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.
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.”
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.”
Salford City FC have signed an exciting Under-20 World Cup winner on loan
Danny Jones
Salford City FC have quietly done arguably one of the best little bits of business this summer with their new signing, picking up an exciting youth forward and Under-20 World Cup winner on loan.
Announced this week, 21-year-old striker Nicolás Siri has joined Salford City on a season-long loan deal from Montevideo City Torque.
That same season, he scored 10 goals in a total of 30 games across all competitions, before going on to play his first minutes in Europe last term – and now he’s getting a first taste of English football.
Siri, who began impressing at an early age as part of the under-15s national team, began his club career at Danubio FC in 2020.
Joining Montevideo a year later, he secured a loan move to Belgian side Lommel SK, scoring twice in just 10 appearances, becoming a first-team starter.
After being scouted by Salford, who are hoping to have a resurgent campaign, with co-owner Gary Neville targeting promotion to the Championship over the next few years, he is one of several signings made in this ambitious transfer window.
Taking the number 27 shirt, he’s made his first cameo against Cheltenham Town, being subbed on in the 67th minute as the Ammies went on to score a late equaliser thanks to a Kadeem Harris header in the 93rd minute of stoppage time.
Speaking of numbers and stats, Siri boasts a very impressive one; he’s in good company with it, too.
Sitting down with club media after his arrival at the Peninsula Stadium on Thursday, the youngster said: “I’m pleased to be here and I can’t wait to start playing. I’m a player who likes running into space, who constantly tries to hit the target and looking to score as much as I can.
“Lommel was a great opportunity, I really enjoyed it, and it helped me prepare for my next career step in Europe. I believe being here is a great opportunity that I am going to make the most out of, and that I am going to enjoy.
“If you do well at this level, you can set yourself up to have a great career. That’s my goal, and that is what I want to achieve here.”
He speaks with plenty of sense for his age. You can see his first full interview in Salford red down below.
Huge new premium indoor golf venue with ‘cutting-edge’ tech to open at Quayside MediaCity
Emily Sergeant
Time to get practicing your swing, as a huge new premium indoor golf venue is opening up over in Salford this autumn.
Founded by a local PGA Professional and spanning a whopping 4,500 sq ft of state-of-the-art space, TeeClub is set to be a revolutionary new venture where cutting-edge technology meets luxurious comfort at the unique waterside destination.
TeeClub will provide a first-of-its-kind premium environment with seven high-tech Trackman simulators, taking players to more than 450 world-famous courses including St. Andrews, Pebble Beach, and more.
The new venue is also launching a partnership with sports equipment brand TaylorMade, so golf fans can either bring their own clubs to use on the day, or make use of TaylorMade equipment available if needed.
Resident PGA professionals will offer personalised lessons with AI-driven video analysis when the venue opens later this year, while a dedicated club fitter will make sure every swing is matched with the right equipment.
There’ll also be a club shop stocking TaylorMade gear alongside apparel from Manchester-based brand, Concrete Links Co.
The new venue is designed for both individuals and businesses alike, and will offer exclusive memberships and corporate packages, as well as semi-private bays and interactive gaming modes, making it an ideal place for team-building events or relaxed evenings with friends.
A huge new premium indoor golf venue with ‘cutting-edge’ tech is opening at Quayside MediaCity / Credit: Supplied
There’ll also be bar on site serving coffee, pizzas, snacks, wine, and craft beers.
“Our vision for TeeClub is to create an indoor golf experience that combines the authenticity of the sport with modern luxury,” commented Nick Holmes, who is a PGA Professional and the Director of Golf at TeeClub, ahead of the venue opening this autumn.
“Whether you’re a beginner looking to learn, a corporate group hosting an event, or an experienced golfer, TeeClub will provide the tools, technology, and atmosphere.”
Georgina Pellant -
24th April 2023 
