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The scenic fairy woodland miniature railway which only costs £2.50

‘People ask us what we sell at Brookside and I say we sell smiles.’

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@brookside_miniature_railway / Instagram

A cute miniature railway station close to Greater Manchester has been a popular attraction amongst families for the past 40 years — and its station manager is a TV star.

Brookside Miniature Railway in Poynton now looks even better after a team of volunteers saved it from risk of closure five years ago — giving it the TLC it deserves and a much needed glow-up. A team of railway enthusiasts look after the mini station, tending to the steam trains and tracks, paint it and keep it looking picture perfect for when it opens to welcome visitors every week.

The Cheshire-based attraction is open to the public every Thursday to Sunday and costs just £2.50 to take a ride on the tiny train. The little loco heads out to do its half mile loop of the Brookside Garden Centre where it takes in scenic river views along its route, weaving through tunnels and even passes an original 100-year-old signal box.

The owners have created a fairy garden and kingdom through the woodland to add some extra magic and imagination to the journey, along with a colony of garden gnomes donated by local residents.

Brookside Miniature Railway

The train navigates its way across the Nory Brook as it goes along the Stockport and Cheshire border. And there’s even a local celebrity who is the station manager — band lead Andy Prior who had his own entertainment show on the BBC in the 1990s, called The Andy Prior Big Band.

Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, retired police officer Chris Mackenzie MBE and Lee Oxley joined forces as the directors of the railway back in 2018. Chris, 62, says: “I’ve always been a railway enthusiast so I always knew about it here, and when we had a young son he loved it, and of course we were there every weekend.

“When we heard it was closing down, there was a public outcry. We decided it was too good to close down, so we formed a local company, a lot of us got together and here’s where we are now a few years later.

“We didn’t realise how run down it was, so a lot of work has gone into it and without the volunteers we wouldn’t be where we are now.”

Brookside Miniature Railway

During lockdown the team took the opportunity to repaint it all, while the garden centre, now owned by Klondyke & Strikes, helped in providing materials too. Chris said: “The general community here have been brilliant. It’s how to run a railway, with a lot of volunteers and not much money and a community behind you.

“One of the things we created to make it interesting all the way around was a magical fairy wood. People donated gnomes, we got a load of fairies and spent a lot of time making it. Wives will come along and ‘donate’ their husbands to help out!

“Only a couple of months ago a widow donated a shed to us, so we transformed that into a signal box and painted it in red and cream it looks lovely now.” Dozens of volunteers help out to maintain the railway and man the trains and generally make it a lovely time for all involved.”

Brookside Miniature Railway

Local celebrity and station manager, Andy Prior, gamely dresses up for the themed events at the railway, which include special Santa trains at Christmas and an Easter egg hunt over Easter.

He told The Manchester Evening News: “People ask us what we sell at Brookside and I say we sell smiles. It’s aimed at families and that’s why we have the fairy wood and pirates and that sort of thing, just to make it that bit more magical.

“It was in a pretty derelict state when we took it on, I’ve always been involved in railways and trains all my life. A lot of kids know me as Andy the train manager now. I train all the drivers. Sometimes I’ll be driving, sometimes I’m train guard taking the platform tickets — I’m pretty hands on.”

Brookside Miniature Railway

The sit-in carriages are each named after volunteer’s family members and even Chris’ beloved pet dog that sadly died called Daisy. They’ve also just invested in a new loco called Graeme — for which the naming ceremony is set to take place in the next few weeks.

The station also features a gift shop, which includes a range of Thomas the Tank Engine toys and ice creams. There’s also an original signal box that came from Aughton Road near Southport. Staff have worked hard to repair and restore the historic building, although little of the signal works in the top floor survives. 

The railway is open weekly from Thursday to Sunday, and also on bank holidays. Opening times are 10.30am to 4pm.

Tickets are £2.50 for adults and children aged over two. You can also buy 10 rides for £25.00 and get an extra two rides for free. You can find out more on the Brookside Miniature Railway website.

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Free Stick Man trail relaunches for Easter with new characters

The free family-friendly trail is now open and it’s around an hour and a half drive from Manchester

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@nat_mem_arb / Instagram & The National Memorial Arboretum

Families looking to entertain their little ones can visit a free Stick Man trail which has relaunched for the Easter holidays, with some new characters.

The free self-led trail follows the story of The Stick Man from a twig for a nest to a mast for a flag as he tries to make his way home to his Family Tree.

The trail, which can be found at the National Memorial Arboretum near Lichfield, Staffordshire, was open during February half-term and promises to be even better as it sees imaginative young visitors go on an adventure through its acres of woodland.

The National Memorial Arboretum

As little ones help The Stick Man on his adventure, they will enjoy discovering five new ‘carved and colourful wooden characters’ as well as the ever-popular Stick Man sculpture, on the mile-long route.

New characters to be discovered include the dog that loves fetch, to the swan that uses The Stick Man to build a nest.

Visitors can pick up a free self-led trail sheet on arrival at the Welcome Desk, and head out into the Arboretum to explore the new trail.  

The Julia Donaldson classic story-inspired by trail relaunched on March 23rd and will be open during the Easter holidays, and for the rest of the year. Its opening times are from 10am-4pm every day.

@nat_mem_arb / Instagram

Also available at the site is a restaurant selling hot food, sandwiches, cakes and beverages suitable for all ages, which is open 10am-3pm daily. There’s indoor and outdoor seating as well as designated picnic areas.

Visitors are advised to wear suitable footwear and clothing as the outdoor route does venture through woodland and can get a bit muddy, so it is unsuitable for some pushchairs.

Visitors are also urged to book parking in advance to avoid any disappointment on the day.

Dogs are permitted as long as they are kept on a short lead and the site says visitors should note that children’s bikes, balance bikes, scooters and rollerblades can not be used in the Arboretum grounds.

@nat_mem_arb / Instagram

“Our original Stick Man trail has proven to be a huge family-favourite, with thousands of visitors exploring the route since it opened in 2019,” explains Rachel Smith, Head of Participation and Learning at the National Memorial Arboretum. 

“This new trail is longer, more interactive than ever, and features stunning woodcarvings that will really capture the imagination of our visitors as they follow The Stick Man’s journey back to his Family Tree. 

“We’d love for fans of The Stick Man young and old to join us at the Arboretum for our full day of free activities to celebrate the opening of the new trail, a fantastic way to start the Easter holidays!”

The huge site is around 150 acres and holds around 400 memorials of all shapes and sizes dedicated to the Armed Forces.

The National Memorial Arboretum / Facebook

Guests of all ages are welcome to explore the grounds as they discover the memorials tucked away in gardens and woodland glades among 25,000 trees.

“At the National Memorial Arboretum, we share the incredible stories of those who have served and sacrificed for our country in many different ways, from the 400-plus memorials in the gardens and woodlands, to our changing exhibition and events programme,” continues Rachel.

Adding: “One of our key ambitions is to pass on this baton of Remembrance to the next generation, and The Stick Man trail is a wonderful way to introduce young children and their families to the Arboretum.

“Along the trail, they will also encounter some of these memorials and stories and, as their families grow, we look forward to welcoming them back to the Arboretum many times to explore more about our shared history and to commemorate those who lost their lives in service.”

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Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds are coming to Manchester this autumn

Make sure you don’t miss tickets for this!

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@nickcaveofficial / Instagram

Nick Cave is heading to the UK for the first time since 2017, and the good news is he’ll be stopping in Manchester.

The Australian rock legend and his band the Bad Seeds will be playing the AO Arena on November 5th, as part of a full European tour.

And in even better news the tour coincides with the release of the band’s 18th studio album, Wild God, which is set to be released on August 30th.

@nickcaveofficial / Instagram


About the tour, Cave said: “I never think about how a record is going to go live, it never, ever occurs to me

“The lyric writing process is way too hard to take ideas like that into consideration. But, when I listen to Wild God now, I think we can really do something epic with these songs live.

“We’re really excited about that – the record just feels like it was made for the stage.”

The Bad Seeds will be supported by art rock band Black Country, New Road throughout their UK tour.

@nickcaveofficial / Instagram


Cave added: “Wild God…there’s no f**king around with this record. When it hits, it hits. It lifts you. It moves you. I love that about it.

“I hope the album has the effect [on listeners] that it’s had on me. It bursts out of the speaker, and I get swept up with it. It’s a complicated record, but it’s also deeply and joyously infectious.

“There is never a masterplan when we make a record. The records rather reflect back the emotional state of the writers and musicians who played them. Listening to this, I don’t know, it seems we’re happy.”

The full UK dates for Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds:


  • 2 November – Leeds, First Direct arena
    3 November – Glasgow, OVO Hydro
    5 November – Manchester, AO Arena
    6 November – Cardiff, Utilita Arena
    8 November – London, The O2
    12 November – Dublin, 3Arena
    15 November – Birmingham, Resorts World Arena

Grab your tickets here

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Music legend Stevie Nicks is coming to Manchester’s Co-op Live this summer 

The legendary singer-songwriter is coming to Manchester this year!

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Co-op Live

Legendary singer-songwriter Stevie Nicks is coming to Manchester’s Co-op Live this summer.

The front woman of the iconic band Fleetwood Mac will take to the stage at the brand new arena – set to open this spring – to the delight of her adoring fans on Tuesday, July 9th.

Nicks will perform in Manchester ahead of her upcoming appearance at BTS in London’s Hyde Park on July 12th.

Co-op Live

Speaking about her upcoming show in London, Nicks said: “Anything that draws me back to London – and therefore to England – fills my heart with joy. And to be able to visit and make music… is always a dream come true…”

Nicks joined Fleetwood Mac in 1975 along with her then partner and fellow Mac band member, Lindsey Buckingham. 

She introduced to the band her distinctive voice, poetic songwriting, and captivating stage presence, winning over the love of audiences worldwide.

Co-op Live

Her impact on Fleetwood Mac’s success during the late 1970s and early 1980s, particularly with the release of the highly acclaimed album Rumours, solidified her as a musical powerhouse. 

This record sold over 40 million copies worldwide, making it the 5th best-selling album of the 1970s and the 9th best-selling album of all time.

Beyond her contributions to Fleetwood Mac, Nicks has had a significant solo career that further cements her enduring influence. 

Co-op Live

Hits including ‘Edge of Seventeen’ and ‘Stand Back’ showcase her versatility and unique style. 

Her ability to transcend musical boundaries, coupled with her trailblazing role as a woman in rock, has inspired generations of artists.

Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with Fleetwood Mac in 1998 and as a solo artist in 2019, Stevie Nicks continues to be celebrated not only for her musical prowess but also as a symbol of resilience and creativity in the ever-evolving musical landscape.

Co-op members will be first in line for tickets at Co-op Live before they go on general sale, including other exclusive benefits – get signed up HERE.

Co-op member presale tickets go live at 12pm on March 20th

General sale tickets go live at 12pm on March 22nd.

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