A free exhibition celebratingchildren’s books including The Gurffalo, Zog, Stick Man and Room on the Broomis coming to Salford in time for the summer holidays.
The major new exhibit, which will celebrate author Julia Donaldson and illustrator Axel Scheffler’s award-winning partnership, will open at The Lowry arts centre this summer.
Entitled Julia and Axel – Thirty Years of Favourite Stories, it will bring to life some of the best-loved characters in contemporary children’s fiction.
Kicking off in July before running through to the end of the year, those heading down can look forward to exploring an interactive “Storybook room”, as well as discovering snippets from the animated reimaginings of The Gruffalo, Zog and Snail and the Whale.
The exhibit will also explore how Julia and Axel have collaborated over the years to create some of the most beloved characters in modern children’s fiction.
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From the terrible tusks and terrible claws of the Gruffalo to the Witch, her cat, and her very tall hat, and Stick Man on his journey home to the ‘family tree’, the pair’s eccentric characters have captured the hearts and minds of children around the world.
The exhibition will open on Saturday 22 July at The Lowry and run to Monday 1 January 2024, giving families plenty of opportunities to visit over the course of the year.
Julia Donaldson says: “I am delighted that we are working in partnership with The Lowry on this exhibition and that they are celebrating 30 years of Axel and me working together. It is exciting to be able to share some ‘behind the scenes’ secrets with our young readers and to show what happens before a finished book is in their hands.
“I hope that it will help them to feel creative and to start writing and illustrating their own stories, so that we have new picture-book creators in the future.”
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Axel Scheffler says: “I find it hard to believe that it is 30 years since Julia Donaldson and I did our first picture book together with A Squash and a Squeeze. So much has happened since then and many children have now enjoyed our stories over the years.
“I am very pleased that The Lowry is hosting this special celebratory exhibition and that it will give families the chance to discover more about my illustrations and Julia’s writing.”
Michael Simpson, Director of Visual Arts at The Lowry, says: “This is a unique celebration of the creative partnership of Julia and Axel, whose stories and pictures are loved by children and grown-ups alike. We want every family to think of The Lowry as the place to go for a great day out.”
Lightwaves returns to Salford Quays next month with mesmerising FREE outdoor light trail
Emily Sergeant
One of the North West’s most mesmerising light art festivals is returning to Salford once again this festive season.
After having successfully lit up MediaCity like never before in recent years, and going on to become an undeniable winter season highlight in Greater Manchester, Lightwaves Salford is set to return for another year early next month, and will be joining the growing list of light trails already in place across the region and beyond.
Presented by Quays Culture, the popular festival is returning for its twelfth year, and there’ll be 12 illuminated artworks along a 1.5km fully-accessible trail around MediaCity and Salford Quays.
The mesmerising immersive experience will include installations of different scale, all making use of light, sound, and technology in innovative ways.
The themes of the artworks vary from celebrating the nostalgia of a seaside arcade, to highlighting climate change and our connection to the natural world all set to represented, aiming to offer people a sense of optimism and togetherness.
Organisers are calling this year’s festival their ‘most interactive yet’.
“This year the focus is on artworks that visitors can engage with on a more human scale,” explained Rachel Candler from Quays Culture, “so we’re looking forward to seeing playful moments and even some dancing.
Lightwaves returns to Salford Quays next month with a mesmerising FREE outdoor light trail / Credit: Dave Sloan | Liz West
“Year on year, Lightwaves delights audiences of all ages, and we’re sure that 2025 will be no exception.
“For many of our visitors, Lightwaves Salford marks the start of the festive period, getting together with friends or family for a dazzling evening of light art as we head into the winter months.”
Lightwaves Salford 2025 returns on Thursday 4 through to Sunday 7 December, and it’s free to attend with no need to book tickets prior.
Maps will be available online in advance and on the night, but visitors can use any route they like.
Featured Image – Liz West (Supplied)
Salford
‘Manipulative’ man jailed for life after setting ex-partner’s house on fire while she slept
Emily Sergeant
A man has been jailed for life after he set his ex-partner’s house on fire while she was asleep.
Nicholas Martin, from Leicester, appeared at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court yesterday (10 November) where he was sentenced to 30 years in prison after previously being found guilty of attempted murder and assault occasioning actual bodily harm at a trial back in September.
The 63-year-old was also made the subject of a life-long restraining order against the victim.
It comes after Martin, at around 5:10am on 22 October 2024, poured petrol through the letterbox of his ex-partner’s house and set it alight before leaving the area.
The victim was initially woken in the middle of the night after hearing her letterbox snapping closed and then heard a crackling sound which resembled a log burner.
Shortly after she realised her house was on fire, she proceeded to jump out of her first-floor bedroom window to safety, and although she survived the attack, she did suffer two broken ankles and a broken vertebrae in her back from the jump.
Very sadly though, the victim’s pet cat was killed in the fire.
#JAILED | Man jailed for 30 years after setting fire to victim’s house whilst she slept
Nicholas Martin (28/8/1962) of Bosworth Street, Leicester, was found guilty of attempt murder and assault occasioning actual bodily harm at a trial at the same court on Wednesday 10 September pic.twitter.com/pDj8Clh74G
Martin had been in a relationship with the woman since 2019, but became increasingly controlling over the years, and had been monitoring her movements by installing home cameras, prevented her from seeing family members, constantly criticising her, and even controlling what she could eat, wear, and watch on television.
At the time of the offence, Martin was on bail for a previous assault with conditions in place for him not to contact the victim and to reside in Leicester – but he left his bail address, rented a car, and drove to Worsley.
He booked into a hotel and waited until the middle of the night to execute his attack when he knew his ex-partner would be asleep.
Martin was arrested on 23 October 2024 at a hotel in the Lake District, where a can containing petrol was recovered in the hotel room wardrobe.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) confirmed he made no comment in his police interview and went on to plead ‘not guilty’ at court. Despite later admitting to causing the fire, he claimed he had no intention to kill the woman.
“Martin undertook a campaign of abuse against his victim lasting a number of years,” explained Detective Constable Zoe Bellis, from GMP’s Salford CID following the sentencing.
“His last act nearly resulted in a woman’s death and I am thankful of [the] sentencing result putting this despicable individual behind bars and away from harming other victims.”
Georgina Pellant -
24th April 2023 
