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The World Black Pudding Throwing Championship is returning to Greater Manchester this weekend
One of our region’s finest traditions is back!
It’s that time of the year again: After a brief hiatus thanks to Covid, the World Black Pudding Throwing Championship is making its grand return to Ramsbottom this weekend.
The premise of the event is simple – competitors hurl black puddings onto a 20ft-high plinth in a bid to dislodge a dozen Yorkshire puddings. Each participant is given three turns to try and knock down as many Yorkshire puds as they can, with the person knocking the most off being crowned the eventual winner.
The competition, held annually on the second weekend of September, dates back to the 1980s but has origins in the historic Lancashire-Yorkshire rivalry from the 1400s; according to legend the act of lobbing black puddings is believed to derive from the War of the Roses, when the two sides allegedly resorted to throwing food at each other when their ammunition ran out.
@worldblackpudding / Facebook
Apparently black puddings were thrown by the Lancashire troops, while Yorkshire puddings were hurled back by their Yorkshire counterparts. Obviously, this is a very important piece of history so, in 1984, a decision was made to bring back the tradition by Stubbins Community Trust, and it has been an overwhelmingly popular affair ever since.
Last year, the festivities were ground to a halt as a result of the Covid pandemic but, this weekend, it is coming back with a bang (and an abundance of flying black puddings, of course).
On Sunday, September 12th, the 2021 World Black Pudding Throwing Championship will be taking place at its usual location – outside the Royal Oak Pub on Bridge Street in Ramsbottom between 11am – 4pm. The event is completely free to attend, with black pudding throwers needing to pay just £1 to take part.
Speaking to the Bury Times, organiser Jim Cunliffe said of the comeback: “It is the just the tonic Ramsbottom needs after the last eighteen months. We have started putting the flags up and bunting will go up. The East Lancashire Railway will be supporting us and we will be having stalls.”
@worldblackpudding / Facebook
He added that measures will be put in place in the wake of Covid, with hand sanitisers placed around to limit the risk of the virus.
He said: “The event is all about bringing people to Ramsbottom, people do come from all over and supporting charities. They have really struggled during the pandemic.”
2019’s Black Pudding Throwing champion, Tom Lowden will be heading back this weekend to defend his title, so make sure you bring your A game if you’re planning on taking part.
For more information, follow the events official Facebook page here.
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The new FREE Christmas night market with over 40 traders from across our region
Get in the festive spirit!
Get in the festive spirit with a brand new FREE Christmas makers night market, with over 40 traders and small businesses from across the region.
Brought to you by Renaker, the Manchester Made Christmas night market is coming to New Jackson, Deansgate Square from Friday December 6th to Sunday December 8th.
Following on from a successful summer market in May, the Manchester Made Market is returning bigger and better than before but with a Christmassy twist.
Manchester Made Market
Expect a ‘cosy and magical’ Christmas night market experience, with food, drink, live music and even a grotto for visits to Father Christmas.
There’ll be Christmas trees galore, glittering with lighting, with one huge show-stopping tree taking centre stage.
Bringing together over 40 artisanal traders and small businesses from across the region, the three-day event will showcase a plethora of food produce, homewares, crafts and creations.
Manchester Made Market
Visitors will be sure to find unique Christmas gifts that support local businesses, including from The Cole Men and their award winning sauces, Moon & Sixpence’s handmade jewellery, and fine art photography by Craig Barker.
There’ll be live music from a 20-piece choir, playing Christmas classics, cocktails from Manchester Gin and Gooey’s sweet treats.
The experts from Millington Hall Farm in Altrincham will be bringing a taste of their Wild Grill experience, including live sausage making demonstrations and an array of German sausages served from a festive BBQ trailer.
Manchester Made Market
Families with children can visit the Christmas grotto, where Father Christmas himself will be waiting in a cosy tipi – kids will get a gift from Santa, and bookings can be made online for £8.50 per child.
Manchester Made Market will be open from 4pm to 9pm on Friday December 6th, and 1pm to 9pm on Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th – pre-register for a free guest list ticket and 50% off a hot chocolate HERE, or book the Christmas grotto HERE.
What's On
Free one-day Christmas festival returning to Stockport to kick off festive season
Get in the festive spirit in Stockport!
Stockport’s free, one-day Christmas festival is returning this festive season, with 200 performers and more than 50 shows.
Spectacular Sunday will return to the town on November 17th at various sites and venues.
Following the success of last year’s event, hundreds of performers will take over Stockport, with everything from giant roller-skating presents to a living snow globe and roaming Christmas dolls.
There will also be street theatre, including grumpy Christmas grandads, a gigantic balloon man and water show.
Matthew Nichol Photography
Produced by carnival arts organisation Global Grooves and organised by Stockport Council, Totally Stockport, Merseyway and Stockport Market, the town centre will be buzzing with Christmas excitement.
Events will be happening in iconic Stockport locations like Market Place, Underbanks, Merseyway, Redrock and Suffragette Square.
A grand finale in Merseyway will bring together the brass bands of Stockport, ending the day with a huge flash mob and rendition of All You Need Is Love.
Cirq Delight
Cllr Singleton, Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture and Sport, said: “We’re so excited to bring this event back after last year’s amazing success.
“It’s such a fun way to get everyone in the festive spirit and really shows off what makes Stockport special – our sense of community and joy.
“With loads of free performances and activities, plus a chance to enjoy the newly improved areas of Merseyway, it’s a perfect day out for families.
“Stockport’s Spectacular Sunday is all about having fun, making memories, and starting the holiday season in style.”
Spectacular Sunday is happening from 11am to 5pm on Sunday November 17th – find out more HERE.
The prestigious Manchester Art Fair is back in town for its 16th year next month, bringing with it a vibrant gallery space showcasing thousands of works from over 500 artists.
One of the biggest and most significant events in the UK art world calendar, it’ll take over Manchester Central for three days, from Friday November 15th to 17th.
The city will be flooded with art from all corners of the world, championing everything from local heroes to new emerging talent, as well as international artists with worldwide acclaim.
Manchester Art Fair
A wide range of artistic disciplines will be represented at the event, from painters, illustrators, and sculptors to graffiti artists and everything in between.
Expect exhibitions, workshops, Q&A sessions, demos, book signings and parties happening across the event.
Tickets include free access to art workshops and talks from leading artists and cultural experts, and are on sale now.
You can grab them HERE.
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The new FREE Christmas night market with over 40 traders from across our region
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The prestigious Manchester Art Fair is back in town for its 16th year
