There’s a Pokémon art trail and treasure hunt-style event taking over the Trafford Centre in just a few weeks time.
And the best part? It’s absolutely free to get involved with.
As part of a brand-new partnership with the Trafford Centre, the Pokémon Company International introduced its new interactive event at an artistically-inspired reveal over the weekend, and now, the company has announced that a special treasure hunt will take place at the shopping centre next month.
‘Pokémon: Art Through the Ages’ will take over the Trafford Centre from 17 October, and run right through until 13 November.
Those who head on down to the Stretford-based shopping mall will get to discover hidden art of the 151 Pokémon that were originally discovered in the Kanto region through an interactive trail – which event organisers say showcases “a wide variety of artistic techniques and styles” from across the ages.
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There’ll be cave paintings, stained glass, and more for families and Pokémon fans of all ages to enjoy free of charge.
Not only that, but there’ll also be 10 hidden oil paintings for visitors to seek out too, which each have a secret code on them to unscramble, and those who successfully unscramble the code will then get to get their hands on a free limited-edition, double-sided poster from GAME.
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Fans will even be able flex their creative skills at the Main Stage area in the Orient, where there’ll be special art workshops designed especially for kids.
If you fancy taking a break from art hunting, then you can meet Pikachu on the new Pokémon Bus instead and make the most all of the fantastic photo opportunities, or watch Pokémon movies and episodes of the Pokémon animated series, and grab a booklet full of additional activities to complete at your own leisure.
Even more goodies will also be up for grabs throughout the event too, including a certificate for finding all 151 Kanto Pokémon.
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Speaking ahead of the start of the new event, Peter Murphy – Senior Director of Marketing at The Pokémon Company International – said: “We are thrilled to announce such a creative partnership with Trafford Centre.
‘Pokémon: Art Through the Ages’ will take over the Trafford Centre from 17 October / Credit: Trafford Centre
“Exploration is an element which is key to Pokémon, and we can’t wait for kids and families to embark on their own journey to complete the Kanto Pokédex and see Pokémon depicted in such unique art styles.”
“When initially sourcing a suitable location for this fantastic event, the Pokémon team were inspired by the unique architecture that is iconic of Trafford Centre,” added Bruce Gardner – Brand Experience Director at Trafford Centre.
“We have worked collaboratively with Pokémon, our Partners such as Transport for Greater Manchester, Clear Channel and our retailers to ensure Pokémon fans can escape the ordinary and experience a unique, memorable and fun-filled day out.
“We can’t wait.”
Featured Image – Trafford Centre
News
Onlookers ‘in tears’ after tiny duckling rescued from storm drain in beauty spot
Daisy Jackson
The RSPCA has shared a heartwarming video of a reunion between a tiny duckling and his mum, after the baby bird fell into a storm drain.
The charity, with the help of staff in the nearby Grandpa Greene’s Luxury Ice Cream Parlour, managed to fish the tiny bird out of the storm drain in a painstaking two-hour-long operation.
Miraculously, the duckling was unharmed, and his mum was waiting nearby on the canal in Saddleworth ready to be reunited with her baby.
The RSPCA has now thanked the staff member who helped rescue the duckling, and issued a warning to the public to keep dogs on a lead when near wildlife, believing the poor bird was chased by a dog before falling down the five-feet-high grid.
The rescue operation too place in Diggle last Wednesday 9 April, with Animal Rescue Officer Lee Ferrans taking on the ‘long and painstaking’ process of tempting the duckling into a net.
Lee said: “I wasn’t able to lift the grid so the only thing I could do was push an extendable pole straight down and try to catch the duckling in a net. There wasn’t a lot of room for manoeuvre and the net kept catching on all the debris.
“Just when I thought I’d been successful, the duckling kept disappearing into a drain on one side and then popping out again. A member of staff from Grandpa Greene’s had just finished her shift and came across to the other side of the canal to help me. I unscrewed the top of the pole with the net and held it down on one side of the drain while she used another section to gently encourage the bird to go into the net.
“It was quite a long and painstaking rescue but we eventually managed to bring the little one back up safely after more than two hours.”
The pair then placed the duckling into a cardboard box before heading further up the canal to reunite them with their mother and six sibling ducklings.
The adult duck ‘instantly recognised’ the chirping and swam straight towards it.
Lee added: “A little crowd had gathered and as the family were reunited people were shedding tears. It was a really lovely moment to see them all back together.
“I’d especially like to thank the member of staff from Grandpa Greene’s who offered an extra pair of hands – I couldn’t have done it without her – and to all the people in the area who stopped and were concerned.
“Storm drains can be a bit of a menace for ducklings, especially at this time of the year when there are babies around, and this brood was only a few days old.”
Man jailed for throwing acid in the face of a 16-year-old boy
Daisy Jackson
A man has been thrown behind bars for eight years and two months after throwing a corrosive substance over a 16-year-old boy, leaving him with serious injuries.
When Gilson Martins of Ashton Street, Rochdale, was arrested, he was found to be in possession of acid, being kept in a bottle of hair dye.
He pleaded guilty to robbery, possession of a corrosive substance, and witness intimidation, and was also sentenced for unrelated drugs offences in 2022.
On 24 March 2024, Martins plotted the attack on his 16-year-old victim, even demonstrating to another man how effective the acid would be by using it on a piece of paper.
The victim was then lured to an address in the Woodley area by an accomplice, where he was confronted by Martins.
When an altercation broke out, a corrosive substance was thrown over the teen.
He was taken to hospital with serious injuries which required intensive treatment at a specialist burns unit, with several more procedures taking place since.
When a man spoke to police about the acid attack, Martins attended his home and threatened to ‘stab him, throw acid on him, and carve his name’ into him.
#JAILED| A man has been jailed following an acid attack on a 16-year-old boy in Stockport last year.
Gilson Martins (06/12/01) was arrested by armed police following the attack, and was discovered with an acid-filled bottle of hair dye.
The man in question barricaded himself in his bedroom while Martins knifed the door, fleeing shortly before police arrived.
He was arrested by armed officers on 10 April this year, where he was found with a bottle of hair dye.
Detective Constable Heather Parke, from GMP’s Stockport district, said: “The effects of attacks involving corrosive substances are well-known, and can result in severe, life-changing injuries or even death.
“Using them in attacks is utterly vile and I am glad Martins is now behind bars for his vicious assault. His victim received injuries from which he is still suffering, and has already received numerous treatments.
“We have zero tolerance for these sort of crimes, and we put considerable resources into ensuring that Martins was arrested, charged, and sentenced. He now has a long time to think about his actions inside a prison cell.”
Emily Sergeant -
26th September 2022 
