An exhibition exploring Stephen Hawking’s life and work will open in Manchester this summer, with recognisable objects on public display for the first time.
Stephen Hawking at Work is part of the Science and Industry Museum’s packed schedule for 2022.
Objects from Hawking’s office will be on display to the public for the first time, including his spectacles and an invitation to a time travel-themed party he hosted.
The display will show how Hawking used science and technology to aid communication after his diagnosis with motor neurone disease (MND).
The renowned scientist lived with MND for more than 50 years despite an initial prognosis of only two.
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The Revolution Manchester Gallery at the Science and Industry Museum. Credit: Drew Forsyth
He used a voice synthesiser from 1986 following an emergency tracheotomy, and had an analogue cheek sensor attached to his glasses to control the voice software.
Stephen Hawking at Work will also feature the latest generation of wheelchair he used, a Permobil F3 model.
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Visitors will be able to study Hawking’s rare PhD thesis too.
The exhibition will take over the striking new £5m Revolution Gallery, before heading on a national tour over the next two years.
The popular museum will also be running a year of events and exhibitions marking the 100th anniversary of the BBC, and continuing its cancer exhibition.
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Visitors to the Manchester Science Festival in 2019. Credit: Science Museum Group
The Cancer Revolution: Science, Innovation and Hope exhibition, which explored how science is revolutionising cancer care, will remain in the Special Exhibitions Gallery until March 27.
From spring, the Revolution Gallery will host the Celebrating 100 Years of the BBC in Manchester exhibition.
There’ll be a bumper programme of exhibitions, displays, online content and events across the country exploring how trailblazers shaped broadcast technology and look at what the future may hold.
The Science and Industry Museum will host Amazonia, a photography exhibition that celebrates the indigenous peoples and varied landscapes of the Brazilian rainforest this summer.
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Then the Musical Mind exhibition will arrive in October, exploring the science of why humans connect with music.
In 2022, updates to the Experiment Gallery will be revealed, including the additions of a thermal image camera, large-scale shadow box, a buzz wire game and a collaborative ball run wall.
Salford Pride’s popular Pink Picnic returns this summer with ‘iconic’ headliners
Emily Sergeant
Boney M, The Cheeky Girls, and Ru Paul’s Drag Race UK stars are all on the lineup at Salford Pride’s popular Pink Picnic this summer.
As this summer marks 15 years of Pride in Salford, Salford Pride has announced a whole host of exciting events to celebrate – including the return of The Pink Picnic, its biggest family-friendly celebration yet, with headliners like 90s and 00s music icons, community talent, and even a ‘bigger and bolder’ Youth Zone for 2026.
Returning to Peel Park once again, The Pink Picnic brings together LGBTQ+ community, allies, families and friends for a day built around community, joy, and belonging.
For 2026, Salford Pride is expanding the experience further with even more to do across the park than ever before.
The Pink Picnic has been part of Salford’s Pride story since 2011, but this year’s 15th anniversary addition is set to be one for the history books, as alongside a headline lineup featuring Boney M, RuPaul’s Drag Race UK’s Kyran Thrax and Paige Three, The Cheeky Girls, Big Brovaz, Booty Luv, and Baby D, a strong programme of community acts will also be spotlighted.
Some of the exceptional community acts already named on the lineup so far include Tallulah Guard, Fear of Marko, and John Tucker.
Across the day, visitors can also shop from dozens of community stalls and market traders, take part in or watch the much-loved annual dog show, and visit the ‘bigger and bolder’ Youth Zone that’s designed to help young people feel seen and celebrated.
“Celebrating 15 years of Pride in Salford feels really special, and we wanted 2026 to feel like a proper thank you to the community that’s built this with us” said Scott Turzański, who is the Head of Marketing and Brand at Salford Pride.
“The Pink Picnic is a family event – it’s welcoming, it’s joyful, and it’s about making space for everyone.”
The Pink Picnic returns to Peel Park in Salford next month on Saturday 13 June, and you can find out more and book tickets online here.
Featured Image – Salford Pride (via Facebook)
What's On
Manchester’s Science and Industry Museum unveils programme of FREE family fun for half term
Emily Sergeant
Little Mancs can climb aboard a miniature train and set off on a journey of discovery at the Science and Industry Museum this half term.
As schools across Greater Manchester break up for half term at the end of this week, and parents and carers gear up to entertain the little ones, the Science and Industry Museum has, thankfully, just announced a wide range of events and activities especially for the holidays – with many activities free to get involved in.
The popular cultural hub in the heart of Manchester city centre is promising visitors a May half term full of hands-on experiences designed to spark curiosity, creativity, and imagination.
The main event, which is kicking off this weekend (Saturday 23 May), invites families to ‘explore the playful side of power’.
From climbing aboard a miniature steam railway and taking part in interactive engineering sessions, to seeing steam-powered traction engines, live demonstrations, and performances inspired by the sounds of industrial Manchester, visitors will be transported back in time to play the role of passenger.
Almost 200 years ago, this was the site of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway – the world’s first inter-city passenger railway – and May half term will bring this story to life again, as families take a ride around part of the museum’s newly reopened outside space.
Hosted by Little British Rail, rides are priced at £4 (with those under one-year-old going free) and can be booked in advance by visiting the museum’s website here.
The Science and Industry Museum has unveiled its programme of free family fun for the half term / Credit: Science Museum Group
Expert Explainers will be on-hand throughout the half term hosting Curiosity Stops, so you can discover how water becomes steam, see what powers a piston, and explore how our bodies mirror the mechanics of machines.
The final weekend of the holiday (5-7 June) will also see members of Urmston & District Model Engineering Society steaming onto site with its early 20th century Fowler Showman’s traction engine and Foden steam wagon.
Elsewhere at the museum over the half term, you can take a look around the historic Power Hall: The Andrew Law Gallery, which has recently reopened to the public, and you can take part in interactive workshops with Manchester-based percussion group, Drumroots – giving visitors the chance to experiment with rhythm, movement, and music inspired by the sounds of historic steam engines.
And, of course, half term is the perfect chance to go on out-of-this-world adventure across the Solar System and visit the new Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos exhibition, if you haven’t already. Or visit the ultimate gaming experience, Power Up, instead during its extended holiday opening hours.
For the full programme of daily events throughout half term, and to book tickets for difference experiences in advance, head to the Science and Industry Museum website here.
Daisy Jackson -
12th January 2022 
