Staffs University Big Biology Day - 12 October 2019 (preview)

Staffs University hold an annual Big Biology Day every October, and, without saying too much in the first paragraph, it counts as one of the family event highlights of the year.

It's truly a family-friendly event, with a wide range of activities and exhibits that will appeal to toddlers upwards.   The Biology department put on a great show, with exhibits from microscopic samples (and lab benches filled with microscopes), to a mock-up forensic scene, to live animals (furry, feathered, scaly, slithering and crawling) which can be seen at close quarters and - in most cases - handled.

Top marks must be given to the department staff, who all share their subject with real enthusiasm.  During a short break at the most recent "Bug Day" (Invertebrates Science Fair), my children got into a discussion with one of the senior lecturers in the department, whose main area of interest is bees.  They enjoyed a surprisingly lengthy and in-depth discussion (my daughter was nine years old at the time has the questioning skills of a journalist and the ability to soak up information like a sponge) and this was completely unplanned, but pitched just right for our family.  The Big Biology day is the same.

There are activites to colour; interactive games, quizzes and puzzles; there are the animals to see, and there are many leaflets to peruse, posters to view and many varied activities for parents, children, students and educators alike.  The exhibition (for want of a better description) spans two floors, with the microscopes and forensic crime-solving activities upstairs.  This is a great advert for higher education, for biology (and I'm a chemistry graduate) and for Staffs University.  It's great that they are continuing with their series of community days - this Big Biology Day (October); their Invertebrates Science Fair (April) and their new Science Technology Engineering and Maths day (they hosted the West Midlands Big Bang fair in June).

And, while searching for the date for the STEM day, I've discovered that earlier this year they introduced a Fete (August) based on gaming and social online gaming.  I'll be looking for that (and sharing it when I find it) next year!

North Staffs Sci Fi Convention (Bradwell, Newcastle)

THE PLANNED NSSFCON FOR 12 OCTOBER HAS BEEN CANCELLED.

One of the smallest conventions that I like to attend regularly is the North Staffs Sci Fi Convention, held twice a year (so far) at Bradwell Hall, near Newcastle Under Lyme.  It might be small, but it punches above its weight - "Judge me by my size, do you?"

It doesn't have the star-pulling power of the other conventions - in particular, Stoke Con Trent - but it does what it does and it does it well.  I've been to three of the last conventions, and it's generally a meeting of traders, some static props and some cosplay.  The North Staffs Stormtroopers are regular guests, as is the North Staffordshire Tardis.  As far as I recall, they've not drawn any celebrities, but this doesn't stop the convention from being a great place to meet like-minded enthusiasts, talk about your particular hobby (everything from Blake's 7 to Battlestar Galactica through to Star Trek, Star Wars and Transformers) and pick up some merchandise for your favourite book, film or TV show.

The traders offer a wide range of new and used items - toys, magazines and comics, DVDs and books are most prevalent (do you count Funko Pop as toys?).  They come from near and far - the most recent convention back in April 2019 also include Retro City from Longton (they've just moved to larger premises, but still in Longton) and I was able to grab a number of photos of their stall. 


Entry is reasonably priced, and there are also fairly-priced refreshments served in a spacious seating area, and there are plenty of characters in costume milling around and entertaining the visitors.  On our last visit, we arrived early, and were able to enjoy meeting the Star Wars characters and other costumed entertainers before it became crowded.

As I mentioned, it's small, but this is not a disadvantage (especially if you're a sci-fi enthusiast with younger children).   Think of it as compact. It won't take you too long to get around all the stalls, and you can be sure that you've seen everything and taken in all that's on offer.  In my case, it was a chance to see some 1980s G1 Transformers 'in the flesh' for the first time in 30 years, grab some photos and move on.  Younger children will enjoy some of the rummage bags and boxes of smaller items and you'll be able to get round everything without over-stretching their attention span.

And one other thing:  the focus here is very much on Sci-Fi.  I mentioned in my previous article that Stoke Con Trent has grown by becoming a Film, TV and Comic Convention - which is fair enough, and it's great to see it fluorish - and the North Staffs Sci Fi convention is much more strongly focused on Science Fiction (and superheroes).  It's very much a comic con, and the smaller size is partly a consequence of its narrower focus.

I highly recommend North Staffs Sci Fi Convention  - it's great to be able to support local traders and local fans, and I will continue to visit.

Next date:  Saturday 12 October (the day before the next Stoke Con Trent - either by coincidence or design, the two fall very close together on the calendar!).

Stoke Con Trent 11 - Preview

I've been attending Stoke Con Trent since their first convention back in September 2014.  I was delighted when our home town (city?) hosted its first comic convention and was very pleased with the organisation, guests and layout.  In the five years since then, it's become a regular bi-annual event at Staffs University, and one which I've only missed twice, through a family emergency and unforeseen circumstances.  

 
The convention has grown in scale from one event to the next, and in January 2016 was recognised as 2015's convention of the year.  It has new guests with each iteration, and is frequently visited by:

- comic book artists (both Staffs University's own students, but other professional comic book artists, such as Lee Sullivan and Lew Stringer who appeared at SCT 10)

- 1990s TV Stars, including BBC comedies, Gladiators, Doctor Who, Red Dwarf, Star Trek - on one occasion, Garrett Wang, aka Ensign Harry Kim from Star Trek Voyager.

- local cosplay teams - the North Staffs Avengers; North Staffs Stormtroopers and so on (and on at least one occasion, the UK Garrison).

The level of visitor participation in cosplay is also excellent, partly due to . We've met a wide range of characters, from Stormtroopers to Spiderman and Daleks to Nintendo's Mario and Luigi.  The standard of cosplay costume is generally very good too (ranging from semi-professional to dress-up-for-the-day).  This really adds a signficant element to the whole convention (encouraged by a cosplay competition), so even if the guests don't appeal to you, the range and professionalism of the cosplayers will definitely entertain you.

There's a very wide range of stalls, covering the full range of merchandise, from Lego to Star Wars, comic books to models, posters, and the stars tend to have tables for photos, autographs and so on.

If there is any one criticism I would make of Stoke Con Trent, it's the selection of guests.  For example, in the Autumn 2018 convention, in my opinion the organisers over-indexed on Gladiators (there were easily four or five attending) and there was a lack of range of other guests - e.g. from other TV programs or from films.  They tend to rotate their guests, but it's worth mentioning that SCT 10 and 11 both have Gladiators headlining (clearly Jet and Wolf are significant crowd-pleasers).  

I would not describe STC as a Comic Convention or a Sci Fi Convention, and to be fair, I don't think the organisers would.  The first convention is 2014 was marketed as a "comic and memorabilia exhibition"; that subtitle has disappeared more recently.  I'm not saying this is a bad thing, but please be aware that this isn't a pure comic convention; it's a more of a TV convention with a slight comic twist.  By widening the scope of their convention, the organisers have been able to appeal to a much broader audience, and then pull in some of the more famous (and more expensive) stars - this just means that the guest list reads like a mixed bag.

Overall, my criticisms aside, I thoroughly enjoy attending STC, and can recommend it.  We enjoy the range of guests, the variety of stalls (including collectibles, and just regular merchandise) and in particular the wide range of visitors who attend in cosplay, and who are all very happy to have their photos taken (but always ask first).

SCT 11 (or XI) is coming up in just over a month, and I'm especially looking forward to seeing the Jurassic World Jeep; the DeLorean car and Paul McGann (star of Doctor Who, among other things).  I'm slightly interested in seeing Jet and Wolf (again), but have no interest in seeing any of the other 'headline' guests (Paul Cooper, Justin Lee Collins, Sheila Reid and Clinton Baptiste).  Like I said, it's a mixed bag.

Review: Madam Tussauds, Blackpool

I mentioned in my previous post that this year, our family has Merlin Annual Passes, and we're putting them to good use by visiting as many of the attractions as possible, including those that aren't most local to us.  This year, this meant going to Blackpool for the Sea Life Centre and Madam Tussauds.

Madam Tussauds Blackpool is situated on the sea front, as part of Blackpool's "Golden Mile".  We visited on the last Friday of the school summer holidays, and it wasn't busy.  You start (as you do in London) with a ride in a lift to the top floor, and then work your way downwards through the floors.  A word of warning:  pushchairs aren't allowed.  There's a buggy park just off the foyer, and if you have a toddler or pushchair person, be prepared to carry him or her around (especially on the stairs... did I mention the stairs?).  Still, since you've just taken the lift to the top, most of the stairs are downwards!

The displays are very innovative:  the Coronation Street exhibit was very well done, set up as the Rover's Return pub - with seating and eating areas, which are always welcome when you have little people to look after.  Spiderman was clinging upside down on a wall, on a scene which was built to make it easy to look like you're hanging on to the edge of a tall building.  Bear Grills is climbing up a large boulder, with another one alongside for you and your friends to climb - great photo opportunity.  The exhibits are well spaced out, and are laid out in a way that gives you plenty of unusual and interesting photo opportunities.

There's a series of musicians - dead and alive - with a collection of listening booths (CD jukeboxes and a selection of tracks to choose from). Not exactly waxworks, but still a very interesting addition to the experience.  There's even a set of drums to play on - just for fun.  You can play along with the music, or you can just play (depending on your age and ability!).  The range of activities make the museum an interesting place to visit, even if you aren't interested in waxworks and celebrities.

Facilities:  I mentioned that push chairs had to be left at reception, which in theory sounds unfortunate, but is definitely better than lugging child plus pushchair down all the stairs.  Apart from the Rovers Return, I don't remember any large seating areas or places selling refreshments.  The shop at the end was geared more towards celebrity merchandise - clapper boards, microphones, all that stuff.

Overall, we all enjoyed our visit to Madam Tussauds.  The range of activities in between the waxworks helped break up the visit - it wasn't just a series of relentless statues, and the changing scenery and backdrops really made it very interesting.  Our children range from loving having their photo taken to hating it, but still everybody had an enjoyable time.

Ticket Pricing
There's the option of buying multi-tickets for Madam Tussauds, the Sea Life Centre; Blackpool Tower and Blackpool Tower Dungeons, but if you want to visit just Madam Tussauds, the tickets are £16 on the door (£13 in advance) for adults, and £13 (10.50 in advance) for children aged 4-15.  Family tickets are £54 (£43 in advance).

Summer holidays: Part 2: August 2018

I'm running these as two separate posts, just to make it easier for me to maintain when the number of events starts increasing!

Here goes then - your survival guide to Summer 2018 :-)

WEDNESDAY 1 AUGUST

Non-stop magic show, City Central Library, 10:30-11:30 am
Suitable for children aged 5-11, children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult.  Places are limited, please arrive early...

Non-stop magic show, Longton Library, 2-3 pm.
Suitable for children aged 5-11, children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult.  Places are limited, please arrive early...

SATURDAY 4 AUGUST

Fun Summer Saturday, City Central Library (Hanley)  11:00 am - 12:00 noon
Join us at your local library for some fun stories and crafts this summer.

TUESDAY 7 AUGUST

Sublime Science, Tunstall Library, 10:30-11:30 am
From splendid smoke rings to super squidgy slime, Sublime Science has it all.  In the library this summer, we'll make mischief with science.
Places are limited, book early to avoid disappointment.  Tel Tunstall library 01782 238471

SATURDAY 11 AUGUST

Fun Summer Saturday, Stoke Library, 11:00 am - 12:00 noon
Join us at your local library for some fun stories and crafts this summer.

TUESDAY 14 AUGUST

Down on the Farm, Stoke Library, 11:00 am - 3:00 pm

We're bringing the farm to Stoke Library for the day!  You will be able to feed, touch and hold the animals, join in with some super stories on our Little Library Van, create some brilliant crafts and join in with some family fun in the library.

WEDNESDAY 15 AUGUST

Exotic Zoo, City Central Library, 10:30 - 11:30 am

Take a walk on the wild side at our activity today!  Meet some incredible creepy crawlies and mischievous animals.  (If this is anything like previous similar activities, this is highly recommended) Places are limited, please arrive early to avoid disappointment.

Exotic Zoo, Meir Library, 2 -3 pm

Take a walk on the wild side at our activity today!  Meet some incredible creepy crawlies and mischievous animals.   Places are limited, please arrive early to avoid disappointment.

WEDNESDAY 22 AUGUST

Sublime Science, City Central Library, 10:30-11:30 am
From splendid smoke rings to super squidgy slime, Sublime Science has it all.  In the library this summer, we'll make mischief with science.
Places are limited, book early to avoid disappointment.  Tel Hanley library 01782 238455

Sublime Science, Longton Library, 2-3pm
From splendid smoke rings to super squidgy slime, Sublime Science has it all.  In the library this summer, we'll make mischief with science.
Places are limited, book early to avoid disappointment.  Tel Longton library 01782 238424

WEDNESDAY 29 AUGUST

Exotic Zoo, Longton Library, 10:30 - 11:30 am

Take a walk on the wild side at our activity today!  Meet some incredible creepy crawlies and mischievous animals.  (If this is anything like previous similar activities, this is highly recommended). Places are limited, please arrive early to avoid disappointment.

Exotic Zoo, Bentilee Library, 2 -3 pm

Take a walk on the wild side at our activity today!  Meet some incredible creepy crawlies and mischievous animals.  Places are limited, please arrive early to avoid disappointment.

FRIDAY 31 AUGUST

Non-stop magic show, Stoke Library, 10:30 - 11:30 am.
Suitable for children aged 5-11, children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult.  Places are limited, please arrive early...

Non-stop magic show, Tunstall Library, 2-3 pm.
Suitable for children aged 5-11, children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult.  Places are limited, please arrive early...

SATURDAY 1 SEPTEMBER (technically not August, but who's counting?)
Fun Summer Saturday, City Central Library (Hanley)  11:00 am - 12:00 noon
Join us at your local library for some fun stories and crafts this summer.

Summer holidays: Part 1: July 2018

Here we go again, summer holidays are here (already) and it's time to start looking at how to spend the summer without spending a fortune.

I've found a range of events - every time I find something else, I'll add it to the list, in date order.

SATURDAY 7 JULY

Jedi Training Academy, Biddulph Youth and Community Zone, 11-1.
£2.  Limited places, phone 01782 244288 to book.  Part of Biddulph Festival.  "Come dressed as your favourite character, under the guidance of the Jedi.  The recruits learn how to use the Force - and their wit.  Make your own lightsaber, and learn saber skills.  Refreshments include a fruit saber stick.  Every Jedi will also receive a Jedi certificate."

Crewe STEAM event - all day event
Free Science Technology Engineering and Maths event across Crewe town centre.
http://www.crewelife.net/traction-crewe/ 

SUNDAY 8 JULY

Nantwich Emergency Services Day, 11-4
http://kidswhatson.co.uk/event/emergency-services-day/ at Nantwich FC stadium CW5 5BS

SATURDAY 14 JULY

Classic Car Show, St Lawrence's Church, Biddulph, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
"Do you own a classic car or motorbike?  Just bring it along - park up.  Everyone else can come and enjoy.  Refreshments will be available."  Tel John 01782 518060 for details.
http://www.biddulphchurch.org.uk/classic-car-display/

Breathe City Church Fun Day, Abbey Hulton 12-3
Family Fun Day website
The annual Summer Fun Day is an afternoon of games, activities, competitions, face painting, food and inflatables.

MONDAY 23 JULY

Non-stop Magic Show, Bentilee Library, 10:30 - 11:30 am
Magical mischief; be amazed and inspired to learn some cool tricks yourself.  Places are limited, please arrive early to avoid disappointment.

Non-stop Magic Show, Meir Library, 2:00 - 3:00 pm
Magical mischief and cunning tricks; be amazed and inspired to learn some cool tricks yourself.  Places are limited, so please arrive early to avoid disappointment.

SATURDAY 28 JULY

Free learn to fish in the canal at Middleport, Stoke on Trent

February 2018 Half Term

Here we go: the list of activities and clubs for February 2018 Half Term, 17-25 February 2018 (including both weekends!)

EVERY DAY, 19-25 FEBRUARY
intu Potteries Shopping Centre, Hanley:  "Game Zone"
Chill out with our cool selection of games including table football, connect 4 and chess outside Burtons on the middle mall.

We understood that our Kids' Club activities were more tailored to our younger pre-school customers and that we needed something to encourage our older children and younger adults to experience intu Potteries.  The Game Zone is tailored to customers aged 5 to 15 years old.

EVERY DAY, 19-23 FEBRUARYintu Potteries Shopping Centre, Hanley:  "Calling All Astronauts"

Colour in the cosmos
19, 21 & 23 Feb
Mars is red and Neptune is blue, but the rest of the colours are up to you. Become master of the universe by grabbing your pens and pencils to complete our spacey scene.

Get ready for launch
20 Feb
It’s all systems go as we welcome you to get crafty by creating your very own space rockets and masks... everything you need to get to infinity and beyond!

Faces from space
22 Feb
If you’ve ever imagined what life would be like as an astronaut, an android or even an alien, come and get your face painted by one of our team. Their skills are out of this world!

SATURDAY 17 FEBRUARY
Hunt for a Snortle Story Time
Location: City Central Library  Bethesda Street, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, ST1 3RS 
Time: 11:00 - 12:00
Cost: Free
Join us at the library as we go on a hunt for a Snortle… and other monsters.
We’ll also be making a snortled-themed craft to take home.
https://www.stoke.gov.uk/events/event/2259/palace_of_curiosities 

Staffs Imperial Stormtroopers (Star Wars costume team)
Location:  6 Towns Radio, 26 Queen Street, Burslem, ST6 3EG Stoke-on-Trent
Time: 1:30–4:00
Come and meet the Star Wars characters (likely to be stormtroopers, Princess Leia and possibly assorted others).  They'll be collecting for charity, so please be prepared to bring a donation.

SUNDAY 18 FEBRUARY



MONDAY 19 FEBRUARY



TUESDAY 20 FEBRUARY

Circusology - Tunstall Library

Brush up your circus skills with Circusology! We’ll balance, spin, juggle and jump at today’s activity.

Location: Tunstall Library  Victoria Institute, The Boulevard, Tunstall, Stoke-on-Trent, ST6 6DB 
Time: 10:30 - 11:30

• Victorian Games
• Location: The Potteries Museum and Art Gallery,  Bethesda Street, City Centre, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, ST1 3DW.
• Time: 10:30-12:30 and 1:15-3:00
• Cost: £1.50
•  Make your own version of the cup-and-ball game to take home and play.

WEDNESDAY 21 FEBRUARY

Circusology - Bentilee Library

Brush up your circus skills with Circusology! We’ll balance, spin, juggle and jump at today’s activity.

Location: Bentilee Library, Bentilee Neighbourhood Centre, Dawlish Drive, Stoke-on-Trent ST2 0EU
Time: 11:00 - 12:00

Mini MakeFest
Location: Tunstall Library
Time: 11:00-3:00
The opportunity to make, build, design and craft.  Not sure what the actual activiies will be, but this comes highly recommended, based on the full makefest at Hanley library last summer, and the mini MakeFest in Longton library last October.  The range of activities is genuinely suitable for the whole family - colouring; sticking, up to wiring, robots, Lego...  should be good!

Victorian GamesLocation: The Potteries Museum and Art Gallery,  Bethesda Street, City Centre, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, ST1 3DW Time: 10:30-12:30 and 1:15-3:00Cost: £1.50The traditional cup and ball game was popular with Victorian children. Make your own version of the game to take home and play.

Circus Skills
Date: 21st February 2018
Location: Gladstone Pottery Museum,  Uttoxeter Road, Longton, Stoke-on-Trent, ST3 1PQ 
Time: 11:00 - 15:00
Cost: Included with admission


THURSDAY 22 FEBRUARY

Victorian Games
Location: The Potteries Museum and Art Gallery,  Bethesda Street, City Centre, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, ST1 3DW 
Time: 10:30-12:30 and 1:15-3:00
Cost: £1.50
The traditional cup and ball game was popular with Victorian children.  Make your own version of the game to take home and play.

FRIDAY 23 FEBRUARY

Staffs Imperial Stormtroopers (Star Wars Team)
Location: Freeport Shopping Centre, Talke
Time 2:30-5:00
Come and see the Star Wars characters trooping around Freeport and keeping the shoppers in order.  Previous visits have included Kylo Ren and a group of troopers.


Circusology - Stoke Library

Brush up your circus skills with Circusology! We’ll balance, spin, juggle and jump at today’s activity.

Location: Stoke Library  Stoke One Stop Shop, South Wolfe Street, Stoke-on-Trent ST4 4SZ  
Time: 11:00 - 12:00

SATURDAY 24 FEBRUARY


SUNDAY 25 FEBRUARY