Did you know that a massive interactive gaming experience has returned to Manchester for the first time in three years?
With more than 160 consoles and hundreds of games to play, Power UP is now back at the Science and Industry Museum in the heart of the city centre and it’s already been taking ticket-holders on a journey through five decades of gaming.
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Everything from retro arcade games to state-of-the-art virtual reality are available to play at the hit event – and every ticket includes unlimited play all day too.
Power UP is taking place every weekend and school holiday up until December 2023.
From the Atari 2600 and the Dreamcast, to the Playstation 5 and the latest in virtual reality technology, Power UP is giving visitors of all levels the chance to live their best gaming life and experience first-hand how far games and gaming technologies have advanced over the years.
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Some of the other consoles at the museum include SNES, Wii, Mega Drive, N64, Xbox, and more.
Power UP is now back at the Science and Industry Museum / Credit: Science Museum Group
Visitors to the ultimate new interactive gaming experience can take a trip down memory lane by playing retro classics like Pong and Pac-Man, rocking out on Guitar Hero, and also trying their hand at the wildly-popular Fortnite.
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Power UP is also giving gaming fans the chance to follow the development of some iconic characters like Mario and Sonic the Hedgehog through the decades.
Visitors will also get to discover games made by winners and nominees from the annual BAFTA Young Games Designers Awards – which are open to children and young people, and celebrate the creativity, skill, and imagination of young games makers.
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The interactive experience has more than 160 consoles and hundreds of games to play / Credit: Science Museum Group
And new for 2022, you can also be inspired by the local people behind the games and companies who have made a splash in the world of gaming in the new section dedicated to Manchester’s gaming industry.
From early success stories like Ocean Software and Software Creations, to contemporary indie developers like Acid Nerve.
“Power UP has always been a big hit with our visitors,” said Mark Cutmore – Head of Commercial Experiences at the Science Museum Group.
“[The experience] offers a fun space to enjoy past and present gaming technology, experience the latest developments and reminisce about old favourites as the gaming industry is a key component of Manchester’s creative, digital and tech industries.
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You can experience first-hand how far games and gaming technologies have advanced over the years / Credit: Science Museum Group
“This interactive exhibition will help to inspire game designers and software engineers of the future.
“We’re excited to be giving so much time to enjoy and keep returning to this experience during its longest run ever at the museum [and] we’re also really proud to be showcasing our city’s amazing contributions to the industry through the new Manchester Made section.
Tickets to Power UP grant each person unlimited access to the gaming experience on the day booked.
Tickets will set you back £6 per child and concession, £8 per adult, £7 per senior, and there is a £1 discount per ticket for families.
Grab yours on the Science and Industry Museum website here.
Students can join a Wagamama ramen-building workshop for just £5 this week
Daisy Jackson
Students will be able to take part in a build-your-own ramen workshop this week, led by everyone’s favourite pan-Asian restaurant group, Wagamama.
The workshops will cost just £5 (all of which will go to a brilliant cause), and will include the time spent creating your perfect meal, the actual food, plus drinks and sides.
Wagamama has teamed up with mental health charity SHOUT to host this cosy ramen-making workshop.
Students will be invited to join Wagamama chefs in the kitchen, selecting their own broth, protein and veggies, with perfectly-cooked noodles, before sitting down at the restaurant’s benches to slurp up their creations with fellow students.
There’ll also be toppings and garnishes including kimchi, tea-stained eggs, chilli oil, spring onions and more.
With merch to take home too, and steaming bowls of the best-ever autumn dish, this is a one-off event you won’t want to miss.
Students can join a Wagamama ramen-building workshop for just £5 this week. Credit: Supplied
Each £5 ticket includes your food and two drinks, plus a variety of the new Wagamama winter sides and sharers.
All money raised will be donated to SHOUT to support the vital services they provide.
A representative from SHOUT will also be in attendance to talk about student wellbeing and the services available from the charity.
Wagamama says: “At Wagamama, we believe having a conversation is one of the most powerful ways you can support someone struggling with their mental health. Whether it’s a quick check-in via text or an open conversation over a bowl of steaming ramen. no chat is too big or too small to make an impact.
Students can join a Wagamama ramen-building workshop with SHOUT this week. Credit: Supplied
“This ethos is one we share with SHOUT, a free, confidential, 24/7 text messaging service for anyone in the UK who needs someone to talk to. After huge demand during Covid, SHOUT’s service has become increasingly essential + today SHOUT is more highly in demand than ever before.”
The Japanese and pan-Asian restaurant is donating £40,000 to SHOUT this year, plus providing perks and rewards for their team of volunteers, and hosting events in their spaces.
The Wagamama ramen-building workshop will take place at the St Peter’s Square restaurant on Thursday 7 November between 2pm and 4pm. You can get your tickets HERE.
‘Glittering winter adventure’ set to take over Tatton Park this Christmas
Emily Sergeant
The magnificent grounds of Tatton Park will be transformed into a ‘glittering winter adventure’ this festive season.
With spooky season now a thing of the past, and Christmas merely a few weeks away, families will soon be whisked away into a world of folklore, enchantment, and enthralling performances as they enter the gardens of the stunning Tatton Park in Cheshire for an immersive, festival-like experience known as Yuletide.
Organisers say the captivating event promises to be a “truly magical experience” where folklore stories come to life through storytelling and live music.
A ‘glittering winter adventure’ is set to take over Tatton Park this Christmas / Credit: Supplied
All set to transport visitors right into the heart of Yuletide tales, the exciting new event – which opens next weekend, and runs through until late December – is produced by Wild Rumpus, who you may know for other magical local events such as ‘The Lanterns’ at Chester Zoo (2018-2022) and Just So Festival.
The highlight of this new event has to be The Glittering Trail, where beautifully-illuminated puppets and performers bring legendary stories of Yuletide to life as visitors wander through the park’s popular Japanese Gardens and make the most of the stunning winter landscape.
Families can gather around an open fire to toast marshmallows, all while they watch live performances that add even more magic to the evening.
Yuletide will be running at Tatton Park on selected dates from Saturday 16 November through to Monday 23 December, and tickets are on sale now – with adult tickets costing £20, children paying just £12 each, and free personal assistant passes are also available.
Emily Sergeant -
31st August 2022 
