You can take your little Mancs down to meet the star of one of their favourite TV shows at the Science and Industry Museum this weekend.
In case you hadn’t heard, May is currently ‘Brilliant Bodies’ month down at Manchester‘s iconic Science and Industry Museum, and there’s a whole host of themed interactive and educational activities lined up ready for schools across Greater Manchester to be out for half term – with something for everyone of all ages to get stuck into.
Anatomy-themed special events, star-studded appearances, and half term transformations are just some of the things on the “gloriously gross” schedule.
But, of course, one of the highlights of ‘Brilliant Bodies’ month has to be the world-first exhibition Operation Ouch! Food, Poo and You at the heart of it all – which is based off the popular children’s BBC show of the same name.
Popular children’s TV star to make special visit to Manchester’s Science and Industry Museum / Credit: Science Museum Group
The family-friendly exhibition – which is coming to a close after a massively-successful run in our city on Sunday 9 June – gives visitors the chance understand more about the inner workings of their own bodies, and the important role science plays in supporting our digestive health.
If you haven’t had the chance to check out the exhibition yet, and are keen to do so before it bids its final farewell, then this bank holiday weekend couldn’t be a more ideal time, as one of the stars of the Operation Ouch!TV show, Dr Ronx, is making a special visit to the museum on Saturday.
And this is your chance to meet them.
Anyone who books tickets to visit Operation Ouch! Food, Poo and You between 11:30am-1pm, and 3pm-4pm, on Saturday 25 May, will not only have the chance to explore the role of each organ in the digestive system during a “rib-tickling adventure”, but will also get the opportunity to grab a selfie with Dr Ronx from inside the exhibition.
Visitors will be guided through the exhibition by videos and illustrations of Operation Ouch! hosts, Dr Chris, Dr Xand, and Dr Ronx, all before getting to meet Dr Ronx themself.
Dr Ronx will also be hosting three Q&A sessions throughout the day too, and you can see them take to the stage at 10:30am, 2:10pm, and 4:30pm.
Tickets to visit the museum and exhibition on Saturday 25 May are now available to book.
Free standard museum entry tickets will give you access to the Q&As with Dr Ronx, but an exhibition ticket must be purchased for specific times for the photo opportunity, and these are limited, so booking as soon as possible is encouraged to avoid disappointment.
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.
Nostalgic ready-to-drink Breezer makes UK return after a decade
Daisy Jackson
An iconic ready-to-drink favourite has launched back into the UK – oh yes, Breezer is back.
First launched in the 1990s, Breezers – then pitched as an ‘alcopop’ – were a staple on dancefloors and at barbecues right across the UK.
And now Bacardi has decided to bring these delicious, fruity, easy-drinking bottles back to British shores.
There are three new flavours to try as Breezers return to your fridges – Zesty Orange, Zingy Lime, and Crisp Watermelon.
And Breezer launched back into Manchester last night with a suitably memorable party, turning a spot in the Northern Quarter into a corner shop.
The ‘local Cornerbop’ was stacked with your usual essentials, plus shelf after shelf of these colourful glass ready-to-drink bottles.
Inside the Breezer ‘Cornerbop’ corner shop in ManchesterBreezer is back, in three new flavours
The Breezer relaunch party saw Tarsza and Rennie Peters spinning nostalgic anthems with a modern twist at a pop-up party in a corner shop.
Steve Young, business unit director for Bacardi in the UK & Ireland, said: “We know there is a lot of love for Breezer in the UK, and we are confident a new generation of consumers will fall in love with the new Breezer.
“RTDs are booming, however, the Flavoured Alcoholic Beverages category could do with a bit more excitement. By bringing back Breezer we’re definitely putting the fruity taste into FAB.”
The iconic ready-to-drink classic is back – and better than ever.
Emily Sergeant -
21st May 2024 
