On Saturday more than 800 people poured into Central Library on and the Hat Works Museum – mostly families keen to try the free activities on offer at this special half-term event.

At Central Library, ‘The Glass Work’ digital art installation drew a crowd tweeting their photos which were magically turned into tunes and chimed out from the glass gongs.

Budding developers enjoyed free coding lessons and a variety of hands-on interactive activities. Future game designers learnt about Minecraft Coding with Stockport Coderdojo, Code-up Stockport and Manchester Coderdojo.

Visitors were also able to learn more about getting online, staying safe online and using their own devices with many bringing in their own computers, tablets and smartphones for help at the Digi Drop-in, where staff and talented students from Stockport schools and local businesses were available to help.

The focus at the Hat Works was on ‘Make stuff’ with Madlab and Manchester Girl Geeks running tech workshops for all ages, from creating art-making robots and DIY touch-screen gloves, to learning to solder, printing mini mascots on the 3D printer and designing game characters.

Councillor Jon Twigge, dropped in to see all the activities: “What a great show both from everyone who helped to organise the event and all the visitors. So many children were really absorbed in all of the activities. Some kids were busy writing code for Minecraft while others soldered badges with flashing LED lights! There was so much to do and barely a spare seat at any of the many activities. Stockport clearly has a lot of budding talent for the future.”

DigiFest was organised to celebrate the launch of the Council’s new website and online services and to encourage residents who aren’t using digital yet. It is one of a series of events and roadshows offering fun digital activities and learning opportunities across the Borough.

Full details of further events taking place can be found at www.stockport.gov.uk/digifeb

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