And they’re off... for a very posh day at the races
£500-A-HEAD NORTHERN BELLE TRIP TO ASCOT
ONCE a year there is a train where Champagne flows and staff roll out the red carpet for some very lucky passengers.
The luxury Northern Belle whisked travellers from Manchester Victoria to Ascot where they enjoyed a day at the races in the Royal Enclosure and Queen’s Stand.
Customers enjoyed a threecourse Bellini brunch, Champagne on tap and wide spacious carriages with plush seating, mosaic floors and wood panelled walls – but at a cost of £500 per ticket.
On the return journey, they were to expect a seven course meal and more bubbles, all in true 1920s opulence.
Decked in their finest – many in top hat and tails – the racegoers passed picketing rail workers and Manchester commuters braced for another day of crisis on the Northern Rail network yesterday.
Jill Coleman and Gary Coleman, from Blackpool, were two of the 276 passengers who bought a ticket on the luxury private train.
They were part of a group of 44 friends who had booked out one of the seven carriages.
As she waited for the train, Jill said: “Our friends treated us to it, we are really excited. We are here for a birthday celebration.
“I love Agatha Christie novels, and it feels like we are in one of the stories. Let’s hope nobody gets murdered! I hope we see the royals when we get to Ascot. I’ve been watching it on TV and we saw Meghan Markle and the Queen.”
Julie Barden and her husband Les shelled out for tickets to celebrate their 22nd wedding anniversary.
Julie, from Barnsley, said: “It’s our third time. It’s absolutely brilliant. The train inside is absolutely stunning and the service is brilliant. It’s eating and drinking all the way down and all the way back up.” Gail Clarke, 77, from Salford Quays, said: “I’ve never done anything like this before. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
In Manchester there were plenty more revellers getting into the spirit of Ascot Ladies Day – at special events held to celebrate the historic races meet but on home turf – and raising money for charity in the process.
At The Lowry Hotel, Suzanne Page hosted her annual Ladies Day extravaganza, where guests raised funds for the Once Upon A Smile charity.
And over at The Midland Hotel, Alison Hibbert hosted her annual races extravaganza, with guests competed to be named best dressed on a day of revels and fundraising at Mr Cooper’s House.
In Rochdale, celebrity chef Andrew Nutter hosted his annual Ladies Day event, with a full house of well-dressed guests at Nutters Restaurant raising money for the NSPCC.