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.
Printworks is hosting a FREE ‘fireworks’ display on its digital ceiling this Bonfire Night
Emily Sergeant
Printworks is hosting a free ‘fireworks’ display on its digital ceiling next month.
Aiming to ‘bring Bonfire Night to life’ next month, Printworks has announced it’ll be hosting a dazzling evening of lights, music, stories, and Manchester spirit, as the iconic venue transforms Europe’s largest digital ceiling into a spectacular celebration for all the family.
Kicking off from 4:30pm, the free event will begin with an incredible display of ‘Manchester Stars’, where hundreds of stars will appear across the ceiling, each carrying the name of a real Manchester hero, creating a unique celebration of the people who make the city shine.
Members of the public can nominate someone to become a star, whether it’s a child, parent, grandparent, friend, colleague, community champion, or simply someone who deserves a little extra recognition. Nominations can be made here.
Printworks is hosting a free ‘fireworks’ display on its digital ceiling this Bonfire Night / Credit: Jason Lock (via Supplied)
Two cosy story time sessions with BBC Radio One and former CBBC presenter, Katie Thistleton, and children’s favourite, Hacker T Dog, will follow the star display, and each child will receive light-up headphones to enjoy the sessions in a dedicated chill-out zone.
Then comes the main event, Printworks’ digital ceiling will take centre stage for two firework displays between the story time sessions, including a dedicated SEN-friendly display at replacing the traditional loud noises with incredible visual effects, designed to offer a more accessible and welcoming way for families to enjoy the festivities.
The main fireworks and music experience will follow at 6:15pm, before the fun continues on into the evening with a live choir.
If you get a little peckish throughout the evening, there will also be a pop-up dessert cart serving Bonfire Night-inspired sweet treats, while Barney’s Coffee offers up an autumn drinks menu featuring seasonal favourites, such as pumpkin spice lattes and chocolate orange hot chocolates.
“We’re really excited to welcome back Printworks’ Bonfire Night event for the third year running,” explained Sophie Rooney, who is the Marketing Manager at Printworks.
“With fewer bonfire and firework displays taking place in the city, it’s the perfect opportunity for families to come together and enjoy an evening of celebrations right here at Printworks.”
Printworks is promising an ‘immersive evening’ for all the family, free of charge. Find out more information and timings HERE.
Featured Image – Jason Lock (via Supplied)
What's On
Blue Planet III live in concert is coming to Manchester next year
Daisy Jackson
The spectacular Blue Planet III will come to Manchester live in concert next year, bringing the hit BBC nature documentary to life with a live orchestra.
The new arena tour will pull together the most breathtaking footage beneath the waves from across the series, curated for a giant Ultra HD LED screen.
Blue Planet III will hit screens later this year, narrated once again by the legendary Sir David Attenborough.
Filmed across four years, it will take audiences everywhere from tropical coral reefs to the darkest depths of the ocean.
When the Blue Planet III Live In Concert show arrives in Manchester, it will be hosted by series executive producer Elizabeth White, who’ll share incredible stories and behind-the-scenes insights from the making of the series.
The score once again comes from Academy Award-winner Hans Zimmer, with Thom Lukas and Laurentia Editha for Bleeding Fingers Music, performed live by the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra.
The companion live concert is preparing to take audiences even deeper into the underwater world on an epic audio-visual scale.
Specially curated footage from Blue Planet III will be shown on a state-of-the-art 200 sq metre Ultra HD LED screen – one of the largest of its kind used for an orchestral touring screen show and approximately the size of a tennis court.
Blue Planet III live in concert is coming to Manchester next year. Credit: BBC Studios
The brand-new Blue Planet III Live in Concert will kick off here in Manchester before heading to Birmingham, Glasgow, and London.
Executive Producer Elizabeth White says: “Making Blue Planet III has taken us to places we never imagined we’d film. But there’s something about bringing that footage into a concert arena full of people, with the score performed live all around you, that will be truly special.
“This tour is our chance to share the series on a completely different scale, and I can’t wait to be there live, revealing the extraordinary stories behind what audiences are seeing on screen.”
Hans Zimmer says: “There’s nothing like experiencing this score live with an orchestra, especially when it’s paired with the extraordinary visuals of the life underwater. Thom, Laurentia and I are ecstatic that audiences will be able to enjoy our score in this way.”
Blue Planet III Live in Concert will be at the AO Arena in Manchester on Friday 21 May 2027 – general release tickets start from £40 and go on sale from 11am on Friday 16 October HERE.
Emily Sergeant -
13th April 2021 
