Showing posts with label Summer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Summer. Show all posts

Saturday 15 April 2023

(AD) The Messi Training System Foldable Goal - A Review

My son Riley has recently been participating in football sessions at school which he has really enjoyed being involved in. We are therefore always on the look out for games, aids or training equipment that can help him improve his soccer skills. When we were recently asked to try out the Messi Training System, this seemed like the perfect opportunity to help him with his target practice and enhance his sporting abilities, whilst also giving us the chance to have some family fun in the garden.

On opening the box we found 1 x Messi Foldable Goal, 1 x Messi Ball and a Pump. Assembling the product was a very simple process and it was also so easy to fold up and put away after we had finished playing. On first glance the goal appears very small and is 90cm in length, 61cm in height and 59cm in depth. However, the whole point of this goal is to improve accuracy and the compact sizing definitely helps with that. 

We tried practicing a few different skills and created our own games to play in order to enhance Riley's concentration and coordination. Firstly we played a game where we had to dribble the ball across the garden, then make an attempt on goal. We placed a marker on the grass and would move this back gradually so that we were eventually shooting from a few metres away.

The next skill we practiced was headers, which we all initially found quite challenging. This created plenty of laughter as the ball kept going in all directions, but after plenty of practice we each managed at least one goal which was loads of fun.

One of the main benefits of the Messi Training System, is its portability and the fact it can be folded up to be enjoyed anywhere. You can take it the beach or park which means you aren't limited to using this in just one space and you can carry on practising your skills wherever you may go.

Overall we found The Messi Training System to be a great way of improving accuracy and we love the fact that we can take it to the park or on holiday with us. It is a great way to encourage sport and fitness and can definitely help with football skills. It is suitable for ages 4+ and available to purchase now at Argos, Amazon and other toy retailers.

*Disclaimer - We were gifted The Messi Training System for the purpose of writing an honest review of the product. All thoughts and opinions are my own unless otherwise stated. This post contains Amazon affiliate links which means that I may receive a small commission should you choose to make a purchase after following a link. 


Sunday 23 September 2018

Cheshire Fest to Return in 2019 With a Bigger & Better Festival!

Organisers of Cheshire Fest have revealed that the hugely popular family event will be returning next year and have announced dates for Summer 2019. Due to be held at Manchester Rugby Club in Cheadle Hulme, the festival promises to be bigger and better than ever before!

Cheshire Fest will be staged across two days, Saturday 1st June and Sunday 2nd June. Tickets went on sale at 9am on Friday 21st September 2018 and there are some early bird ticket offers available.

The event was unable to go ahead this year on its usual late September weekend due to fixture clashes at the venue, but organisers are excited for a return to the leafy green setting - and with a brand new Summer date in June there are big hopes for an exciting weekend of fun in the sun.

First launched in 2016, Cheshire Fest promises a huge celebration of family entertainment, live music, food and drink in the heart of the Cheshire countryside.

There will be lots of new additions for 2019, with a packed programme that has something for all the family. Further announcements will be made in the lead up to the festival.


Festival organisers Philip Osborne and Ben Harris commented: "We're absolutely thrilled and delighted to announce Cheshire Fest 2019. We'll be back at Manchester Rugby Club in June next year bigger and better than before - and to top it all, with a new Summer date to really kick-start the festival season. Feedback from last year has been so good and we cannot wait to reveal what we've been planning to take the festival to the next level. We have plenty of surprises to announce and it's going to be a fantastic family weekend."

Live entertainment on the Cheshire Fest Main Stage across the Saturday and Sunday will feature a stellar array of the UK's best tribute acts alongside the region's finest new talent.

The 'Big Hitters' theme on the Saturday promises a line-up of rock and roll, indie pop and festival favourite inspired artists, with Kings Ov Leon tribute band headlining the bill.

Sunday's 'Legends' theme will leave visitors having a good time, as Flash - a critically acclaimed Queen tribute band close the weekend alongside a host of other all-time music greats.

A full line-up for both days is yet to be released.

There will be plenty on offer for young festivalgoers in the all-new Play Park. Building on previous years, the Play Park will be expanded across the site and will pack in a wide variety of activities, interactive workshops, all the fun of the fair with thrill rides, and live entertainment on the Kids Stage.

Exciting programmes for Play Park and the Kids Stage will also be announced.

All this activity will guarantee that visitors have worked up an appetite - and they definitely won't go hungry or thirsty at Cheshire Fest, with the finest selection of food and drink on offer from quality festival traders and local independents.

The Street Food Village will offer a wide choice of international cuisines, vegan and vegetarian options, gluten free, raw-foods and kids menus. There really will be something to cater for all tastes. This impressive food offering will also be complemented by more than 50 cask ales and craft beers, produced by the very best independent breweries across the UK and Europe - as well as a relaxing Gin Garden, Prosecco Bar and plenty of Summer cocktails.

Cheshire Fest 2019 promises to be the event to kick-start Summer, right at the heart of the Cheshire countryside.

Book your tickets now to take advantage of the EARLY BIRD OFFER giving returning visitors the chance to grab a cheap ticket - these will be available for a limited time only. Head over to www.cheshirefest.co.uk for more information.

Website: www.cheshirefest.co.uk
Facebook: www.facebook.com/CheshireFest
Twitter: @FestCheshire

Listing Details

Event - Cheshire Fest
Venue - Manchester Rugby Club, Grove Lane, Cheadle Hulme, Cheshire, SK8 7NB
Dates - Saturday 1st June & Sunday 2nd June 2019
Times - Saturday 12pm to 11pm / Sunday 12pm to 9pm
Booking - Book online at www.cheshirefest.co.uk

Tickets:
Limited 'first wave announcement' EARLY BIRD TICKETS ARE NOW ON SALE for a short time only.
Child (aged 6 to 15) - Single Day £6.50 / Weekend £9.75
Adult (16+) - Single Day £11.50 / Weekend £17.25
VIP Tickets (private tent with unlimited prosecco and washroom facilities) - £75

Wednesday 5 September 2018

Our Summer Holiday Visit to Puxton Park, Somerset - A Review

One of our favourite places to visit in Somerset is the wonderful Puxton Park. We have been fortunate enough to have visited this family friendly attraction twice previously, however these visits have always been in the Autumn months and so my children were eager to return in the Summer sunshine.

Since our last visit there have also been a number of new additions to the park which include a High Ropes Course and a Wallace & Gromit sculpture installation. The Puxton High Ropes course was new for the Spring 2018 season and offers a 20ft high, thrilling challenge that both children and adults can enjoy.

As mentioned in my previous reviews, Puxton Park is described as "The Ultimate Fun-Filled Experience for the Whole Family" and they're not wrong. With activities to entertain all ages, the Puxton Park attraction has clearly taken careful consideration into what families look for in a day out and have worked hard to provide an enjoyable experience for everyone.

It is easily accessible from junction 21 of the M5 and well signposted from the motorway. There is also a large sign located at the main entrance which makes the attraction easy to spot whilst driving. We made our way along the driveway to the car park and my children began to get very excited as they remembered all the activities that were available.

As we approached the main reception area we saw this wonderful statue, that had been sponsored by Puxton Park for the 2018 Gromit Unleashed 2 Arts Trail. The purpose of the sculpture was to raise money for Bristol Children's Hospital and the Special Care Baby Unit at St Michael's Hospital.

It was great to see Puxton Park supporting such a worthy cause and my children thought that the Merry-Go Gromit was superb!


We had arrived shortly after opening time and it was a beautiful sunny day, so my children asked if we could head straight over to the Bumper Boats to beat the queue. This activity is great fun and allows you to travel around a water filled pool, in a circular bumper boat, with a water gun located on the front. This means that you can fire water at other guests, which everyone seemed to find hilarious! Emma and Ben enjoyed shooting the water at one another and came off the ride absolutely soaked. Fortunately the sunny weather soon dried them off and they spent half an hour on the nearby park before we made our way towards the High Ropes course.


We had visited Puxton Park expecting to pay at least another £5 each in order to enjoy the high ropes course, so we were extremely surprised to learn that this was INCLUDED in the entry price. We couldn't quite believe that there was no additional charge, considering that there must have been quite a large investment required to create such an exciting facility. Safety harnesses are provided and fitted by staff and you are shown how to use the equipment prior to accessing the course.


For safety reasons you must be wearing fully enclosed shoes, so this is something that you need to bear in mind before visiting and in order to avoid any disappointment. Unfortunately guests wearing crocs, flip flops, open toe shoes or similar will not be allowed to participate, so make sure you are dressed appropriately before attending.

The Puxton High Ropes course has been described as being one of the most exciting and challenging courses in the West of England, so we couldn't wait to put it to the test. Standing at over 25 feet tall, it features a wide range of fun and challenging elements including a rolling log, wave tunnel and walk the plank, that will certainly put your nerves to the test as you step out over the miniature railway track.

You need to measure above 1 metre in height to participate, but for toddlers or children under this height, there is the great addition of a Sky Tykes Junior ropes course. This is designed for children aged two to seven and is a miniature ropes course packed full of fun, to ensure that even the youngest of guests can enjoy the activity too. We thought this was a wonderful idea and felt that both courses were well constructed and felt really safe.


Like our previous visits, my parents had come along with us for the day and they have always commended the parks layout as being very disabled friendly with easy access to the majority of the site. My dad walks with the aid of the stick so uneven surfaces can prove tricky for him at times, however the paths around the park are smooth and level with plenty of benches available to have a rest if needed. There was some seating nearby the high ropes so they sat and enjoyed some drinks together whilst we climbed high on this new thrill-seeking activity.

My son Ben usually has a fear of heights, but after watching Emma, he plucked up the courage to give it a go and attempted all elements of the course apart from the rolling log. Admittedly none of us quite managed that one!


After the excitement of the high ropes, we had worked up a bit of an appetite. As we were visiting on a Sunday, we decided to enjoy the carvery together in the restaurant. I had booked a table a couple of days earlier and so we made our way over at lunchtime. The food was absolutely delicious and really well priced too. We all enjoyed our meals including the children, with two out of three managing to clear their plates completely! It was certainly one of the nicest Sunday Lunches that we have had in a while.

Once we had let our lunch settle, the children wanted to try Water Zorbing. Again this was included in the price, which makes the entry cost seem such excellent value for money, given the amount of activities you can participate in. We have visited other attractions before where you have had to pay £5 each to enjoy something like this, so again we were shocked at no additional payment being required.

Both Emma and Ben had a few minutes each inside the balls and certainly burnt off a lot of energy, trying to stay upright!


The remainder of our day was spent enjoying some of the children's favourite activities from our previous visits. Riley has always loved the Puxton Miniature Railway and also likes seeing all the farm animals in the barn. Ben and Emma on the other hand absolutely love the indoor play area and could literally spend hours going down the drop slides. They are definitely braver than me!

Overall we had a wonderful visit to Puxton Park and it has firmly become one of our favourite family friendly attractions in the UK. There is something for everyone to enjoy and I believe that the entry price offers superb value for money. The Puxton High Ropes course is a superb addition to the site and it is great to see that investments are being made that enhance the visitor experience.We will definitely be returning in the future!

Attraction Details

Puxton Park, Cowslip Lane, Weston-Super-Mare, Somerset
Parking - Yes, there is plenty of free parking available.
Opening times - Daily from 9am til 5:30-pm Monday to Sunday (excl. 25th/26th December and 1st January).
Entry prices - Entrance costs vary, so please visit Ticket Prices to obtain the most up to date information.
Website - www.puxton.co.uk/
Twitter - @PuxtonPark
Facebook - Puxton Park


*Disclaimer - We received a complimentary family ticket to provide our honest opinion and review of the attraction. We purchased three additional tickets for our accompanying guests. All opinions and photographs are my own unless otherwise stated. Details provided are believed to be correct at the time of writing, but can be subject to change. Admission, prices and opening hours may differ from those stated. I would therefore always recommend visiting the attractions own website prior to visiting in order to obtain the most up to date information.

Monday 13 August 2018

Wild Worlds Festival at Chester Zoo - A Review

Chester Zoo is only a ten minute drive away from our home, so it is an attraction that we visit regularly and know well. We have seen the changes that have been implemented over the years as well as watching the zoo expand, with the addition of the Island's habitats that opened in 2015. In recent years the zoo has seen its visitors grow to over 1.9 million guests a year, as well as being recognised for its regular animal care programmes and vital conservation work. Each time we visit, we find that something new has been introduced for guests to enjoy and our recent trip to the zoo was certainly no exception, as we learnt more about their Wild Worlds Festival.


Wild Worlds at Chester Zoo is advertised as being a festival like no other, which celebrates the amazing worlds of plants and animals. It is a unique festival that provides guests with fun experiences, educational insights and exciting events. There are opportunities to enjoy pop up performances which vary from day to day, entertainment shows of music and dance, as well as the chance to learn more and become a poo scientist or even a science rapper!

On arrival we were provided with a Wild Worlds map that showed us where some of the spaces around the zoo had been transformed. The experience began from right outside the main entrance as we looked at the incredible artwork and prints that had been created onto life-size animal backdrops. These pieces of art had fantastic attention to detail and we spent a little bit of time trying to find what other animals we could find hiding within each piece. This area was described as Transitions, which allowed you to get a taste of Wild Worlds prior to entering the Zoo.


As usual Riley took charge of the map and despite only being five years old, he found it easy to follow thanks to the picture designs that indicated where things were. There were no event times listed within the map which we would have liked to help plan our day around them, however this is due to the fact that events vary each day. You can however visit the Wild Worlds website which provides full event details along with dates, locations and times so that you can see exactly what will be available during your visit. The website can be found here: https://wildworlds.chesterzoo.org/

Riley noticed that the first feature we came to was located by the elephants, so we made our way over to the bird symbol which stood for "What the Botanist Saw". These were intimate Victorian-style peep shows that allowed you to take a sneak peek into the plant world. There were three of these located around the zoo and all were clearly identified on the map. As we were near the elephants we also strolled over to take a look and Riley was delighted as he spotted a baby alongside his mum.


As we continued our way around the zoo, we came across this beautiful elephant statue and families were queuing to have their photo taken with it. There were numerous statues located around the park that provided great photo opportunities.


As we made our way over the bridge we passed a rhinocerous and its calf located in a large enclosure. They were both lay by a large hay feeder and fence, so it was too difficult to get a photograph of them, but they were so beautiful just lying there together and it was incredible to be able to see them so close. I believe that on the day of our visit, the calf was only one week old.

Next we came across the camels where we took some time to read the information boards and learn more about these animals. For some reason I had always thought that the humps were used to store water, however I learnt that the humps are in fact fat. We always like to take the time to read some of the information and educate ourselves, so Riley and Emma really enjoyed learning some new facts.


Opposite the camel enclosure were some picnic benches, so we decided to take the opportunity to enjoy our lunch that we had brought with us. This was when Riley then noticed that the next Wild Worlds installation was nearby in the form of The Dormouse Garden. This was a cleverly designed structure consisting of large wooden poles. Located on the exterior of these poles were some small sliding doors that hid a selection of images, sounds and commentary behind them. Riley enjoyed moving all the wooden windows and finding which ones had sleeping dormice behind them.


We continued on our Wild Worlds adventure to the Arthropods area where we were able to take a stroll along Insect Avenue and explore their insect homes. Riley absolutely loved observing all the bug hotels and we particularly liked the bug menu for all the insect guests.


The insect homes had been cleverly designed using numerous items such as plant pots, wood, bricks and sticks and they highlight the many different habitats that appeal to a variety of invertebrates. The pods provide great detail on the type of guests that they attract and why. We were very interested to learn about how different creatures will inhabit these throughout the various seasons and can attract anything from woodlice to bumble bees.



The path continued to the Honey Bee Garden and we saw hundreds of honey bees flying around the area. The Keeper's Hut provided us with plenty of information on these creatures and it was fascinating to see a bee close up through one of the microscope lenses. We were also able to observe bees in an active hive located behind a curtain window and a lovely gentleman spent some time with children, explaining to them as to what was going on inside.


We continued through the Butterfly House and made our way to an open grass space on the opposite side. Here we found a show taking place and we saw families seated all around enjoying the entertainment whilst seated on the lawn.


Our journey around the zoo led us to the penguins where Riley enjoyed watching them play both in and out the water. They swam past the large clear windows and Riley would try and run alongside them. It was lovely seeing them waddle along the outdoor area and then jump into the pool.


Riley noticed another symbol nearby and this was for one of the talking chairs. At first glance it may look like something you would find in the Big Brother Diary room due to its large and eccentric design, but on closer inspection these comfy oversized chairs tell an interesting tale. There were several of these located around the zoo, with each one telling a different story and surrounded by beautiful mini gardens.


One of Riley's favourite areas was the Celebritrees, which put some fantastic tree species right in the spotlight. There were numerous installations located all around that allowed us to view the trees from different angles, feel the trees and also listen to them! He loved running around amongst them and posing in the gold coloured picture frames that helped you obtain the perfect picture.


The last area we visited was the Awekids Grassland Village which provided a mini-sensory safari for all to enjoy. There were plenty of sights and sounds in this audio-visual walkthrough and my daughter Emma particularly enjoyed this area.

In addition to the activities available on the Wild Worlds map, there are a whole host of events taking place throughout the summer with a great rang of entertainment on offer. Chester Zoo is a fantastic day out in itself, so the added addition of the Wild Worlds Festival makes it even more enjoyable. The majority of activities can be enjoyed whatever the weather, so it is definitely worth paying a visit to experience this fun and educational event.


Overall, we had an absolutely fantastic day at Chester Zoo and I would like to thank them for inviting us along to experience their Wild Worlds Festival! There is so much family fun to be had, with activities for guests of all ages. The animals are very well cared for and we were very lucky to see one of the new baby Rhino's that was recently welcomed to the zoo as well as some baby elephants. . We had a really enjoyable day and cannot wait to see Chester Zoo continue to achieve great things in the future.



Important Information

Address - Chester Zoo, Upton-by-Chester, Chester, CH2 1LH (Sat Nav CH2 1EU)

Opening Times - Opening times vary throughout the year and so I would always recommend visiting the Chester Zoo website for the most up to date information prior to visiting. Opening time information can be found here: Opening Times

Entry Price - Prices vary and the most up to date information can be found on the website here: Ticket Prices & Online Booking


Chester Zoo can also be followed on social media and there social media accounts are as follows:

Facebook - Chesterzoo1
Twitter - @ChesterZoo
Instagram - @ChesterZoo
YouTube - OfficialChesterZoo

Disclaimer: We were invited to Chester Zoo as guests to experience the new Wild Worlds Festival. Opinions and photographs are my own unless stated otherwise. 

Wednesday 11 July 2018

Dates for your Diary - A Whole Host of Family Fun at the Epstein Theatre, Liverpool

With the summer holidays fast approaching, The Epstein Theatre has a fantastic selection of exciting family entertainment with theatrical experiences that are certain to keep the whole family entertained throughout the school holidays and beyond!

On Monday 23rd and Tuesday 24th July, the Liverpool based Theatre Company Cuckootales present an enchanting new play Pinocchio: The Boy Within. Set to an original musical underscore, the production is a modern retelling of a classic tale, which is not to be missed.

Join a tiny snail on an enormous adventure from Wednesday 25th to Friday 27th July as Olivier Award nominated Tall Stories presents their magical musical production, The Snail and the Whale.

Take a trip down the rabbit hole on Thursday 2nd and Friday 3rd August for an unforgettable retelling of Lewis Carroll's classic tale Alice in Wonderland. This panto-esque style show guarantees entertainment for the whole family.

Milkshake! Live "The Magic Storybook" takes audiences on a journey through the world's favourite fairytales on Sunday 5th August. Starring Milkshake! favourites; Bob the Builder, Little Princess, Noddy, Fireman Sam, Shimmer & Shine, Pip from Pip Ahoy!, Winnie and Wilbur, Wissper, Milkshake's very own Milkshake! Monkey and two Milkshake! presenters.


The family fun continues into the Autumn when critically acclaimed Scamp Theatre present Stick Man on Saturday 6th October. The award-winning production is packed full of puppetry, songs and live music.

How to Hide a Lion provides a magical adaptation of Helen Stephen's popular children's book on Sunday 14th October. See the story come to life with playful humour, dazzling puppets and jazz.

The timeless tale Guess How Much I Love You comes to the Epstein stage on Tuesday 16th and Wednesday 17th October. This family favourite is brought to life by Selladoor Family and guarantees feel good family theatre.

Heigh ho, heigh ho it's off to the Epstein we go this Christmas. It is never too early to grab your panto tickets, (oh no it isn't), and this year's festive offering from renowned LHK Productions is the fairest panto in all the land, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. With a star-studded cast to be announced very soon, it comes to the Epstein Theatre from Friday 7th December 2018 to Tuesday 1st January 2019.


Book your tickets in advance for this amazing array of family friendly theatre which is sure to sell out fast.

Listing Information

Pinocchio: The Boy Within
Date: Monday 23rd and Tuesday 24th July.
Times: 23rd - 2pm & 6pm, 24th - 11am, 3pm & 7pm
Tickets: Standard £10, Concession £9, Family £35

The Snail and the Whale
Date: Wednesday 25th to Friday 27th July
Time: 25th at 4pm, 26th & 27th at 11am & 2pm
Tickets: Standard £14, Concession £12, Family £48

Alice in Wonderland
Date: Thursday 2nd & Friday 3rd August
Times: 2nd at 2:30pm, 3rd at 1pm & 5:30pm
Tickets: Standard £15, Concessions £13, Family £52

Milkshake! Live "The Magic Storybook"
Date: Sunday 5th August
Time: 12pm and 3:30pm
Tickets: Standard £15.50, Children £14, Family Ticket £56

Stick Man
Date: Saturday 6th October
Times: 1pm & 3:30pm
Tickets: Adult £14.50, Children £12.50, Family Ticket (2 adults & 2 children) £50

How to Hide a Lion
Date: Sunday 14th October
Time: 1pm
Tickets: Standard £14.50, Children £12.50, Family Ticket £50

Guess How Much I Love You
Date: Tuesday 16th & Wednesday 17th October
Time: 16th at 1:30pm & 4:30pm, 17th at 11am & 1:30pm
Tickets: Adults £13.50, Children £12.50, Family Ticket £45

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Date: Friday 7th December 2018 to Tuesday 1st January 2019
Times: Various
Tickets: From £11

To book tickets please call 0844 888 4411* or go online at www.epsteinliverpool.co.uk* or in person at The Epstein Theatre Box Office from 12pm - 6pm Monday to Saturday.

* Subject to booking fee. All prices include a £1 per ticket venue restoration levy.

For more details check out www.epsteinliverpool.co.uk and join their mailing list. Alternatively you can follow them on Facebook or Twitter using the following channels:

Facebook - www.facebook.com/EpsteinTheatre
Twitter - @EpsteinTheatre

Disclaimer: Details provided are correct at time of writing, however listings can be subject to change. I would therefore always recommend visiting the venue's own website in order to obtain the most up to date information.

Monday 4 June 2018

Dates for your Diary - The CBBC Summer Social Comes to Liverpool 3rd-5th August 2018!

It is official, we are now in the final term of the school year, which means that there are only seven more weeks to go until the summer holidays. We are extremely lucky as a family that we get to spend the full six weeks together and this year we are determined to make it our best summer yet!

I have already been busy planning places for us to visit and events to attend, so we were all really excited to learn that the CBBC Summer Social was heading to Liverpool this August. This fun packed family festival, will be held at Croxteth Country Park from Friday 3rd August to Sunday 5th August and features a stellar line up of stars, acts and entertainment.

Guests at the event can expect the very best of CBBC programming including immersive activity zones, theatre shows, interactive and inspiring art workshops, top class musical experiences, cool outdoor and sporting activities, junior discos, themed treasure hunts, gaming areas, character walkabouts, vlogger meet and greets, live appearances from the most popular children's authors and much, much more.

The CBBC Summer Social is being organised in partnership with Liverpool City Council and forms part of Liverpool 2018 - a year of projects marking a decade since Liverpool was European Capital of Culture. Taking place from the 3rd to the 5th August at Croxteth Country Park in Liverpool, CBBC Summer Social is the BBC's biggest ever kids event, and the only festival to give 6-12 year old's and their families a unique lineup of CBBC favourites, alongside a host of international music acts including Union J, Johnny Orlando, Matt Terry and Mackenzie Ziegler.

Incredible artists including Max and Harvey, Sophia Grace, KIDS BOP and Merseygirls will also feature, and it was recently announced that the global sensation New Hope Club will also be performing.

West End and Broadway hit, Shrek the Musical, has also been added to the bill for Sunday 5th August. The theatre adaptation of the animation has picked up excellent reviews so far this year whilst on its new UK and Ireland tour, with a feisty princess, a lovestruck Dragon and all the charm of an ogre, the performances are sure to bring the magic of the big screen.

For the under 6's, there will be a Cbeebies Village which ensures that even the youngest of guests can have a great time. Popular favourites including Mr Tumble, Andy Day and Cook & Line will be in attendance, as well as Fern & Rory from Vet's Tales.

Performances, guests and acts vary each day, so please check the full line up before deciding which day to purchase your tickets for, especially if there is a particular artist or act you are wanting to see. I have added the current line up below, but this is subject to change, so would always recommend visiting the official CBBC website in order to obtain the most up to date information.

Early Bird Tickets are on sale now priced from £28*. To purchase tickets or for more information, please visit bbc.co.uk/cbbcsummersocial

*All ticket prices are per day. Booking and transaction fees apply.

You can also find out more on the CBBC twitter page @cbbc

The current line up is as follows:

Friday 3rd August

Featuring: Andy Day, Art Ninja, Bars & Melody, BBC Music introducing in BBC Merseyside, Ben Shires, Clangers, Everton in the Community, Go Jetters Disco, Got What It Takes, Hacker T Dog, Johnny Orlando, Liverpool Football Club Foundation, Liverpool LIMF, Mackenzie Ziegler, Mr Tumble, Naomi Wilkinson, New Hope Club, Opera North, The Pets Factor, Sam & Mark, Saturday Mash-Up!, The Next Step, Worst Witch, Yolanda Brown and more to be announced.

Saturday 4th August

Featuring: Andy Day, Art Ninja, Bars & Melody, BBC Music introducing in BBC Merseyside, Ben Shires, Clangers, Everton in the Community, Go Jetters Disco, Got What It Takes, Hacker T Dog, Johnny Orlando, Liverpool Football Club Foundation, Liverpool LIMF, Mackenzie Ziegler, Mr Tumble, Naomi Wilkinson, New Hope Club, Opera North, The Pets Factor, Sam & Mark, Saturday Mash-Up!, The Next Step, Worst Witch, Yolanda Brown and more to be announced.

Sunday 5th August

Featuring: Andy Day, Art Ninja, Bars & Melody, BBC Music introducing in BBC Merseyside, Ben Shires, Clangers, Everton in the Community, Go Jetters Disco, Got What It Takes, Hacker T Dog, Johnny Orlando, Liverpool Football Club Foundation, Liverpool LIMF, Mackenzie Ziegler, Mr Tumble, Naomi Wilkinson, New Hope Club, Opera North, The Pets Factor, Sam & Mark, Saturday Mash-Up!, Shrek the Musical, The Next Step, Worst Witch, Yolanda Brown and more to be announced. 

Disclaimer: We have been invited to attend this event and will be receiving a complimentary family ticket in exchange for an honest review. All opinions as always are my own.

Sunday 29 April 2018

New Festival FamFest Brings Fantastic Family Fun to Warrington

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS EVENT HAS NOW BEEN CANCELLED

A fabulous new family-friendly festival is coming to Warrington this August.

FamFest Warrington, the brainchild of Wire FM founder Pete Pinnington, takes place at Orford Jubilee Park on Saturday and Sunday 11th-12th August and promises a weekend of amazing activities and events for all the family.

Tickets went on sale via www.famfestwarrington.co.uk at 9am on Friday 27th April, and there is a special early bird offer running for a limited time only.


The action-packed event runs from 11am to 10pm each day and will feature a host of fantastic activity zones, attractions and household names, including Mister Maker and The Basil Brush Show who will be on hand to entertain the little ones.

A packed programme on the main stage will feature top tribute acts playing homage to stars like Ariana Grande, Bruno Mars and Little Mix.

On Saturday 11th August the weekend will kick off in style with live performances throughout the day by tribute artists who will bring crowds all the hits from Will Smith, Madonna, Justin Timberlake, Ariana Grande, Britney Spears, Bruno Mars and Michael Jackson.

There will also be live shows and performances by Beauty & The Beast, The Minions, Mister Maker and Basil Brush, PLUS an extra special performance by Warringtonian - and winner of BBC's The Voice 2017 - Mo Jamil.

Sunday 12th August will include live performances on the big stage by tributes to Jesse J, Katy Perry, Jess Glynne, Taylor Swift, Kaiser Chiefs, The Killers, Lionel Richie, Coldplay, Little Mix, George Michael and Take That. Young festival-goers will also love the live shows and performances from Beauty & The Beast, The Minions and Basil Brush.

Visitors to FamFest Warrington will also be able to meet a vast range of characters throughout the two day festival including Darth Vader and Stormtroopers, Balthazar Bratz and The Minions, Beauty & The Beast, Ironman, Hulk, Mr T (A-Team), princesses and many more!

FamFest Warrington is a ticketed event. Along with regular ticket prices, there are also upgrade options to VIP, family VIP or weekend tickets.

Ticket entry will give visitors access to Sports Zone, Kids Zone and Circus Skills activities, the Basil Brush Show, a Kids Craft Zone with Disney's Art Attack present Lloyd Warbey, Character Zone and a Princesses Pamper Pavilion as well as the main stage tributes. Mister Maker and his live shows are also there, but only on the Saturday.

There will also be food and drink available to buy, including a fully licensed bar, and a VIP Marquee.

Founder Pete Pinnington said: "Since helping to launch Warrington's first commercial radio station, Wire FM, in 1998, I've always wanted to launch Warrington's first major family festival. And why not 20 years later?"

"My event management company Pete Pinnington Presents organises and supports numerous clients events across the UK. We also create and deliver many unique events for our shopping and town centre clients. These include family-friendly half term and summer themed events along with Christmas Light switch ons."

"My company and I have the infrastructure and excellent support team around us to ensure we deliver a truly memorable and enjoyable family festival for all ages to enjoy and Warrington to be proud of."

Listing Details

Event: FamFest Warrington
Venue: Orford Jubilee Park
Dates: Saturday 10th August & Sunday 11th August
Website: www.famfestwarrington.co.uk
Facebook: facebook/famfestwarrington
Twitter: @famfestevents

Ticket Prices

All Under 3's go free

Early Bird Offer - Monday 30th April to Friday 25th May

1 Day:

  • Child (3-15 years) - Half Price @ £12.50 (inc fees)
  • VIP Child (3-15 years) - £22.50 (inc fees) Can only be purchased with a family ticket.
  • Adult - £25.00 (inc fees) £5 saving off general release
  • VIP Adult -  £40.00 (inc fees) £10 saving off general release.
  • Family (2 adults & 2 children aged 3 -15)  - £60.00 (inc fees) £10 saving off general release
  • VIP Family (2 adults & 2 children aged 3 -15) - £90.00 (inc fees) £10 saving off general release
Weekend:

  • Child (3-15 years) - Half Price @ £20.00 (inc fees)
  • VIP Child (3-15 years) - £30.00 (inc fees) Can only be purchased with a family ticket.
  • Adult - £40.00 (inc fees) £10 saving off general release
  • VIP Adult -  £60.00 (inc fees) £10 saving off general release.
  • Family (2 adults & 2 children aged 3 -15)  - £90.00 (inc fees) £30 saving off general release
  • VIP Family (2 adults & 2 children aged 3 -15) - £120.00 (inc fees) £30 saving off general release
Disclaimer: Details provided are believed to be correct at time of writing, but are of course subject to change. I would therefore always recommend visiting the companies own website in order to obtain the most up to date information.



Wednesday 18 April 2018

Dates for your Diary - REFRACT:18 at Waterside, Sale

It feels as though we have had an exceptionally long winter this year, with all the bad weather we have recently experienced, but the sunshine is starting to make a welcome appearance and the summer holidays will be upon us before we know it.

It is great to see so many fantastic events being planned for the summer season and I was excited to read all about the line up for the Waterside Arts Venue in Sale.

Following the success of it's first ever Refract festival last summer - Waterside is delighted to announce the exciting and eclectic line-up for Refract:18. Promising ten jam-packed days of the very best in summer programming, Refract:18 is bursting with experiential performance, live music, comedy, theatre and family events inviting you to see things differently at Trafford's vibrant arts venue.


Refract:18 runs from Thursday 19th July to Saturday 28th July, bringing together a carefully curated programme, jilted from convention, for audiences of all ages. Expect the unexpected, from miniature theatre in a magical canvas dome, a pop-up cabaret club, mini music festival for kids and arts and craft meets silent disco, as well as music from British band Tankus the Henge, an immersive gig from multi-instrumentalist Minute Taker and Manchester's finest Reggae pop outfit Jeramiah Ferrari.

Kicking off Refract:18 is award-winning PanGottic's 'catupultastic' evening of clowning, contraptions, comedy and courage in Long Shot, while later in the festival Cabaret From The Shadows sees the theatre transformed into a pop up cabaret club for one night only to present this hilarious & mischevious show.

Music lovers are in for a treat with Manchester's most exciting genre weaving group - Jeramiah Ferrari. The North West based band has forged a superb reputation for live sets, fusing styles of reggae, rock, ska and pop to make a truly memorable and essential new sound. Singer-songwriter and multi-instrulmentalist Minute Taker (Ben McGarvey) also makes his Refract debut with his immersive show. Inspired by imaginative artists such as Kate Bush, Tori Amos and Bjork, McGarvey creates haunting piano songs with multi-layered ethereal vocals, distorted electronic beats and otherworldly synthscapes. Rock, funk, blues, ska, roots, and gypsy rhythms unite on stage with Tankus the Henge. Combining wild showmanship, stories of wonder and musical dexterity, this live musical experience is something to behold.

Laughs a plenty are also on offer at this year's Refract:18 with all tastes being catered for. Cabaret mayhem is guaranteed with Mother's Ruin and we will see comedy mixed with musical madness in Showstopper! - The Improvised Musical, a brand new musical created from scratch and performed live from audience suggestions.


Families with kids big and small can enjoy a bumper programme of theatre, crafts, puppetry, music and more, including Our Kids Social's Make, Do & Bop who will bring us silent disco fun to let imaginations run wild!

For arty adults with a penchant for doodling, grab a pen, or a brush and get your creative juices flowing in Overdrawn, a free and one-off interactive art event. Lovers of art can also experience re:cast - a series of art installations around Waterside's spaces during the festival.

Darren Adams, Producer of Refract and Manager of Waterside comments: "We are absolutely thrilled to present our second Refract festival bringing more artists and performers to our venue, presenting a bold and ambitious programme. Our inaugural festival last year drew in over 20% of new audiences and welcomed many of our loyal visitors to experience unexpected and innovative work. Building on last year's success we're delighted with the quality and diversity of the Refact:18 line-up."

Waterside are also offering a lucky few, the chance to join the Refraction Club to enjoy discounted tickets, special offers on drinks and other special events.

For more information please visit refract.org.uk

You can also follow Waterside on their social media channels, which can be found here:

Twitter: @WatersideArts
Facebook: /watersidearts
Instagram: watersidesarts_


Listing Details

Event: Refract:18
Venue: Waterside, 1 Waterside Plaza, Sale, Trafford, M33 7ZF
Dates: Thursday 19th July to Saturday 28th July

Day One

Event: PanGottic presents LONG SHOT
Date: Thursday 19th July
Time: 7pm
Price: £10/£8
Age suitability: 7+
Duration: 55 minutes
Details: Join us for a catapultastic evening of clowning, contraptions, comedy and courage as one man's belief in the near impossible is put to the test. Part non-verbal circus performance, part behind the scenes 'making of', Long Shot will have you on the edge of your seat. Or hiding behind it. Either way, it's going to be a blast.


Day Two

Event: Messy Play
Date: Friday 20th July
Time: 11-12 for toddlers, 1:30-2:30 for babies 3months+
Price: £5/£4 (family club members)
Age suitability: 3 months to 3 years

Event: Mother's Ruin
Date: Friday 20th July
Time: 8pm
Price: £12 (including gin & tonic) or £10 ticket only.
Age suitability: 16+
Details: Outrageous and fiercely entertaining night of cabaret mayhem. Featuring everything from comedy, music, drag and poetry, to the unpredictable.
In the Chambers

Event: Tankus the Henge
Date: Friday 20th July
Time: 8pm
Price: £10 advanced purchase rate or £12 on the door.
Details: Combining wild showmanship and musical dexterity their sound incorporates rock, funk, blues, ska, roots and gypsy rhythms and their songs tell stories of wonder and woe.
This is a standing event in the Robert Bolt Theatre

Day Three

Event: Refract Art Club
Date: Saturday 21st July
Time: 10am-12pm
Price: £2.50 or £1 for family club members
Age suitability: 4+
Details: Have fun with optical illusions. Cut out and colour a collection of optical illusions and create your own, on paper.

Event: Knaive Theatre presents War With The Newits (Preview)
Date: Saturday 21st July and Sunday 22nd July
Time: 6:30pm
Price: £12/£10
Details: Based on an original 1930's novel, set in the hull of a fishing vessel, the plot follows the unfurling of events after the discovery of an intelligent race of newts, who are shipped around the globe as cheap substitutes for human labour.
Produced in association with the Royal Exchange Theatre, Squarechapel Arts Centre and Waterside. This piece is site-specific and the venue will be announced ahead of the show.

Event: Minute Taker
Date: Saturday 21st July
Time: 8pm
Price: £10
Details: Alternative singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Ben McGarvey creates haunting piano songs with multi-layered ethereal vocals, distorted electronic beats and otherworldly synthscapes in an immersive show.
In the chambers

Event: Cabaret from the Shadows
Date: Saturday 21st July
Time: 9pm
Price: £12
Age suitability: 16+
Details: Political, comic, sexy and strange, Cabaret From the Shadows is a kaleidoscope of dark comedy, satire and live music, pulling you through a crazy hall of mirrors. Tonight no subject is taboo.
Cabaret in the Robert Bolt Theatre

Day Four

Event: Artful Playground presents Minifest
Date: Sunday 22nd July
Time: 1pm and 2:30pm
Price: Free Event
Details: Minifest will have family members of all ages up on their feet having a lovely, jolly, musical party together! With original songs written especially to simulate young imaginations and encourage physical activity, played by the brilliant Artful Playground Band, you are treated to a wide variety of musical styles ranging from Rock and Roll, to Gypsy Jazz, to Rap! So bring your Mini ones and get some festival vibes - no wellies required! - and we'll do the steam train conga 'til we drop!
On the plaza

Event: Mumblecrust Theatre presents The Tale of the Cockatrice
Date: Sunday 22nd July
Time: 1:30pm and 3:30pm
Price: £9/£7
Age suitability: 5-12 years (and upwards)
Duration: 60 minutes
Details: "Deep in the vaults of an ancient priory, a hideous creature awakens. The deadly Cockatrice is born". Breath-taking puppetry and spine-tingling live music in this dark and winding fable for monster lovers young and old.
In the chambers



Day Five

Event: Tmesis Theatre presents Happy Hour
Date: Monday 23rd July
Time: 7:30pm
Price: £14/£12
Age suitability: 13+
Duration: 70 minutes
Details: The workers on Level 3 are racing against the clock to reach their quota of Smiley Faces, but are they really happy enough? A poignant, fast paced, comedy exploring our 21st century obsession with happiness and success. Can we learn to be happy? The 'happiness industry' would have us think so....
In the Robert Bolt Theatre

Day Six

Event: Superfan presents Stuntman
Date: Tuesday 24th July
Time: 8pm
Price: £14/£12
Age suitability: 14+
Duration: 55 minutes
Details: A new performance about movie violence and masculinity. It is an intensely physical, funny and tender duet by two men who wrestle with their relationship to violence - both onscreen and off. Stories of real-life experiences of violence are interwoven with exaggerated, high-octane stunt fights, movement, and (fake) blood.
In the Chambers

Day Seven

Event: Mimika Theatre presents Small Worlds
Date: Wednesday 25th July
Times: 10:15, 11:45, 13:15 and 14:45
Price: £7/£6
Age suitability: Ages 5 to 11
Duration: 60 minutes
Details: Extraordinary theatre inside a magical canvas dome. Meet five characters - a bug, a goose, a fox cub, a cat and a six year old girl - and watch their stories unfold. Unforgettable visual theatre, using puppetry, minature landscapes and original animated film and music.

Day Eight

Event: Overdrawn
Date: Thursday 26th July
Times: 7pm to late
Price: Free
Details: An interactive art event with established artists, illustrators and designers from Manchester. Expect pound portraits, calligraphy, local artists drawing live, humorous prompts and much more! Grab a pen.....we're getting creative together!
In the Chambers

Event: Showstopper - The Improvised Musical
Date: Thursday 26th July
Time: 7:30pm
Price: £18/£15
Age suitability: 12+
Duration: 90 minutes plus interval
Details: Direct from the West End, a brand new musical comedy is created from scratch at each performance as audience suggestions are transformed on the spot into all-singing, all-dancing productions with hilarious results.
In the Robert Bolt Theatre

Day Nine

Event: Make, Do & Bop from Our Kids Social
Date: Friday 27th July
Time: 10:30 and 13:30
Price: £6
Age suitability: Suitable for all ages
Duration: Each session lasts 90 minutes
Details: A two channel silent disco will have all your favourite summer time hits to set the mood with all the latest kids pop for them to bop along to. Plus, there is creative arts and craft to whisk your imaginations away to the sea-side, let your family innovation flow and your community relationships grow!
Standing event in the Robert Bolt Theatre

Event: Gag Reflex Management presents Rob Kemp: The Elvis Dead
Date: Friday 27th July
Time: 8pm
Price: £12
Age suitability: 14+
Duration: 60 minutes
Details: The multi award winning EdFringe cult hit is back. Rev up the Delta and come on a trip to a cabin in Tennessee, to witness the classic horror movie Evil Dead 2 reinterpreted through the songs of Elvis Presley.
In the Chambers

Event: Jeramiah Ferrari
Date: Friday 27th July
Time: 8pm
Price: £10 when purchased in advance or £12 on the door
Details: 'A unique force and a live sensation that never disappoints' - The Mancunion
Manchester's most exciting genre weaving group! North West based Jeramiah have forged a superb reputation for live sets, fusing styles of reggae, rock, ska and pop to make a truly memorable and essential new sound.
Jeramiah grew up on a diet of Bob Marley, The Police and Michael Jackson. Expect a great calypso-ska style dancing party at any Jeramiah Ferrari show!
Standing event in the Robert Bolt Theatre



Day Ten

Event: Tessa Bide presents Perfect
Date: Saturday 28th July
Time: 11:30am and 2:30pm
Price: £9/£7
Age suitability: Ages 5-9
Duration: 50 minutes
Details: A young boy waits for the birth of his new baby sister... He can't wait to run and jump with a new playmate. The touching story of a boy meeting his disabled sister for the first time, with puppetry, live music, animation and physical theatre from the award-winning Tessa Bide.
In the Chambers

Throughout Refract

Until 18th August
Re:cast - A series of art installations have been specially commissioned for Refract:18. Katie Nelson's and Grace Igoe's exhibition showcases new and recent ceramic work posing questions on social and political issues in the Lauriston Gallery, while other sound and digital art commissions will be installed in different spaces at Waterside from 19th July. The call out for these commissions opens on Thursday 5th April.
Lauriston Gallery and other spaces at Waterside.

Disclaimer: Information provided is correct at time of writing, but is subject to change. Please therefore visit the Refract:18 website at refract.org.uk in order to obtain the most up to date information.

Thursday 14 September 2017

Dates for your Diary - Cheshire Fest 2017 - A Family Friendly Festival

Cheshire Fest 2017 is a two day festival filled with music, food and drink and is a guaranteed end of summer celebration in the heart of the Cheshire Countryside. It will be held at the Manchester Rugby Club in Cheadle Hulme on Saturday 23rd September and Sunday 24th September and offers a fantastic entertainment programme, including some of Cheshire's finest talent.

The organisers have now revealed a full schedule for the weekend, detailing the wide range of activities that revellers can expect from the family friendly festival. The weekend festivities kick off from 11am on both days, with a full main stage programme of live entertainment throughout the day. Cheshire Fest 2017 also offers FREE entry for children aged 15 or under, with adult tickets starting at only £10 (plus booking fee) and includes a free drink.


On Saturday, the #RememberWhen Main Stage plays host to Cheshire's finest tribute acts including Want You Back (Take That Tribute), Dan East is Ed Sheeran, Be-Beyonce, MJ Mimms (Michael Jackson) and Elvis. Also joining the line up are some of Cheshire's finest local artists Leon Meya and The Sound, as well as Britain's Got Talent finalists' MD Productions.

Sunday's musical programme is sure to get the crowds rocking as the #FestivalAnthems Main Stage, delivers rock anthems. The line-up includes Antarctic Monkeys, Oashish, The Absolute Stone Roses and Yellow (Coldplay tribute). Local artists Nolan and Leon Meya complete Sunday's main stage line-up.

Elsewhere across the festival site, attendees can head to the Street Food Village to enjoy an array of gourmet street food and international cuisine. Beer lovers can sample the delights of the Mini Beer Fest with over 30 varieties of beers, cask ales and ciders from across the UK.

In addition to the Mini Beer Fest, festival goers can enjoy a relaxing G&T in the tranquility of The Gin Garden, grab a cocktail at the Cocktail Bar, enjoy a glass of fizz in the Champagne and Prosecco Bar or savour the taste of Summer at the Pimm's Bus.

Photo credit - Jazamin Sinclair

If you are in the mood for a dance, then a silent disco will also be on site, where you can dance to your hearts content with music as loud as you please, with passers by continuing to enjoy the festival. Comic Con and Sci-Fi fans are also being catered for, with Star Wars characters parading around the site, which is well worth a selfie or two!

The Kids Tent will keep the younger festival goers entertained throughout the weekend with a whole host of workshops, games and live entertainment. Stars of the TV show The Voice Kids UK will entertain throughout the day. Frozen meets Beauty and the Beast offers children the chance to meet and greet some of their favourite characters, as well as enjoy stage performances. There will also be a huge range of giant inflatable castles in Bouncy World, a Family Fun Fair and Little Explorers Activities.

Festival Director Philip Osbourne said, "After launching our first festival in 2016, we've taken huge steps to bring on board a cracking team of organisers this year to reinvent the festival. We're all about big days out with family and friends and we think this new format, location and programme will offer just that! It has been an absolute pleasure to put together the programme for Cheshire Fest, we hope the people of Cheshire enjoy what is sure to be a great weekend."

Tickets start at just £10 plus booking fees, which includes a free drink for every ticket buyer! Book now for the perfect end to summer. Tickets are available now at www.cheshirefest.co.uk and selected venues across Cheshire.

Listing Information

Dates - Saturday 23rd September & Sunday 24th September
Times - 11am to 11pm
Address - Manchester Rugby Club, Grove Lane, Cheadle Hulme, Cheshire, SK8 7NB

Website - www.cheshirefest.co.uk
Facebook - facebook.com/cheshirefest/ 
Twitter - @festcheshire

How to Book

Book online at www.cheshirefest.co.uk
Tickets: £11.25 (Including Booking Fee) for a day pass & £17.85 (Including Booking Fee) for a weekend pass.
(All paid tickets include a free drink).
Under 16's go free

Wednesday 19 July 2017

The Wizard of Oz at Stockport Plaza - Competition

Get ready to go on a magical adventure over the rainbow with Regal Entertainments and their enchanting summer pantomime production of The Wizard of Oz. The show will be heading to the Stockport Plaza from Monday 7th August to Saturday 12th August and will be sure to delight the audience with a great selection of brilliant songs and show-stopping choreography.

The show features a wonderful cast including Cheryl Fergison (Eastender's Heather Trott) as the Wicked Witch of the West. Cheryl is a multi-talented performer who has starred in many stage and film productions and is a fantastic singer and musician. She is no stranger to pantomime, having previously starred in Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk and Beauty and the Beast to name but a few, as well as making audiences boo and hiss with her performance as The Wicked Witch in the 2016 production of The Wizard of Oz.


Stepping into the coveted Ruby Slippers once more is the incredibly talented Charlotte Gallagher who also returns for 2017 to play Dorothy. Charlotte has a wealth of stage experience including pantomime roles at venues across the North West, including performances of Peter Pan, Snow White & Alice in Wonderland.

The Wizard of Oz is a firm family favourite which tells the story of young Dorothy Gale and her dog Toto as they embark on a wondrous adventure over the rainbow in the magical land of Oz.

Regal Entertainments' version of this classic family show includes music, dance, an hilariously funny script and dazzling costumes and sets.

Be sure to join Dorothy, Toto and all their new friends Scarecrow, Tin Man and Lion as they journey down the Yellow Brick Road to the Emerald City in search of The Wizard of Oz who can make all their dreams come true.

Wizard of Oz producer, Chantelle Nolan said: "We are very excited to be bringing this production to Stockport. We had an amazing time during the run of the show in St Helens last year, audiences seemed to go mad for it with many families making return visits. We are now delighted to confirm our stellar cast and they cannot wait to entertain families of Stockport!"

Important Information

Regal Entertainments Ltd presents The Wizard of Oz

Venue: Stockport Plaza Theatre, Mersey Square, Stockport, SK1 1SP

Dates: Monday 7th August to Saturday 12th August

Times: 1pm & 5pm

Tickets: Available from £13 (Groups 20+ from £12) *subject to booking fee

Box Office: 0161 477 7779

Please visit the website for the most up to date ticket information and availability at:  www.stockportplaza.co.uk

Competition

We have a fabulous competition available for our readers for the chance to win a family ticket to see the show on Monday 7th August at 5pm. Please read the terms and conditions and if you would like to enter, then please do so using the gleam form below. Good Luck!

Win A Family Ticket to see The Wizard of Oz in Stockport

Terms & Conditions


  • There is 1 (one) prize of a family ticket to the 5pm performance on Monday 7th August 2017 at the Stockport Plaza Theatre, Mersey Square, Stockport, SK1 1SP.
  • A family ticket is for 2 adults and 2 children or alternatively 1 adult and 3 children.
  • The winner will be required to collect their family ticket from the box office prior to the show.
  • Tickets are non-transferable and there is no cash alternative.
  • There will be no contribution towards travel.
  • Entry is open to UK residents age 18 years or older.
  • Competition closes on Monday 31st July 2017 at 12 noon and the winner shall be drawn at random on the same day and contacted via email.
  • Due to the time restrictive nature of the prize, the winner shall have 48 hours to reply to the email and confirm acceptance of their prize before another winner from the remaining eligible entrants is drawn.
  • The family ticket is valid for the 5pm performance on Monday 7th August 2017only and cannot be changed to an alternative date or time.
  • No bulk or third party entries.
  • The winners contact details shall be shared with the promoter for the purpose of prize fulfilment.

Sunday 16 July 2017

Our Week - The Summer Holidays Are Almost Here!

Only four more days left in school for my children before the school summer holidays begin and I cannot wait! The summer holidays are one of my favourite times of the year as we get a full six weeks to spend together as a family and I love to be able to have the chance to travel around and experience some new adventures.

This last week we have been very busy finalising our arrangements for July and August and we have some fantastic places planned to feature on the blog. These currently range from the Lake District to Germany, Edinburgh to Spain and Milton Keynes to Snowdonia with a few local North West & North Wales treats in between. 

Amongst all our planning though we have also had a very busy time with school reports, the school fair, sorting out the house and helping Mr. F get ready for his last Duke of Edinburgh Award trip for the school year. He has worked so hard to help get some great groups of children through their Bronze, Silver and Gold awards this year and so it will be nice for him to have a break with us and spend some quality time together.

Last Wednesday we visited the school fair which is held every year to help raise funds for our children's school. The staff, students and friends of the school team always do a great job of organising the fundraiser and every year there is always something new added for the children to enjoy. This year the local fire service were on hand to let children explore and sit inside a real fire engine and this was definitely the biggest highlight for Riley. He was so excited to sit in the back of the fire engine. There was also electric quad bike racing, wet sponge throwing and a great selection of stalls and games for everyone to enjoy.


On Friday both Emma and Ben received their school reports along with their test results and confirmation of who their teacher would be next year. I love report day as all the children at school run out so excited to ask their parents to open the envelope quickly so they know whose class they are going to be in. Then there is an excitable ten minutes where everyone runs around trying to find all their friends and check that they are in the same class. 

My daughter has stayed with the same group of friends since nursery and will be entering Year 6 when they return in September, so I was both happy and relieved to find out that she will be with the same group for her final year of primary school. Ben was delighted with his new class too and as for their test results, well I literally could not be prouder!

This next week sees the children take part in moving up day on Monday which is when they get to spend the morning in their new classes. Riley will also be participating in this as he will be moving from nursery to reception and he is so excited to be having his first school dinner with his friends tomorrow. The last day of school is Thursday and like every year the school hosts an end of year disco which my children are really looking forward to.

Overall, its been a busy but fun week and we are definitely ready for the summer break. We are all so excited to be visiting some wonderful places during the next couple of months and I cannot wait to share them all with you!