National Trust park Dunham Massey is receiving two all-new immersive installations in May that are set tocreate some magical memories.
These art pieces are coming to the famed National Trust site this spring, with the aim of encouraging visitors to reflect on all things nature.
Both of the new installations will cover two very different aspects of the park while utilising soundscapes that help create a moment of calm for guests.
‘ORIGIN’ is one of the immersive installations coming to Dunham Massey, and it’s branded as a deep listening experience combining both art and wellbeing to help explore humans’ connection to nature.
An insight into the immersive installation ORIGIN.Just a quick glance at the new immersive installation inside Dunham Massey. (Credit: Publicity Pictures)
Each guest will join a small, timed group of people to walk around the exhibition, where they will hear lots of different harmonies and soothing sounds – you’re even encouraged to sit or lie on the ground.
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Amongst this relaxing audio experience, there will be dialogue from Young Identity, a Manchester-based literature and performing arts charity, who have created spoken poetry for the soundscape.
This bespoke creation is the genius of internationally-acclaimed artists Colin Nightingale and Stephen Dobbie, who have teamed up with a wonderful creative team to bring this experience to life.
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‘A Field Hospital for Eco-Anxiety’ is the title of Dunham Massey’s second brand-new immersive installation, and frequent visitors to the park will recognise its location as it takes place in The Orangery.
This building will be filled with some lush plants, and just like its name – the ‘Field Hospital’ – it’s set to be a place of sanctuary and comfort for any guests who decide to take part.
Visitors enjoying the gardens at Dunham Massey, CheshireVisitors walking their dogs in the park at Dunham Massey, CheshireIt really is a National Trust gem. (Credit: Supplied)
There will be an activity sheet on hand for visitors as you walk around, so you can write down some positive steps people can take for the environment and reflect on our natural world.
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The latter immersive installation is the brainchild of The Edible Bus Stopand ‘Not here to be liked’, two companies that design and create culturally relevant experiences, typically environment-oriented.
These two brand new immersive installations at Dunham Massey are multi-sensory and are a great chance for little ones and grown-ups alike to take a moment of solace to consider environmental impacts.
Liam Geary Baulch from Not here to be liked explained: “Right now a majority of people are worried about the climate crisis, with so many young people impacted. The Field Hospital is a place for them to feel cared for, take a breath, and build resilience.”
The two brand new exhibitions, ORIGIN and A Field Hospital For Eco-Anxiety, are officially launching to the public on 3 May at Dunham Massey.
If you’re interested in giving it a try, you can find out more information HERE. It’s also worth noting that the experience is not suitable for under 12s; under 18s must also be accompanied by an adult.
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ORIGIN is included in the general admission Park and Garden ticket, which is available from £10 for an adult and just a fiver for children. This ticket also includes access to the garden, deer park, parking, shop, cafe, restaurant and all other facilities – though entry to the site doesn’t guarantee ORIGIN admission
Lastly, as is customary, the experience is FREE for National Trust members, so if you’re looking for activities this spring, a trip out to Cheshire might be on the cards.
GRUB is throwing a big three-day closing party full of ‘food, booze, music, and memories’
Emily Sergeant
GRUB is set to bid farewell to Red Bank this week with one almighty closing weekend party.
After five unforgettable years at Red Bank, GRUB, one of Manchester‘s original and best-loved street food markets and social hubs, is set to say goodbye in the best way it knows how – with a three-day blowout of food, booze, music, and memories this week.
You many remember earlier this year that it was announced GRUB will ‘cease to exist’ in its current form this autumn, as the building they have occupied for the last five years, on Red Bank in the Green Quarter, will be undergoing redevelopment.
The much-loved venue confirmed that it will be going back to its roots and ‘returning to the street’ as a travelling food festival filled with street food chefs, pop-up bars and ‘unbeatable vibes’.
But before then, it’s time to say goodbye to the beloved Green Quarter venue first.
GRUB is throwing a big three-day closing party full of ‘food, booze, music, and memories’ / Credit: The Manc Group
From this Thursday (25 September) through to Saturday 27 September, GRUB regulars are invited to come together for one final massive send-off packed with 2-for-1 cocktails, shooters and tacos, a non-stop 72-hour Happy Hour, and GRUB’s resident DJs going back-to-back as the cellar is drunk dry.
This Thursday will be the final ever ‘Fizzy Quizzy’ event, so expect huge prizes, free-flowing fizz deals and the chance to win parts of the bar – literally.
Then Friday is a night of GRUB resident DJs going back-to-back until late, before the closing weekend peaks on Saturday with prices so low, you might think GRUB has lost the plot.
“Everything must go, and it is going out with a bang,” GRUB said in a statement.
While this may be the end of Red Bank, it’s not the end of GRUB, as in the meantime, GRUB fan favourites like Sip & Paint and Baby Mosh will live on just down the road at sister venue, Fairfield Social Club.
“Red Bank has been our home for over half a decade, and we’ve loved every minute of it – the community, the traders, the parties, the memories,” explained Jason Bailey, who is the co-founder of GRUB.
“We’re so excited for this closing weekend, which will be a proper knees-up in true GRUB fashion, and even more excited to show you what’s next.
“Manchester, we promise it’s going to be special.”
Featured Image – The Manc Group
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J.W. Lees is celebrating the return of Boddingtons by giving away 500 FREE pints
Danny Jones
Local brewery J.W. Lees is celebrating the return of Boddingtons in the best way possible: by giving away 500 FREE pints of ‘the Cream of Manchester’ this weekend.
We can’t lie, you had us at free pints.
In case you hadn’t heard the news – and what we consider a bit of an early Christmas present – legendary Manc beer Boddingtons is back in a very big way, with the beloved beer returning to the taps in various pockets around Greater Manchester.
Better yet, ‘Boddies’ has also returned just in time for Britain’s National Cask Ale Week, and let’s just say we’ve been spreading that all-important awareness by necking as many as possible. Now it’s your turn.
You heard the man/saw in the big beer costume; Boddingtons and their life-sized pint impersonator will be touring Manchester city centre to help toast the region’s most legendary drink (sorry, Vimto) as it makes its glorious comeback.
More importantly, his presence also accompanies a huge giveaway, as the brand is giving away a whopping 500 pints this Saturday. Yes, five bloody hundred.
Let it be known that this offer is for one day only, though, so if you fancy a freebie so frothy you practically stick a flake in it, you’d best keep your eyes peeled for the bloke who looks so good you could drink him.
So this is how it works: punters must approach the walking, talking pint of ale to claim their voucher, which can then be handed into select locations in exchange for a free beer. We’re sure that grabbing a quick selfie won’t hurt your chances either.
Along with some help from Budweiser, the native beer-masters are the equally iconic brand behind the grand Boddingtons renaissance, so you have J.W. Lees to thank.
The Manc must confess that we had the honour—nay, the privilege of sampling ‘Boddies 2.0’ before the rest of you, and the revival recipe is even better than we dreamed of.
We even saw the world’s first ‘split the B’ by David Boddington, a descendant of creator Henry himself, as famous faces like artist Stanley Chow, chef Simon Rimmer, presenter Matty White and more cheered him from the other side of the bar.
The beers were free-flowing at the official relaunch party at Founder’s Hall on Albert Square on Tuesday, 23 September, where quite literally hundreds piled into the pub to get a taste of the Northern nectar, which is sure to branch back out of 0161 soon enough.
It’s just a matter of time, if you ask us.
Once again, be on the lookout for the man in honey yellow fancy dress this Saturday, 27 September, from 12 noon until approximately 4pm to score your complimentary beer, and you can find the full list of pubs taking part in the Boddingtons free pints giveaway down below. Cheers!
Thomas Melia -
17th April 2025 
