Local Democracy Reporting Service
Lukasz MichalakA herd of life-sized wooden safari animal puppets will pass though Greater Manchester this week as part of an international tour.
Called The Herds, the animals began their 12,400m (20,000km) journey in Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in April and are now moving north through European towns and cities.
The elephants, giraffes, antelope, and lions are made from upscaled or recyclable cardboard and plywood and are intended to highlight the dangers of climate change.
Here is all you need to know for those planning to see the spectacle, including start times and road closures.
When does the puppet show start?
The Herd will arrive first in Manchester city centre at 18:00 BST on Thursday as part of the opening events for Manchester International Festival.
It will make its way through Cathedral Gardens, Corporation Street and Market Street until around 19:15.
Festival organisers are advising people to watch from Cathedral Gardens, Corporation Street and the Arndale Centre’s Exchange Court in order to get the best views.
Lukasz MichalakWhere else can I see the puppets?
On Friday, the puppets will move on to Heywood, Rochdale, with the show focused around Aspinall Street from 19:00.
Locations being recommended for spectators include Aspinall Street, the corner where Miller Street, Aspinall Street and Mutal Street meet, Miller Street, Starkie Street and around the lake at Queen’s Park.
There will also be a free live music performance on stage at the park’s outdoor theatre, with food and drink available between 19:00 and 21:00.
Sue Smith, cabinet member for communities and co-operation at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “Seeing The Herds in Heywood is a once in a lifetime opportunity, a combination of dance-theatre, awe-inspiring life-size puppets creating something very powerful and moving.”
The puppets will make their final stop in Greater Manchester at Pennington Flash Country Park in Leigh on Saturday.
The show will be at the park from 13:00-16:00 before the animals continue their journey northwards to the Arctic.
How much is it?
The event is free to attend, and no bookings are required.
Spectators are able to arrive and leave at any time throughout the performances.
David LeveneRoad closures
In Manchester City Centre, there will be road closures and some parking suspensions in place from 17:00 BST to 20:00.
These will be on; Cateaon Street, the corner of Corporation Street and Withy Grove, Market Street and St Mary’s Gate and Cross Street as far as King Street and St Ann Street.
Trams between St Peter’s Square and Exchange Square will be stopped between 17:00-19:30 throughout Thursday to allow the puppets to make their way through the streets.
Services operating on the Rochdale Town Centre/Shaw & Crompton and East Didsbury lines will operate from Shudehill and Market Street instead of Exchange Square during this time, Transport for Greater Manchester said.
In Heywood, Rochdale Borough Council is set to close various streets around the performance from 18:00 to 20:00 BST on 4 July.
Waiting will also be temporarily prohibited on several nearby streets.
