The Year Ahead

Life can often run away from you if you don’t have a plan.  This year I was determined to start off with a plan of things that I wanted to do throughout the year so that I have something to look forward to every few weeks.  This list is in no way a complete run down of my year (that’d take far too long) but these are the events which I think will form the highlights:

Frances at Gorilla, 3rd April:  It is no secret that Frances is one of my favourite music artists and I am really excited for when her tour hits Manchester just next month.  After following her rapidly progressing career online, there will be no better feeling than seeing her perform in person.

The High Kings:  I was excited to find that The High Kings were touring last year only to be disappointed when all the tickets had sold out.  This year The High Kings are returning to England to perform in Leeds, Warrington and Birmingham and I am going to see them!  Part of my family comes from Ireland so I’ve been brought up with Irish music, The High Kings’ modern take on traditional Irish music is something special and seeing them live is going to be a real treat!

Ramsbottom Chocolate Festival, 8th/9th April – Ramsbottom’s annual chocolate festival returns for its 9th year.  I have visited this fantastic weekend for the last five years and have enjoyed it on each occasion so far.  It is made all the more special this year as a result of the doubt over whether the festival would go ahead after health and safety concerns due to the festival’s popularity and high visitor numbers!  The good news for chocoholics everywhere is that the Chocolate Festival will return this year.  It promises to be ‘bigger and better than ever’ according to the festival’s organisers.  That is a claim I wouldn’t like to argue with…

County Cricket Season:  I love cricket and the county cricket season is almost upon us.  With a season ticket for Lancashire I will be sure to watch a few games live at Old Trafford.  There’s nothing better than watching the cricket in front of the pavilion on a sunny day…

Great Manchester 10k:  I will be taking part in my first Great Manchester 10k.  I’m looking forward to being part of such a great event and want to set a new PB under 50-minutes.  The challenge is set!

Manchester Food and Drink Festival – 28th September to 9th October:  As with all things food and drink, there are few better events to experience a wide range of world cuisines than Manchester Food and Drink Festival.

Cup North, Manchester – 4/5th November:  This will be my first visit to Cup North, Manchester’s coffee-cum-food-festival which takes place in Victoria Warehouse on Trafford Road.  I’m looking forward to meeting different roasters, learning about coffee making techniques and best practices.  Cup North is also a good opportunity to find out about any coffee houses that I need to visit in the next year.

Christmas Markets – November/December:  Yes, I know we haven’t even reached Easter but there is no denying that I am a huge fan of wandering around Manchester or York Christmas markets.  Listening to the brass band play Fairytale of New York whilst sipping Gluehwein is my idea of the perfect winter’s night.  With the vast crowds which gather at the markets in the weeks leading up to Christmas, you can’t help but feel festive.  The Christmas Markets are the perfect way to get into the spirit of Christmas whilst having a good time with your friends.