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
News
Digital driving licences will be introduced across the UK later this year
Emily Sergeant
Digital driving licences are set to be introduced across the UK later this year, it has been announced.
Science Secretary Peter Kyle has announced today that, before 2025 is out, Brits will be given the option to use a digital version of their driver’s licence from their phone to easily prove their age when buying age restricted items online and in person, as well as proving their right to drive.
A mobile driver’s licence is set to be one of the first digital documents in a GOV.UK wallet app that’s being launched later this year.
— Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (@SciTechgovuk) January 21, 2025
The new wallet will allow users to securely store Government-issued documents on their phone, such as DBS checks, Veteran Cards, and loads more, as well as driving licences, and use them easily when needed by making use of a range of security features that are built into modern smart phones – including facial recognition checks.
According to the Government, the new service means that digital documents will be more secure, even if a device is lost.
Traditional physical documents will still remain available, however.
Digital driving licences will be introduced across the UK later this year / Credit: GDS
The mobile driver’s licence will be piloted later in 2025, and all Government services will have to offer a digital alternative, alongside paper or card credentials, by the end of 2027 under plans set out by the blueprint for digital Government.
“This is a game changer for the millions of people who use their driving licence as ID,” commented Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander.
“The innovation puts power back in the hands of the people, making everyday interactions faster, easier, and more secure. We are delivering on the Plan for Change by making public services work for everyone.”
Featured Image – Pxhere
News
Plans to bring Greater Manchester’s rail services onto the Bee Network unveiled
Emily Sergeant
Ambitious plans to bring all rail services in Greater Manchester onto the Bee Network have been unveiled this week.
After the success of all the region’s buses returning to local control at the start of the year, Mayor Andy Burnham has set out Greater Manchester’s step-by-step plan to bring rail into the Bee Network by 2028, working alongside the rail industry to do this as the next part of his joined-up ‘London-style’ public transport system, which is intended to boost passenger numbers, and drive growth across the region.
Developed in partnership with the rail industry, Department for Transport (DfT) and Shadow Great British Rail, Mr Burnham says his plan is aimed at not only improving transport but unlocking major regeneration and housing opportunities on land around the region’s stations too.
Greater Manchester’s proposition is for eight commuter rail lines, covering 64 stations, to be brought into the Bee Network in three phases over the next five years.
Under the plan, the first two lines – which will work to connect Manchester to Glossop and Stalybridge, in Tameside – will join the Bee Network by December 2026, and then a further 32 stations, and all lines within Greater Manchester, would join by 2030.
Not only that, but Greater Manchester leaders have also committed to working with the Government and the rail industry to “improve reliability” and “implement service changes” to help drive growth too.
If all goes to plan, the first branded Bee Network train will be running by the end of 2026.
Bus, tram and train will finally be united in a tap-in, tap-out payment system with a daily cap offering much better value for money than existing rail fares.
Another major change is that TfGM has said it will work with the rail industry to accelerate the delivery of accessibility improvements – with more than 60% of stations on the eight lines set to have step-free access by 2028, compared to 43% at the end of 2024.
“Our rail system today is acting as a brake on growth and, as the UK’s fastest growing city-region, Greater Manchester deserves better,” commented Mayor Andy Burnham, as he unveiled his plans this week.
“We need a railway that is reliable and fully integrated with the rest of the Bee Network to drive growth and deliver new homes with public transport connections on the doorstep.
“Our plan puts passengers first by delivering a simplified, joined-up public transport network, with better services, stations and overall experience. Only by making travel by train more reliable, simpler, flexible and accessible to everyone, will we convince more people to leave the car at home and make the switch to the Bee Network.”
The Manc -
14th July 2021 
