The Science and Industry Museum has released its calendar of free family-friendly events on offer this October half term.
Families are invited to discover “world-changing ideas and amazing activities” at the museum – which is located on Liverpool Road in the heart of the city centre – where the top priority this half term is “a safe and fun visit for everyone” amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and local lockdown restrictions.
Visitors can play and explore in Experiment, which is an interactive gallery designed for the whole family to enjoy together that let’s you stare into the mirror of infinity, find out if you’ve got the strength to lift a Mini, watch a skeleton ride a bicycle, and much more.
You can also discover how cotton transformed the city of Manchester and uncover some of the incredible stories behind the museum’s historic site in its the Textiles Gallery.
Big ideas can be explored in the Revolution Manchester Gallery – where a very early Rolls-Royce motor car made in Manchester and driven by Henry Royce himself – is on display alongside Baby, which is the first computer able to store and run programs.
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Expert explainers will also be on hand to unravel the secrets of science in a series of Science Stops.
You can also take a trip to our nearest star in the museum’s major exhibition, The Sun, which is now included in the free admission ticket.
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Planning a visit? We've made some changes to keep everyone safe, but it's still the museum you know and love.
The much-loved museum will also be reopening its Air and Space Hall on 24th October for the first time since March, which will give visitors the opportunity to see the cars, motorbikes and aeroplanes that got industrial Manchester moving.
Sally MacDonald – Director of the Science and Industry Museum – said: “It’s fantastic to be opening the museum for a whole week over half term and giving even more families the chance to visit us during the holiday.”
“Despite some areas of the museum being temporarily closed for improvement works, with our astonishing exhibition, The Sun, still open, lots of outdoor space and galleries packed with ideas that changed the world, there is still lots for families to do, see and enjoy this October.”
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The Science and Industry Museum’s top priority is to provide a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone.
Visitors are asked to observe social distancing, wear face coverings, follow one-way routes and book tickets online in advance. In line with the measures that are currently in place across the city and other areas of the North West, visitors are also being asked to only attend with people from their household or support bubble.
The most up-to-date information can be found on the museum’s website here.
Science and Industry Museum / Visit Manchester
The Science and Industry Museum is also currently undergoing a multi-million-pound renovation project.
This will see a new £5m Special Exhibition Gallery open early next year to originate and host the world’s best science exhibitions, the much-loved Power Hall is also being renovated, and improvement works are currently being made to the historic 1830s Station and Warehouse too, which are the world’s oldest surviving passenger railway station and the oldest existing railway goods warehouse respectively.
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While these are all exciting changes, it does means that certain areas of the site are temporarily closed and will be during the half term week, but there’s still plenty to do, see and enjoy.
Doors to the museum will be open between 10am – 5pm from Saturday 24th October – Sunday 1st November.
Since reopening in August, the museum has been closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, but will be reopening for the entire half term week, including Monday 26th and Tuesday 27th October.
You are still required to book a free ticket before your visit though.
Tickets for half term will be available from Monday 12th October and can be booked through the museum website here, or by calling 0800 047 8124.
What's On
A charity auction is selling memorabilia from the ACTUAL Peaky Blinders set
Thomas Melia
Peaky Blinders super-fans get ready, because there’s a charity auction is currently open and items worn by the stars of the iconic TV seriesare up for grabs.
This exclusive event gives bidders the chance to own a piece of modern-day TV history in the form of not just merchandise but authentic memorabilia.
Let’s be honest, we’ve all wanted to pull on a flat cap and pretend we were a gangster at one point in our lives, and what better way to do so and relive your Peaky Blinders fantasy than by doing so with one from the show? Especially since you know your money is going towards a good cause.
Whether you want to look as dapper as Tommy Shelby, or you just want to add a culture-soaked collector’s item to your, well, collection, you might want to check this one if you’re a big Peaky fan.
Maybe you could own something from this very picture at the Peaky Blinders charity auction event.Walk away feeling dapper as ever with exclusive merchandise up for grabs at the Peaky Blinders charity auction event.Credit: BBC
Anyone planning on going to the Peaky Blinders charity auction event can bid in person or even register to bid online now if you won’t be free during the proceedings.
As for what is on the table, you could raise your virtual paddle for everything from a full suit worn by Cillian Murphy himself to Sam Claflin’s homburg hat, a pair of Michael Gray (Finn Cole) shiny shoes and much more.
And where else to hold said event and than Manchester’s very own Peaky Blinders bar on Peter Street just off the main Deansgate strip, where the action will culminate in a flamboyant and free-to-all event.
Those attending in person will be greeted with a welcome drink before being encouraged to join in with the final day of the auction – guests are encouraged to turn up in ‘true Shelby style’ of course.
All the funds raised will go towards the much-loved NHS foundation and specialist hospital, The Christie, Europe’s largest cancer centre, right here in Manchester.
Peaky Blinders bar on Peter St in Manchester city centre.Everyone knows the Peaky Blinders like a drink.
Tickets for this event cost nothing, but there is an option to add an additional donation if you wish, and bidding on items taken from the cult favourite TV show is open to everyone.
Scouting For Girls announce stacked UK tour with Manchester date
Thomas Melia
British boyband Scouting For Girls are heading out on an extensive UK tour with dates up and down the country, including right here in Manchester.
If the first thing that pops into your mind when you read this headline is “I don’t know, I don’t know, I don’t know how we’ll make it through this”, then you’re on the right side of history.
Nearly 20 years since their single ‘She’s So Lovely’ reached catastrophic heights and had everyone putting on their best Roy Stride accent, Scouting For Girls are heading back on the road.
This UK tour announcement comes two years after their last project, The Place We Used To Meet, reached our ears and was coined by the band as “Our best work since our debut”.
It’s been 18 years since this Brit trio captivated our hearts with their eponymous debut album, which sold over one million copies and went number one on the UK official charts for two weeks.
Whether you know them for ‘Heartbeat’ or ‘Elvis Ain’t Dead’, it’s clear to say this band had their fair share of smash hit singles throughout the noughties.
This tour, however, celebrates the sophomore follow-up: Everybody Wants To Be On TV, which went on to continue their legacy and secure them their only number one, ‘This Ain’t A Love Song’, back in 2010.
Now, the boys are treating UK fans to an array of live performances, and if you can’t make one date, fear not because there are 20 different locations for you to choose from.
The group will also be playing the likes of Leeds, Sheffield, Newcastle and a whole host of other Northern cities, so you have plenty of chances to catch them.
If you can’t wait all the way until March 2026 for your next Scouting For Girls fix, lead singer Stride has his own cameo account where you can get the star to read out a message or even sing you a song: “‘Michaela Strachan’ in full, please?…”
Scouting For Girls are coming to O2 Apollo in Manchester on 21 March 2026, with tickets going on sale next Friday, 2 May at 10am HERE.
Emily Sergeant -
8th October 2020 
