I Love MCR Christmas 2016

FREE | CHRISTMAS 2016

Manchester.

Capital of Christmas.

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M NSIDE G AS SPE U G CIA ID I L E FT

What is hygge and where to find it in Manchester

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How to help make Christmas special for those in need

Q. Where does Santa stay when he is on holiday?

© Copyright and TM 2016 I Love MCR Ltd All rights reserved. Whilst every care has been taken to ensure that the information in this publication is accurate, the publisher cannot accept any liability to any party for loss or damage caused by errors or omissions resulting from negligence, accident or any other cause. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form without prior permission of the publisher.

Managing Director Chris Greenhalgh Editor Stephen Lewis Assistant Editor Yvonne Goldsmith-Rybka Writers Ray King Emily Oldfield Tom Ingham Jemima Forbes Gareth Lloyd Charlie Hooson-Sykes Hollie Beard Photography Mark Waugh April Kershaw Sales Director Mike Strul Business Development Amar Chana Creative Director Chris Greenhalgh Operations Manager Melissa Hay

Christmas in Manchester just gets bigger and better every year The biggest Christmas Market in Europe is back, turning the city centre into a festive wonderland. Regularly named one of Europe’s best festive attractions, nine million people visited last year – two million visiting the Albert Square site alone – generating millions of pounds for the local economy.

Published by I Love MCR Ltd 447-449 Royal Exchange St Ann’s Square Manchester M2 7EP 0161 710 2665 hello@ilovemanchester.com www.ilovemanchester.com

Lasting no fewer than 41 days (42 in Albert Square), this year’s markets are open longer than ever before, giving you even more chance to sample their delights.

Follow us on Twitter @ILoveMCR

Launched in 1999, the Manchester Christmas Markets were the first in the UK, growing from a single site in St Ann’s Square in 1999 to nearly 350 stalls across ten sites this year, with a huge range of stall holders offering a massive array of produce.

I Love MCR magazine is printed on Edixion Offset, uncoated paper with ISO 14001 environmental certification and covered by the European EMAS standard, produced from sustainable forests.

Printed locally at Manchester Printers Ltd

Each market site boasts the finest in gift ideas, including jewellery, ceramics, handmade toys, puppets, clocks, glassware, and the limited edition Manchester Christmas Market coffee and gluhwein mugs.

This year’s market will see the addition of traders from across the globe as the A.In a Ho! Ho! Hotel

street food revolution inspires new stalls offering traditional favourites like Bratwurst, hog roast, crepes and macaroons to more adventurous delights from across the world, such as paella, Flammkuchen or the British gourmet pie.

Cathedral Gardens is building on the success of the family-friendly area last year with an ice rink as well as the traditional fun fair including ferris wheel, carousel, helter skelter, and a tea cup ride.

And as if that’s not enough, there are plenty of other attractions across the city from the Winter Gathering at London Road Fire Station with its own ice rink, the giant polar bear and skyride at New Bailey to the Light Festival and markets at Salford Quays.

So empty your piggy bank, wrap up warm and make the most of this magical time of year.

See you on the other side.

I Love Manchester team x ILOVEMCR.COM 3

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Q. What’s brown and sneeks around the house?

Waxi ahoy!

When Santa arrived in Manchester recently, he ditched his sleigh and went to the Trafford Centre on Manchester’s newest form of transport If there’s one thing Manchester isn’t short of it’s water. But Steve Cadwell didn’t set up Waxi – Manchester’s new water taxi service - thinking that Manchester would be the next Venice.

He’s simply making use of the city’s vast and largely picturesque canal network.

A. A mince spy

For £35 a week, you can board one of his big yellow Waxis and commute to work if you are lucky enough to work along the route.

Starting at Dukes 92 in Castlefield, you can meander along to the Trafford Centre via Hotel Football and the Theatre of Dreams in around 50 minutes – not bad if you’ve ever been stuck on a bus in Manchester city centre in the rush hour.

The Waxis are nicely finished with leather seats inside and luckily they have a roof – pretty much essential 12 months of the year for us Mancunians.

It’s not going to be a new way to get to work for most of us and you can’t help

but see it as as a tourist attraction, but it’s a nice way to take in some Manchester sites, get to the Theatre of Dreams in style or shop yourself silly at the Trafford Centre.

Waxis are a novel idea and, with a single journey costing £7, good fun for your buck.

And they are endorsed by prospective mayor of Manchester Andy Burnham who reckons they have huge potential as a sustainable local transport solution.

Download the app, book yourself a Waxi and find out for yourself manchesterwatertaxis.com ILOVEMCR.COM 5

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Q. What is fierce and minty?

Meet Mr. Wonderful Meet the Manchester businessman behind a new not-for-profit organisation which ensures that 100% of the money from your fund raising activities gets through to the charities you want to help

The Wonderful Organisation is a new charity fundraising platform which launched last month. Unlike similar organisations, it doesn’t charge fundraisers or charities for its services or make deductions to cover its costs.

It’s run by Manchester businessman Kieron James and a handful of volunteers. This means there are no staffing costs, and there are no card processing charges either as these are paid by Nexbridge, a telecommunications company which Kieron co-founded.

All of which means that “all the wonderful people running, swimming, cycling, baking cakes or shaving their heads for charity can be sure that every single penny they raise goes to the causes they care about,” says Kieron. “I don’t believe this has ever been done before.”

Kieron says he started The Wonderful Organisation because he wanted to do something positive for charities.

“I am at an age where I don’t need to work 40 hours per week and I wanted to give something back. And out of sheer frustration as current models that are regularly used by fundraisers do not give all the money raised to the charity. To put it into perspective, on a twenty mile run, that last mile will go towards the costs at Just Giving for example. All the hard work people put in, they might not realise the charity does not see all they raised.”

The website’s design gives both registered charities and fundraisers the opportunity to add details of their event to the website. This can then be shared so that family, friends and colleagues can donate easily.

Each month, the website transfers all funds raised through the activities of fundraisers to charities’ bank accounts, making no deductions whatsoever.

“I always work for love, not money”

“We recognise the selfless commitment made by fundraisers who train for months to run marathons, take part in swims, treks and triathlons, face their fears by jumping out of aeroplanes or don their lycra for a zumbathon.

“We believe the charities they support should receive every penny from their fundraising efforts. We also believe that Gift Aid – an income tax relief designed to benefit charities - should be directed in full to the charities rather than the operators of fundraising platforms.

“This is why the Wonderful Organisation will not generate profit, or even cover costs, by deducting money from fundraisers’ sponsors or Gift Aid contributions. We are a nonprofit organisation run by volunteers and funded entirely by like-minded, philanthropic businesses. That’s what makes us Wonderful!”

For more information visit www.wonderful.org

A. A polo bear

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Q. What do you call an insomniac in a suit of armour?

Never mind the Roses...

If you’re looking for something a bit more special than a tin of Quality Street or Roses to enjoy on Christmas Day, or if you’re looking for a special gift for a chocolate lover, meet a woman who can help

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A. A sleepless knight

Q. Why hasn’t Santa got a bell on his sleigh?

“Chocolate is a real heart opener, often given for love... It makes people open up and share...”

tockport-born chocolatier Sharon Drysdale opened Bonbon in the Northern Quarter four years ago. Her beautifully crafted chocolates are renowned for the skill which goes into making them, and their delightfully unusual flavour combinations. The tiny and quirky shop on John Street takes its inspiration from Mexico’s Day of the Dead ceremonies, where chocolate is often used as a ritualistic offering to the spirits, with human skulls a frequently used design element, symbolising life and death. Skull chocolates happen to be one of Sharon’s best sellers, not just at Halloween but throughout the year.

But if you are looking for something a little more festive, the Stilton and Caramel Bonbons make perfect gifts for Christmas.

What got you started in your field of work?

The love of chocolate. And the film Chocolat based on the book by Joanne Harris. I wanted to be Vianne Rocher [the character played by Juliette Binoche]. I was helping out a chocolatier friend on a couple of markets and events who taught me the basics and his love of chocolate rubbed off on me.

He introduced me to Bonbon where they needed a manager. He left and I stayed. I think I’m pretty close to her character now.

Who have been the biggest influences on your work?

Paul A. Young. He is an English chocolatier and has three chocolateries in London. He uses no preservatives like me. I went on a workshop with him at his shop on Islington High Street last year and he has been a big influence in his approach and the way he works.

What is your proudest achievement so far?

Making the chocolate and the friends A. Because he wants to win a Nobel prize

If things hadn’t worked out, what else could you have seen yourself doing?

I worked as an Art & Design teacher for thirteen years so I would have worked within this field still, probably for The Stroke Association where I taught eight week courses. The time I spent with those students made a profound difference to their lives.

I’ve met here at Bonbon. Chocolate is a real heart opener, often given for love. It makes people open up and share their experiences. It’s a real privilege when they let me into their lives.

What does your typical day involve?

I get up at 7am and drink lots of coffee. I come to the shop and check the diary for events and orders that week and make a list of what needs making. I spend all day Tuesday and Wednesday in our kitchen near the Cathedral making the chocolate which will see us through the week, although occasionally I will need to make a top up on Friday. I work in the shop with my assistant Thursday to Saturday and tend to have Sundays and Mondays off, although this time of year is our busiest so I will be around as needed.

And how do you relax on your days off?

Yoga. Lots of walking up in the hills.

And cacao ceremonies which I attend across the country. I hope to hold my own ceremonies eventually as they are very powerful and a great way of connecting people emotionally. Cacao has so many positive associations.

What is the best advice you have been given or can give?

Work and life balance is hugely important. Try and keep to that and enjoy what you do. Putting love in makes all the difference. If you don’t love what you do, why do it?

Tell us one thing about yourself people might be surprised to hear!

I am a member of Turbojugend. It’s an international fan club of the Norwegian rock band Turbonegro. We all wear specially made denim jackets, or kutte, and meet up all over the world to support the band!

Name your three favourite places in Manchester.

Rockers of England on Oldham Street is my favourite shop, I buy loads of clothes there. Federal Coffee for their coffee (obviously) and gorgeous staff. And I love The Star & Garter, I’ve been to so many gigs there, it’s so down and dirty.

If you could change one thing about Manchester what would it be?

Litter. I see so many people throwing down their rubbish and there is no excuse as there are so many bins. I see rats all the time in the city centre and it’s horrible. I hate it. I wish people would love Manchester enough and use the bins. Simple.

And finally, what do you love most about Manchester?

The friendly people. And the venues.

We are so lucky here, it’s easy to forget just how many music venues there are, and all the different genres. But go anywhere else and it soon becomes very apparent.

Bonbon, 9 John St, Manchester M4 1EQ ILOVEMCR.COM 9

Deansgate Manchester

Q. What do you call a sleeping bull?

THE WANT LIST

Stop stressing, check out our gift ideas and support our local businesses while you’re at it!

A. A bulldozer

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Q. What do you get if you cross a footballer with a small circular cake made from ground almonds?

Filofax The Original A5 Organiser in Lilac £85 The Pen Shop, King Street www.thepenshop.co.uk

Tokidoki Eye Mask & Washbag £9 + 19 Richard Goodall Gallery, 59 Thomas Street richardgoodallgallery.com

Laura Whitemore Imagine/ Dreamer Necklace £125 Jenny Jones Jewellery Ltd, 10 Royal Exchange Arcade www.jennyjonesjewellery.com

H E R Maison Margiela Alpaca Knitted Navy Hat £155 Hervia, 40 Spring Gardens www.hervia.com

A4 Print £14.99 Oklahoma, 74-76 High St www.okla.co.uk

Bon Bon Customised Chocolate Boxes £1.20-£16 Bon Bon, 9 John Street, NQ www.bonbonchocolate.co.uk

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Y-3 Yohji Yamamoto SPORT Airflow Jacket Black £375 Hervia, 40 Spring Gardens www.hervia.com

Rose Leather Belts, Satchels & Bags £30 - £250 Northern Scapes, Manchester Craft and Design Centre www.northernscapes.co.uk

A. Wayne Macarooney

Q. What do you call two rows of cabbages in a field?

Man United Bobble Hat £12 The National Football Museum, Urbis Building, Cathedral Gardens nationalfootballmuseum.com

Manchester City Santa Christmas Jumper £30 City Store, Market Street shop.mancity.com

H I M

1966 And All That by Bob Bond £13 The National Football Museum, Urbis Building, Cathedral Gardens nationalfootballmuseum.com

Semogue Badger Bristle Shaving Brush with Oak Handle £22 Deadstock, 46 Edge Street www.modwear.co.uk Kurtis Paul Leather Laptop Bag £60 www.kurtispaul.com

Nudie Jeans In A Box £270 Oi Polloi, 63 Thomas Street www.oipolloi.com A. A dual cabbage way

DE&S Knitted Silk Ties £79-95 Doherty, Evans & Stott, 64 Bridge Street www.dohertyevansstott.co.uk

Man United Gloves £8 The National Football Museum, Urbis Building, Cathedral Gardens nationalfootballmuseum.com

Collectable Red Jaguar Cufflinks £19.99 J. Wippell & Co Ltd, Northern Assurance Buildings, Albert Sq www.wippell.com

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Q. Why does Santa always look forward to coming to Manchester?

Manchester Doodle Cushion £35 Dave Draws by David Gee davedraws90.bigcartel.com

Handmade Stone Roses Lemon Lamp by Robert Hume £59.99 The Record Sticking www.therecordsticking.co.uk

Vogue 100 A Century Of Style Coffee Table Book £40 Manchester Art Gallery, Mosley St manchesterartgallery.org

T H E M

Baileys After Dinner Dessert £24 Slattery, 197 Bury New Road www.slattery.co.uk

Stoneware Sake Set £35 Fig and Sparrow, 20 Oldham St www.figandsparrow.co.uk

LOVE Pink Neon Lightbox on Wood £460+ Neon Creations Ltd www.neoncreations.co.uk

I Love MCR T-Shirt £11.99 I Love MCR Online Shop ilovemanchester.com/shop 14 ILOVEMCR.COM

Manchester Periodic Table £25 paulgroganphotography.com

Historical Manchester Framed Prints £25 People’s History Museum, Left Bank, Spinningfields www.phm.org.uk A. Because he loves rain, dear

Q. What’s the difference between a snowman and a real man?

Pop Out Pencil Case £11.50 Smiggle Ltd, 167 Arndale Centre www.smiggle.co.uk

Yamaha Soprano Descant Recorder £8.50 Forsyths, 126 Deansgate www.forsyths.co.uk

Manchester City Size 5 Football £10 City Store, Market Street shop.mancity.com

Edible Gingerbread House £14.95 Lunya, 7 Barton Arcade www.lunya.co.uk

K I D S Origami LED Light £12 Thunder Egg, 22 Oldham St, M1 1JN thunderegg.co.uk

The Great British Colouring Map £19.95 Oklahoma, 74-76 High Street www.okla.co.uk

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Replica Stadium Kits £24.99 The National Football Museum, Urbis Building, Cathedral Gardens nationalfootballmuseum.com

Spiked Mouse Hoodie £29.50 Milly Mog www.millymog.com

Old School Sweets £2.99 Oklahoma, 74-76 High Street www.okla.co.uk

Alphabet Animal Framed Prints £12 Nell Smith Prints, Manchester Craft and Design Centre www.nellsmithprints.com

A. Snowballs

Q. What did one angel say to the other?

Travel Journal £19.17 Fred Aldous, 37 Lever St www.fredaldous.co.uk

Salford Lads Club Cross Stitch From £90 Royal Exchange Gift Shop www.royalexchange.co.uk

Lenco Yellow L-85 Vinyl Turntable £110 Piccadilly Records, 53 Oldham St www.piccadillyrecords.com

S T U D E N T Havana Club Ashtray £50 Astons Of Manchester, 12 Royal Exchange Arcade astonsofmanchester.co.uk

Personalised Scrabble Lights £24.99 Incognito, 5 Stevenson Square www.incognito-uk.co.uk A. Halo

Rockers England Tee £15 Rockers England, 89 Oldham St www.rockersengland.co.uk

Skateboard Decks £30-60 NOTE, 34 Tib Street shop@noteshop.co.uk ILOVEMCR.COM 17

Q. Why didn’t the skeleton go to the New Year’s Eve party?

Large Lemons Water Jug £35.99 Lunya, Barton Arcade, Deansgate www.lunya.co.uk

Gold Pineapple Ice Bucket £32.50 Oklahoma, 74-76 High Street www.okla.co.uk

Homemade Gin Kit £23 Magma, 22 Oldham Street www.magma-shop.com

F O O D I E

One Chain Wine Boxset Featuring The Wrong ‘Un Shiraz/Cab Sav & The Googly Chardonnay £23 Salut Wines, 11 Cooper Street www.salut.co.uk 18 ILOVEMCR.COM

The Manchester Cookbook by Kate Eddison £14.95 Bookshops and food retailers

Three Rivers Gin £40 Hanging Ditch, 42 Victoria St manchesterthreerivers.com A. He had no body to go with

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Q. What was the Three Wise Men’s favourite food shop?

T-Series T111 FPV Quadcopter Mini Drone £149.99 Menkind, 54a Arndale Centre www.menkind.co.uk

One-Punch Man Manga Books £6.99 Travelling Man, 4 Dale Street www.travellingman.com

G E E K Star Wars Death Star Levitating Speaker £149.99 www.thefoundry.com

Virtual Reality Headset £29.99 Menkind, 54a Arndale Centre www.menkind.co.uk

Betrayal At House On The Hill – Walk Game £23.99 Menkind, 54a Arndale Centre www.menkind.co.uk A. Cheeses of Nazareth

SYMA S39 Raptor Helicopter £29.99 Hawkin’s Bazaar, Arndale Centre www.hawkin.com

Dodow Anti-Anxiety Sleep Aid £47.99 Magma, 22 Oldham Street www.magma-shop.com ILOVEMCR.COM 21

Q. Who looks after Father Christmas when he’s ill?

Hamburger Giant Eraser £6.77 Fred Aldous, 37 Lever Street www.fredaldous.co.uk

Rock Trump Cards £8.95 Magma, 22 Oldham Street www.magma-shop.com

Espresso Coffee Pot For One £8 Salvis, Corn Exchange www.salvismanchester.co.uk

I Love MCR Mug £8 I Love MCR Online Shop ilovemanchester.com/shop

S E C R E T S A N T A Coffee Soap £4.50 Fig and Sparrow, 20 Oldham St www.figandsparrow.co.uk

Michael Browne’s The Art Of The Game Print £5-20 National Football Museum nationalfootballmuseum.com 22 ILOVEMCR.COM

David Bowie Starman Colouring Book £9.99 Fred Aldous, 37 Lever Street www.fredaldous.co.uk

Burlington Socks £10 Oi Polloi, 63 Thomas Street www.oipolloi.com A. The National Elf Service

Q. Why did the hedgehog cross the road?

Have yourself an indie little Christmas The gift giving season is upon us again and once we’ve done the online stuff (kids toys, aunties’ flowers, dad’s whisky), queued for that one essential gift that someone in your family can’t live without, there’s always someone you want to give something really special to, says Charlie Hooson-Sykes

Maybe it’s a partner, husband, wife.

Maybe it’s your crush in the office down the corridor or maybe you’ve landed the boss for Secret Santa.

You want to buy them something a bit different, individual, unique. The best way to do that, and support your city at the same time, is by ignoring the big boys, brands and superstores. It’s time to go indie.

I’ve been out and about and pulled together a list of ideas from the kitsch to the foodie, from the arty to the boozy and with all price ranges in mind to prove that something special doesn’t have to be expensive.

One of my favourite spots has to be Manchester Craft and Design Centre.

Eighteen studios are home to local artists and designers – some working in situ – creating pictures, paintings,

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sculptures, jewellery and crafting homewares, all available to buy for that someone special. I’m very fond of the paper sculptures from Kaper, and Wall of Art, who find inspiration from the people and places of Manchester. It’s easy to get lost in a world of creativity.

While we’re in the Northern Quarter we can’t skip over another home to a whole different kind of indie – Affleck’s. We’d recommend taking a look at Glass Bottle Glass for recycled glassware, Moloko for classically designed clothing and accessories, and Sakura for something a little more vintage.

Oh, and don’t forget Fox Fairy. We fell in love with their tote bags and stayed in love for their homewares and artwork.

If you’re truly looking for a one of a kind, this is a good place to stop.

With one last nod to the Northern Quarter, I’ll mention the Makers Markets – not just in the Northern Quarter but Spinningfields, Chorlton, Eccles and Didsbury - which are home to independent traders from across A. To see his flat mate

Q. What do you call a cat in a chemist’s?

the city. Find locally made chocolates from In Truffle We Trust and Dormouse Chocolates, plants for the green fingered from Plant & Pipe, and fill up on mince pies, cheese and gin while you’re there.

Manchester Craft and Design Centre 17 Oak Street, M4 5JD Affleck’s Palace 52 Church Street, M4 1PW Three Rivers Gin Distillery 21 Red Bank Place, M4 4HF

Speaking of gin, if your love is a gin fan - and let’s face it, who isn’t?- we now have four independent gin distillers in the city, and you can make your own at the Three Rivers Distillery. Craft a gin lovingly for your other half or buy them a voucher so they can do it themselves while you sip a G&T or two yourself.

Cafe Beermoth 40A Spring Gardens, entrance on Brown Street, M2 1DA Hanging Ditch 42 Victoria Street, M3 1ST Salut Wines 11 Cooper Street, M2 2FW

If beer is more their thing, then we’d suggest a visit to Beermoth (sorry, I’m back in the NQ again). Even the beer novice can find something to gift here and they’re always happy to offer advice and guidance - or buy vouchers and let them make their own selection.

And we can’t forget wine lovers either – not with Hanging Ditch and Salut Wines on hand to make a recommendation or two in the city – and Tiny’s Tipple, Nip & Tipple and Grape to Grain to name a few outside the city centre – where you can be sure to find a bottle of wine or two to suit even the fussiest taste buds.

While we’re on the subject of food and drink, we shouldn’t forget coffee and tea lovers, too. Teacup and ProperTea have a vast array of teas and gift sets for even the fussiest brewer, including our own Mr Scruff’s team. And with Manchester’s thriving coffee scene, you’re almost spoilt for choice. But we’d suggest Grindsmiths and Takk for the kit and caboodle and Heart & Graft for locally roasted speciality coffee.

Delicious.

Tiny’s Tipple 510 Wilbraham Road, M21 9AW Grape to Grain 1 Church Lane, Prestwich, M25 1AN Lee Vintage in Prestwich for antiques, prints, cards and gifts, Rose and Bumble in Urmston, and Object in Chorlton for Scandi style.

Teacup 53-55 Thomas Street, M4 1NA

Finally, for the bookworm in your life, head over to Aspidistra Books or Chapter One. In the latter, grab yourself a seat and a coffee and cake while you - ahem - browse for the right book.

Grindsmith 231-233 Deansgate, M3 4EN

If you’re having a brew, why not have a slice of cake, too – so we’re just going to suggest a visit to Milkjam. Cake for breakfast on Christmas Day. Yum.

Oh and you don’t even have to leave the comfort of your own home to find a Mancunian independent.

Take Oklahoma for example. The shop in the Northern Quarter is a favourite haunt of those hunting down something kitsch, kooky, unusual.

From Godzilla lamps, to a mug for the office, through giant flamingos and enough notebooks to keep even the most avid stationery collector happy, it’s a fantastic space to simply wander the aisles. But if you can’t escape or need to be sneaky about your shopping, head online and you can fill your basket that way.

Outside the city, our favourite places to find pretty things include Rose &

It really couldn’t be easier to have yourself a properly indie Christmas.

A. Puss in Boots

Proper Tea 10 Cateaton Street, M3 1SQ

Takk 6 Tariff Street, M1 2FF Heart and Graft Artwork Atelier, M3 7NG MilkJam 85 Oxford Street, M1 6EQ Rose & Lee Interiors Ltd Bury New Rd, Prestwich, M25 1AW Chapter One Books Lever Street, M1 1BY Oklahoma 74-76 High Street, M4 1ES Aspidistra Books Great Northern Warehouse 235 Deansgate M3 4EN ILOVEMCR.COM 25

Q. Where does Santa like to go on his days off?

SHOW THE WORLD YOU LOVE MCR.

SHOP ONLINE

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T-Shirts £11.99 Mugs £7.99

www.ilovemanchester.com/shop A. A North Pole dancing club

Q. Where’s the best place to relax in a supermarket?

Make it special.

Make it Manchester. owhere celebrates like Manchester, and that’s why the city remains the UK’s undisputed capital of Christmas.

Manchester’s festive celebrations transform the city, where the magic of the season is brought alive and where your Christmas checklist can be ticked off all in one place.

From the award-winning Christmas markets to some of the best shopping in the UK – topped off with fantastic eating, culture and nightlife – Manchester will bring you back again and again.

With more than 300 stalls across ten market sites, Manchester’s Christmas Markets are the UK’s original, biggest and best – the only market in the country voted as one of Europe’s best. Boasting a huge array of food, drink and gift ideas, the markets are a Christmas dream come true.

The family-friendly area in Cathedral Gardens promises fun for all ages with a variety of

A. The chilled aisle

attractions including an ice rink, carousel, helter skelter, Santa sleigh ride and a train ride, and is within walking distance of the Arndale’s grotto for a truly magical Christmas experience.

In fact, the joy of the city centre is its size, with all tastes and budgets catered for, and it’s only a short walk between a fantastic array of attractions.

Shopping until you drop can be a beautiful reality, from the glamour of Spinningfields to the indiechic of the Northern Quarter, Manchester is one of the UK’s top shopping destinations. Keeping well fed throughout is also a delight, with an exciting restaurant, café and bar scene.

Why not extend your stay and check out Manchester’s nightlife, treat yourself to an overnight stay in one of the city’s hotels, or take your seat at one of the award-winning theatres.

Christmas comes only once a year.

Make it special. Make it Manchester.

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Q. Why couldn’t the turkey eat any food?

Manchester’s Xmas Markets in a chestnut shell

hether you go for the al fresco eating and drinking experience, to soak up the atmosphere or to browse the hundreds of stalls for gifts, Manchester’s Christmas Markets are undeniably top of most people’s checklist of things to do in the buildup to the festive season.

Some people may prefer the ease of online shopping or the thrill of lastminute present buying in the Arndale, but there are definitely unique and inspiring gifts to be found at the Christmas Markets. We traipsed around every corner of the markets to hunt down the pick of the gifts so you don’t have to. From decadent treats to hand-carved delights, this year’s Christmas gifts are right here on the streets of Manchester.

Cathedral Gardens Tucked away in the gardens of Manchester Cathedral, the first market on our trail is definitely not one to miss. It’s where you’ll find one of the Cheshire Cheese Company stands. There’s a clue to their most popular product in the name but you can also pick up some tasty homemade chutneys, spreads and jams that’ll go perfectly with a turkey and stuffing sandwich on Boxing Day.

The European market in Albert Square will open from 10am-9pm from November 10 until December 20 and from 10am-6pm on the closing day, Wednesday, December 21.

New Cathedral Street With curious onlookers buzzing around it, the Mayflower Apiaries stall at the New Cathedral Street market should definitely be on your mustsee list. Here you can buy a range of honey-based products made from honey sourced from hundreds of bee colonies in Cheshire. Delicious pure honey, attractive beeswax candles and natural beeswax and honey hand creams make brilliant presents.

A. Because it was stuffed

All other markets - Brazennose Street, St Ann’s Square, King Street, Exchange Street, Exchange Square, New Cathedral Street, the Corn Exchange, Market Street, and Cathedral Gardens - will open from 10am-7.30pm in November and from 10am-8pm in December.

Markets in all zones except for Albert Square close on December 20.

This year's newest addition, The Rink at Cathedral Gardens, is open until January 7 from 11am until 9pm daily, closing on Christmas Day and Boxing Day. ILOVEMCR.COM 31

Q. What do you call a photo of one of Santa’s little helpers?

Exchange Square and Corn Exchange Easy to navigate and conveniently close to the bars and restaurants of the Corn Exchange, these two adjacent markets are great places to browse for your Christmas gifts. Somewhere you should definitely look out for here is the Rossendale Bespoke Timber stall.

Making its debut this year, this fun stall is run by a family of joiners and sells beautiful handmade oak and beech wood bread, cheese and chopping boards. Choose from traditional winter styles, arty prints or more outrageous Game of Thrones-inspired designs.

Market Street A spur off the main market trail, Market Street may have a limited number of stalls but it’s worth a visit. Beauty Scents is an unassuming stall selling a wonderful collection of scented candles. But these are no ordinary scented candles. These are handmade with soy wax and come with recyclable casing, making them completely eco-friendly. Scents include vanilla and coffee, rose and champagne, and festive orange and cinnamon.

Albert Square The biggest market of the bunch, Albert Square offers the widest range of stalls across the board.

As well as the Affleck’s stalls in the stunning interior of the Town Hall, Albert Square’s most exciting products have to be the the European foods. The traditional Dutch biscuits from Amsterdam and milk chocolate spread from France are certainly tempting but it’s the range of cannoli, nougat and other sweets at the Tentazioni pop-up that gets our vote.

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St Ann’s Square

Brazennose Street

This long stretch of stalls is nicely broken up by the occasional bar with wafts of freshly made mulled wine too tantalising to resist for some. One irresistible stall in this area has to be Emerald City Cakes. Its main offer is handmade and personalised cupcakes but it’s the other edible choices that really make it unique, from jars of gingerbread men cookies and bespoke hot chocolate to make-your-own gingerbread house kits.

Towards the end of our market trail opposite Albert Square is Brazennose Street with a great selection of crafts, clothing, food and stalls selling crafts and home made gifts. Meyart Coffee is at the Albert Square end and, as you may have guessed, sells everyone’s favourite pick me up. Sold in beans or ground on request, choose from over 18 original flavours including blueberry muffin, French vanilla, Scotch whisky and amaretto.

King Street King Street is usually home to some of the artier stalls but we couldn’t have a gift guide without including some kind of alcoholic beverage in it, could we? This time, it’s Rose Cottage Gin liqueurs that stand out. Whether you’re a gin lover or not, the elderflower, damson and rhubarb varieties of this British favourite make great gifts and are perfect for adding to cocktails, ice teas and even pouring over ice cream.

A. An elfie

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Q. Who does Father Christmas bank with?

If the 350-odd Manchester Christmas market stalls aren’t enough for you, head over to Spinningfields where the Christmas markets are open every Thursday-Sunday until December 18 with over 80 carefully selected artisans offering every type of festive fayre, from food and drink to arts and crafts, vintage items and musical performances. Traders will vary from week to week, making each visit different to the last.

Other festive attractions in Spinningfields include super snug ski chalet hüttes furnished with warm, festive décor, hot water bottles, heated lamps and Christmas lights, and two giant Oast House teepees which come complete with open fires and German beers, making it one of the cosiest spots in Manchester to enjoy a Christmas drink. All reserved hüttes

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come with table service from Bar Hütte’s fully licensed drinks bar.

Not on the High Street will be making an appearance in Spinningfields Square on December 16 and 17 with a popup shop filled with last minute extras where you can have gifts personalised while you wait. Or buy online on the day and receive 15% off.

From a hot spiced rum with friends at an après ski bar to enjoying mince pies and crêpes from street food traders or getting your last minute gifts and stocking fillers, Spinningfields is well worth a visit.

Just a short walk from Spinningfields, New Bailey will be hosting a number of events and prize giveaways across December. The festivities begin on Thursday 24 November when

Manchester carol singers will take the spotlight from 4:30pm and create some Christmas spirit with their seasonal hits.

The launch will also feature some of the best street food in the north west, a giant polar bear and a spectacular Sky Ride which will give you the perfect view of Manchester in all its festive glory.

The Lowry Outlet at MediaCityUK will play host to a series of Christmas markets including a brand new Victorian Christmas Fayre running from Thursday 24 – Sunday 27 November. Taking place across the open-air plaza area and along the waterfront, the free to enter Victorian Christmas Fayre will be the highlight of the shopping season with more than 100 festive stalls selling seasonal food and drink and unique gifts and crafts. And the Magical Makers Market comes to The Lowry Outlet from December 16 -18.

A. Santander

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Stay safe and dry this Christmas. crestacars.co.uk

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0161 205 5000

Q. What do you call a fish with no eyes?

The Winter Gathering London Road Fire Station has opened its doors once again for its first Christmas in 30 years with great grub, lots to drink and an ice rink

Visitors to Manchester and locals alike have long gazed from the train, bus and car at the magnificent edifice that is London Road Fire Station. This grand building was once home to the fire, ambulance and police services, as well as a coroner’s court.

The demise of the building – built in 1906 but closed since 1986 –upset many who remember its illustrious past.

Last year, Allied London announced it had bought the building and would restore this once great piece of Manchester’s history. After several public events including a series of Hidden Banquets for the Manchester Food and Drink Festival, London Road Fire Station has opened its doors once again for its first Christmas in 30 years.

No pressure there then.

This iconic venue has been transformed into The Winter Gathering, a magical winter market complete with a line-up of world famous DJs, artists,

A. A fsh

and foodie superstars in residence for the duration.

With the Winter Gathering lasting nine weeks, there’s a seriously impressive selection of traders hand-picked by the collective behind the prestigious British Street Food Awards. Some of them, like So Salad Crew, deserve an award just for their names.

On the night we visited, we enjoyed a Manchester egg made from black pudding and sausage meat from Beastro as well as a hearty burger from Nanny Bill’s.

It also brings what seems to have become a Manchester institution to London Road – an ice rink.

And when you’re out on the ice in Manchester in winter, you’re going to need some sauce to warm up those cockles. Fortunately, there’s plenty available.

It comes in many forms from traditional mulled wine to champagne

and whisky cocktails (with a nod to the fire station) as well as lager and craft beers from the likes of Alphabet, Shindigger and SevenBro7hers.

Apart from the face-stuffing antics, there’s a lot of history and heritage to take in.

Ex-London Road fire fighters and members of the Greater Manchester Fire Museum are in attendance wearing full uniform and telling tales with a remarkable 1929 fire engine.

Music is a big part of the plan here.

We were treated to a set from Refuge royalty Unabombers who took to the decks with typical swagger.

With future acts and DJs such as Mystery Jets, Funkademia and Robert Owens, there’s more to listen to here than endless repeats of Wham and Slade. It’s on until January 8 2017 and tickets can be purchased on the door and in advance via skiddle. @wintergathering

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Q. Who makes sure Santa’s workshop isn’t dangerous?

Where to find hygge in Manchester this Christmas ou know that feeling you get when it’s cold and dark outside and you’re relaxing in a cosy bar or pub - ideally in front of an open fire - with a glass of something warming in your hand? The Danes know a thing or two about it and they’ve even got a word for it hygge. It means enjoying the good things in life, in good company and a nice, warm atmosphere. In case you haven’t heard, it’s the latest thing. But you don’t have to spend Christmas in Copenhagen because you can find it in Manchester, too. You just need to know where to look. Here are some of Gareth Lloyd’s favourite watering holes where there’s plenty of it.

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Bar Hütte Have you ever been lucky enough to enjoy the wintery delights of a skiing holiday on the snowy mountains of Austria or Switzerland? Me neither, but at least with Bar Hutte, you can feel like you have. This pop-up village of fullyfurnished ski chalets temporarily transports you to a ski resort with all the warming comforts but without any of the falling over – unless you have one drink too many.

Camping out in Spinningfields Square until the turn of the year, Bar Hutte lets you book your own Alpine hut and hug hot water bottles, bask in the warm glow of heated lamps, gawp at Christmas lights and try your hand at carol-oke whilst sipping on a refreshing brewski. It doesn’t get more hygge than this.

The Avenue Courtyard, M3 3AY

A. Elf & Safety

Q. What do you get if you cross a snowman with a vampire?

The Oast House Kudos to Oast House. They’re always one of the first bars to embrace the festive season. They’re also one of the best at it, too. Instead of leaving their winter guests to tremble in their backyard, Oast House have made the most of their generous beer garden space for winter, setting up a series of twinkling tipis with bars and wooden benches tucked away inside. The glistening decorations at this Spinningfields venue can make you feel a bit like a kid again but, rest assured, slipping into Oast House over the winter period isn’t like visiting a Santa’s grotto where you marvel at the decorations only to queue for an eternity and walk out clutching a lame gift. Nope, Oast House are going all out to ensure their festive guests leave satisfied, setting up numerous bars to minimise wait times and serving a delicious selection of hug-in-a-mug winter warmer beverages, including apple cider, cranberry, cinnamon and Sipsmith sloe gin, and spice mulled wine. You’re even allowed to keep the mug without having to put down a pesky deposit.

The Avenue Courtyard, M3 3AY

Albert’s Schloss It’s difficult to remember a bar becoming as popular as quickly as Albert’s Schloss. The view of the queue for this Peter Street venue has become as familiar a sight in Manchester as an overstuffed Magic Bus trundling down Oxford Road - and it all seemed to happen so quickly, too.

One minute Albert’s Schloss was opening its doors, then everyone blinked and it was the busiest bar in town.

In hindsight, perhaps this should have been expected.

Impressive from the outside and even more striking indoors, Schloss is a big, bright Bavarian beer hall that appeals to pretty much everyone, from the working crowd to the older folk who enjoy a finer brew. It acts as a bawdy retreat from the teeth-chattering outdoor weather in winter, with an array of professional entertainers stepping on stage to warm up guests with dances, songs and musical performances. Whether you spend your evening chugging European tanker beers by the roaring fire or picking away at the delicious festive menu, Albert’s Schloss has all the ingredients for a fun-filled winter’s evening.

27 Peter Street, M2 5QR

The Wharf Something quite wonderful happens to the Castlefield canal when the year draws to a close. As the temperatures plummet and the daylight dims, the view of the waterway and its surroundings become an entrancing winter’s sight – like watching your breath dance on a cloud in the cold night air.

Above the canal, standing aloft on a set of stone steps is The Wharf – a majestic building that puts the castle in Castlefield.

Serving up piled plates of mouth-watering roasts and an array of fine whiskeys, gins, cask ales, lager, and wine, The Wharf has everything you could want on a winter menu complemented by the grand, lodge-cum-cellar décor and gently crackling fireplace. The venue is smartly tailored to suit everyone with upstairs catering for food and the bottom floor accommodating a more raucous, party-like atmosphere.

But be warned. It fills up quickly, especially at weekends but if you book a table a few days in advance you can guarantee yourself a seat for the evening in one of the most enjoyable winter pubs in Manchester.

6 Slate Wharf, Castlefield M15 4ST A. Frostbite

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Q. Why was the Manchester Christmas Markets stall holder arrested?

The Bouncing Czech Amid the snowy ashes on inconspicuous Back Turner Street rises a bar like a phoenix from the flames this winter, a beer hall with a smirk-inducing moniker and a Central European timbre. Montpellier’s has vacated its premises for three months to make room for The Bouncing Czech – a bar that brings an authentic Czech vibe to NQ with its Czech staff, Czech lager, and Czech food.

Czech, mate. Foamy beer, crunchy pretzels and sausages aren’t quite what we’d typically class as traditional festive treats here in the UK, but it’s something you definitely ought to try.

After 10 minutes inside, it’ll feel like you booked a holiday in Central Europe for Christmas.

42 Back Turner Street, M4 1FR

Red Door Red Door is one of those bars that you wouldn’t know was there if you weren’t looking for it.

Sandwiched between The Living Room and La Tasca, this subterranean drinking den looks like a curious crossbreed of Albert’s Schloss and Hold Fast in the Northern Quarter.

A relatively new venue that’s recently found its way into Manchester after setting up shop in Liverpool and Chester, it’s tough to tell quite how festive Red Door is going be. After all, this will be the bar’s first Christmas in the People’s Republic of Mancunia.

The early signs are good, though. Not only is the setting just right for a winter bar – think darkened room, glowing lights and live music - but the Red Door team have also released a fresh menu of wonderfully named cocktails just for winter such as The Night Before Christmas, Miracle On Deansgate, Snow Globe and Smoking Santa.

Red Door is certainly the dark horse for the winter bar of the year award. Expect to see a few very merry office gangs congregating here in the coming weeks.

78 Deansgate, M3 2ER

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The Whiskey Jar You don’t have to look too far back to find a time when whiskey was considered the cure for most winter ailments – from a touch of the flu to the onset of toothache. Whilst most modern day medical professionals would dissuade you from sipping from a glass of Jim Beam when a cold kicks in, there’s still a sense of agreement that when weather temperatures are low, whiskey really hits the spot. A leading advocate of this philosophy is The Whiskey Jar – an NQ bar boasting a liquor collection to rival Mark Twain’s. Whether you’re a bourbon connoisseur or just enjoy a snifter of scotch on occasion, The Whiskey Jar is still well worth ducking into during the colder nights with the ambience sure to warm your senses if nothing else. This homely saloon hosts happy hours and open mic nights throughout the winter, as well as the Winter Whiskey Festival – a celebration of liquor and live music - on 27 November. There’ll also be whiskey seminars conducted by industry professionals who’ve artfully spent their time carving out a paid career in reviewing and exploring alcohol. Isn’t that the life?

14 Tariff St, M1 2FF A. For handling stollen goods

Q. What animal is sometimes happy and sometimes unhappy?

A. A bi-polar bear

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Q. Why do you never see Father Christmas in hospital?

Waxy O’Connor’s

Briton’s Protection As Manchester students morph into young working professionals, move to Castlefield, and discover there is, in fact, life beyond the McDonald’s on Oxford Road, a fateful step in their evolution to adulthood is their first trip to The Briton’s Protection. It’s here they discover the real ales, the real people of Manchester, and – most importantly of all – that there’s far more to pubs than flat Carlsberg and knockoff Sambuca. Briton’s Protection is a true Manchester gem, especially in the winter, catering for an eclectic crowd of seasoned regulars, young professionals, and Deansgate workers who fancy a pint to blow the cobwebs away after a long working week. With two toasty log fires and a dazzling array of whiskey to choose from, you’ll find yourself warmed up within a matter of minutes of stepping through the door.

50 Great Bridgewater Street, M1 5LE

An Irish-themed bar in the heart of The Printworks, Waxy O’Connor’s rejoices in winter by serving up belly-warming Irish coffee and pumping in a festive atmosphere with sing-a-long Sundays.

The entertainment venue in which this Irish bar resides has its fans and its critics, but Waxy’s has a good heart and is a cracking little spot to sway along to Irish ditties with your buddy hanging on one arm and a drink attached to the other. It’s a bar that offers a laidback vibe with a boisterous kick, and numerous live music sessions are set to take place in November and December on Friday and Saturday nights.

The Printworks, Corporation St, M4 2BS

The Whitworth goes Scandi The Angel The first point to make about The Angel – an unassuming little boozer situated on the edge of the Northern Quarter – is that it isn’t much like any of the other bars we’ve already mentioned.

The Angel is a pub very much set in its ways - classic ales, chalkboard menus, wooden floors. And, curiously, that’s exactly what makes it such a wonderful little winter retreat. Endearing and intimate, The Angel is, by its own admission, a place full of ‘real people’.

If the Christmas Markets are too hectic or The Oast House is a bit unruly for your tastes, wander up to Angel Street, push open the door to this little public house, and take a seat near the fire.

Within moments, the manic holiday hustle and bustle on the streets outside will feel like a year-old dream.

6 Angel Street, M4 4BQ 42 ILOVEMCR.COM

The Whitworth is hosting a whole weekend, drawing inspiration from Scandinavia to evoke the spirit of hygge. The Scandi Frost Fair is a weekend of Nordic-inspired activities at the Whitworth celebrating winter, arts, culture and togetherness, designed to evoke the spirit of hygge. Think big colourful jumpers, hearty food and the magic of the Northern Lights. The sculpture court will be transformed into the Ice Queen’s Courtyard and, between performances of an entertaining visual spectacle by Walk The Plank, there will be an ice rink for all ages to enjoy to keep the festive atmosphere going, along with the best local craft ales served up with a feast of international street food.

Clustered near to Anya Gallacio’s gleaming Ghost Tree sculpture and alongside the newly extended gallery, you can enjoy mulled wine, hot chocolate, crafts and handmade gifts from Manchester Craft Mafia. Or take it easy and relax under cover with a hot cocktail and view the Northern Lights and Scandinavian film shorts projected in the art garden’s outdoor cinema. Activities inside the gallery are on offer throughout the weekend, offering interactive spaces for all ages to enjoy. Activities will include everything from floristry, the big knit along, storytelling and Welly Walks for kids. To top it all off, be sure to stay until dusk to catch the spectacular firework display to mark the finale on the Sunday evening.

The Whitworth Art Gallery, Oxford Road, M15 6ER. Sat and Sun, Dec 3 and 4.

11am-7pm each day. Free.

A. Because he has private elf care

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Q. What do you get if you cross Santa with a duck?

Let the gin flow Gin-soaked boy Tom Ingham takes a tour of the City of Manchester Distillery

“Drink 20ml of that and you’ll go blind”.

Not the most comforting words to hear when you’re trying to make your own gin, or so you’d think.

oats, giving the gin a smoother, more viscous mouth feel and making it extremely versatile for cocktails, mixers or just drinking it straight.

I’m at the City of Manchester Distillery where Manchester Three Rivers Gin are taking a group of enthusiastic gin fans back to a time when moonshine was rife and alcohol contained dangerous amounts of methanol.

Gin may seem like a sophisticated choice of tipple these days, but there was a time when people were getting completely hammered on the stuff - and not in a good way. Water was dangerous to drink and gin was cheaper than beer, leading to astronomical levels of consumption.

Gin palaces came about to meet the demand and became places where rich and poor alike came to get their fix.

Gin, like many other liquid wonders, has experienced something of an indie boom since 2009 when London distiller Sipsmith won a legal battle for the right to produce gin in small quantities rather than on an industrial scale.

Manchester Three Rivers Gin, named after the Medlock, Irk and Irwell, was founded earlier this year, making a London dry gin Manchester-style.

“London Dry Gin is a style of gin and a marker of quality” says master distiller Dave Rigby. “What we do here, however, is a very much unique take on that style.”

And he’s not wrong. Looking back to what labourers would have eaten in bygone days, this gin contains A.A Christmas quacker

Fascinating stuff, right?

You’ll learn all this and more on Three Rivers’ ‘Gin Experience’, possibly the ultimate gift for the booze enthusiast in your life. For £95 you get a fascinating talk on the history of gin as well the origin of expressions like ‘blind drunk’. You also get a lot of gin, several cocktails, a tour

of the distillery and, the cherry on the icing on the cake, you get to make your own 70cl bottle of gin to take home.

After admiring Angel, the 450 litre custom-made copper pot still, it was time to grab another G&T and move over to the botanical wall. With just under 50 possible ingredients to choose from, there’s a chance to go for some really bold flavours – and, potentially, make some awful gin. Avoid ginger at all costs.

Luckily, the experts are there to guide you, laying out the essentials like juniper for you and advising on how much of each botanical to chuck in.

As we were impressed with Three Rivers creamy and smooth gin, we opted for a similar style, using almonds, oats, lavender, wormwood and a dash of lemon peel. Amazingly, for a bunch of complete novices, the gin tasted great.

Having inputted our recipe into their iPad, we can call on the distillery to make a batch of our gin, anytime we want. manchesterthreerivers.com ILOVEMCR.COM 45

Q. What do you get if you eat Christmas decorations?

FEAST

your eyes on this

by Ray King

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A. Tinselitis

Q. Why did the mushroom get invited to all the Christmas parties?

and rum tobacco-smoked Cheshire venison carpaccio and aged balsamic vinegar roasted fig with pomegranate, pumpkin and dates are all priced between £6.50 and £8.50 – and all bang on the money. ROB’s ability to coax such flavour from salmon, so often so boringly bland, is a tribute to his skills.

What happens when Manchester’s Italian restaurant kings meet a man hailed by critics as a champion of the north, a chef who combines great technique with a deep understanding of gutsy cooking? an Carlo, perhaps the most successful Italian restaurant brand in the UK, meets Robert Owen Brown, maverick Mancunian chef and champion of the north west of England’s traditional dishes. Head on.

This could sound like the biggest culinary car crash imaginable. But there’s common ground. Carlo Distefano’s £40m success story has always been based upon sourcing the finest possible ingredients. ROB has long championed the bounteous produce of his home ground.

So their coming together in the seasonal pop-up restaurant Feast, on the site of 47 King Street West – just across the road from San Carlo’s flagship restaurant – makes a kind of sense.

The venture sprang from the imagination of Carlo’s son Marcello, the group’s managing director, who wanted to deliver a winter menu and ROB immediately sprang to mind as the chef to deliver it.

A. Because he’s a funghi

They were still testing fire alarms when we gathered for Feast’s press launch, just four days after the winter wonderland themed decor began to be assembled. Why not a Christmas theme? I’ll come to that later. We were greeted by ROB and Carlo with one of Feast’s signature cocktails, a warming Woodland Old Fashioned composed of Woodford double oaked bourbon, 10 years old tawny port, syrup, bitters and orange zest. I’m not, by nature, a cocktail enthusiast who ventures much beyond gin and tonic, but this was a down home darling.

The menu at Feast looks one hundred per cent Robert Owen Brown and zero per cent San Carlo, but one hopes that the latter’s uber-slick operation is going to showcase some brilliant British dishes in the manner they have long deserved, not least with the main man pulling the strings.

Starter samples of Loch Etive salmon with clementine oil, caviar cream and fresh seaweed; hot buttered Brixham crab claws served with an optional oyster and Bloody Mary shooter; plum

Mains range from £11 – £20. We sampled fillet of Var salmon en croute partnered by creamed leeks and Morecambe Bay shrimps and cockles; a gloriously moist whole local estate pheasant (which, let’s face it, is too often a tough and dry old bird) served with bacon, classic bread sauce, wild watercress and game chips; a knock-your-socks-off stew of rich, claret-braised Forest of Dean wild boar with chorizo and wistfully comforting horseradish dumplings and, just out of this world, classic steak, Marble beer and unctuous cow heel pie.

In this part of the world, we are fortunate to be surrounded by produce of such world-class quality and ROB possesses the alchemist’s skill to turn this bounty into culinary gold.

His desserts were no less burnished.

The dark chocolate terrine, marinated cherries and thick brandy cream was better than the best Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte – okay, Black Forest gateau – you ever tasted as was his spiced honey and Vimto poached pear, paying lip-service to the legendary Mancunian ‘claret’. All desserts are £6.

Feast is now open and offers breakfast and all day dining ‘til late, seven days a week throughout the festive season until early January, evoking the beautiful winter forests and woodlands of England.

There’s no deliberate Christmas theme so is this a clue that this inspired popup will not pop down again in early January, its envisaged lifespan? My guess is that, with support, it won’t.

And it shouldn’t.

Feast, 47 King Street West, M3 2PW

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Q. What do you call a reindeer in the Sahara desert?

Meet the team bringing hope to the streets of Manchester this Christmas Every Christmas, for more than 25 years, an organisation called Lifeshare has been turning Charter Street Ragged School on Dantzic Street into a place where vulnerable and homeless people are looked after and can feel cared for over the festive period hen you take to the streets of Manchester this Christmas, you’ll probably be doing some Christmas shopping and going to the festive markets.

But some people will be taking to the streets for a very different, much more important reason – to help the homeless and vulnerable.

Last year saw a 63% rise in the number of rough sleepers in the city and this winter will see even more people out in the cold. Many people question the best way to help people in this position. Should I give them money?

Should I give them food? Or do I walk past because I’m not sure what to do?

One way to help is by getting involved with one of the charities working with homeless and other vulnerable people. Whilst other organisations in the city close over the festive season, Lifeshare turns Charter Street Ragged School on Dantzic Street into a place where vulnerable and homeless people can feel cared for over the festive period, giving them the company we so often take for granted.

‘Christmas is when I’m not invisible,’ is a regular comment from people who use Lifeshare.

Last year they served 161 silver service Christmas dinners, gave everyone a Christmas present and even had visits from the stars of Coronation Street and Emmerdale.

They don’t just provide food but showers, clean clothes, nurses and doctors, entertainment and even a 48 ILOVEMCR.COM

hairdresser.

“A stand-out thing is when we properly clean and dry clients’ clothes,” says team leader Judith Vickers.

“It can mean a huge amount to them.

To pull on some clothing and to smell that fresh, clean scent can be an experience they may not have had for months.”

This year they are even hoping to have a doggy well-being clinic so their clients’ pets can be attended to.

“Homeless people with pets often do not receive the services they need due to other organisations not accepting animals, but we welcome them here.

We’ve even had a floppy-eared rabbit in the past!”

This year the Christmas project is open from 23-29 December including Christmas Day. They have been accepting applications from volunteers to help out since early

October and places have been largely filled - but you can still help.

They are currently collecting donations of food, clothing, bedding - sleeping bags but not duvets or blankets - and toiletries as part of the appeal. Even things we take for granted like toilet rolls and cleaning materials can be meaningful donations.

“We really need donations,” says Judith. “And if people want to get involved and do a collection for us.

This would be fantastic. After all, we always aim to make our Christmas event bigger and better than last time!”

Lifeshare isn’t just for Christmas. It’s 52 weeks a year. They host a breakfast session for homeless and vulnerable people every Saturday and Sunday – and there are more people in need than ever.

As the number of homeless people and those facing hardship increases, another benefit cap coming into force on January 23 2017 may hit people hard.

“A few years ago, 90 people may have been considered a busy breakfast session. Now we regularly serve up to 125.”

“That’s why we are determined to provide the support that matters more than ever.”

You can donate money and goods at Charter Street Ragged School and the office at 27 Houldsworth Street.

A. Lost

Q. Where did Mancunians used to get their Christmas cakes from before the Christmas Markets?

HELP! How to help make Christmas for those in need in Manchester

Give the best gift of all this Christmas – help someone else.

Manchester charities are looking for volunteers and donations to help them over the busy Christmas period. Even just a couple of hours of your assistance or a small gift can make a big difference.

Wood Street Mission Christmas Appeal 2016 Wood Street Mission help local families struggling to make ends meet by providing new toys and food at Christmas. As part of their Christmas Appeal, Wood Street Mission are accepting donations of gifts suitable for children up to the age of 18 and non-perishable food for families until 16 December. Gifts (suggested value £10) can be dropped at the office at 26 Wood Street or a collection can be arranged by calling 0161 8343140. You can also donate to the appeal online. justgiving.com/woodstreetmission Christmas Carols in the City Tickets are now on sale for the third annual Christmas Carols in the City concert. It’s a chance to experience an authentic festive choir in the beautiful setting of Manchester Cathedral with part of the ticket fee going to the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital charity. It takes place on Thursday 15 December and festive refreshments will be available. Tickets are £6 for children and concessions, £12 for adults. manchestercathedral.org Help support the work of St Ann’s Hospice St Ann’s Hospice operates across Greater Manchester and helps A. Stollen from Ivor

thousands of families every year who are affected by cancer and life-limiting illnesses. £16,000 a day is needed to maintain the specialist care and support they provide – and your donations can help. They are currently accepting donated items for their Christmas raffle and there are other festive events you can contribute to including fairs, an Elf Treasure Hunt and Get Elfie campaign. sah.org.uk

the homeless all year round with an emphasis this winter on providing sleeping bags. They are also accepting donations of Christmas-themed food and warm clothing at the office at 61 Bloom Street. Christmas presents are also welcome. For a recommended list of items please see their website.

Deadline is 11 December. barnabus-manchester.org.uk

Be there for someone with The Samaritans

An estimated 8.4 million people across the country go without adequate food in the winter. You can do your bit to help fight hunger and ensure that some of the most vulnerable people in our society have enough to eat this Christmas by joining Team FareShare and spending a morning or afternoon on Thursday 1, Friday 2 or Saturday 3 December collecting food donations from your local Tesco store. fareshare.org.uk

Manchester Samaritans helps over 42,000 people every year facing hardship, providing emotional support day and night. Christmas is a particularly tough time for many people. When you volunteer with The Samaritans you will receive all the training you need to make a difference to the lives of other people – whether you are listening over the phone, offering advice, joining with outreach activities or even helping with administration. samaritans.org Greater Manchester Winter Night Shelter Greater Manchester Winter Night Shelter is welcoming people from all walks of life to help with the distribution and organisation of shelters for the homeless. There are seven locations across the area. gmwns.wordpress.com Bringing hope to the streets of Manchester with Barnabus Barnabus help rough sleepers and

Help fight hunger with FareShare

Help FC United play Santa Claus FC United are playing Santa Claus again this year. No, it’s not a charity football match. They are collecting toys at every home game until 17 December and distributing them to local children in need in time for Christmas. fc-utd.co.uk Donate to Manchester Dogs Trust Manchester Dogs Trust cares for dogs abandoned by their owners and treats severe cases of neglect. Winter is a particularly testing time with more resources needed to keep these canine companions fed and warm. dogstrust.org.uk ILOVEMCR.COM 49

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Q. Where did the Three Wise Men go for their lunch?

It’s a Wonderful Life the ultimate feel good Christmas movie is at HOME this Christmas

What’s happening?

Christmas comes to Manchester bigger, better and just a bit earlier every year and with so many things to do you’ll be spoilt for choice. Try these for size.

Ice rink at Cathedral Gardens

Christmas favourites pop-up cinema at Victoria Baths

For the first time ever, Cathedral Gardens will come alive with a glittering ice rink from 4 November.

On 10 November there’s even more to enjoy as the festive fairground opens, including a traditional ferris wheel, helter skelter, tea cup ride and more. Until 8 January 2017. www.ticketsource.co.uk/ therinkatcathedralgardens

Two pop-up film events are happening inside the Grade II listed Victoria Baths Home Alone on Friday 9 December and Elf the following day. This may be one of the most iconic places you will settle down to watch a festive favourite and there will be DJs, street food, a bar and vintage deckchair seating. Hosted by The Village Screen, tickets are available at thevillagegreenevents.co

A. Pret a Manger

Spend Christmas at HOME HOME is where the heart is this festive season - as Manchester’s centre for contemporary art, film and theatre puts on a massive range of festive entertainment for you to enjoy. From packed parties to an 80s inspired Christmas film season, there’s something for everyone - adults and children alike. The celebrations kick off on Friday 9th December with a spectacular party inspired by Back to the Future, along with a film screening and Enchantment Under The Sea themed 50s to 80s disco. The night will include DJs, themed food and cocktails, plus a visit from the DeLorean time machine. Following the free party - which will see HOME’s ground floor bar transformed into an underwater wonderland - you can move swimmingly into ‘A Very 80s Christmas’ film season throughout December. On Friday 16 December, First Street Manchester and HOME will be coming together for a final pre-Christmas party. First Street will provide a festive atmosphere with carols around a 20ft tree, snow machine, hot chestnuts, pretzels and candy floss, whilst HOME will be screening It’s a Wonderful Life the ultimate feel good Christmas movie and a special showing of the original 1947 film Miracle on 34th Street. Could Christmas get any better? We think not. homemcr.org ILOVEMCR.COM 51

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Q. Why do Jay Z and Snoop Dogg always help Santa out at Christmas?

FAMILY FRIENDLY

Winter Wonderland at EventCity Winter Wonderland, one of the UK’s biggest family theme parks, is coming to EventCity this Christmas featuring over 50 family attractions all under one roof and new rides including a giant carousel. This year also features a new Christmas mini panto and Basil Brush. It operates on a session basis to avoid overcrowding and there is just one amazing ticket price. A great family day out – and the chance to meet Father Christmas too! www.eventcity.co.uk

Chill Factore Santa’s Grotto – the only one in the UK on real snow!

Christmas drive-in cinema at Old Trafford The UK’s biggest Christmas drive-in cinema is coming to Old Trafford from the 21 to 23 December showing Elf, Home Alone, The Muppet Christmas Carol and Die Hard. The Manchester Christmas Drive-in has been designed to replicate the traditional American drive-in cinemas from the 1950s. The event features the world’s biggest outdoor LED screen plus you can enjoy festive food including crepes, a swing BBQ and hot chocolate. Tickets are £26 per car so a standard car of five people will cost only £5.20 per person. Bring your own food and drink or buy food from the German market-inspired stalls.

Spend Xmas in a brewery

Lightwaves 2016

GRUB food fair combines the best street food in the north along with craft beer and they are hosting a series of Christmas specials at the Alphabet Brewery on North Western Street. Every Saturday 12pm-10pm starting from 3 December except the ‘Black Friday’ special which will take place on 23 December. There will be super-charged gluhwein in the form of ‘feuerzangenbowle’, gift stalls, a spraypainted Christmas tree and, fingers crossed, even a stollen-flavoured special edition beer!

Salford will see a slice of Blackpool come to The Quays and MediaCityUK 9-18 December when the UK’s biggest digital light festival comes to Salford Quays featuring exclusively commissioned displays by artists from near and far. The illuminations will stretch right across Salford Quays from The Plaza close to The Lowry to the MediaCityUK Piazza.

Running daily 12pm-10.30pm, it’s free and the Lowry Outlet Mall is also giving visitors the chance to create their own light graffiti.

A. Because they are great at rapping

Chill Factore are inviting all the family to enjoy a Santa’s Grotto filled with real snow, along with visits from Peppa Pig plus plenty of other snow-sport activities, all under one roof. Home to the longest indoor real snow slope in the UK, Santa will be in his supersize Grotto every weekend right up until Christmas Eve. www.chillfactore.com

Billy Elliot The Musical The multi award-winning smash hit Billy Elliot the Musical comes to the Palace Theatre this festive season. Set in a northern mining town against the background of the 1984/’85 miners’ strike, Billy’s journey takes him out of the boxing ring and into a ballet class where he discovers a passion for dance that inspires his family and whole community and changes his life forever. Acclaimed by audiences and critics alike, Billy Elliot the Musical has received over 80 awards internationally.

29 Nov 2016 to Sat 28 Jan 2017.

Box office 0844 871 3019.

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