An action-packed family fun day where kids can try out science experiments, get to grips with cool technology, learn how different machines work and more is coming to Stockport town centre and the tickets are super affordable.
Make Stuff is a series of free coding, making and tech events for both adults and young people brought to locals by homegrown innovation organisation, MadLab, who are kicking off their 2024 programme of activities with a festival right here in Greater Manchester.
Taking place across two different dates at Stockport Central Library this month and then again in March, no experience is necessary — just roll up and get the whole family involved with fun stuff to do for people of all ages.
With over 20 activities to choose from, including the experience of 1000 watts of bass power buzzing through your fingers, watching a dancing alien oobleck (corn flour), creating laser-blaster sounds with a slinky; making robot chickens or ‘auto-strummer’ using upcycled computer guts and so much more.
Credit: Make Stuff
Arriving at Stockport Library first on 10 February with a second event on 9 March, each festival aims to create a space where knowledge and enthusiasm can be shared and judging by everything they’ve got going on, they both look like they’re going to be a fantastic day out.
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As well as offering all manners of science and tech-curious Mancs the opportunity to learn things learn the basics of soldering, crafts, coding and discover the joy of making stuff in general.
Guests can also learn how sound waves work, play a mechanical violin, connect their friends to an electrical circuit to learn about their own frequencies and even discover amazing hidden sounds in everyday objects. There will also be pop-ups from Noisy Toys and Manchester Metropolitan University.
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MadLab themselves have been helping inspire the next generation into the world of digital and creative exploration through tech, art, design, marketing and more since 2016 and offers a range of engaging experiences throughout Greater Manchester communities.
Brought to life with funding from Greater Manchester Combined Authority secured as part of the UK government’s wider ‘Levelling Up’ agenda, MadLab has gone on to win the ‘Best Tech for Good Project’ at the Big Chip Awards in 2017, as well as ‘Volunteering Team of the Year’ and ‘Best Community Space’ at the Spirit of Manchester Awards the following year.
With Make Stuff itself having a bit of a break during and after the pandemic, they’re now back in full force for 2024, planning over 100 events this calendar year in their adopted hometown of Stockport alone.
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The Make Stuff family fun days take place on Saturday, 10 Feb and Sat, 9 March at Stockport Central Library (Wellington Road South, Stockport, SK1 3RS) from 11am-3pm, you can grab your tickets for the first event HERE and the March date HERE.
Admission is just £5 (refundable) and if you cannot afford a ticket, please email [email protected] with your name and postcode and they will be in touch. Legends.
The funds will help improve the already incredible music scene in Manchester, benefitting staples likes Night and Day Café, Matt and Phred’s Jazz Club, SOUP and more.
All of the donations will be distributed across six independent music venues and will be used for various instruments, PA equipment, backline technology and other necessities depending on the requirements of each site.
Elbow have teamed up with Co-op Live in aid of supporting Manchester grassroots venues.Credit: Supplied
This initiative has been keeping Manchester’s Northern Quarter in the forefront of people’s minds when it comes to live music as well as the impressive Co-op Live.
Alongside providing vital resources for these local institutions, Elbow teaming up with Co-op Live also helps cement the North West as one of the main powerhouses in relation to live music.
The latest efforts from the largest indoor arena in Manchester fall in line with celebrating one year of bringing some of the best live music to the city, being officially open for 12 months in May.
Co-op Live have made a commitment to the people and the planet, promising to donate £1 million annually to the Co-op Foundation.
The stunning Co-op Live venue, Manchester’s largest indoor arena.Elbow performing at Co-op Live, marking history as the first act to grace the venue.Credit: Audio North/Supplied
Manchester’s latest live music venue also contributed significantly to selected charities, including Happy Doggo – chosen by Liam Gallagher and Eric Clapton’s addiction recovery centre, Crossroads.
As Elbow teams up with Co-op Live, even more money is making its way to necessary resources, this time in the likes of crucial live music establishments.
Elbow front-person Guy Garvey says: “Playing Co-op Live’s opening night will stay with us for a lifetime, not least because of how incredible the room sounded.”
“When the venue donated funds in our name to support the city we love, it made complete sense to carry that through to the Northern Quarter and to venues that have meant so much to my bandmates and I throughout our career.”
Guy Dunstan, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Co-op Live, adds: “In the past year, I have been proud to see Co-op Live become an integral part of such an incredible city.”
“Teaming up with Elbow to directly support the venues that first put Manchester on the map, and to share something so intrinsic to us as venues – proper sound – is something truly special.”
Police launch investigation after a 19-year-old is stabbed in broad daylight at an Oldham retail park
Emily Sergeant
A police investigation has been launched after a stabbing in a ‘very public place’ in Oldham yesterday afternoon.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) explained that officers were called out to Alexandra Retail Park in Oldham yesterday afternoon ( Sunday 30 March 2025) at 3:25pm, and when they arrived on the scene, they found that a 19-year-old man had been stabbed.
The victim was taken to hospital with ‘serious injuries’, and GMP assures that he and his family are being supported at this time.
A scene remains in place at the retail park and some of the surrounding areas while the investigation is ongoing, and a large police presence can also been seen too as officers continue to collect evidence and piece together the events of what happened.
Police also believe the attack to be an ‘isolated incident’ with those involved known to each other, indicating no threat to the wider public.
“We understand this incident is shocking and took place in a very public space,” commented Inspector Andrew Clayton.
“There have been no arrests so far, but enquiries are ongoing to determine who is responsible. At this stage, we do believe the attack to be an isolated incident involving those known to one another.”
Alexandra Retail Park, where the incident occurred yesterday afternoon / Credit: Google Maps
In a bid to gather as much information as possible, a public police appeal has been made.
Inspector Clayton continues: “We have spoken to a number of witnesses so far, but would encourage anyone who believes they have any information or dash cam footage which could assist our investigation, particularly that which may help us identify the perpetrators, to come forward.”
Anyone with any information is asked to contact GMP on 101, quoting log 1757 of 30/03/25, or by getting in touch with Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Danny Jones -
7th February 2024 
