previews, reviews, interviews, and recommendations with Steve Cooke
MIDWEEK COLUMN WEDNESDAY 09 OCTOBER 2024
Castleton Literary & Scientific Society is back
Preview by Steve Cooke
After a slight delay in finding a new venue, due to the redevelopment of Castleton Community Centre, Castleton Literary & Scientific society have launched this season’s programme.
Since 1894, the Castleton Literary and Scientific Society has presented meetings and lectures maintaining the early society constitution: “The object shall be to arrange lectures, essays, and discussions that will enable members to be in touch with modern thought and criticism in all branches of general culture and scientific research.”
Programme for 2024-2025, their 130th year
**Illustrated talks
Oct 11 President’s Evening Diane Cornforth Gardener “Botanic Gardens & Others” **
Oct 25 “Tales from the Blood Bikes” ** - Peter Leonard Practice and anecdotes of a vital service Explorer
Nov 8 “Rhymes for Our Times” - Ian Aitchison An hilarious romp through the recent bizarre goings on in Rochdale
Nov 22 “The Concept of a Passive House” ** - Jim Race Low energy housing Self builder
Nov 29 “St Nicholas pays a visit” - Peter Duczak Traditions of our Ukrainian Community Storyteller
Dec 6 Christmas Lunch at a local restaurant TBC
Dec 13 “The Magic of Musicals” ** - Marilyn Shalks 2025 Possible venue at Castleton Community Centre
Jan 10 “Book Evening” - read from your favourite text Barry Hobson & others
Jan 24 “An Adventure on wheels” ** - Yvonne & Matt Pinder A mobile home year on the road in the USA Explorers
Jan 31 “Shifting Sands” ** - Williams History and changes across Morecambe Bay Lancashire Historian
Feb 14 Number One Writers creative writing group performance with Val Chapman
Feb 28 “Middleton’s Golden Cluster” ** - Leon MacLeod The history of Middleton Local Historian
Mar 7 Annual Dinner at a local restaurant TBC
The new venue is St Martin’s Church Rooms on Vicarage Road North, Castleton, Rochdale OL11 2TE, everyone is welcome.
Membership £25 per year, Non-members £3 per evening
For further details contact:
Diane Cornforth 01706 650343, david.cornforth@zen.co.uk
Barry Hobson 07724135099, barrychobson@gmail.com
Website: www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/sites/castleton-literary-and-scientific-soc Website: www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/sites/castleton-literary-and-scientific-society https://castletonlitsci.wixsite.com/caslitandsci/programme
Remembering Beryl Kilpatrick
Dr Joe Dawson
The Rochdale area has a rich history of music making by local people of all ages. One well-loved stalwart was Beryl Kilpatrick (née Bamford of Wardle) who died peacefully on 17th March 2024, aged 93. She epitomised the musical volunteer spirit and shared her gifts and encouraged others throughout her life.
An Evensong remembrance service that Beryl had wished for was held at in June 2024 at St Chad’s Parish Church, Rochdale. Now was time for a celebration of her life.
Among many choral groups, Beryl sang in both St Chad’s and the Manchester Cathedral Cantata Choir, having previously worked in marketing at the Cathedral. Choral supremo John Powell who knew her in many songster roles noted that she was able to sing a top G perfectly in tune at the grand age of 92.
In addition to singing, she was a long-standing valued ORTOA (Oldham, Rochdale and Tameside Organists’ Association) committee member and generously hosted meetings at her beautiful home near Syke Pond. As President for three years, I well remember us being sustained by tea, hot onion soup and sundry snacks and cakes - regrettably curtailed by Covid and replaced by meetings by Zoom.
Over 40-strong mixed voices formed an impressive Combined Chorus in sections of Faure’s Requiem conducted by John Powell (who also sang the baritone solo) and later two of Handel’s Coronation Anthems, all ably accompanied by Organist and Director of Music at Rochdale Parish Church, Philip Lowe. This was exactly the fine musicmaking of which Beryl would have been proud.
One of her many close chorister friends, Celia Tope (Philip’s assistant) played some reflective organ music by Parry, followed by sensitive piano accompaniments for her husband, retired operatic tenor Harry Sharples in some poignant and expressive Schubert and Quilter.
‘More than Melody Choir’, of which Beryl was a founder member in 2008, sang Rutter’s ‘For the beauty of the earth’, conducted by Jonathan Gibson, another conductor of several groups with which she had an affinity.
More societal connections were commemorated by soprano Freda Farnworth and pianist Edward Rigg piano in two delightful folk songs arranged by Britten.
Ian Kilpatrick added touching personal readings discovered in his mother’s belongings. Then a tender contribution from her own local choir at the Parish Church with Elgar’s Ave Maria.
Fellow Wardle-ite Edward Rigg, who Beryl remembered being born! told of evenings when he would be summoned to play the piano for his supper, via the local chip shop. He played her favourite Brahms waltz, before accompanying John Powell in a moving and affectionate rendering of ‘Without a song’.
Beryl would have loved all of this, especially from a seat in the choir stalls. All of us who new Beryl could identify with the words of the vicar, Rev Anne Gilbert, ‘a few hours in her company and you felt you’d known her all your life.’
Finally, the Combined Chorus sang from The Gondoliers to round off a glorious concert to celebrate a full and musical life. Three hearty cheers for Beryl.
FOLLOW THE SIGNS AT HOME
Preview by Steve Cooke
Acclaimed dancer and choreographer, Chris Fonseca returns to HOME with his exhilarating, fully BSL-led show [British Sign Language] - Follow the Signs, an important and illuminating show, an uplifting celebration of overcoming adversity, to be shared and enjoyed by Deaf and hearing audiences together.
Chris is Deaf in a hearing world. Chris is Black on a racist island. No code. No imprint. No escape. But this is not a tragedy. This is a story of hope. This is a story about owning your identity.
‘Once upon a time there was a boy from down the road
He contracted meningitis at the age of two years old
His life had been ok, but now little did he know
His hearing was to leave him and was due to change his world’
A fully BSL-led hip-hop gig theatre show, Follow the Signs is performed through BSL, rap, spoken English, movement, and creative captioning, to be shared and celebrated by Deaf and hearing audiences together. It tells the story of acclaimed dancer and choreographer Chris Fonseca: from infanthood when he became Deaf after contracting meningitis, through a school system unable to value his differences, into teenage years where music and dance entered his life, to meeting Raffie Julien, a mixed-race Deaf woman who’s lived experience couldn’t be more different…or is it?
‘You’ve heard of the 5 elements of hip hop, right? Emceeing, deejaying, breakin’, graffiti and beatboxing. Well now it’s time to introduce you to the 5 elements of Raffie. I’m half black, half white. I’m oral and I sign. On top of that, I’m a woman. ‘
All performances will be in BSL, Spoken English, Rap and English Captions.
Follow the Signs - Written by Chris Fonseca and Harry Jardine with all original music by Yacoub Didi
Tue 5 Nov - Sat 9 Nov.
Tickets from £10
HOME 2 Tony Wilson Place, Manchester M15 4FN
Box Office 0161 200 1500
RECOMMENDED
Wednesday 09 October 2024
Rochdale Photographic Society
Tonight's session - Members AV evening.
We meet every Wednesday at Rochdale Unitarian Church, starting at 7.30pm prompt (doors open from 7.15pm). The door is kept locked so please ring the bell on arrival.
If you would like to see the club for yourself and meet our members, you are welcome to attend as our guest for up to 3 weeks before committing to membership. Annual subscription is £36 for single or £46 for joint membership.
A weekly room fee of £2.50 is also payable on arrival at the meeting. Refreshments are 50p.
Visit the link below for a full 2024 syllabus.
£2.50 for room fee
Doors open 7.15pm, 7.30pm start
Rochdale Unitarian Church, Clover Street, Rochdale OL12 6TP
Wednesday 09 October 2024
Rochdale Antiques Society - Antique Furniture in the Rochdale Manor - Dr. P Lindfield
Dr.Lindfield will illustrate the furniture that was in the old Rochdale Manor.
Visitors are very welcome at our meetings, just turn up on the night. There is no limit on the number of meetings that visitors can attend.
Meetings are held on the second Wednesday of each month.
Meetings run from September to May.
Visitors charge - £5
Phone: Society Secretary, Ann Lord 01706 844026
7.30pm
St Vincent's Community Centre, Caldershaw Road, Norden OL12 7QL (Sat Nav: OL12 7QR)
Wednesday 09 October 2024
Toad Lane Concerts - Rochdale's Weekly Music at Lunchtime
This week we have John Sabar piano (York University & RNCM).
The concert series has been held at St Mary’s since 2001 and was granted the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service in 2020… during the pandemic!
Running every Wednesday, Music at Lunchtime is a weekly live classical music concert series that has been going since the 1960s. The sessions were initially run at the old Rochdale Art Gallery by the local authority, but since May 2001 have been run by volunteer-enthusiasts and artistic director, Dr Joe Dawson.
£6
Phone: Dr Joe Dawson 01706 648872
Doors open 12noon, concert starts 12.30pm - 1.30pm
St Mary in the Baum, Toad Lane/St Mary's Gate, Rochdale OL16 1DZ
Thursday 10 October 2024
Littleborough Historical & Archaeological Society
Travels around the UK Canal by Janna & Jo May.
Light refreshments are served on arrival and non-members are very welcome to attend.
There is a small charge of £3.50 for non-members and £2.50 for members.
Meetings are held on the 2nd Thursday of each month at 8.00pm (doors open at 7.30pm) in the fully accessible (via the station ramp) History Centre on Platform 2 of Littleborough Train Station.
Free parking is available locally within the town centre and nearby streets.
Members £2.50 and Non-members £3.50
Phone: 01706 377685
Doors open 7.30pm, 8pm start
History Centre, Platform 2, Littleborough Railway Station, Railway Street, Littleborough OL15 8AF
Thursday 10 October 2024
Syke Community Choir
This is a new weekly Choir session held every Thursday.
This is a fun social group, all you need is a mouth, no previous singing experience required , we all learn together.
7pm - 8.30pm
Syke Community Base, 206 Syke Road, Rochdale OL12 9TF
Thursday 10 October 2024
Syke Arts & Crafts morning
All are welcome to our Arts and Crafts weekly sessions.
We have lots of Crafty materials for you to be creative with.
£3.50
10am - 12pm
Syke Community Base, 206 Syke Road, Rochdale OL12 9TF
Thursday 10 October 2024
Women In Touch Community Dance Group
We are a group of like-minded women who love to dance.
We welcome anyone who is interested in self-expression through creative movement in a relaxed and friendly environment.
Our free session are held most Thursday.
Please ring or text to check that each sessions is running as sometimes we might not have access to the hall.
Free
Phone: Jen Lowe 07739 836848 / 07593276278
7pm - 9pm
St George’s Church Hall, Bury Road, Rochdale OL11 4EB
Thursday 10 October 2024
Bi-Lingual Storytime
Come and listen to stories read in English and other languages such as Urdu, Arabic, French and Slovakian.
Afterwards, join in with crafts related to the story.
Alternating Thursdays and Saturdays.
Free and suitable for children 5 and under and their grown-ups.
Free
Phone: Tracey Tomlinson 07356 182030
12pm to 1.30pm
Rochdale Library, Number 1 Riverside, Smith Street, Town Centre, Rochdale OL16 1XU
Friday 11 October 2024
The Chicago Blues Brothers
As seen at the Adelphi Theatre and the Savoy Theatre in London’s West End, The Chicago Blues Brothers have put the band back together to bring you their RESPECT Greatest Hits tour.
We have chosen the best arrangements from our last four tours to bring you our greatest set list ever, a combination of audience favourites and showstoppers from The Back in Black Tour, The Motown Mission Tour, A Night at the Movies Tour and The Cruisin’ for a Bluesin’ Tour.
This multi-award winning show is backed by one of the hottest live bands in the business, The beautiful, sweet soul sisters and of course the incomparable Jake and Elwood, in this all-singing, all-dancing high octane musical mash up with all The Blues Brothers’ classics and the very best of our tour hits.
The world’s biggest and best loved Blues Brothers party show is on a mission once again, we’re not just putting on a show; we’re throwing a party, and you’re invited! Join us for a night filled with great music, dancing, and the infectious spirit of the Blues Brothers.
From £27.00
7.30pm Doors open 7pm
Middleton Arena, Lance Corporal Joel Halliwell VC Way, Middleton, Manchester M24 1AG
Friday 11 October 2024
Murder Mystery for Springhill Hospice
Our Charity Retro-Themed Murder Mystery Night.
Dust off those bell-bottoms and psychedelic prints – fancy dress is encouraged!
Go bright, go bold, and get ready for a night of groovy tunes, fab costumes, and a thrilling mystery to solve.
Every ticket sold helps us raise funds for Springhill Hospice, so you’ll be having a blast and doing good!
See you there, you groovy detectives.
£20 non-members, members discount available.
Phone: Littleborough Tangent 07940 548270
7pm
The Beach, Lake Side, Littleborough, Rochdale OL15 0DD
Thursday 10 October 2024 - Saturday 12 October 2024
Visit Fireground Museum
Join us at Fireground this week to discover Greater Manchester's firefighting story.
Fire museum attractions are on show inside the museum including our collection of historic firefighting artefacts from the 18th century to present day, plus home-made refreshments in the new Fireground Café, and souvenirs from our fantastic new gift shop! We have a wide choice ranging from toddler to collector.
Under 4s are free, Children (aged 4-15) and Concessions £5, Adults £7 and Family (4 people) £20.
Phone: Fireground 01706 341219
Open Thursday, Friday & Saturday from 10am - 4pm
Fireground, Maclure Road, Rochdale OL11 1DN
Saturday 12 October 2024
Riverside Artisan Market
Running on the second Saturday of every month, the successful Riverside Artisan Market returns again to Rochdale Riverside this weekend.
A big thankyou to all our customers for helping us to grow this market every month.
A warm welcome is waiting from over 30 small independent businesses who grow, rear, make or bake what you see. All different, all quality and made by the people you speak to.
From artisan meats to hand made fudge and glass creations.
From room sprays, wax melts, handmade soaps and quirky gift ideas
From preserves, chutneys, oils and vinegars to delicious savoury pies, sweet treats and fresh fruit and veg and so much more.
Come say hi, let us know what you think and while you’re here check out the great Rochdale Riverside and the other lovely places Rochdale Town Centre has to offer.
Free
10am - 4pm
Riverside Retail & Leisure Complex, Riverside Walk, Town Centre, Rochdale OL16 1TR
Saturday 12 October 2024
In The Name of Love: The Diana Ross Story
The world’s premier show in celebration of Diana Ross and the Supremes.
Prepare to be taken on a spellbinding journey through one of the greatest musical stories ever told.
In The Name of Love is a chronological history of hits from a career resulting in over 100 million record sales, fronted by two international Diana Ross performers Cheri Jade (The Supremes) and Tameka Jackson (solo career).
Where Did Our Love Go, Baby Love, Stop in The Name of Love, Reflections, You Keep Me Hanging On, You Can’t Hurry Love, Stoned Love, Ain’t No Mountain High Enough, All of My Life, Touch Me In The Morning, Upside Down, My Old Piano, I’m Coming Out, Chain Reaction, and so many more!
From £26.50
7:30pm Doors open: 7pm
Middleton Arena, Lance Corporal Joel Halliwell VC Way, Middleton, Manchester M24 1AG
celebrating creative arts and artists - an oasis of positivity supporting individual and community wellbeing.
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