More than 100 objects and stories collected during the peak of the pandemic are to go on display as part of a new exhibition opening in Manchester.
Manchester’s Science and Industry Museum is preparing to open its doors to a major new exhibition that examines the global and local response to the COVID-19 pandemic that changed the world as we know it.
The groundbreaking new exhibition, titled Injecting Hope: The race for a COVID-19 vaccine, will explore the worldwide effort to develop vaccines at pandemic speed, while uncovering the inspiring stories of scientists and innovators around the globe who collaborated to tackle the worldwide COVID-19 challenge along the way.
The exhibition comes to Manchester as part of a national and international tour, following its inaugural run at the Science Museum in London back in 2022.
The race for a COVID vaccine will be explored in a new Science and Industry Museum exhibition / Credit: Science Museum Group
Opening at the city centre-based museum next Friday (19 July), and set to run right through until mid-November this year, the free-to-attend exhibition will also look at the unique experiences and responses to the pandemic from communities in Manchester.
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It’ll do this through showcasing a wide range of fascinating objects and stories that’ll be on public display in our city for the first time ever.
Some of the objects curious Mancs will get to see with their own eyes at the new exhibition include one of the 750 innovative flat-pack beds used in the NHS Nightingale Hospital North West, the vial of the first COVID-19 vaccine ever to be administered worldwide, and tokens taken from Manchester’s Rates Hall vaccine centre.
Personal items belonging to those at the heart of the vaccine’s development, and breathtaking artwork pieces by Angela Palmer and Junko Mori to help visitors visualise the virus, will also be on display.
But, what is expected to the star of the show for many Mancunians, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham’s navy worker’s jacket – which has been loaned from People’s History Museum – that he often wore as he addressed the region directly to discuss the tough restrictions we were placed under as COVID-19 cases increased, will be displayed for the first time at the exhibition.
The now-iconic jacket became a symbol of the hardships experienced during the pandemic, as well as the unity of the North West.
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More than 100 objects and stories will be on display to the Manchester public for the first time / Credit: Science Museum Group
Museum bosses say Injecting Hope “builds on the fascinating and important work” the Science Museum Group – which the Science and Industry Museum belongs to – has undertaken in response to the COVID-19 pandemic over the past four years.
Andrea Lathrop, who is the Associate Curator of Exhibitions at the Science and Industry Museum, explains that the new Manchester-focused content introduced as part of the exhibition’s run in our city offers a “poignant opportunity for joint reflection”, as well as “moments to celebrate the ingenuity, resilience, and selflessness” of local people.
She continued: “Injecting Hope is a people-centred exhibition that shines a light on those behind the headlines who innovated vaccine science, sat in bed on their laptops, volunteered in vaccine centres, and exposed themselves to the virus day after day to keep us safe.”
Injecting Hope: The race for a COVID-19 vaccine will open at the Science and Industry Museum on Friday 19 July, and will run until Sunday 17 November.
Free tickets are now available to book on the museum’s website here.
Featured Image – Science Museum Group
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The massively underrated rooftop terrace in Manchester with great views and top cocktails
Daisy Jackson
Manchester city centre is generally STARVED of outdoor space, but we’ve found the perfect sun-soaked oasis where you can enjoy a bit of fresh air and a whole lot of great food and drinks.
Tucked up on the sixth floor of the award-winning boutique hotel King Street Townhouse, you’ll find a rooftop terrace with beautiful views of the city’s skyline.
As Manchester buzzes along beneath you, you can tuck in to everything from full charcuterie grazing boards to seasonal snacks and small plates, all served alongside an impressive wine and cocktail list.
This often-overlooked local spot is a firm favourite of those in the know, thanks to its sheltered location that basks in the sun all afternoon.
And although it’s in a prime city centre location, just a stone’s throw from Deansgate, St Peter’s Square and Market Street, it’s a luxurious escape from it all – as is the entire boutique hotel it’s part of.
Whether it’s a post-work social, a relaxed date night, or a cheeky afternoon cocktail, the King Street Townhouse Terrace is open to the public and available for walk-ins or bookings when it isn’t privately hired.
On the menu you can expect locally-sourced dishes like Pollen sourdough served with whipped butter, a meat or cheese grazing board loaded with British produce, and larger plates like a beef and bone marrow burger or a fried fish roll topped with crisps.
British charcuterie grazing boardSpritzes on the King Street Townhouse terrace
Pairing perfectly with a spritz or a beer are snacks like deep-fried Gordal olives, stuffed with fennel sausage, and a brioche garlic bread packed with cream cheese.
The hotel has a cocktail list that celebrates classic drinks and a few of their own signature concoctions, and it doesn’t feel much more luxurious than when you treat yourself to a glass of sky-high champagne with views like this.
The South Terrace can also be hired privately for leisure or corporate events, with tailored catering options including summer BBQs.
And you can ramp up your trip to this oasis by staying overnight in one of the boutique hotels’ rooms, or visiting the King Street Townhouse ESPA spa for a treatment.
Find out more about the terrace at King Street Townhouse HERE.
The terrace at King Street Townhouse hotelThe terrace at King Street Townhouse hotelDeep-fried olivesGarlic bread with creamed cheeseKing Street Townhouse hotel
A massive Manchester United fan zone is being set up for the Europa League final
Danny Jones
With Man United officially booking their spot in the Europa League final, a massive fan zone is being set up in Manchester for fans to watch it.
The Reds are going to Bilbao, but flights and tickets aren’t cheap, so a huge fan park will have to do.
Supporter park specialists 4 The Fans – the same team behind the huge sites at the likes of Manchester’s Secret City, Love Factory and the Progress Centre for Euro 2024 – are putting one of the biggest fan zones yet for the game on Wednesday, 21 May.
4 The Fans are committed to putting on a huge fan zone over in Stretford, and with well over 50,000 fans attending their events over the last three years, it’s sure to be a mega atmosphere.
A massive Man United fan zone is on the cards for this year’s Europa League final. (Credit: 4 The Fans)
Having seen the atmosphere at some of their previous events first hand, this latest fan zone plan is giving us real Euros vibes.
Set to take over the Bowlers Exhibition Centre, a.k.a. the BEC Arena over in Stretford, the enormous events space will be transformed into one of their biggest fan zones to date, with the biggest screen in Manchester.
VIP seated tickets are also available, and parents are welcome to bring their kids along to the family-friendly event.
Tickets are already available and, in fact, they were so confident in the result against Athletic Club that supporters were guaranteed their money back if Ruben Amorim’s side managed to capitulate.
No harm, no foul and, turns out, no need to worry anyway.
Past scenes from international tournaments. (Credit: Supplied)
If the idea of being surrounded by fellow Reds for the game isn’t an attractive enough prospect on its own for you, United fans, the event is also set to be hosted by a club legend (still yet to be announced), with DJs and music, as well as special effects throughout.
Of course, there’ll be plenty of pints and scran to fuel the promoter’s famous fan energy on offer too, so you really will be sorted from start to finish.
Doors to the BEC open at 5:30pm, with last entry at 7:30pm ahead of the 8pm kick-off; tickets start from just £8. Until then, you can watch back the highlights from the previous match down below. You can grab yours HERE.
How are you feeling for the final – are Ruben’s Reds going to lift the Europa League trophy?
Emily Sergeant -
10th July 2024 
