FREE summer holiday fun
ROCHDALE
Whiz Kids at Rochdale Exchange Three fun days are being planned at Rochdale Exchange’s Whiz Kids club this summer.
The Nobel Prize children’s club will be returning on various days throughout July and August for free sciencethemed events, between 11am and 4pm, with hilarious interactive characters, Norman Nobel and Judy Cator.
On Wednesday, July 26, children will have the chance to learn all about physics. Throughout the day, little ones will find out about Albert Einstein, how mirrors work and how colours are made.
On Wednesday, August 9, they can experiment with chemical reactions by making sherbet while they find out all about Nobel Prize in Chemistry winner, Marie Curie from Norman Nobel and Judy Cator.
Finally, on Wednesday, August 23, there’s a medicine-themed day. Children will learn about infectious diseases and how they are treated as well as how to apply a bandage.
During each session, little ones will be able to take home the children’s science magazine, Whiz Pop Bang as well as fill out the Whiz Kids Workbook.
Rochdale Exchange, Newgate, Rochdale, OL16 1YL. Rochdale Feel Good Festival There’s loads of free family fun on offer at the annual festival in Rochdale town centre this summer.
There’ll be live theatre, games and a Victorian carousel to keep the kids entertained over two days on Friday, August 11 and Saturday, August 12 .
A unique indoor and outdoor 160 Years of Policing in Rochdale Exhibition runs on both days from 11am to 5pm and is free.
Based in front of the town hall look out for a collection of iconic police cars, vintage fire vehicles, police horses, uniforms, archive photography and memorabilia.
Guided tours every hour will take visitors to areas of the town hall rarely open to the public including the Victorian cells, which formed part of the original police station together with the beautifully preserved Magistrates Court room which was in regular use as a court until 1971. See the website for more details. Rochdale Town Centre, OL16 1AB.
WIGAN
Picnic Brass at Haigh Woodland Park
There are two Picnic Brass events taking place this summer in association with the Friends of Haigh Woodland Park.
Both are held in the events space outside of the Kitchen Courtyard.
The first will feature Golborne Brass Band at 1pm on Sunday, July 30 – the same date the park plays host to Wigan Model Engineering Society’s Open Day.
Families will be able to enjoy a day of steam and family fun on the unique railway set within the woodland.
The second is taking place from 1pm on Sunday, August 27, and will feature Old Hall Brass Band.
Haigh Woodland Park, Haigh, Wigan, WN2 1PE.
National Play Day at Haigh Woodland Park
National Play Day is an annual event, traditionally held on the first Wednesday in August and this year it celebrates its 30th year.
There will be activities at Haigh from 10am on Wednesday, August 2 , including children’s games, activities and family fun – and most of them are free.
Haigh Woodland Park, Haigh, Wigan, WN2 1PE. Scratch coding at Wigan libraries Free Scratch coding sessions are taking place across libraries in Wigan this summer.
The events help to introduce or boost coding skills by creating a fun and exciting game starring Wigan Libraries’ Summer Book Challenge mascot Ollie the Alien.
Aimed at children aged six plus the games will be available to play on the public computers across all the libraries.
Sessions are on: Thursday, July 27 1.30-3.30pm at Leigh Library; Thursday, August 3 - 10am-12pm at Tyldesley Library; Thursday, August 3 1.30 3.30pm at Wigan Library; Thursday, August 10 - 1.30-3.30pm at Golborne Library; Thursday, August 24 1.30-3.30pm at Ashton Library; Thursday, August, 31 - 1.30-3.30pm at Standish Library.
Places can be booked by emailing digitalservices@wigan.gov.uk or by speaking to members of staff at any of the libraries in Wigan.
Animal Mummies Uncovered, The Museum of Wigan Life
The museum is the fourth in the UK to play host to a prestigious exhibition produced by Manchester Museum and it’s running across the summer.
Animal Mummies Uncovered offers ‘a fascinating insight’ into the world of Ancient Egyptian animal mummification.
This myth-busting experience features original cat, crocodile, bird and jackal mummies and applies cutting -edge technology such as ultrasounds and 3D printing to help visualise the contents inside.
The free exhibition is running from now until January, providing ‘exciting interactive opportunities for families, schools and Egypt enthusiasts of all ages,’ with a full programme of workshops and events.
For more information, visit wigan. gov.uk/museum .
Museum of Wigan Life, Library Street, Wigan, WN1 1NU.