Exhibitions

What museums and Exhibitions... Thursday

Celebrating Boxes - runs until August 30

This major international exhibition brings together the breathtaking skill and inventiveness of over 60 box-makers from around the world. Researched by leading British box-makers Peter Lloyd and Andrew Crawford, the range and diversity of the collection is stunning from finely sculpted and intricate creations to blantantly quirky and amusing pieces.

BOLTON AQUARIUM

There are fantastic fish on display from all over the world, some highly threatened in their natural habitats. From Piranhas to Pufferfish, huge Catfish to tiny Tetras, there are hundreds of fish to come and see in an aquarium designed to allow the fish to behave as they would in the wild. There is now the unique chance to name our new Lungfish from Queensland, Australia, which will be on display in the very near future.

HALL I'TH'WOOD MUSEUM, Green Way, off Crompton Way, Bolton, tel: 332370

The Museum is now open for the spring and summer season Wednesday to Sunday, 11am-5pm and Bank Holiday Mondays. Admission is £2 for adults and £1 for children and concessions, £5 family ticket (2 adults and 2 children), joint Hall i'th'Wood and mithills family ticket £10.

Bat Watch, Thursday, August 28, 8pm-10pm.

Why not go batty for the night and come bat detecting! Please wear suitable outdoor clothing. Tickets £2.50, book in advance on 332370 or 332211.

History Alive! Sunday, August 31, 11am-4pm.

Join in a marvellous fun filled day of history with a fire eating stilt walking jester, falconry flying displays, a madcap street pantomime version of Shakespeare's 'The Tempest', games, music, dancing, quizzes, Tudor costumes, plus alchemy demonstrations, shadow puppets and a magician! Free admission to grounds.

Smithills HALL AND HISTORIC house, Smithills Dean Road, Bolton, tel: 01204 332377

The Hall is now open for the spring and summer season with guided tours available throughout the season. Opening hours are Tuesday to Saturday, 11am-5pm, Sunday, 2pm-5pm (last admission 4.15pm), closed Mondays except Bank Holidays. Admission is £3 for adults, £1.75 for children and concessions, £7.75 for a family ticket (2 adults and 3 children) or £10 for a Smithills Hall and Hall i'th' Wood family ticket. Come and visit this beautiful historic house, browse through the gift shop and visit the outstanding formal gardens.

PLAY AND CHILDREN'S SERVICES: Play and Children's Services currently run a variety of playschemes around the Borough. Some are free operating on a drop-in basis while there is a minimal charge for others which includes transporting your child to and from school. The following are out of school childcare schemes offering before-school, after-school and holiday care in a targeted area as well as free drop-in provision.

HARVEY'S KIDS CLUB, Harvey Early Years Centre, Pilkington Street, Bolton, BL3 6HP. Tel: 334031. e-mail carla.lord@bolton.gov.uk

HEYWOOD PLAYWORLD, Heywood Park, High Street, Great Lever, Bolton, BL3 6SR. Tel: 334322. e-mail heywood.playworld@bolton.gov.uk

WAGGON ROAD PLAY CENTRE, Waggon Road, Breightmet, Bolton, BL2 5AU. Tel: 334410. e-mail waggonroad.playcentre@bolton.gov.uk