Take That Greatest Hits Live Tour, Glasgow, SSE Hydro, 18 & 19 April 2019

Everytime Take That announce they are going back on tour, I am literally like a teenager again! I first started to like them in 1992. I spent a lot of time in hospital in early 1993 and it was my new interest in Take That that got me through it. Since 1993 I have followed them around the country and absolutely love seeing them live. Getting disabled wheelchair tickets is not easy as a lot of venues still use a telephone booking line, so it's constantly engaged! Anyway, I was lucky enough to get tickets for the Thursday and Friday nights in Glasgow, for the 'Take That Greatest Hits Live Tour', with the help from my sister Jean and some Irish friends.  Great team work! I was busy trying for other venues!!

On Thursday I travelled to Glasgow via Virgin Trains with my husband Nathan and his friend Stuart and son Leighton. I booked wheelchair assistance via Virgin Journey Care, so at all stations I was met with the wheelchair ramps & the disabled area of the train was reserved for my wheelchair and my party. I always find Virgin Trains staff so welcoming, helpful and they provide first class service, so I do not worry when travelling by trains. It's so easy!

We decided to stay at the Grand Central Hotel in Glasgow train station, as they had disabled rooms with a walk-in shower. We also stayed there for the convenience of getting to and from the concert via train, so we didn't get stuck in traffic with the huge crowds! The hotel was lovely, check-in was fast and the disabled room was spacious, with a good wheelchair accessible bathroom.

We took the train from Glasgow Central train station to the local SSE Hydro train station, (the concert venue), which took 5-10 minutes & was very fast. There were lifts down to the platform. It was a short walk from that station to the actual venue. Very smooth to do!

On the first night we had disabled seats on Level 2 and on the second night Level 1. Level 2 was higher up, but still a good view of both the main stage and the B stage. Level 1 seats view (even though at the back of the floor, as it's a tiny venue), view was amazing. We were so close to the B stage that Take That were literally several rows in front. The view of Gary Barlow  - omg!!! There were disabled toilets behind the wheelchair seating, so this was perfect.

Take That were absolutely fantastic. The second night I went with my sister Jean and best friend Susan. We danced and sang for two hours and had the time of our lives, being taken back to our youth. We have seen them for 26 years now and they really are a truly amazing band to see perform live. My husband is obviously a new fan ,but he really enjoyed it too. Take That Greatest Hits Live Tour is fantastic and I'm already looking forward to seeing them again on Saturday in Manchester!

So in terms of an accessible music venue I would definitely recommend the SSE Hydro in Glasgow. Disabled tickets still have to bought over the phone, but if lucky enough to get them, then any wheelchair user will not be disappointed by the view, disabled access and good size disabled toilets .

Thank you SSE Hydro and Take That. It's two nights I will never forget!!

Judith, Cumbria 

Manchester United FC

Last weekend I was fortunate to get some disabled tickets to see West ham v Manchester United FC. My husband Nath is a huge West Ham fan and I must admit I now love going to see West Ham play. The crowds and fans are so good, the atmosphere has a real buzz!

We purchased the disabled tickets via West Ham's disabled ticket hotline and tickets arrived the next day. Before we travel anywhere I always like to research transport, access  facilities and parking so I know what to expect. It looked like Manchester United Football Ground had thought about disabled people and access and it was obviously clear they had as soon as we got to Manchester United. Yay!

Upon arriving staff came up to us to direct us to the disabled entrance and once we showed our tickets and got through we were shown to a special designated area for disabled people. The special area was to keep warm before the match, watch football & have food and drinks. We arrived at 430pm for a 530pm kick off, to allow plenty of time for crowds, etc.

The staff serving drinks and food in the special disabled drinks and cafe area were really helpful with drinks and it was great to see the low counter for my wheelchair. They helped to get me straws (I now need to use a straw when drinking a pint!).We arrived just before 4.30pm so we made it just in time for Happy Hour beers from 3.30pm-4.30pm. Bonus!

I was really pleased to see so many disabled toilets there that were clean and had lots of space for me to transfer. It gave me piece of mind and made our trip run so smoothly knowing toilets were so near to our seats and that there was so many. Toilets in public places, or when we go out often determine where we go, so it was so great to see.

We took to our match seats at 5.15pm. As we were the away team our seats were the third ramp up but really close to the front, just to the left of the goal. There was plenty of space to move around and a seat for my husband Nath next to me. We could now join in with the West Ham fans and sing 'I'm forever blowing bubbles!'

Unfortunately West Ham lost 2-1, but we didn't deserve to! I'm not a sore loser or biased but if you watch match of the day you'll see what I mean! We had a fantastic day out at the football as the disabled access, staff and service were so good it was stress free. It was great to see how Manchester United had thought about disabled people and access.

Thank you Manchester United. Brilliant disabled access, wheelchair accessible seating was fantastic and disabled toilets were great. All staff so very helpful too.

Judith Smale
Cumbria, UK

On Instagram:

#judith_wheel_travel  #feckitbookit #maketheimpossiblepossible

About me, Judith, Cumbria #judithwheeltravel

I'm Judith, 39 years old and live in Cumbria. I suffer from FSH Muscular Dystrophy, so therefore use an electric wheelchair. I work as a County Volunteer Support Officer for Cumbria CVS and have done for 17 years, after graduating from the University of Cumbria in Business Studies.

The aim of my blog is to encourage more disabled people to travel, whether that is in UK or across the world. Together we can make the impossible possible!

I truly believe that the world is a beautiful place we live in and an amazing place to explore. So through planning, research & sharing ideas, I believe disabled people and wheelchair users can travel and enjoy life just like any abled bodied person. Yes, there will be challenges and access barriers, but travelling in a wheelchair is possible! 

My passion is to travel the world, explore new places, eat food from different countries, drink local alcohol see local sights, meet new people and enjoy different cultures. I want to inspire other disabled people to explore the world too!

I was diagnosed with FSH Muscular Dystrophy at the age of 8 years old. As a child I loved dancing, gymnastics, horse-riding, etc. However by the age of ten I was in a manual wheelchair and by the age of 12 I had to use an electric wheelchair. Knowing my disability is progressive made me even more determined from a young age to make the most of every single day. I aim to do one simple thing that we can all do, to enjoy life. I am extremely lucky and fortunate s I have the most amazing family (best sister ever Jean) and friends who have always been there for me and helped me do all the things I wanted to do.

Being in a wheelchair from the age of 12 meant I had to adapt to my disability from a young age, accept the challenges it could bring and look at how to overcome any obstacles. Through being a huge 'Take That' fan I started travelling to see them in concerts all around the country, so it opened my eyes up in how it was possible to enjoy life and see new places, despite being in a wheelchair. 

So far I have travelled to 21 different countries (I think!) and each year hope to visit at least one new place! My family, sister Jean (who also has Muscular Dystrophy), friends and husband, Nathan throughout the years have enabled me to go on holiday and to  see the world. Although I like to be independent, I also couldn't travel without the support network I have. They are amazing!

I met my husband Nath 5 years ago & within 5 weeks of meeting we had our first holiday booked to Paris! We love holidays, travelling and an adventure. Nath just accepted my disability and has enabled me to visit places and countries I could only have dreamed of. Since Paris we have travelled the world together.  He is simply the best husband in the world, my best friend, my rock and also at many times my arms and legs. Through our team work, Naths strong arms and our determination we make the impossible possible...we travel the world together! Our motto is : #feckitbookit

All views are my own. Enjoy reading and book that next holiday!

Follow me on Instagram: Judith_wheel_travel     #judithwheeltravel

Judith xx