Thousands of books are being given away in Piccadilly Gardens this weekend as the city centre’s magnificent ‘Big Ben’ sculpture is dismantled.
Big Ben Lying Down with Political Books – a 42-metre sculpture made from 20,000 books arranged in the shape of London’s iconic tower – has been residing in Manchester for the past two weeks as part of Manchester International Festival (MIF).
After a fortnight exploring the monument, people are being invited to take home their own piece of history when it is taken down on 16 July.
From midday on Friday until Sunday (18 July) the literature within Big Ben’s walls will be given away.
Marta Minujín’s Big Ben Lying Down at Manchester International Festival 2021 / Image: Fabio De Paola
Poetry, fiction, biographies and essays will all be handed out – covering topics such as race, class, gender, disability and societal injustice.
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Manchester writers and activists from Anthony Burgess, Elizabeth Gaskell, Shelagh Delaney and Emmeline Pankhurst to Hafsah Aneela Bashir and Lemn Sissay are amongst the authors, along with publications from contemporary writers Akala, David Baddiel, David Olusoga, Nikesh Shukla, Naomi Klein, Caitlin Moran and Bernardine Evaristo.
Classic literature from George Orwell, D.H Lawrence, Charles Dickens and Doris Lessing will also be up for grabs.
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The oldest book in the collection is Common Sense by Thomas Paine, published in 1776 – the most recent is Marcus Rashford’sYou Are A Champion: Unlock Your Potential, Find Your Voice and Be the Best You Can Be, published earlier this year.
Any books left over at the end of the giveaway will be distributed to schools and libraries across Greater Manchester.
Marta Minujín’s Big Ben Lying Down at Manchester International Festival 2021 / Image: Fabio De Paola
Each book from Big Ben is stamped with a drawing created by Minujín.
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“People need this!” explained the artist.
“We need new ideas and new places where people meet. By taking a book, people create the artwork.
“The people of Manchester will create a new Big Ben that the UK will never forget.”
John McGrath, Artistic Director of Manchester International Festival added: “As MIF nears it’s close for 2021 we’re delighted that the people of Manchester can take home a piece of the Festival to remember this momentous year and this playful symbol that landed in the centre of the city.
“We’d also like to thank the organisations and individuals that helped it to fruition.”
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Marta Minujín’s Big Ben Lying Down at Manchester International Festival 2021 / Image: Fabio De Paola
Manchester International Festival is the first major event to take place in the city since before the pandemic – featuring 18 days of flash mobs, movies, artworks, food stalls, live performances and exhibitions.
The bumper festival programme is running until July 18 – and you can learn more about what’s still happening here.
More information on the booklist at Big Ben is available at: bigben.mif.co.uk
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Six Nations to stay free-to-air as broadcasters strike new TV deal
Danny Jones
Good news for rugby fans as the Guinness Six Nations is set to remain free-to-air for the foreseeable future following a new deal being struck between the competition and its current broadcasters.
With the 2025 tournament approaching its conclusion, the organisers are already looking ahead to the next year and how to contest will be marketed, with many predicting the rights to be snapped up by a major sporting channel.
Fortunately, however, the Six Nations‘ present coverage partners have managed to keep the games as part of the current TV license package after striking a new four-year deal.
The agreement between BBC and ITV, who air all of the annual fixtures between them at the moment, will see the pair host the matches until 2029 at the very least.
As mentioned, it was thought that broadcasters and streaming platforms like TNT Sports might secure the licensing for at least part of the tournament as they continue to expand their large and varied service but, for now, UK coverage is staying right where it is.
Under the new contract, ITV will show 10 games per season, including every England match, while the BBC will air the remaining five fixtures.
BBC will also host all Wales and Scotland home games bar when the two nations play England at Murrayfieldand the Principality Stadiums, respectively.
Better still, not only will the men’s competition be staying free-to-air but BBC will continue to show every game during the Women’s Six Nations as the interest in female rugby continues to grow.
In fact, it’s having quite a boom here in Greater Manchester on its own.
Greater Mancs making strides for the next generation.
This year’s tournament has been as blockbuster and nail-baiting as ever, with England still in with a chance of winning the whole thing if they beat Wales with a bonus point – provided France fail to beat Scotland in the final game.
England’s last game gets underway at 4:45pm and it’s all to play for.
You can find all the best places to watch the remainder of the action down below:
Featured Images — Sum_of_Marc (via Flickr)/Guinness Six Nations
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The incredible £5m Hollywood-style mansion with ‘one in a million’ views
Thomas Melia
Ever fancied waking up in a property that feels so LA, that if you walk past your window fast enough you can imagine catching a glimpse of the Hollywood sign?
If the Oscars has you feeling like you want to live a taste of the high life, then fear not, because we’ve got you covered with a property that feels like it’s straight out of the land of lights, camera, action.
This five bedroom mansion is located in Alderley Edge within Cheshire, and with its oval shaped exterior, you can see a full 360 of the surrounding landscapes.
Before you even see the property itself, you make your way up a private road leading straight to the just-over 10,000 square foot house.
The first floor is mesmerising from its amenities such as a music room, media room, study and sitting room as you walk in, to the collective gym, steam room, sauna and pool at the other end of the house.
What a way to let the light in.Who doesn’t want a pool in their house?Credit: Rightmove
Your eyes can’t help but focus on the wide circular hall, lit up perfectly by the sun roof overlooking it, even on a dull day some natural light is always appreciated.
The second floor has five large bedrooms all with en suites and individual dressing rooms, so you can get yourself all dolled up without having to worry about whose turn it is to use the mirror.
One of the bedrooms even has its own lounge space for when you want to admire how beautiful this grand dwelling place really is.
Obviously the master bedroom has the largest wingspan and is curved in nature with doors opening out onto the balcony terrace which is curved like this house’s exterior.
Those remarkable floor to ceiling windows are stunning.The only thing missing is a glass of sangria.Credit: Rightmove
Every window segment for all the rooms contains three floor to ceiling slabs which are all attached to each other, allowing you to see the outside world without having to leave your room.
The land attached to the property is all contained within a walled proximity featuring a formal garden, a wider dome shaped green space and a final rocky terrain with a stone patio taking up one half.
Still not enough to win you over? How about four adjoined stables and an accompanying garage which makes up the surrounding space on the opposite side.
Adjacent to the oval shaped home, the row of stables are detached from the main house with the garage free standing as well.
Stables and a garage, wow.Bird’s eye view of what could be your next mini oasis.Credit: Rightmove
The Manc -
14th July 2021 
