We have worked hard to bring you the best of whats happening, Manchester-wide. We have so much more to offer. So we are working hard over the summer make Manchester Wide much, much better.

Our new site will still bring you information about events and entertainment in this great City. But there is more planned, so check back regularly and subscribe to Manchester Wide on Twitter to ensure you are the first to know about updates on Manchester Wide.

Salford Council is organising safe, fun filled family entertainment in the shape of its very own Ice Ring. Salford Ice Rink is open for just over one month, from Friday 4th December 2009 until Wednesday 6th January, 2010. Salford Ice Rink is a very popular attraction over the holiday period and is enjoyed by young and old alike.

This is a great way to spend the day over the festive holiday period. This years rink is bigger than ever and with the ice ring now open on Boxing Day and New Year’s Eve for the first time, its even better than last year.

The organisers say ……

“………….We’ve also got a whole host of discount promotions and events happening including an opening night launch, special family sessions, the chance to meet Santa and keep an eye out for the Real Radio crew popping down to the rink as well………….”

Salford Ice Rink opening times are as follows:-

Friday 4th December – Sunday 20th December 2009

Monday to Friday – 1.30pm to 8.00pm (final skating admission 7.00pm)
Saturday and Sunday 11.00am to 8.00pm (final skating admission 7.00pm)

Monday 21st December – Wednesday 6th January 2010

Monday to Friday 12.30pm to 8.00pm (final skating admission 7.00pm)
Christmas Eve 12.30pm to 8.00pm (final skating admission 7.00pm)
Christmas Day – Closed
Boxing Day 1.30pm to 7.00pm (final skating admission 6.00pm)
New Year’s Eve 12.30pm to 6.00pm (final skating admission 5.00pm)
New Year’s Day – Closed

There is free car parking available all weekend and from 6.00pm on weekdays and tickets cost £6.00 for Adults, £5.00 for 13 to 17 year olds and £4.00 for 5 to 12 year olds. Other discounts and concessions apply so visit the Salford Council website for more information about ticket prices and for details of how to book.

Manchester’s Chancellors Hotel and Conference Centre (Chancellors Way
Moseley Road, Manchester, M14 6NN) was chosen by the Alzheimer’s Research Trust to launch their Memories Matter campaign. Memories Matter aims to raise awareness of Alzheimers and to raise much needed money for the Trust.

The campaign highlights the memory loss caused by dementia every day. Around 700,000 people in the UK live with dementia and more than 10% of those live in the North West. With an ageing population, more and more people will be living with and/or affected by dementia. The launch included the unveiling of a unique memory wall which was covered in hundreds of sticky notes each featuring a precious memory submitted by supporters of the campaign.

Pauline McLynne (who plays Mrs Boyle in the TV comedy Father Ted) unveiled the Wall to coincide with World Alzheimer’s Day on the 21st September 2009. She spoke about the Memories Matter campaign and her experience of writing about Alzheimer’s for her book, Missing You Already. She also added her own memory to the wall.

The Wall is covered top to toe in memories from members of the public and celebrities alike. The Wall includes contributions from prime minister Gordon Brown, broadcaster Sir Michael Parkinson, author Terry Pratchett, actor John Suchet and historian Andrew Roberts.

You can read everyone’s memories, add your own and make a donation to the campaign by visiting the microsite – Memories-Matter.org or and you can also leave your memory on Twitter using the tag #memoriesmatter.

The Mega Mela includes a wide variety of great attractions.

The Mela’s attractions include dance, workshops, street theatre, music arts and crafts. There is lots for everyone.

Manchester Mega Mela includes a mouthwatering array of food from the Asian sub continent, Indian ice cream and delicious Indian sweets.

There will be trading stalls offering a wide range of interesting products from traditional and contemporary clothing to music and crafts.

You will be able to see an exciting competition featuring South Asian Kabaddi, (Sunday 6 – 8pm, only) and the weekend will feature dhol drumming and an Indian Wedding Brass band.

Rangoli and Henna (Mehndi) will be on offer in the arts and crafts marquee.

The event is sure to be very popular and full details about the event can be found on the event website, ManchesterMela.co.uk

The concert venue is Tatton Park in Cheshire and it will commence at 8.15pm.

The performance will include a range of classical music pieces such as Dukas The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, Mussorgsky’s Night on the Bare Mountain and The Witches’ Sabbath from Berlioz’s Symphonie fantastique.

This is going to be a great concert from The Halle Orchestra, Britain’s longest established symphony orchestra. The 150 year old Manchester based Halle Orchestra was founded in 1858 in Manchester by Sir Charles Halle.

The concert is one of a series in the 2009 Tatton Park Picnic Concerts.

The following day on Sunday 2nd August 2009, another concert is taking place. The Back to the 80s concert will include performances by ’80s groups Heaven 17, The Human League, Go West and ABC.

Both concerts finish with a spectacular fireworks display. Further details, including how to book your tickets for these events can be found on the Tatton Park Concerts website.

There are a total of five Proms In The Park regional classical music concerts and they are part of the final highlights of the BBC’s Proms 2009 classical music festival which lasts from 17th July – 12th September, 2009.

This year Buile Hill Park, Salford, will be one of only five regional concert venues that will host the BBC’s Proms in the Park concerts. These concerts, together with the Last Night of the Proms event at London’s Royal Albert Hall, mark the end of the festival, on Saturday 12 September, 2009. The other Proms in the Park events are taking place in:-

Hillsborough Castle, County Down
Glasgow Green, Glasgow
Hyde Park, London
Singleton Park, Swansea

Proms In The Park, together with the Last Night of the Proms event at the Royal Albert Hall, London, are the culmination of what is probably the UK’s most well known classical music festival. The BBC Proms 2009 includes more than 70 concerts at the Royal Albert Hall and 19 chamber music recitals at Cadogan Hall, Chelsea, London.

This is a great opportunity to see the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra which is based in Studio 7 Concert Hall, BBC Manchester, Oxford Road, in a memorable and atmospheric outdoor venue.

At the time of writing there are plans to screen Proms in the Park on the BBC Big Screens located around the country, including Manchester’s Exchange Square.

(Additionally,Manchester based chamber orchestra Manchester Camerata will be playing as part of the Proms 2009 at the Royal Albert Hall on Monday 20 July 2009, 9.30pm)

The event, supported by NS&I (National Savings & Investments).

The BBC have a very useful dedicated microsite for the Proms in the Park.

Tickets are priced at £15.00 (£10.00 for Salford residents)

Details of the BBC’s Proms 2009, including TV and radio coverage, can be found online, here.

For more details, visit Visit Salford or phone 0161 848 8601.

Are you planning to go? What are you looking forward to? Tell us more, in the comments section, below -