0:00:02 > 0:00:04It's that magical time of year. It's Christmas!
0:00:04 > 0:00:06Up and down the UK, in towns and cities,
0:00:06 > 0:00:09families are gearing up for that big special day.
0:00:09 > 0:00:11They're buying presents, eating and drinking,
0:00:11 > 0:00:13and generally making merry.
0:00:13 > 0:00:15But as we know, Christmas is a major undertaking
0:00:15 > 0:00:16that takes planning,
0:00:16 > 0:00:20organisation, and a lot of hard work, but for some people,
0:00:20 > 0:00:23it can be a pretty challenging time too.
0:00:23 > 0:00:25I am very scared.
0:00:25 > 0:00:28Should have used nails.
0:00:28 > 0:00:30Still got Christmas trees to be delivered yet.
0:00:30 > 0:00:33So, we're in the heart of Britain's biggest Christmas market in
0:00:33 > 0:00:37Manchester to show you just what it takes to get that festive
0:00:37 > 0:00:38season on track.
0:00:38 > 0:00:41If we didn't do our job, the city would come to a standstill.
0:00:41 > 0:00:44Our priority is to get the motorway open and get these people
0:00:44 > 0:00:47moving again.
0:00:47 > 0:00:49Someone's fallen, getting into a taxi here.
0:00:49 > 0:00:51The ambulance has already been called.
0:00:51 > 0:00:53We're going to be meeting stallholders, police officers,
0:00:53 > 0:00:57and organisers, who all work tirelessly behind the scenes
0:00:57 > 0:01:00to make this special time of year safe and joyful for us all.
0:01:00 > 0:01:03It really does feel like the start of Christmas because
0:01:03 > 0:01:06everyone's getting together and having a good time.
0:01:06 > 0:01:08BOTH: Welcome to Christmas City!
0:01:08 > 0:01:09Going to be a good Christmas!
0:01:22 > 0:01:24On today's show, we'll be finding out what it takes to get
0:01:24 > 0:01:27Manchester's most iconic hotel ready for Christmas.
0:01:27 > 0:01:29And we'll also be following the fortunes of
0:01:29 > 0:01:31a first-time stallholder,
0:01:31 > 0:01:34who's gambled his life savings on a new business, selling blankets.
0:01:34 > 0:01:37And I'll be meeting a lady who's facing a tough first
0:01:37 > 0:01:41Christmas alone after the loss of her husband of more than 40 years.
0:01:45 > 0:01:49In the build-up to Christmas, teams of workers around the country have
0:01:49 > 0:01:53been hard at it, putting up lights, hanging baubles, and sprucing
0:01:53 > 0:01:57up our city centres, in readiness for the festive fun-lovers.
0:01:57 > 0:02:01And for some grand old institutions, it's a chance to maintain and
0:02:01 > 0:02:04maybe even develop some longstanding traditions.
0:02:04 > 0:02:07The Midland Hotel is one of Manchester's
0:02:07 > 0:02:11most historic buildings. This is where Mr Rolls first met Mr Royce
0:02:11 > 0:02:13and decided to make cars together,
0:02:13 > 0:02:17Hitler apparently had it earmarked as his British headquarters,
0:02:17 > 0:02:20and back in the '60s the Beatles were refused access to the
0:02:20 > 0:02:23restaurant for being too scruffy.
0:02:23 > 0:02:26More recently, they've spent £20 million on
0:02:26 > 0:02:31a massive revamp and they certainly don't scrimp at Christmas.
0:02:31 > 0:02:35Executive housekeeper Sandra Dixon has spent half her working
0:02:35 > 0:02:41- life here.- It was always the hotel that I wanted to work at.
0:02:41 > 0:02:43It was the famous Midland.
0:02:43 > 0:02:46I didn't want to work anywhere else.
0:02:46 > 0:02:51The century-old hotel is used to hosting big events,
0:02:51 > 0:02:53but nothing excites the people who work here more
0:02:53 > 0:02:56than the annual countdown to Christmas.
0:02:56 > 0:02:59Christmas decorations around Manchester get bigger every year, so
0:02:59 > 0:03:05it's a kind of a competition, who is going to have the best decorations.
0:03:05 > 0:03:08And we always want to try and do better than everyone else.
0:03:08 > 0:03:11- Did you say Brian was bringing the rest of the balls down?- Yeah.
0:03:11 > 0:03:13At this time of year,
0:03:13 > 0:03:16Sandra spends more time at the hotel than she does at home.
0:03:16 > 0:03:19It's earned her a title she's proud of.
0:03:19 > 0:03:21The general manager calls me Mrs Christmas.
0:03:21 > 0:03:24If it's not right, then it's down to me,
0:03:24 > 0:03:26so I've got to make sure it's right.
0:03:28 > 0:03:32The hotel will be spending over £10,000 on creating that
0:03:32 > 0:03:34festive atmosphere, and this year,
0:03:34 > 0:03:37they have gambled on a new team to organise their Christmas
0:03:37 > 0:03:41decorations, so Natasha Taylor is now the woman in Sandra's sights.
0:03:41 > 0:03:43A lot of pressure on you.
0:03:43 > 0:03:46Yeah, I mean, there is a lot of pressure, I mean,
0:03:46 > 0:03:50but for myself and the team, we're all fairly confident.
0:03:50 > 0:03:52And Sandra has an eye for detail.
0:03:52 > 0:03:56The four columns, I've asked them to wrap them in pre-lit garlands.
0:03:56 > 0:03:59They'll have to be dressed with warm white lights.
0:03:59 > 0:04:01Definitely, warm white.
0:04:01 > 0:04:04- One year, they did the bright white and it was kind of bluer.- Yeah.
0:04:04 > 0:04:05- And we don't want that.- No.
0:04:05 > 0:04:08- We want...- The warm.- The warm.- Yeah. That's absolutely fine.
0:04:08 > 0:04:12But the regular centrepiece of the decorations is
0:04:12 > 0:04:16a 22ft Nordmann spruce, slap-bang in the middle of the hotel's lobby.
0:04:16 > 0:04:19So, are you confident about the tree, Natasha?
0:04:19 > 0:04:21That it's going to be...nice?
0:04:21 > 0:04:25- It's just something I'm obsessed about cos...- Yeah.
0:04:25 > 0:04:27- Obviously, it's the main entrance.- Yeah.
0:04:27 > 0:04:30- You want it to be wow and you want it to be perfect.- Yeah.
0:04:30 > 0:04:32But, yeah, definitely confident.
0:04:32 > 0:04:35Well, at least Natasha's confident about erecting
0:04:35 > 0:04:39a 22ft Christmas tree in a busy hotel lobby without a hitch.
0:04:50 > 0:04:53Nine million visits are made into the city centre
0:04:53 > 0:04:55in the run-up to Christmas.
0:04:55 > 0:04:58It can be a profitable place to have a business at this time of year.
0:04:58 > 0:05:02Some of the traders here have been coming to the markets for
0:05:02 > 0:05:06nearly 20 years. Others are starting out for the first time,
0:05:06 > 0:05:08chancing their arm as entrepreneurs.
0:05:08 > 0:05:12What better way to find out if you could be the next Alan Sugar?
0:05:13 > 0:05:16In a suburban house in a street in Greater Manchester,
0:05:16 > 0:05:20one man is hatching a plan to launch a business empire.
0:05:22 > 0:05:25Chris Broad spent six years controlling the purse strings
0:05:25 > 0:05:30of many a small business when he worked for a high-street bank.
0:05:30 > 0:05:32Now, he's joining them.
0:05:34 > 0:05:38Chris has set his heart on making his fortune by selling blankets.
0:05:38 > 0:05:42So, he decided to apply for a stall on the Christmas markets.
0:05:42 > 0:05:43I just thought, "Let's do it,"
0:05:43 > 0:05:46so I filled the form in and I sent it in and to be quite honest,
0:05:46 > 0:05:49I didn't think I was going to hear anything more about it.
0:05:49 > 0:05:52I understand there was 20 applications for each spare cabin.
0:05:52 > 0:05:53I was really surprised it came back
0:05:53 > 0:05:56and said, "Yes, you've been picked. We really like the idea.
0:05:56 > 0:05:58"You're welcome to have one on Market Street.
0:05:58 > 0:06:00"You just need to pay us the money now."
0:06:00 > 0:06:05He might have won the golden ticket, but Chris is getting cold feet.
0:06:05 > 0:06:07It's a big risk for me.
0:06:07 > 0:06:10It was probably actually the biggest risk I've ever taken.
0:06:10 > 0:06:13My dad, he probably thinks, "What are you doing?
0:06:13 > 0:06:14"You had a job in a bank
0:06:14 > 0:06:17"and now you're selling blankets on a market!"
0:06:17 > 0:06:21So far, I've invested £9,000 into this project.
0:06:21 > 0:06:254,000 for the stand, 5,000 for stock and fittings.
0:06:25 > 0:06:30The £9,000 I've invested consists of £1,000 from my own savings,
0:06:30 > 0:06:351,000 from family, 2,000 from a bank and £5,000 from credit cards.
0:06:37 > 0:06:41Yeah, if I do worry about it, I will start not sleeping very well.
0:06:43 > 0:06:49In true Dragons' Den style, Chris has done the maths.
0:06:49 > 0:06:55To break even, I need to be taking probably about £250 a day.
0:06:56 > 0:06:58£500 a week.
0:06:58 > 0:06:59Is that right?
0:06:59 > 0:07:02That's not right, is it? It's not, it's £1,750.
0:07:03 > 0:07:08Chris eventually works out that to hit his £250 break-even figure,
0:07:08 > 0:07:11he'll have to sell at least eight blankets a day.
0:07:11 > 0:07:14And he's just reached the point of no return.
0:07:14 > 0:07:18He's taking delivery of his initial order of 500 blankets.
0:07:22 > 0:07:26It's quite a lot. I could do with the exercise.
0:07:26 > 0:07:28They are a nice quality blanket,
0:07:28 > 0:07:32they are visually quite appealing, they look nice, they look great.
0:07:32 > 0:07:35So, this I anticipate to be one of the more popular products.
0:07:35 > 0:07:39It's British wool, it's made from recycled offcuts.
0:07:39 > 0:07:42They're really popular, they're really cosy.
0:07:42 > 0:07:45It's a scary step, but it's, you know, here now,
0:07:45 > 0:07:48so I've got to do it.
0:07:48 > 0:07:51The worst-case scenario will be it rains for six weeks,
0:07:51 > 0:07:55I end up with hundreds of blankets left.
0:07:55 > 0:08:00If I take less than £9,000, I will just have barely covered the costs.
0:08:00 > 0:08:03I would have worked for nothing for six weeks, stood in the rain,
0:08:03 > 0:08:07got cold, I'll end up with no money, crying into my Christmas dinner.
0:08:15 > 0:08:20Drink-driving costs the country £700 million a year and just last
0:08:20 > 0:08:24December, more than 5,000 drivers fell foul of the breathalyser test.
0:08:26 > 0:08:29With Christmas comes an increased amount of traffic on our
0:08:29 > 0:08:33roads and an increased number of drunk drivers.
0:08:33 > 0:08:37Charged with the task of keeping our roads safe and constantly
0:08:37 > 0:08:39moving is Manchester Traffic Police.
0:08:42 > 0:08:46Sergeant John Brennan patrols the roads and motorways of the region.
0:08:46 > 0:08:48With roads that busy, you know,
0:08:48 > 0:08:51people want to get into Manchester, we want to try and keep them clear,
0:08:51 > 0:08:55get them clear as soon as we can, get them going and into Manchester.
0:08:55 > 0:08:58The sooner we can get them clear, the better.
0:08:58 > 0:09:02Today, Sergeant Brennan's beat includes the busiest section
0:09:02 > 0:09:04of the M60 motorway.
0:09:04 > 0:09:09It's the city's orbital road, and almost 200,000 vehicles use
0:09:09 > 0:09:10it every day.
0:09:10 > 0:09:13Around Christmas-time, we start seeing more collisions,
0:09:13 > 0:09:17with the cold weather, people not being able to stop in time.
0:09:17 > 0:09:203-5-7-2 PMT, please.
0:09:20 > 0:09:23We get people going in to work earlier to get an earlier finish.
0:09:23 > 0:09:26So you'll get more commuter travel in the morning and then once
0:09:26 > 0:09:28we start getting towards dinner,
0:09:28 > 0:09:31the Trafford Centre will start getting busy, the network
0:09:31 > 0:09:35towards the Trafford Centre, and also into the city centre as well.
0:09:35 > 0:09:39Within minutes of starting his shift, John gets a call.
0:09:39 > 0:09:42X-ray, Tango, 3-5-7-2. What junction's that, please?
0:09:42 > 0:09:44'It's junction ten.'
0:09:44 > 0:09:48There's a collision on the motorway. They're still in the live lane,
0:09:48 > 0:09:52so there's a danger and there's reports of some injuries in it.
0:09:52 > 0:09:53So, we'll...
0:09:53 > 0:09:55The nearest patrol to it is quite a way off,
0:09:55 > 0:09:58so we'll go and have a look.
0:09:58 > 0:09:59See if we can help.
0:10:01 > 0:10:033-5-7-2, I'm at the scene.
0:10:03 > 0:10:06Three cars have shunted into the back of each other,
0:10:06 > 0:10:08in a lane of busy traffic.
0:10:08 > 0:10:10If they're all right, we can get them all across.
0:10:10 > 0:10:14- We can get them out the way.- Yeah, and then get the ambulance across.
0:10:14 > 0:10:15Can you do us a favour?
0:10:15 > 0:10:18Can you move across to the hard shoulder, where it's safer?
0:10:18 > 0:10:20- Good idea. - JOHN LAUGHS
0:10:20 > 0:10:23What we're going to do now, there's no serious injuries,
0:10:23 > 0:10:25so we want to try and get the motorway open as quickly as
0:10:25 > 0:10:28possible and make it safer for us to work.
0:10:28 > 0:10:31So, we'll stop the traffic, we'll get the ambulance,
0:10:31 > 0:10:33we'll get all the vehicles on to the hard shoulder,
0:10:33 > 0:10:35just near the bridge, where it's quite safe,
0:10:35 > 0:10:40especially with this barrier, so we'll be all right there.
0:10:40 > 0:10:44Creating a short standstill to move the cars from the live lane...
0:10:44 > 0:10:45So, we get the traffic across.
0:10:45 > 0:10:49..is the fastest way of getting the motorway reopened.
0:10:49 > 0:10:52So it's a lot safer for dealing with now.
0:10:52 > 0:10:53And the traffic can continue,
0:10:53 > 0:10:56so it'll not be too much disruption, hopefully.
0:10:56 > 0:10:58The best thing to do is to make sure that the injuries...
0:10:58 > 0:11:01Have a look at the injuries, do we...? Can we move them?
0:11:01 > 0:11:04If they need medical treatment where they are, then we'll leave
0:11:04 > 0:11:07them where they are and we'll work round that.
0:11:07 > 0:11:10If we need to investigate cos it's serious, then we'll do that.
0:11:10 > 0:11:13But if not, then our priority is to get the motorway open and get
0:11:13 > 0:11:15these people moving again.
0:11:15 > 0:11:17With no serious injuries,
0:11:17 > 0:11:20John clears path for the driver to get back on her journey.
0:11:20 > 0:11:22Just get this lady going.
0:11:22 > 0:11:26Ensuring the city's traffic is flowing freely is crucial any
0:11:26 > 0:11:28- time of the year.- Yeah!
0:11:28 > 0:11:31But making sure Manchester keeps moving over the festive
0:11:31 > 0:11:34season is a matter of pride for John.
0:11:34 > 0:11:36Right, we can get going!
0:11:36 > 0:11:39The last thing you want is families sat on the motorway, getting
0:11:39 > 0:11:44frustrated, when all they want to do is go shopping and have a nice day.
0:11:44 > 0:11:48So if we can get it moving a bit quicker, then that's what we'll do.
0:11:48 > 0:11:52But life for the road police changes gear when the sun goes down.
0:11:54 > 0:11:55There is quite a bit of traffic.
0:11:55 > 0:12:00So mindful of possible drink-, drug-drivers.
0:12:00 > 0:12:03Especially this time of year, with people going out to works parties
0:12:03 > 0:12:06and Christmas dos, office parties, things like that.
0:12:06 > 0:12:09So, about this time, some start going home.
0:12:09 > 0:12:10We'll have a look at that.
0:12:12 > 0:12:15John has been called to an incident in the east of the city.
0:12:15 > 0:12:18So we're just making over towards Chadderton,
0:12:18 > 0:12:21a report of three vehicles involved in a collision.
0:12:24 > 0:12:27Two people are trapped in their car.
0:12:27 > 0:12:31The fire service are using their cutting gear to get them out.
0:12:31 > 0:12:33John needs to secure the scene.
0:12:34 > 0:12:38The priority is to make it safe for fire and paramedics to
0:12:38 > 0:12:39extract these people.
0:12:39 > 0:12:43Their injuries aren't looking so serious, but they're still being
0:12:43 > 0:12:46assessed at the moment, so we've still got that on the back burner.
0:12:46 > 0:12:50Then, a witness comes forward with new information.
0:12:50 > 0:12:53Just as we've come up now, there's a member of the public
0:12:53 > 0:12:55who is saying that somebody's
0:12:55 > 0:12:59told him that this Picasso's been involved in it and obviously,
0:12:59 > 0:13:01it looks like it has.
0:13:03 > 0:13:05- Can we get recovery for that Picasso?- Yeah.
0:13:05 > 0:13:09And then we've got that secure then, haven't we?
0:13:09 > 0:13:13This is the start of a full inquiry into the cause of the collision, but
0:13:13 > 0:13:15a prime suspect in the investigation is
0:13:15 > 0:13:19a repeat offender at this time of year - alcohol.
0:13:19 > 0:13:22So, as we do with everybody involved in a collision or anybody who
0:13:22 > 0:13:24has committed a traffic offence or anybody we speak to,
0:13:24 > 0:13:27if we've got reason to, we'll breathalyse them.
0:13:27 > 0:13:30In this case, one of the drivers had had a drink.
0:13:30 > 0:13:33They were below the legal limit, but for John,
0:13:33 > 0:13:36it's not worth taking the risk.
0:13:36 > 0:13:39It's why we always say, "None for the road."
0:13:39 > 0:13:41It's just the safest option.
0:13:41 > 0:13:45People do go to parties and nobody's saying that people shouldn't.
0:13:45 > 0:13:47All we're saying is please think,
0:13:47 > 0:13:50because if you get convicted of drink-driving, then you lose
0:13:50 > 0:13:54your licence, and the consequences of that can be far-reaching.
0:14:09 > 0:14:12This Christmas, Manchester Cathedral is hosting
0:14:12 > 0:14:14a special remembrance service.
0:14:14 > 0:14:17The Light Up A Life concert is a vital fundraiser for
0:14:17 > 0:14:19a local hospice.
0:14:19 > 0:14:23Christmas is a really special time for families and friends to
0:14:23 > 0:14:26come together, but when someone in your family is missing,
0:14:26 > 0:14:28it can be very difficult.
0:14:28 > 0:14:31Well, I'm here to meet Greg and Janice,
0:14:31 > 0:14:34who lost their dad and their husband earlier this year.
0:14:35 > 0:14:39'After a hard-fought battle with terminal lung disease,
0:14:39 > 0:14:41'Ian Kelly passed away last March.
0:14:41 > 0:14:46- 'This will be the hardest Christmas the family have ever faced.'- Hello.
0:14:46 > 0:14:50- Hi, Janice.- Hello.- Come in. - Thank you very much.- Come through.
0:14:50 > 0:14:54'Ian and his wife Janice first met over 43 years ago.'
0:14:56 > 0:14:59He was a kind man.
0:14:59 > 0:15:05I went out with him for a date and he said to me, "I'm a Catholic,
0:15:05 > 0:15:09"I live with my mother, and I've no intention of getting married."
0:15:09 > 0:15:12- SHE CHUCKLES - That was how to woo you, wasn't it?
0:15:12 > 0:15:15I thought, "We've got a right one here," you know?
0:15:17 > 0:15:20Anyway, we went out with each other for 12 months and we got
0:15:20 > 0:15:23- engaged and then 12 months later, we got married.- Wow!
0:15:23 > 0:15:26- So, you twisted his arm then?- Yes!
0:15:26 > 0:15:28'They went on to have four children -
0:15:28 > 0:15:31'Mark, Rachel, Linda and Greg.'
0:15:31 > 0:15:36He was a fiercely independent person. You could say old school.
0:15:36 > 0:15:39He would always keep his problems to himself over the years.
0:15:39 > 0:15:41Your dad never gets ill, does he?
0:15:41 > 0:15:45And the same with this illness. When he got it, he played it down.
0:15:45 > 0:15:49But as time went by, we started to realise it was more serious.
0:15:49 > 0:15:51It was actually terminal.
0:15:51 > 0:15:53It's difficult.
0:15:56 > 0:16:02- But at the same time, you've got to equally reciprocate, strength.- Yeah.
0:16:02 > 0:16:05And be there, as he was there for you.
0:16:07 > 0:16:11The family rallied round and made sure that Ian had one last
0:16:11 > 0:16:15Christmas in his own home before being transferred St Ann's.
0:16:15 > 0:16:19It's one of the oldest hospices in the country and looks
0:16:19 > 0:16:22after 3,000 terminally ill patients every year.
0:16:22 > 0:16:24We could visit at any time of day.
0:16:24 > 0:16:28I'd do a night shift, I'd go at nine o'clock, they were
0:16:28 > 0:16:31accommodating to whenever we wanted to visit, we could stay over.
0:16:31 > 0:16:33It sounds like, obviously,
0:16:33 > 0:16:35such an awful and difficult time for you,
0:16:35 > 0:16:38but that time in the hospice was definitely for you all to
0:16:38 > 0:16:40come together at have some nice memories to take home.
0:16:40 > 0:16:41Nice time with him, yeah.
0:16:41 > 0:16:47The hospice accommodated him to have a slide show of all his past
0:16:47 > 0:16:50photographs, his youth and childhood.
0:16:50 > 0:16:55- Could even let...cousins in. - In the ward.
0:16:55 > 0:16:57There was about nine of us round the bed.
0:16:57 > 0:17:00It was like he forgot about his illness for that time and we
0:17:00 > 0:17:03all kind of forgot about it and the nurses couldn't have done
0:17:03 > 0:17:05much more for us there.
0:17:05 > 0:17:09- He wasn't alone.- No, he wasn't alone when he passed away.
0:17:09 > 0:17:12He also said he was going to make it for your 70th and
0:17:12 > 0:17:14he passed away the day after her 70th.
0:17:14 > 0:17:16- Really?- Yes.
0:17:16 > 0:17:20To help raise money for the hospice, the family will be going to
0:17:20 > 0:17:22a special service at Manchester Cathedral.
0:17:22 > 0:17:25They'll be joining hundreds of other people who will be
0:17:25 > 0:17:27remembering loved ones this Christmas.
0:17:36 > 0:17:40Budding entrepreneur Chris Broad has given up his job in banking
0:17:40 > 0:17:43and he's setting up his own market stall, selling blankets.
0:17:43 > 0:17:45It's a massive gamble for Chris.
0:17:45 > 0:17:50He's borrowed £9,000 to make his blanket business dream come true.
0:17:50 > 0:17:55So far, so good. He's delighted he's bagged himself a prime location.
0:17:55 > 0:17:58The stand is right in the middle of Market Street,
0:17:58 > 0:18:01which is the second- or third-busiest street in Britain.
0:18:01 > 0:18:04So many people, and at Christmas, this will be double, triple,
0:18:04 > 0:18:07five times as many people walking past here.
0:18:07 > 0:18:08So far, it is looking good.
0:18:08 > 0:18:11There's a few nerves, but the stock, I have it...
0:18:11 > 0:18:14the hut, I've got it... location, I have it.
0:18:14 > 0:18:16Erm...
0:18:16 > 0:18:19I'm pretty much ready, just bar getting it set up, really.
0:18:19 > 0:18:22And he's got grand designs for turning his hut into a winter
0:18:22 > 0:18:27wonderland, where he'll display 500 of his newly acquired blankets.
0:18:27 > 0:18:30Next thing will be to put another one of these here,
0:18:30 > 0:18:31stronger brackets on there.
0:18:31 > 0:18:35Then, we're going to do the lining, which will go over the shelf.
0:18:35 > 0:18:38Need to attach the fireplace to the wall.
0:18:38 > 0:18:41Do something about the counter, which will be making it stepped up.
0:18:44 > 0:18:45But it turns out,
0:18:45 > 0:18:48his construction skills are a little on the rusty side.
0:18:52 > 0:18:57DIY skills are... Kind of emergency DIY skills, really.
0:18:59 > 0:19:02Chris' next issue - his van and all his stock are
0:19:02 > 0:19:04a ten-minute walk away.
0:19:04 > 0:19:06And as he's flying solo,
0:19:06 > 0:19:10he has to lock up and trek across the markets to get his blankets.
0:19:19 > 0:19:23These British wool blankets are made from recycled offcuts and
0:19:23 > 0:19:26he's got 500 of them to shift in the next few weeks.
0:19:26 > 0:19:30But now, he's got to figure out how to get them back to his hut.
0:19:30 > 0:19:33I don't really want to walk up Market Street,
0:19:33 > 0:19:35carrying massive armfuls of blankets.
0:19:40 > 0:19:42We can carry some.
0:19:44 > 0:19:47The penny finally drops for the ex-banker.
0:19:47 > 0:19:51If we put them in this box, we can put them on the trolley.
0:19:59 > 0:20:02Back at base, it's time to get those creative juices flowing.
0:20:02 > 0:20:06Let's hope his talent for window dressing is better than his
0:20:06 > 0:20:07ability to hammer in a nail.
0:20:07 > 0:20:11Blankets are nice colours and then we're going with the sort of
0:20:11 > 0:20:16nice brown background, it makes the blankets stand out, yeah.
0:20:16 > 0:20:20See, then, if you've got one with a different bit of colour,
0:20:20 > 0:20:24there's one with a bit of yellow in there... Starts to see...
0:20:24 > 0:20:26There's one with a bit of red in it.
0:20:29 > 0:20:31Starting to come together.
0:20:31 > 0:20:35Despite all his trials and tribulations, Chris remains
0:20:35 > 0:20:39undaunted, as he sets out on his new career as a blanket salesman.
0:20:39 > 0:20:41I'm reasonably confident.
0:20:41 > 0:20:45It's starting to really take shape and, like, look hopefully,
0:20:45 > 0:20:47at least a bit professional now.
0:20:47 > 0:20:48Yeah, progress.
0:20:48 > 0:20:52It's when there's progress, I find that makes me feel a lot calmer.
0:20:59 > 0:21:01In the UK, on average,
0:21:01 > 0:21:05we will spend around £700 on food and presents this Christmas.
0:21:05 > 0:21:08So, guys, you look like you're in the festive season already.
0:21:08 > 0:21:10- We certainly are.- Have you done your Christmas shopping yet?
0:21:10 > 0:21:12No.
0:21:12 > 0:21:14You're leaving it till the last minute, aren't you?
0:21:14 > 0:21:18- Yes.- We certainly are. The best is the last things...
0:21:18 > 0:21:19Well, like Laura and Andrew,
0:21:19 > 0:21:22many of us have still got that last-minute shopping to do for
0:21:22 > 0:21:25Christmas presents and food and drink that we need to make
0:21:25 > 0:21:26our special day go as smoothly as possible.
0:21:26 > 0:21:28Right, you two had better hit the shops.
0:21:28 > 0:21:31- Quickly.- It's time to go. - All right, thank you very much.
0:21:31 > 0:21:32- Bye.- See you.
0:21:35 > 0:21:38It's fitting in the time to do everything I need to do.
0:21:38 > 0:21:40It's gone bonkers.
0:21:40 > 0:21:42No, I'm not ready for Christmas yet.
0:21:42 > 0:21:45I've got my suitcase ready to sort of fill it up today.
0:21:45 > 0:21:47I like to look online, but I like to come out,
0:21:47 > 0:21:49feel what I'm buying and then buy it.
0:21:49 > 0:21:52And you've got to support your shops,
0:21:52 > 0:21:55otherwise your streets are going to die, aren't they?
0:21:55 > 0:21:58With competition from online retailers fierce,
0:21:58 > 0:22:01shops on the high street now have to work even harder to get
0:22:01 > 0:22:05customers through their doors, a fact that isn't lost on
0:22:05 > 0:22:09Mark Carson, manager of one of the city's biggest department stores.
0:22:09 > 0:22:13In a flagship store, Christmas is the two busiest months of the
0:22:13 > 0:22:16year, through November and December.
0:22:16 > 0:22:19The other eight months can be seen as almost practice for the
0:22:19 > 0:22:24big Christmas event at the end of the year.
0:22:24 > 0:22:26So, we just need the trays with the new baubles.
0:22:26 > 0:22:30Debbie's doing the bows and I've just started dressing the cubes.
0:22:30 > 0:22:32So, it's really important
0:22:32 > 0:22:36that we are at our very best through Christmas.
0:22:37 > 0:22:40To boost sales over the festive period,
0:22:40 > 0:22:43retailers collaborate with famous designers.
0:22:43 > 0:22:47One fashionista that turned his back on the high-end for the high street
0:22:47 > 0:22:50- is Ben de Lisi. - Christmas has arrived!
0:22:50 > 0:22:54He's been designing for Debenhams for the last two decades and
0:22:54 > 0:22:57he's always hands-on at this busy time of year.
0:22:57 > 0:23:01You'll find staff from these stores saying that they have found Ben
0:23:01 > 0:23:04de Lisi coming in, moving garments around, changing mannequins, because
0:23:04 > 0:23:07I do do that, because at the end of the day, the label bears my
0:23:07 > 0:23:11name and if it's not put together correctly, we won't sell it.
0:23:11 > 0:23:14With retailers working around the clock to get their hands
0:23:14 > 0:23:18on our hard-earned cash, it's no wonder that 15% of people in
0:23:18 > 0:23:22the UK go into debt to pay for their Christmas shopping sprees.
0:23:22 > 0:23:24It's Christmas!
0:23:24 > 0:23:29How much do I spend? I don't think I'd best answer that one. Too much!
0:23:32 > 0:23:35My budget tends to go out of the window cos I probably do end up
0:23:35 > 0:23:39spending more than I end up wanting to.
0:23:39 > 0:23:40Will my husband see this?
0:23:40 > 0:23:43Gosh! For whole, for Christmas, um, I don't know.
0:23:43 > 0:23:46Anywhere between 500 and £800 maybe.
0:23:46 > 0:23:50I haven't totted up yet.
0:23:51 > 0:23:54I have no budget and then just go crazy towards Christmas.
0:23:56 > 0:24:00Will I stick to that budget? Erm, if my husband's watching, yes.
0:24:00 > 0:24:02Definitely, probably not.
0:24:02 > 0:24:05Seeing my daughter's face when she opens her presents,
0:24:05 > 0:24:08hopefully she's got a few surprises in there.
0:24:08 > 0:24:09Makes it all worthwhile.
0:24:17 > 0:24:20Manchester Cathedral is readying itself for one of the most
0:24:20 > 0:24:23moving services in its calendar.
0:24:23 > 0:24:28The Light Up A Life concert raises funds for St Ann's Hospice and hopes
0:24:28 > 0:24:31to help those who've experienced the death of a loved one.
0:24:31 > 0:24:35At Christmas, their absence can be felt all the stronger and the
0:24:35 > 0:24:37service is a way of remembering them.
0:24:40 > 0:24:43Ian Kelly died last March and will be one of the lives
0:24:43 > 0:24:44celebrated at the service.
0:24:46 > 0:24:49His widow Janice and his son Greg have kept up their
0:24:49 > 0:24:53relationship with the hospice where Ian spent his last few weeks.
0:24:53 > 0:24:56And today, they've come back for a visit.
0:24:56 > 0:24:59This was a bit like your second home for a while. Were you here a lot?
0:24:59 > 0:25:04We were here most of the day. I came twice a day sometimes.
0:25:04 > 0:25:08'The hospice actively encourages family and friends to visit and for
0:25:08 > 0:25:12'Greg, who is an actor and musician, he was never without his guitar.'
0:25:14 > 0:25:17We came in during his stay and played one of the Don McLean
0:25:17 > 0:25:18songs, Castles In The Air,
0:25:18 > 0:25:22and the whole five chaps in there all really appreciated it.
0:25:22 > 0:25:25And just the fact that you could actually do that in a ward,
0:25:25 > 0:25:28- you don't get that everywhere, do you?- You left your guitar here.
0:25:28 > 0:25:30I left it here for the nine weeks.
0:25:30 > 0:25:33So, whenever he came in, he'd play a tune to the patients, you know.
0:25:33 > 0:25:36And it feels homely, in a way, doesn't it?
0:25:36 > 0:25:40You can play your own music. And you can have your own things around you.
0:25:42 > 0:25:46'It's an emotional visit for the family, but it's also
0:25:46 > 0:25:50'a time to thank the staff who helped their dad die with dignity.'
0:25:51 > 0:25:53Accommodated the patient.
0:25:53 > 0:25:55At the end of the day, it's their wishes,
0:25:55 > 0:25:58isn't it, and it can be as small as a packet of crisps or as large as,
0:25:58 > 0:26:01you know, wanting to go home and do something.
0:26:01 > 0:26:04We once had a slide show, I don't know if you were there for that...
0:26:04 > 0:26:06Ah, I remember that, yeah.
0:26:06 > 0:26:09..for the patients in there and we sat and dimmed the lights and
0:26:09 > 0:26:12about 20 of us, taking over the ward, which was...
0:26:12 > 0:26:14Did you have a takeout or something?
0:26:14 > 0:26:19- We had an Indian once as well.- Yeah. And we encourage that as well.
0:26:19 > 0:26:23You know, getting sort of family round and doing things what
0:26:23 > 0:26:25you'd do at home.
0:26:25 > 0:26:27- My dad, it was like he forgot he was here.- Yeah.
0:26:27 > 0:26:32- And that's quite special, just the final few weeks...- Yeah.
0:26:32 > 0:26:34..he actually had some happy moments.
0:26:38 > 0:26:42I imagine when you're supporting someone through an illness, it's so
0:26:42 > 0:26:47difficult, but I'm quite surprised that this seems quite positive.
0:26:47 > 0:26:51- Is that right? Is that how you feel? - Yes, it was a positive experience.
0:26:51 > 0:26:56You knew when you came in that the nurses and the doctors were
0:26:56 > 0:27:00on the inside and you knew that they cared for him when you
0:27:00 > 0:27:05weren't there, as well as when you WERE there.
0:27:08 > 0:27:11The care Ian got here left a strong impression on the family and
0:27:11 > 0:27:15they've been returning that care by raising money in their own way.
0:27:15 > 0:27:18This year, we raised over £2,000.
0:27:18 > 0:27:19I'm an avid runner,
0:27:19 > 0:27:23so I ran the Windmill Half-Marathon this year, also then my sister,
0:27:23 > 0:27:28she did the Salford triathlon and then Rachel did a mile swim.
0:27:28 > 0:27:33My brother's also in Switzerland, in Montreux, he's got an album
0:27:33 > 0:27:38out and some of the proceedings for each album will go to the hospice.
0:27:38 > 0:27:42But they are reliant on the funds, hugely.
0:27:44 > 0:27:48The hospice needs to raise £16,000 every day to enable it
0:27:48 > 0:27:52to continue giving free care to those who need it.
0:27:52 > 0:27:54And while the family are doing their bit,
0:27:54 > 0:27:57the biggest fundraiser is the annual charity service.
0:28:00 > 0:28:04The memorial concert will be held at the cathedral with
0:28:04 > 0:28:06a choir from Chetham's School of Music,
0:28:06 > 0:28:09performing in front of an audience of 800 people.
0:28:15 > 0:28:18The service builds to a moving climax, when hundreds of lights on
0:28:18 > 0:28:21the Christmas tree are switched on, in memory
0:28:21 > 0:28:25of people who have passed away over the previous year.
0:28:36 > 0:28:40The Midland Hotel is preparing for its regular Christmas visitor.
0:28:40 > 0:28:44Every year, the arrival of a 22ft Nordmann spruce signals the
0:28:44 > 0:28:48start of the festive season for staff and for guests.
0:28:48 > 0:28:51And for the last few years, this annual ritual
0:28:51 > 0:28:55has taken place under the watchful eyes of the hotel's Mrs Christmas,
0:28:55 > 0:28:58executive housekeeper Sandra Dixon.
0:28:59 > 0:29:03The day the tree comes in, it's full-on day, basically.
0:29:03 > 0:29:07The company that we're using will be putting the decorations up,
0:29:07 > 0:29:11but I'm constantly around because I want to make sure that I'm happy.
0:29:11 > 0:29:15And this year, the hotel has appointed
0:29:15 > 0:29:18a new company to organise the decorations.
0:29:18 > 0:29:22So today, Sandra will be keeping very close tabs on Natasha.
0:29:22 > 0:29:26And it's not started well. The tree is late.
0:29:26 > 0:29:28Should have been here at seven o'clock this morning.
0:29:28 > 0:29:32- It's now quarter past eight. - Sandra is on a tight deadline.
0:29:32 > 0:29:35She needs to have the whole lobby decorated
0:29:35 > 0:29:37for the big switch-on at 5:30.
0:29:37 > 0:29:39I hate it when things like this happen
0:29:39 > 0:29:41cos you want it to run smoothly.
0:29:41 > 0:29:44But something else has got Mrs Christmas worried.
0:29:44 > 0:29:47It doesn't look as tall as last year's, does it?
0:29:47 > 0:29:51But I think it's because the truck's not as big. So psychologically...
0:29:51 > 0:29:55Cos last year, the truck was bigger, so it was laid flat.
0:29:55 > 0:29:59They've assured me it's 22ft, which is what we asked for. So...
0:29:59 > 0:30:03- It was on a bigger truck last year, wasn't it?- No, same driver.- Was it?
0:30:03 > 0:30:06- Yup. - It's just deceiving, I suppose.
0:30:06 > 0:30:09It doesn't look like a 22ft tree to me, but obviously,
0:30:09 > 0:30:11she's saying it is.
0:30:11 > 0:30:14And there's another prickly issue.
0:30:14 > 0:30:16It doesn't fit?
0:30:16 > 0:30:18The tree may be too small for Sandra,
0:30:18 > 0:30:21but the trunk is too big for its stand.
0:30:21 > 0:30:25They asked to trim it down to fit the base,
0:30:25 > 0:30:28so it could go straight in, but it's not, it's too thick.
0:30:28 > 0:30:29It's not been trimmed down enough.
0:30:29 > 0:30:33So they're going to have to trim it down now, which will take more time.
0:30:37 > 0:30:41All of this is chipping away into the precious decoration time.
0:30:41 > 0:30:44- Is it going to take long?- Yeah. Take a while.
0:30:54 > 0:30:58It still doesn't fit, and Sandra's really not happy.
0:31:00 > 0:31:03Did you tell them what diameter it should have been?
0:31:03 > 0:31:06They said there's so many people phoning in,
0:31:06 > 0:31:08- they must have missed it.- Oh.
0:31:09 > 0:31:12Don't take it through till I see you do it.
0:31:15 > 0:31:17Ah, perfect.
0:31:17 > 0:31:18Beautiful.
0:31:18 > 0:31:21Finally! And now, it's onwards to the foyer.
0:31:27 > 0:31:31- It takes eight men to drag the 250kg tree into the lobby.- Geordie?
0:31:31 > 0:31:33Can you give us a lift?
0:31:34 > 0:31:37I think we should clear the area.
0:31:37 > 0:31:40And some heavy lifting to lever it into place.
0:31:42 > 0:31:46Hold it, hold it. Right. Can I have somebody on here with me?
0:31:47 > 0:31:49It could fall the wrong way and then
0:31:49 > 0:31:52you're conscious that there's guests around.
0:31:52 > 0:31:55With the tree teetering, it's all hands to the deck.
0:31:55 > 0:31:57Can you just put your foot on that base?
0:31:57 > 0:31:59OK.
0:31:59 > 0:32:03Then, with one final push, the tree is safely in position.
0:32:05 > 0:32:08But the staff still aren't quite convinced.
0:32:08 > 0:32:13- Smaller than last year's.- Do you think?- Yeah.- What, in height?- Yeah.
0:32:13 > 0:32:16- No.- It is.- It's not as full at the top, though, is it?
0:32:16 > 0:32:19But, no, that's about...
0:32:19 > 0:32:23- Maybe it just... Did it touch the glass last year?- Yeah.- Yeah.
0:32:25 > 0:32:29Then Sandra makes a final few tweaks to the positioning.
0:32:29 > 0:32:31- You want to go... - Just slightly to that side.- Yeah.
0:32:34 > 0:32:36Only about a foot, Paul.
0:32:36 > 0:32:40Just... A tad more, just a bit. That's it.
0:32:40 > 0:32:43And the tree's ready to be decorated.
0:32:43 > 0:32:48It's time for Sandra to step back and let Natasha get to work.
0:32:48 > 0:32:52No, I'm not going to stand over and watch. I've got too much to do!
0:32:52 > 0:32:55So I'll just keep popping back and seeing how it's going,
0:32:55 > 0:32:58but pretty much leave them to it.
0:33:03 > 0:33:06But with a tight deadline for the 5:30 switch-on,
0:33:06 > 0:33:09Mrs Christmas just can't keep away.
0:33:09 > 0:33:14- No, I'll do some.- No, no! Don't be silly!- No, I want to, so...
0:33:14 > 0:33:16THEY LAUGH
0:33:21 > 0:33:25With less than an hour to go, Sandra has spotted gaps in the decorations.
0:33:25 > 0:33:29Some of the big baubles are pulling the branches down.
0:33:29 > 0:33:32So it's creating a gap there, do you know what I mean?
0:33:32 > 0:33:36So it's just a matter of filling them and going round the other side,
0:33:36 > 0:33:40cos there's quite some big gaps round the other side as well.
0:33:40 > 0:33:44I probably am, you know, a bit too fussy about it.
0:33:44 > 0:33:48After nine hours of frantic Christmas tree action, and with
0:33:48 > 0:33:53minutes to spare before the guests arrive, Sandra is finally happy.
0:33:53 > 0:33:58I think that's really nice. So, yeah, it's turned out well.
0:33:58 > 0:34:00Just in time for the big switch-on.
0:34:00 > 0:34:03Ladies and gentlemen...
0:34:03 > 0:34:06Thank you very much for taking the time to come here today.
0:34:06 > 0:34:07Ten...
0:34:07 > 0:34:11CROWD: Nine, eight, seven, six...
0:34:11 > 0:34:14This will switch all the lights on for this Christmas tree.
0:34:14 > 0:34:17CROWD: Three, two, one.
0:34:17 > 0:34:19CHEERING
0:34:20 > 0:34:23Enjoy the mince pies and mulled wine.
0:34:23 > 0:34:26At last Sandra can relax with a glass of mulled wine and wait
0:34:26 > 0:34:29for the reviews to come in.
0:34:29 > 0:34:32- I think it's beautiful. - It is, it is very pretty.
0:34:32 > 0:34:34It is very, very pretty.
0:34:34 > 0:34:38I just think it's luxurious and you feel as if Christmas has arrived.
0:34:38 > 0:34:39It's nice.
0:34:40 > 0:34:45A few little hiccups, a few worries, but everyone's enjoyed it.
0:34:45 > 0:34:49The tree looks fabulous. So, yeah, I think it went really well.
0:35:00 > 0:35:02A new blanket business is born.
0:35:02 > 0:35:06That's like a, sort of, soft red with a cream in it, isn't it?
0:35:06 > 0:35:10Apprentice entrepreneur Chris Broad has sunk all of his savings
0:35:10 > 0:35:13and some borrowed cash into a blanket stall on the market.
0:35:13 > 0:35:15These have been popular.
0:35:15 > 0:35:17And it's time to get the tills ringing.
0:35:17 > 0:35:21The way the stall looks, it's always different when you imagine it.
0:35:21 > 0:35:23You know, I'm pretty happy with the way it looks now.
0:35:23 > 0:35:25I quite like the lighting on there,
0:35:25 > 0:35:27I like that we can see the colours.
0:35:27 > 0:35:31You know, really, at the end of the day it's all about the blankets,
0:35:31 > 0:35:36isn't it? I probably fold the blankets 50, 100 times a day.
0:35:36 > 0:35:39After leaving a career behind a desk for a high-street bank...
0:35:39 > 0:35:41I'd say it was reasonably masculine.
0:35:41 > 0:35:46..Chris is discovering the market has its own banking system.
0:35:46 > 0:35:49Have had a bit of people offering rude prices of, like,
0:35:49 > 0:35:52half the amount and, like, they obviously don't know, really,
0:35:52 > 0:35:55the sort of quality of the blanket, and considering the amount of
0:35:55 > 0:35:58work and effort I've put into this, you know,
0:35:58 > 0:36:00I've just politely declined it, really, cos making work
0:36:00 > 0:36:03for myself there, selling things, making no money on it.
0:36:03 > 0:36:05That's, you know, pointless.
0:36:05 > 0:36:08And one of the first lessons is the law of supply and demand.
0:36:08 > 0:36:10Yeah, 16.
0:36:10 > 0:36:14One of his lines is proving much more popular than the others.
0:36:14 > 0:36:17It's not always the way you think it's going to go.
0:36:17 > 0:36:19Like, I've had these one type of blankets but they've sold out
0:36:19 > 0:36:23already, so I've got to go and try and get hold of some more of those.
0:36:23 > 0:36:25I've got to go back to speak to the manufacturer,
0:36:25 > 0:36:28try to get more of those and then we are also talking about
0:36:28 > 0:36:31getting a few scarves, which should be here maybe by the week,
0:36:31 > 0:36:32hopefully today, tomorrow.
0:36:32 > 0:36:34Just have a few scarves on the side.
0:36:34 > 0:36:35It's getting cold now. And I thought
0:36:35 > 0:36:37that was something I hadn't quite expected.
0:36:37 > 0:36:40So it's sort of just kind of feeling my way along, really, yeah.
0:36:42 > 0:36:47He's also had to cope with wildly fluctuating market conditions.
0:36:47 > 0:36:51When it's quiet, it's very quiet. The whole street goes quiet.
0:36:51 > 0:36:53Like, if it's a Tuesday and it's raining,
0:36:53 > 0:36:57you see huddled shapes under umbrellas just running past.
0:36:57 > 0:36:59And that's obviously no good for this.
0:36:59 > 0:37:01But when it's busy, it goes really well.
0:37:01 > 0:37:05And when more people are looking, there's more people coming and,
0:37:05 > 0:37:07yeah, so when it's good, it's very good.
0:37:07 > 0:37:09When it's quiet, it's quite scary.
0:37:09 > 0:37:10Er, 25.
0:37:11 > 0:37:14Great stuff. I'll get you some change.
0:37:14 > 0:37:17Five for you. That's great. Thanks very much for coming back.
0:37:17 > 0:37:19So with all that turbulence,
0:37:19 > 0:37:22has Chris managed to hit his eight-blankets-a-day
0:37:22 > 0:37:24break-even target?
0:37:25 > 0:37:28At the moment, we're selling on average eight blankets
0:37:28 > 0:37:31a day, which is the minimum I need to cover this,
0:37:31 > 0:37:34and then if I can do that through the quieter times,
0:37:34 > 0:37:38so long as it's on average, I'm covered for when it gets better,
0:37:38 > 0:37:43cos when it'll get better, I'm imagining we'll sell 20, 30 a day.
0:37:43 > 0:37:4416.
0:37:44 > 0:37:47So it looks like Chris's gamble has paid off
0:37:47 > 0:37:49and he'll have Christmas all wrapped up.
0:37:49 > 0:37:52Well, I was worried at the beginning whether I was going to fall
0:37:52 > 0:37:56flat on my face and, um, going to be crying into my Christmas dinner,
0:37:56 > 0:37:58but I don't think that's going to be happening.
0:37:58 > 0:38:02I think it's going to be good and it will be a good Christmas, I believe.
0:38:14 > 0:38:17Manchester Cathedral is preparing
0:38:17 > 0:38:19for one of its biggest services of the year.
0:38:19 > 0:38:23It's a massive fundraising event for St Ann's Hospice.
0:38:23 > 0:38:27Canon Philip Barrett has helped organise this year's concert.
0:38:27 > 0:38:30We give our Cathedral over throughout December for
0:38:30 > 0:38:35charities to come in and have their lovely Christmas carol services.
0:38:35 > 0:38:39The Light Up a Life service is always our first of those carol
0:38:39 > 0:38:43services and it's so popular that we have to do it three times,
0:38:43 > 0:38:48and all absolutely packed out to full capacity.
0:38:48 > 0:38:51The lights of a Christmas tree will be switched on as an
0:38:51 > 0:38:55Act of Remembrance for people who have passed away during the year.
0:38:55 > 0:39:00The message is simple and clear about love and support,
0:39:00 > 0:39:02and Christmas is about that.
0:39:03 > 0:39:07Each individual light of the Christmas tree represents
0:39:07 > 0:39:09a life, and today I'm joining Janice and Greg,
0:39:09 > 0:39:13who are here to remember their husband and father, Ian Kelly,
0:39:13 > 0:39:16along with the rest of the family and friends.
0:39:16 > 0:39:18Is it a sad day or is it a happy day today?
0:39:18 > 0:39:22- Well, like that, you know. - 50-50?- Yes.
0:39:22 > 0:39:25I've been expecting it to come, you know, but it's come
0:39:25 > 0:39:29- rather quickly all of a sudden, you know?- Yeah.- Here we are.
0:39:29 > 0:39:31It's created the opportunity, so my dad's cousins are here today.
0:39:31 > 0:39:34- It brings you all together. - To remember my dad again.
0:39:34 > 0:39:37Something like this, it is - it's remembering.
0:39:37 > 0:39:41Especially the first Christmas, I think it's very poignant, really.
0:39:41 > 0:39:43For me, I just want to support the hospice.
0:39:43 > 0:39:46They looked after my dad his last nine weeks.
0:39:46 > 0:39:51And just remember my dad positively and, like I say, just be here.
0:39:51 > 0:39:54Well, it already looks beautiful. I've had a peep inside.
0:39:54 > 0:39:56- So shall we get our seats? - Yeah, let's grab some seats.
0:40:00 > 0:40:04CHOIR SINGS
0:40:04 > 0:40:07Over the past 20 years, the Light Up A Life appeal
0:40:07 > 0:40:11has raised over £850,000 for the hospice.
0:40:20 > 0:40:23There are hundreds of people being remembered here today at what
0:40:23 > 0:40:26is one of the cathedral's most popular events of the year.
0:40:29 > 0:40:31The Bishop of Bolton is leading the service.
0:40:33 > 0:40:39St Ann's would not exist without all of you who've come here today.
0:40:40 > 0:40:44I'm sure we're all aware that the mission of St Ann's is to
0:40:44 > 0:40:48serve residents of Greater Manchester whose lives are
0:40:48 > 0:40:52affected by life-limiting illnesses and the services the hospice
0:40:52 > 0:40:56provides touch many thousands of people's lives,
0:40:56 > 0:40:58year on year on year.
0:41:01 > 0:41:05This is an important day for the staff from the hospice.
0:41:05 > 0:41:08Fiona Troup has worked there for 11 years.
0:41:08 > 0:41:13Our patients like to be surrounded by life and normal conversations.
0:41:13 > 0:41:15Some are just so tired of talking
0:41:15 > 0:41:17about illness, scan and blood results.
0:41:17 > 0:41:21We try to be their sunshine when the clouds are grey.
0:41:23 > 0:41:26We are there to hold hands, comfort people when they
0:41:26 > 0:41:29wake in the night and offer a shoulder to cry on.
0:41:29 > 0:41:33We can't nurse their bodies back to health,
0:41:33 > 0:41:35but we can help soothe souls.
0:41:42 > 0:41:46The climax of the entire service is about to happen.
0:41:46 > 0:41:48The turning on of the Christmas tree lights.
0:41:50 > 0:41:55We light the lights on this tree as a sign of those whom we have
0:41:55 > 0:42:00come to remember and of those whose lives have been spent in the
0:42:00 > 0:42:01care of others.
0:42:08 > 0:42:12Each tiny light represents the life of somebody who's passed away.
0:42:12 > 0:42:15It's an emotional moment for everyone.
0:42:15 > 0:42:18It was already a big part of Christmas, you know.
0:42:18 > 0:42:21It will be difficult for us,
0:42:21 > 0:42:23because we were always together at Christmas.
0:42:27 > 0:42:31The families and staff from the hospice then light individual
0:42:31 > 0:42:33candles to remember loved ones.
0:42:35 > 0:42:38It's strange when you're told someone's got 18 months to live.
0:42:38 > 0:42:41There's no set timeframe.
0:42:41 > 0:42:44It can be short, it can be six months, it could be three years,
0:42:44 > 0:42:47so it makes you make the most of every day.
0:42:49 > 0:42:54# Amen. #
0:43:09 > 0:43:10What a week it's been.
0:43:10 > 0:43:13- One, two, three.- Go!
0:43:15 > 0:43:18From following the fortunes of first-time stallholders...
0:43:18 > 0:43:22The risk involved for us as a business are huge.
0:43:22 > 0:43:25..to meeting the people who keep things moving behind the scenes...
0:43:25 > 0:43:26Hello!
0:43:26 > 0:43:28..and keep us safe at this festive time.
0:43:28 > 0:43:30- Just get this lady going.- Yeah!
0:43:32 > 0:43:34We've had a great time here in Manchester.
0:43:34 > 0:43:36Timber! Look at that!
0:43:36 > 0:43:40- So all that's left to say is Merry Christmas!- Merry Christmas!
0:43:40 > 0:43:41- ALL:- Merry Christmas!