Iconic lyrics from songs by some of Manchester’s most famous bands and artists are to appear in the city centre this weekend for a very “heartwarming” reason.
It’s all part of a newly-launched campaign by North West Cancer Research – an independent charity dedicated to putting the region’s cancer needs first, and funding lifesaving research and education to tackle the cause, improve the care, and find the cure for cancer – which is called #OurRegionOurWords, and is committed to raising awareness of its life saving work across the North West of England and North Wales.
It comes after a recent study highlighted by the charity in its 2021 North West Regional Report found that residents living in the region are 25% more likely to be diagnosed with cancer than in the rest of the UK.
The campaign will feature messages of hope in the form of lyrics made famous by high profile local artists and bands.
The words have been chosen to reflect the experiences facing those affected by cancer.
Our latest campaign #OurRegionOurWords is about raising awareness of the charity and the work we do in this region.
Inspired by our region’s love for music and passion for its home-grown heroes.
Manchester-based rock band, New Order, and Liverpool’s The Farm – two of several artists whose renowned work has inspired some of the words featured throughout the activation – have pledged their support for the charity’s campaign, which kicked-off with an event at Liverpool One this past weekend and saw a prominent walkway branded with lyrics made famous by Liverpool-based musicians.
A similar crossing takeover will take place at Spinningfields this weekend.
As well as the two launch events, the charity’s wider campaign will also feature many lyrics displayed across billboards, buses, and street hubs, as well as digitally and across social media until mid-April.
Those living in Chester, Blackpool, Wigan, Preston, and Llandudno will also have the chance to spot lyrics inspired by the work of local bands in their area.
The campaign will feature messages of hope in the form of lyrics made famous by high profile local artists and bands / Credit: North West Cancer Research
Speaking on the important campaign ahead of its arrival in Manchester city centre this weekend, Alastair Richards – CEO at North West Cancer Research – said: “For over 70 years, North West Cancer Research has been independently funding life-saving research and strategies designed to support those living with and beyond cancer in the North West of England and North Wales.
“Tackling the challenge of cancer requires a localised approach that understands the unique nature of each region, and this is especially pertinent for our work, given the increased likelihood of developing cancer if you live here.
“Inspired by our region’s love for music and passion for its homegrown heroes, we hope this campaign will resonate with people far and wide.”
Featured Image – Visit North West | New Order
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Star of hit CBBC show Operation Ouch! to host live Q&A and meet and greets in Manchester this summer
Emily Sergeant
Little Mancs can meet the star of one of their favourite TV shows at the Science and Industry Museum this summer.
In case you hadn’t heard, Operation Ouch! is back in Manchester again with a fresh new experience for 2025, and this time around, visitors can journey through an ear canal covered in gooey wax, squeeze past sticky snot, and delve deeper into how our brains interpret the world.
Thousands of families from across Greater Manchester and beyond have already visited the city centre museum make the most of the new exhibition, and get stuck into the wide range of immersive and interactive activities it has on offer.
But for those who haven’t been able to pay a visit yet, this summer couldn’t be a more ideal opportunity to do so.
That’s because Dr Xand Van Tulleken – who is one of the presenters of the BBC showOperation Ouch! – will be at the museum in a couple of weeks time to meet visitors as part of his myth-busting mission to answer some of the public’s deepest questions about our senses.
The Science and Industry Museum has unveiled its ‘summer of senses’ programme / Credit: Science Museum Group
Dr Xand Van Tulleken will be at the Science and Industry Museum for one day only, and will not only join mini medics on their voyage through the senses, but will also be on-hand to answer brain teasers from the audience during a series of live Q&As.
Whether it’s banging on a super-sized eardrum, venturing into a massive eyeball, or even taking a whiff of a ‘smell library’, this world-premiere exhibition dives into the science behind hearing, sight, touch, taste, and smell – and Dr Xand will be there every step of the way.
Dr Xand’s visit comes amid a senses-themed summer programme at the city centre museum, where visitors can enjoy everything from silent discos and science shows, to a ‘bogie lab’, brain-boggling challenges, and loads more during six weeks of activities inspired by its latest exhibition.
Book your tickets to visit Operation Ouch! Brains, Bogies and You on Tuesday 12 August, for any of the time slots between 11:30am – 1pm, and 2:45 – 4:15pm for the opportunity to grab a selfie with Dr Xand from inside the exhibition.
Tickets will cost visitors £10 each, with those under three going free, and a range of family discounts available.
Find out more about the exhibition and get tickets here.
Featured Image – Science Museum Group
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Aspiring artists can get their work displayed on one of the biggest digital screens in Manchester
Danny Jones
Are you a budding artist looking to get your work seen or know some who is? Well, you might want to pay attention because there’s an opportunity to have your creation seen by countless passers-by and on one of the biggest displays in the entire UK over at the Printworks.
If you’ve passed through the much-loved hospitality and leisure complex over the past year or so, you’ll have noticed their roof is now no longer a roof at all, really; the striking ceiling is now a constantly moving image and the largest of its kind in all of Europe.
Meaning that anyone who got their artworks on there would effectively be securing one of the biggest displays and public installations on the continent.
As Printworks themselves put it: “This isn’t just a screen; it’s an artistic stage viewed by millions of visitors every year, with the power to turn a single artwork into a 360-degree sensory experience.”
With that in mind, they’re giving one lucky individual the chance to grab the spotlight and see their creative expression plastered on the 1,000m² wraparound LED canvas.
“Supporting emerging talent and seeing fresh, creative perspectives is always inspiring, and I can’t wait to see what these young artists bring to the table! It was so surreal seeing my artwork on the digital.”
Past installations have included the ‘Spaces Up-Above’ exhibition by world-renowned light artist, Rupert Newman, as well as an International Women’s Day showcase by Heitzman herself, as a fellow Manchester-based creative.
In case you need a better idea of the sheer scale of this screen and why this is such an exciting opportunity for up-and-coming local artists, here’s how they celebrated Oasis returning to Manchester for their Heaton Park reunion gigs this week:
Synchronised with sound and added motion effects, the competition is now open to students who are currently enrolled in college, university or art school.
Better still, you don’t even have to be from or based in the area to take part – this is a nationwide competition hoping to spotlight the best talents in the UK.
All you have to do to enter this exciting competition in Manchester is simply provide Printworks your details and upload your artwork of choice HERE by Sunday, 3 August.
Emily Sergeant -
22nd February 2022 
