Days out: is there life on Mars?

Days out: is there life on Mars?

Conrad Astley
31/ 3/2006

WHAT are conditions like on the surface of Mars? What is the red planet's history? When will we be able to live there? And, more importantly, what odds would a bookie give you on anything coming from there?

From the ancient Greeks to HG Wells, Mars has always fascinated us, and as manned missions are planned, we are clearly no less intrigued by the red planet in the 21st century.

These and other questions will hopefully be answered in a special exhibition opening at the Museum of Science and Industry.

The exhibition will enable children and adults to find out more about our mysterious neighbour.

There will be more than 20 interactive exhibits at the Liverpool Street museum, enabling visitors to send remote controlled robots over the Martian landscape, feel the planet's soil, and even experience what a volcanic eruption would be like there.

Meanwhile, there will be a theatre providing a series of imagined visits to the planet.

The MarsQuest exhibition starts tomorrow (Saturday) and runs until October 1.

YOUNGSTERS can take their place in history when they climb into a traditional fairground ride this weekend.

The chair-plane ride set up near Alderley Edge will be run by Walter Chadwick - whose sons are the sixth generation of Britain's longest-running family of independent showmen.

The family have thrilled adults and children at fairgrounds and fetes around the country for nearly 100 years.

Great great grandfather Dick first teamed up with his son for a fair in Warrington nearly a century ago, and the dynasty has been going ever since, entertaining youngsters with waltzers, coconut shies and bouncy slides.

Even the Second World War did not stop them, although they had to cover the brightly-lit rides to conform with the strict blackout laws. The family's rides, still going strong, will be one of the attractions during this weekend's craft spree in the grounds of Capesthorne Hall, just off the A34 near Alderley Edge, this weekend.

There will also be a range of goods made by local and national craftworkers on sale.

The event takes place 10am-4pm on Saturday and Sunday.Children up to 16 get in free. Call 01625 861 221 or e-mail info@capesthorne.com for more information.

CLOWNS, acrobats and performers will entertain youngsters while helping raise money for charities this weekend.

The big top set up in Wythenshawe will be a circus with a purpose, as cash raised will go towards good causes.

The Circus Starr show boasts more clowns than any other, a live Eastern European band, awe-inspiring aerial acrobats, as well as mime and comedy artists.

The circus, now in its 20th year, has raised more than £3m for charities including Children In Need.

It will be at Wythenshawe Park until Sunday, with performances at 2.30pm and 6pm on Saturday and 2.30pm and 5pm on Sunday. Anyone who misses the circus this weekend will be able to catch it in Swinton, as the next stop is the town's Victoria Park. Call 0870 167 6177 for more details.

STYLISH hats made from recycled carrier bags will be one of the attractions at a charity market this weekend.

The hats were made by members of the Stockport branch of the Soroptimists International charity organisation.

Members of the group say carrier bags, which are made from non-biodegradable material and so will be around for hundreds of years, should always be re-used several times.

They also say cloth bags should be used instead, and these will also be on sale during their weekend market.

There will also be Fair Trade stalls.

The market, will be held at the Romiley Forum from 10am-3pm tomorrow (Saturday). Entrance is 20p, but children get in free.

FOOD lovers can have a day out in the hills while taking advantage of a gastronomic festival.

The Taste Lancashire Festival Of Food And Drink starts tomorrow (Saturday) with a fortnight-long celebration of the county's best fodder.

A marquee will be located outside Accrington town hall, showcasing tasty local produce including meats, cheeses and pastries, allowing visitors to meet the producer, get creative ideas about how to cook the food, and even try it before they buy.

There will also be cookery demonstrations at Fairfield Farm in Longsight Road near Blackburn throughout the week, while a local producers market will be held at the Helmshore Mills textile Museum in Rossendale from 10am-3pm on Sunday. For more details visit www.tastelancashire.co.uk.


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