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Enjoy spooktacular fun

22/10/2008

MOVE over Beijing! One of Cheshire’s finest stately homes is running its own version of the Olympic games – with a distinctly spooky theme.

Arley Hall in Northwich will host a variety of competitions on Saturday and Sunday as pumpkin pandemonium is unleashed just in time for Halloween.

The Pumpkin Olympics, part of Cheshire’s Year of Gardens 2008, features all kinds of activities including shotput and obstacle races as well as tasting sessions and carving pumpkins into lanterns.

Entry costs £5 for adults, £2 for children and £4.50 for senior citizens, and there’s a family ticket for £12. Find out more on www.arleyhallandgardens.com.

SPOOKY goings on are promised at one of Manchester’s most historic buildings when a murder takes place at the Greater Manchester Police Museum. The atmospheric former police station in Newton Street, central Manchester, still boasts cells and other original features – along with a grisly collection of murder memorabilia. And on Wednesday, in two sessions of either 10am to 12.30pm or 1.30pm to 4pm, visitors find themselves at a crime scene, working alongside fellow forensic investigators. Interview suspects and try to work out ‘who dunnit’ at this fun event, which costs £4 per person and is restricted to ages 16 and over. Ring 0161 856 4500/3287 or email police.museum@gmp.police.uk for details.

ARTY youngsters can enjoy a wealth of half-term activities over the next week. At The Lowry on Saturday and Sunday, five to 11-year-olds can discover how to turn pieces of paper into magical pop-up works of art which come to life before their eyes in an Art Zone session. This is free and runs from 11am to 3pm. Find out more by visiting www.thelowry.com. On Sunday, there a free fun-packed day of drawing, games, dancing and doodles when The Big Draw: Wriggle and Scribble is held for under-sevens at Manchester Art Gallery, Mosley Street. It runs from 11am to 4pm. Ring 0161 235 8888 for more details.

THE history of Vimto is on view at the Museum of Science and Industry. Take a step back in time and discover how the drink is made and about its secret recipe. This interesting display reveals how the 100-year-old favourite is popular in the UK and in another 65 countries worldwide.

CHILDREN can roll up to learn all the skills of the circus at a special workshop at Bury Met next Wednesday. Youngsters will be able to try juggling or balancing on a tightrope, spinning plates or going on a unicycle in unusual, exciting and challenging Circus Skills Workshops. They cost £10 each and run from 10am to 12.30pm for six to 10-year-olds and from 2pm to 4.30pm for 10 to 15-year-olds. Book on 0161 761 2216.

YOUNG football fans in Stockport are in for a treat on Monday. There’s a special event at the Stockport Story Museum & Staircase House called The Famous Cheadle End Chorus. Children aged five and over can create a puppet in the animation workshop and take it to the terraces as part of the museum’s giant animated mural of Edgeley Park’s famous Cheadle End. This enjoyable drop-in session costs just £1 per child.

THE BT Heroes of Sport exhibition, being held at Manchester Central (formerly G-Mex) this weekend celebrates and promotes excellence in sport. There’s something for everyone including demonstrations, talks, coaching sessions and appearances by sporting celebrities like Denis Law. Exhibitors will be showcasing the latest equipment and there’s the chance to scale climbing walls and breathe underwater in the Try-Dive Pool. The exhibition is open from 10am to 5.30pm on Friday and Saturday and 10am to 5pm on Sunday. Tickets, costing £12 for adults and £9.50 for juniors and concessions, can be pre-booked on 01244 316 618. For more information visit www.heroesofsport.com.