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The Great British Food Festival is returning to the stunning surroundings of the Warrington region to bring together the finest artisanal culinary creations, top regional producers, and vibrant live entertainment! Set against scenic parkland, this highly anticipated event offers an unmissable weekend out for food lovers, families, and friends looking to sample, taste, and celebrate the very best of British and international gastronomy. At the heart of the event is the Artisan Food Market, featuring dozens of independent vendors showcasing local cheeses, hand-crafted chutneys, freshly baked breads, gourmet meats, and sweet delicacies. Visitors can interact directly with passionate producers, discover unique ingredients, and take home high-quality regional produce. The Street Food Arena will be buzzing with vibrant smells and flavours, serving up everything from authentic wood-fired pizzas and slow-roasted hog roasts to spicy international street dishes, vegan delicacies, and gourmet burgers. Throughout the weekend, the Main Stage hosts live cooking demonstrations led by acclaimed professional chefs and Great British Bake Off stars. Attendees can gain expert culinary insights, master new cooking techniques, and pick up insider tips on pairing flavors. For those looking for friendly competition, the legendary Men V Food eating challenge and the popular Great British Cake Off contest will take center stage, offering both thrill and laughter for participants and spectators alike. To complement the rich food offerings, the festival features multiple craft bars serving real ales, local gins, pimms, craft ciders, and sparkling wines. Live acoustic sets, regional bands, and family-friendly music performances will keep the festival energy high throughout both days. Families can take full advantage of the expansive activity zones, which include interactive children’s cookery workshops, circus skills sessions, inflatable play areas, and face painting. With its welcoming atmosphere, beautiful surroundings, and comprehensive entertainment program, the Great British Food Festival is a premier celebration of UK food culture.

The University of Aberdeen is bringing families and young learners together for an engaging and educational activity at its Zoology Museum with the upcoming Family Fun Friday: Zoology Museum event. Scheduled for 24 July 2026 from 11:00 to 14:00, this free event offers children and families an opportunity to combine creativity, museum exploration, and informal science learning in an enjoyable setting. The event is designed as a relaxed drop-in activity, making it easy for families to participate according to their own schedules. Visitors can take part in a creative session focused on making magic clay mini beasts of land and sea. Through hands-on crafting, children can explore the fascinating world of animals and develop a stronger connection with natural history and zoological discovery. Hosted at the Zoology Museum of the University of Aberdeen, the event provides an ideal setting for a family day out during the summer holidays. The museum environment encourages curiosity and discovery, allowing children to learn about animals while participating in an activity that is practical, imaginative, and accessible. A Free Family Activity Designed Around Creativity and Discovery One of the main attractions of the Family Fun Friday event is its free admission. Families can enjoy the activity without the cost barrier often associated with organised workshops or educational attractions. This makes the event particularly suitable for local residents, visiting families, and parents looking for affordable activities during the school holiday period. The creative clay activity gives children the chance to make their own mini beasts inspired by animals that live on land and in the sea. This concept connects artistic expression with zoological learning. Rather than simply viewing museum displays, children are encouraged to participate actively and create something of their own. Hands-on activities can be particularly valuable for younger visitors because they help make learning more memorable. A child who creates a clay creature may become more interested in how real animals move, where they live, how their bodies are adapted, and how different species fit into their environments. The event therefore offers more than a simple craft session. It creates an opportunity for families to begin conversations about biodiversity, habitats, animal behaviour, marine life, and the importance of understanding the natural world. Why the Zoology Museum Provides an Ideal Event Setting The University of Aberdeen's Zoology Museum offers an educational environment that naturally supports the theme of the event. Museums can help transform abstract scientific ideas into visual and interactive experiences. For children, the opportunity to visit a museum alongside a creative activity can make science feel approachable and enjoyable. The museum setting provides context for the clay-making session. Children may be able to connect their creative work with the wider world of animals and zoology. Even a simple clay model can inspire questions about the characteristics of real species and the differences between animals living in different environments. The University of Aberdeen's official event listing describes the activity as a drop-in family session, with no booking required. However, the University notes that visitors may need to wait during particularly busy periods. This flexible format makes the event convenient for families who prefer spontaneous activities or who may be visiting other attractions in Aberdeen on the same day. An Educational Summer Holiday Experience for Young Learners Summer holidays provide children with valuable opportunities to learn outside the classroom. Events such as Family Fun Friday can support informal learning by combining education with entertainment. Children are able to explore a subject without the pressure of formal assessment or classroom routines. The zoology theme is particularly suitable for younger audiences because animals naturally attract curiosity. Children often ask questions about unusual creatures, ocean life, insects, birds, mammals, and other forms of wildlife. A museum-based activity can encourage this curiosity and provide a foundation for further learning. The creative element also helps children express their understanding in their own way. A child may create a realistic animal, an imaginary creature, or a combination of different features. Each approach can lead to discussion about the real characteristics of animals and the differences between imagination and scientific observation. Parents and guardians can also use the event as a starting point for further exploration. After completing the activity, families may choose to discuss favourite animals, visit other museum displays, research different habitats, or explore local wildlife. Combining Art, Science, and Family Participation A key strength of the event is the way it combines several different types of learning. Art encourages creativity, science provides knowledge, and family participation creates a shared experience. The clay activity allows children to use their hands and imagination. They can shape, mould, and design their own mini beasts while thinking about the animals they want to represent. This type of activity can help develop fine motor skills and concentration while also supporting creative confidence. At the same time, the zoological theme creates opportunities for scientific discussion. Parents can ask children questions such as where their creature lives, what it eats, how it moves, and how it protects itself. These simple questions can introduce fundamental ideas about habitats and animal adaptations. The event is therefore suitable for families who want an activity that is both enjoyable and educational. It provides a balance between structured participation and relaxed exploration. A Convenient Drop-In Event for Families in Aberdeen The drop-in format is another important feature of the event. Families do not need to commit to a formal appointment or follow a strict timetable. They can attend during the advertised three-hour period and participate in the activity as availability allows. This makes the event particularly convenient for families with young children. Parents can plan their visit around the needs of their children and combine the museum activity with other plans in Aberdeen. The event takes place on Friday, 24 July 2026, during the summer holiday period. This timing makes it a practical option for families searching for activities during the school break. The University of Aberdeen also lists broader summer activity at the Zoology Museum, with the museum open during the summer holidays for visitors to enjoy. Encouraging Interest in Zoology and the Natural World Events like Family Fun Friday can play an important role in introducing children to zoology. Zoology is the study of animals, and it covers a wide range of topics including anatomy, behaviour, evolution, ecology, and conservation. A child does not need advanced scientific knowledge to begin exploring these ideas. Simple questions about a clay mini beast can introduce concepts that are central to zoological study. For example, a child may create a sea creature and begin thinking about how it survives underwater. Another child may create a land animal and consider how it moves or finds food. These conversations help connect creative activity with scientific thinking. The event can also encourage awareness of the variety of life on Earth. Learning about animals from different environments can help children understand the importance of protecting biodiversity and respecting the natural world. An Accessible Event for Families and Young Visitors The event has been designed to be accessible and welcoming for families. Free entry and a relaxed drop-in structure make it suitable for a broad audience. Parents and guardians can attend with children and participate in the experience together. The event is especially relevant for families looking for educational activities that do not feel like traditional classroom lessons. Children can learn through doing, making, observing, and asking questions. For local families, the event offers a convenient opportunity to visit a university museum. For visitors to Aberdeen, it provides an additional cultural and educational activity to include in a summer itinerary. The University of Aberdeen's King's College location also gives visitors the chance to experience one of the University's historic academic settings while attending a family-focused activity. The University's listed contact address is King's College, Aberdeen, AB24 3FX. A Memorable Family Day Out in Aberdeen The Family Fun Friday: Zoology Museum event has all the elements of a memorable family activity: creativity, learning, exploration, and free participation. Children can create their own clay mini beasts while families enjoy the atmosphere of a university museum. The activity is particularly valuable because it encourages children to become active participants. Instead of simply looking at exhibits, they can create, imagine, and discuss the animal world around them. For parents, the event provides a useful opportunity to support learning during the summer holidays. For children, it offers a fun way to explore animals and creative making. For the wider community, it demonstrates how university museums can connect academic knowledge with public engagement. The Family Fun Friday: Zoology Museum event at the University of Aberdeen is an upcoming free family workshop taking place on 24 July 2026 from 11:00 to 14:00. The event focuses on creating magic clay mini beasts of land and sea and is designed to provide a fun, creative, and educational experience for families and children. With no advance booking required and free participation, the event is an accessible choice for families seeking summer activities in Aberdeen. Its combination of creative making and zoological themes encourages children to explore science through imagination and hands-on learning. The event also reflects the University of Aberdeen's broader commitment to public engagement, family learning, and accessible educational experiences. For families looking for an enjoyable activity that combines creativity with an introduction to the natural world, this event offers a strong opportunity to learn, explore, and spend quality time together in a museum environment.

Collaboration is the engine of scientific progress. On May 22, 2026, the BASES Northern Regional Research Networking event will take over New Dock Hall at the iconic Leeds Dock. This free event (for members) is designed specifically to break down the silos between different sport science disciplines and between the ivory towers of academia and the fast-paced world of industry. The afternoon starts with "The Three-Minute Thesis" (3MT) competition, where post-graduate students from across the North of England have just 180 seconds to explain their research and its impact. It is a high-energy way to get a snapshot of the current landscape of sport and exercise science research. Following this, we host the "Industry-Academia Speed Dating" session. Here, tech startups and sport equipment manufacturers from the Leeds digital corridor meet with researchers to discuss potential validation studies and collaborative R&D projects. As the sun begins to set over the water at Leeds Dock, the event transitions into a social mixer. We recognize that some of the best research ideas happen over a coffee (or something stronger) rather than in a lecture hall. A panel of "Alternative Careers in Sport Science" will also take the stage, featuring individuals who have successfully transitioned from research into data analytics for betting companies, high-end fitness tech, and government health policy. For undergraduate students, this is the perfect opportunity to find a supervisor for their Master's or PhD, or to secure a summer internship. For established academics, it’s a chance to find collaborators for the next big UKRI grant application. The atmosphere is relaxed yet professional, mirroring the modern, innovative spirit of the Leeds Dock area. Don’t miss this chance to be part of the Northern Powerhouse of sport science.