Garden Bridgewater is to open its gates to the public in May.
As many Greater Manchester residents will know, the opening of the Royal Horticultural Society’s (RHS) newest £44 million garden attraction – which is located off Leigh Road in Worsley – has been delayed on a number of occasions due to ongoing restrictions amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, but now it’s been revealed that visitors will be welcomed for the first time from Tuesday 18th May.
The 154-acre garden at the former Worsley New Hall estate is the biggest hands-on horticultural project undertaken in Europe since planning permission was granted in 2017, and is set to boast world-class horticultural inspiration and expertise as the first-ever RHS Garden to be located in an urban area.
The RHS is expecting the new attraction to generate around £13.2 million per year to the local economy by 2030, and has created over 100 jobs at the site.
50% of the roles created have been filled by people living within five miles of the garden.
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RHS Garden Bridgewater is aiming to be a beacon of gardening inspiration, education and engagement in the heart of the North West, and will feature cutting-edge design by RHS Chelsea Flower Show gold medal winners, alongside a collection of dedicated community spaces.
Visitors will have the chance to discover areas including the 11-acre Weston Walled Garden – believed to be the largest publicly-accessible working walled garden in the UK – as well as the spectacular Paradise Garden by Tom Stuart-Smith, which showcases exotic planting inspired by Asiatic and Mediterranean gardens, and the nearby Kitchen Garden by award-winning Harris Bugg Studio which boasts a cornucopia of productive growing techniques, and both familiar and more unusual edibles.
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The Community Wellbeing Garden, Community Grow area and Peel Learning Garden are just some of the community-focused spaces that can also be found within the Weston Walled Garden.
There’s also the Chinese Streamside Garden – which will be the first authentic Chinese garden in the UK when complete – and the four-acre Woodland Play area to explore, which is designed to encourage children of all ages to engage with nature.
Speaking ahead of the grand opening, Sue Biggs – RHS Director General – said: “RHS Garden Bridgewater is the result of years of hard work by a dream team of designers, gardeners, contractors and many, many others and we are all enormously proud of what we have created.
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“Together with our partners and donors, including Salford City Council and The Peel Group, we are thrilled to finally be able to celebrate this monumental achievement on May 18”.
Tickets for the highly-anticipated opening on Tuesday 18th May are set to go on sale on Monday 19th April, with the park open Monday to Sunday, from 10am – 6pm.
All visitors will need to pre-book a time slot, with last entry at 5pm.
That’s not all though, as all Salford residents will be able to visit RHS Garden Bridgewater free on Tuesdays only from 25th May for the first year thanks to an arrangement agreed between the RHS and Salford City Council.
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Tickets will still need to be booked online, and proof of your Salford address will be required on arrival.
Manchester Storm’s annual ‘Pride Night’ returns to Planet Ice Altrincham
Danny Jones
With 2026 marking not just the start of another competitive year for Manchester Storm but an opportunity for even more people to get into the growing craze here in the UK, our city’s resident team are bringing back their annual ‘Pride Night’ once more.
Returning for yet another edition, the local ice hockey outfit has been playing this particular themed match every year now for nearly a full decade, and while there are plenty of special fixtures throughout each campaign, few are quite as joyous and vibrant as the Pride game.
We’re used to the Manchester Storm fan base being some of the most wholesome and community-driven supporters in the region, be it through the beloved ‘Air the Bear’ meetings or gathering to pay tribute to late members of the backroom staff, and backing their LGBTQIA+ members is no different.
Announcing the date this week on social media, the club reminded matchgoers and others online “that hockey is, indeed, for everyone.”
Detailing the context around the game online, Storm wrote: “We’re showing our support for the LGBTQ+ community on Sunday with our Pride game, one of the big events in the Elite League (EIHL) calendar.
“Coming to the Storm Shelter will be Belfast Giants, and as well as sharing the message of inclusivity, both teams will also be sharing the ice for EIHL points.”
A classy gesture and reminder that there are, of course, always more important things than sport.
With just a few hundred tickets left, Planet Ice is close to selling out as it often does, and you can expect plenty from both sides to turn up in full colour.
In fact, lots of fans are already asking for replica editions of the unique Pride jersey designs commissioned specifically for the event to be made available to buy, as they have done previously.
Taking on the Northern Irish club at the weekend, this will also be the two sides’ first competitive meeting since the tragic death of a young Giant fan, with Manchester Storm paying their respects this month.
We have no doubt they will find another touching way to honour Blake on Sunday.
It’s this kind of togetherness that is helping make ice hockey in Britain such a well-engaged and fast-growing attraction at the minute – the Pride game is just one example of this.
Anyone who fancies grabbing tickets to the 2026 Manchester Storm vs Belfast Giants ‘Pride Night’ can do so right HERE.
The Bodyguard at Palace Theatre, Manchester – a celebration of Whitney Houston’s hits
Clementine Hall
If you’re looking for a night out at the theatre drenched in glitz and glamour, then this is the show for you.
Whether you’ve seen the smash hit 1992 film The Bodyguard or not, the musical adaptation that has just arrived at the Palace Theatre is hard not to tap your foot to.
It’s a show that celebrates Whitney Houston’s powerhouse vocals whilst delivering a heartfelt love story wrapped up with moments of thrill and light comedy.
My initial concern from the offset was whether or not the vocals would match that of the icon herself, but boy oh boy, there was there no need to worry.
The Bodyguard at Palace Theatre, Manchester / Credit: Paul Coltas (Supplied)
Sidonie Smith, who plays the Hollywood superstar Rachel Marron, hits every note with ease, and this isn’t an easy job.
The soundtrack – which quickly became one of the best selling soundtracks of all time – features ballads like ‘I Will Always Love You’ and ‘One Moment In Time’, as well as energetic bops like ‘I Wanna Dance With Somebody’ and ‘I’m Every Woman’.
It’s a tough role to play (and mostly sing), but Smith really proves herself as the superstar she’s portraying.
Sidonie Smith and Adam Garcia in the lead roles of Rachel and Frank / Credit: Paul Costas (via Supplied)
A special shoutout must go to the costume department, as I’ve never seen so many show-stopping glittery bodysuits in one show, and the speed with which these were changed into too was truly impressive.
Adam Garcia, who plays the bodyguard himself, Frank Farmer, perfectly portrays the handsome, American secret agent-type that you want.
Standing tall on stage exuding irresistible charm and warmth, a standout moment was Sasha Monique’s rendition of Saving All My Love where the two shared undeniable yet heartbreaking chemistry.
Credit: Paul Coltas (via Supplied)
The choreography was sharp, snappy, and full of Hollywood glitz and glamour, making the ensemble scenes some of the best, as the audience revelled in Houston’s disco hits.
Overall, this is a fabulously fun celebration of the classic film that’ll get you up dancing on your feet at the end.
Emily Sergeant -
13th April 2021 
