An open call for people across Greater Manchester to contribute to a new national touring art installation has been issued.
Wild in Art – the global art producer behind the much-loved Bee In The City trail – is inviting people from right across the UK to submit real-life stories and poems about key workers during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic for a chance to be included in the ‘Gratitude Stories’ installation, which is arriving in Manchester later this year.
The Gratitude art installation – which is a collection of 49 uniquely-painted human form sculptures, all designed by individual artists, and curated in partnership with creative ambassador Dame Zandra Rhodes – will be free for all the public to visit and accompanied by a selection of stories recorded by a host of well-known local voices, designed to thank NHS staff and all key workers for their ongoing courage and dedication.
Gratitude is hoping to connect people, communities, artists and businesses to reflect and show their appreciation.
The chosen stories will become part of the spectacular public art installation that thanks all key workers for their courage and dedication during the pandemic. Key figures voicing the stories so far include @KTTunstall, @adilray & @juliehes further names to be revealed soon.
Visitors to the installation will be able to listen to stories and poems that pay tribute to all key workers, from doctors on the front-line to shopkeepers, carers and teachers, via the Gratitude app and the website.
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Key figures lined up to voice the stories so far include singer-songwriter KT Tunstall and actors Julie Hesmondhalgh, Christopher Eccleston, John Thomson and Shobna Gulati – with further names to be revealed soon.
Time for quiet reflection will also be built into the installation’s daily opening schedule when the exhibition comes to Manchester in September.
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One of the first audio stories to be announced as part of the installation is from Matt Kelly, a Wigan Council service manager who last year penned a poem named ‘Our Heroes’, which was initially for his partner – a district nurse – but then shared on social media and brought to life on BBC Radio 5 live by one of the UK’s most prominent actors, Christopher Eccleston.
Daniel Graves Photography
“I am delighted that ‘Our Heroes’ will be part of this fantastic project.” Matt Kelly said.
“During this last year, our doctors, nurses, carers and support staff have quite literally saved us from this awful pandemic [and] the war-like effort of the NHS and the scenes I was seeing on the news helped inspire me to write the poem at the start of the pandemic.
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“At the time, it was a poem of hope, but one year on, it is becoming a poem of nostalgia and gratitude.
“This project is a fitting tribute to our wonderful heroes”.
Charlie Langhorne – Managing Director and co-founder of Wild in Art – added: “We’re delighted to have the support of so many well-known figures to help us to bring words and art together to tell the story of this unprecedented time [and] we hope people will be inspired to submit their stories and poems and we look forward to listening to them as part of Gratitude this summer”.
Daniel Graves Photography
Keen to take part?
Wild in Art is now accepting submissions from all over the UK, which should be no longer than 500 words in length, must tell a personal story about a key worker, and showcase the amazing work they have done during the pandemic.
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It can also be a story about yourself, for example, if you work as a key worker or if there is something a key worker has done for you personally that has made a difference to you life.
You have until 5pm on 20th May 2021.
All details and guidelines for submissions can be found on the Gratitude website here.
Featured Image – Scott Kershaw Photographer
What's On
A magical family-friendly winter adventure with a light trail and live entertainment is returning to Tatton Park Gardens
Daisy Jackson
One of winter’s top events will return to Tatton Park Gardens this year, with another season announced for Yuletide.
The magical winter adventure will once again bring a glittering light trail and theatrical, immersive performance to the famous beauty spot.
This unique fusion of Christmas light trail and winter family festival is now in its third year, and will debut brand-new features and performances for 2025.
As visitors wander the Yuletide event, you’ll be treated to everything from sparkling light installations to impressive fire juggling shows.
Audiences are invited to step into a world of winter folklore, filled with live music, cosy campfire stories, and plenty more.
New this year will be a troupe of leaping acrobats, plus a new live music stage in the woods, and brand-new enchanting characters to meet around every corner.
Another new element is the wild Wassail, inspired by a centuries-old Twelfth Night tradition of singing and banging pots and pans together to bring good fortune for the coming year.
Wild Rumpus launch of Yuletide at Tatton ParkYultide returns to Tatton Park. Credit: Cat DineleyYultide returns to Tatton Park. Credit: Emma Croman
As night falls, Tatton Park Gardens will be transformed into a family-friendly winter escape.
Magical memories to be made include the chance to sip hot chocolates and toast marshmallows over a campfire, as a traditional storyteller weaves tales for the whole family.
And the glittering light trail includes interactive installations, glowing puppets, and characters inspired by festive tales.
There’ll also be food vendors serving up tasty festive treats and mulled wine.
Yuletide comes from Cheshire-based event producers Wild Rumpus, who’ll be unlocking new parts of the grounds this year.
Credit: Emma CromanCredit: Anna Hornby
Wild Rumpus’ Director Rowan Cannon said: “This year is a fresh and enchanting adventure for the whole family, with a twist of wild creativity.
“There’s loads of never-before-seen elements, including spellbinding acrobats performing as people arrive, a music stage in the woodland with performances from amazing live bands, and a dreamy Shadow Forest where you can cast shadows against beautiful backdrops.
“The trail is taking a new route through Tatton Park Gardens this year, so people can explore parts of the grounds they’ve never seen at night before.”
Yuletide will run at Tatton Park Gardens on selected evenings between Saturday 15 November and Tuesday 23 December 2026.
Tickets start from £19 for adults and £11 for children, but under 2s go free, with selected dates offering off-peak tickets.
Map and full lineup revealed for Heaton Park’s dazzling NEW immersive light trail opening this month
Emily Sergeant
Heaton Park will be transformed into a glowing world of wonder as one of the UK’s most celebrated festive light trails makes its Manchester debut this month.
And now, just weeks away from the grand opening date, organisers have given visitors all the information they need to know – including sharing a full map of the site.
In case you missed the announcement earlier this summer, visitors will soon be able step into an immersive world of light and sound as Northern Lights – the acclaimed light trail from the team behind established music festivals Kendal Calling and Bluedot – descends on our city’s largest park this winter.
Already a hit in other major northern cities such as Leeds and Newcastle, Northern Lights has captured national attention with its cinematic visuals, choreographed soundscapes, and festive atmosphere.
The mile-long route will feature 16 large-scale installations, each synchronised to bespoke soundtracks creating a 90-minute experience like no other.
Heaton Park’s dazzling NEW immersive light trail is opening this month / Credit: Supplied
Winding through Heaton Park’s iconic grounds, visitors will encounter glowing tunnels, enchanted glades, and a stunning illuminated lake scene, all promising to deliver an incredible experience for visitors of all ages.
Organisers say the new trail is designed to ‘spark wonder’ as the magical festive season arrives.
Alongside the trail, there’ll also be a ‘Christmas Village’ serving up mulled wine, hot chocolate, toasted marshmallows, and street food from Manchester’s finest independent traders, alongside vintage fairground rides, and open fire pits to complete the winter vibes.
“We’re beyond excited to be bringing the Northern Lights magic to Manchester’s Heaton Park, and can’t wait for everyone to see all the work and creativity that has gone into the installations,” commented Emma St. Croix, who is the Senior Marketing Manager at Northern Lights Manchester.
“Bringing this festive experience to Manchester and working alongside amazing local communities and talented artists has been a true privilege, allowing us to create something uniquely magical that brings the whole family together.”
Northern Lights is not only one of the UK’s most successful festive light events, but it’s also one of the most accessible, as the Manchester trail will be fully accessible for wheelchair users and prams once it arrives this winter, following hard paths, ramps, and matted areas, with no steps in sight.
On top of this, there’ll also be dedicated quiet sessions for neurodivergent visitors, and the chance to get wristbands allowing queue-jumping for those with additional needs.
Northern Lights will arrive at Heaton Park on 20 November and run up until New Year’s Eve (31 December 2025), with timed entry slots every 15 minutes from 4:15pm up until 8:15pm (times may vary during off-peak days), and tickets are on sale now.
Prices starting at £15 for adults, £5 for children aged three and up, and under threes going free – and you can also use the code LIGHTS20 at the checkout to enjoy 20% off.
Emily Sergeant -
6th May 2021 
