MIDWEEK COLUMN WEDNESDAY 11 NOVEMBER 2026

STEVE COOKE AATA

2 minutes ago

9 min read

An oasis of positivity celebrating the creative arts with articles, previews, reviews, interviews, and recommendations.

MIDWEEK COLUMN WEDNESDAY 11 NOVEMBER 2026

Previews: Ignite Fire Festival and Christmas lights switch on, The Haunted Library - Middleton Library plus Winter Wood Grotto

Reviews: John Powell and Carol Kwater at TLC and Celebrity Recitals with a 25th Anniversary Celebration

John Powell and Carol Kwater at TLC

Review by Dr Joe Dawson

Distinguished baritone John Powell studied music at Cambridge and has lived and worked in Manchester ever since, enjoying an extensive career as a singer, both in radio choirs and as a soloist. A member of the BBC Northern Singers (and a founder member of the Britten Singers) he has performed frequently on Radio, TV and at major festivals. Recitals now form the core of his singing life, whilst also helping to keep a noble tradition alive.

John taught at Chetham's, including running the school's choirs, then the National Youth Choir, Bolton School and the University of York. He now teaches privately and conducts several leading choirs, societies and events.

Carol Kwater is an organist, accompanist and music teacher much in demand as an accompanist for soloists and various choral groups and is also an experienced musical director. Carol proved to be a valuable concert partner and fellow soloist.

John introduced his carefully selected multi language programme with calm authority. The title ‘A flock of birds’ allowed a wealth of musical inspiration to flow (fly?) beginning with settings by Malcolm Williamson, Richard Rodney Bennett, and Handel.

Avian references continued with impeccable German pronunciation in two songs from Schubert’s iconic song cycle Winterreise (Winter Journey) with cocks crowing and crows themselves, and with a Brahmsian nightingale and birdsong by Schumann.

Britten arranged folk songs throughout his career, sometimes for particular friends. His setting of The Ash Grove is witty and imaginative (and challenging to perform) with references to bird song in the accompaniment. With these two professionals it got an accomplished and rare airing.

Then we had Carol’s first piano solo, Le coucou by Daquin followed by more cuckoos in Thomas Arne’s song. Unusually, John then sang unaccompanied the traditional English ‘The turtle dove’ most effectively.

Carol’s second piano solo, Song of the Lark by Tchaikovsky led to John’s immaculate French articulation as we savoured the hummingbird of Chausson, owls by Déodat de Séverac, and the intriguing ‘weeping bird tree’ of the quirky Erik Satie. Carol contributed more from Satie with his haunting Gnossiennes no. 1, beautifully played. Of course, the theme’s finale had to have the popular number, A nightingale sang in Berkeley Square!

A surprise encore was the naïve children’s song The Lilac Tree, a charming vignette.

Not to be dismissed as ‘for the birds’ this elegant recital celebrated the poetic significance of avian inspiration in musical flights of fancy. The intimate concert recital tradition is becoming as rare as some birds in danger of extinction. This quality example was a reminder of the delight and charm of the live solo voice and piano accompaniment soaring high in a glorious acoustic.

The Queen’s Award-winning Toad Lane Concerts every Wednesday at 12.30pm at the Grade 1 listed church of St Mary in the Baum, Toad Lane, Rochdale, OL16 1DZ/1AP. Entrance fee is £6. Contact 01706 648872 for further information.

Ignite Fire Festival and Christmas lights switch on

Preview by Steve Cooke

The spectacular and very popular Ignite Fire Festival is back, with three free night-time spectacular shows, delivering magical and immersive trails of fire, lights and sound. Last year over 10,000 people attended, and this year promises to be even better, with new dazzling trails and attractions providing magical family entertainment.

The Ignite Fire Festival will take place in the square and gardens around Rochdale Town Hall, including the new pathways and parkland on Broadfield Slopes. There will be fiery displays, blazing sculptures and an incredible illuminated installation that you can walk through each evening.

The weekend will culminate with the Christmas lights switch-on taking place at 5.30pm on Sunday 22 November.

Free / Pay What You Want

Friday 20 to Sunday 22 November,

Rochdale Town Hall, The Esplanade, Rochdale, Greater Manchester, OL16 1

The Haunted Library - Middleton Library

Preview by Steve Cooke

An invitation to hear the ghost stories and discover the history.

An evening of local legends and archival investigation. The opportunity to explore chilling tales from the area before delving into photographs, newspapers, and historical records to uncover the real people and events behind the hauntings. Where folklore meets local history, the truth can be just as fascinating as the ghost story itself.

This is a Free / Pay What You Want event

Wheel chair / pram accessible

Visit https://www.rochdalecreates.co.uk/whats-on/the-haunted-library-middleton-library

Thursday 26 November, 16:00 in Middleton Library, Long Street, Middleton, M24 6DU

Winter Wood Grotto

Preview by Steve Cooke

In the Winter Wood Grotto you are promised a warm welcome, winter stories for all imaginations and midwinter wonder for all ages.

Presented with support from Touchstones as part of Touchstones Live and created by Cornwall’s award winning immersive and highly visual Rogue Otherworld – Winter Wood Rochdale is an immersive grotto experience for families and those who seek the winter magic we often forget.

A wintry mix of storytelling, immersive theatre, music, and dance.

Taking an older, wilder path, this is a grotto that celebrates the seasons and extends the invite to anybody who has an ear for stories of old magic and an imagination that dreams of what just might come to be!

“Step into the Winter Wood Grotto…

Let the faeries transport you to the heart of the winter wood

Where Old Man Winter will welcome you into the magic of a story,

Catch your wish and weave your imaginations with the wonders of winter.“

“My excitement for Winter Wood just grows and grows, to gather together, to celebrate nature, and to embrace the seasons, the turning of the planets and our midwinter dreams.” Old Man Winter

Twice listed in the Guardian newspaper’s Top 10 Christmas Walks, and winner of multiple awards, Winter Wood is known as a unique festive marvel. The Winter Wood Grotto brings the heart of the Winter Wood to the heart of Rochdale; you are invited to gather in the warm tent where a magical story comes to life.

It is an experience for all ages, a grotto for adults as much as it is for children.

There will be a warm spiced apple drink for everyone!

Tickets: £7 each (ages 3 and under go free)

To book visit https://rogueotherworld.co.uk/winter-wood-grotto/

Saturday 28 November, 11.00 , Memorial Gardens Rochdale, The Esplanade, Rochdale, Greater Manchester, OL16 1YG

Celebrity Recitals with a 25th Anniversary Celebration

Review by Dr Joe Dawson

ORTOA (Oldham, Rochdale and Tameside Organists’ Association, est. 1908) presented a special climax to their season of celebrity recitals with a 25th anniversary celebration.

The Brereton Memorial Fund (breretonfund.org.uk) was founded in memory of Philip and Gwen Brereton who died in December 2000. Throughout their lives they were valued volunteers for ORTOA, the Royal College of Organists and the Incorporated Association of Organists, where they organised the Annual Congress.

Appropriately the guest player was one of the leading organists of his generation, the celebrated Scottish organ virtuoso, Gordon Stewart, who knew the Breretons well and knows Rochdale’s JJ Binns instrument as well as anyone.

Following studies in Manchester and Geneva he was for 15 years a cathedral organist and for 30 years Borough Organist of Kirklees and is now Emeritus. He is an international concert and recording artist and plays concertos with major orchestras.

For over 20 years he broadcast regularly as organist and conductor on BBC radio and television, and as a musical director. He is also an eminent teacher at the highest level.

A former president of the Incorporated Association of Organists, he also holds several honorary fellowships, as well as an honorary doctorate by the University of Huddersfield. In 2023 He was awarded the British Empire Medal in the King’s first birthday honours. (see www.gordonstewart.org).

His wide-ranging programme really put the town hall JJ Binns instrument through its paces. An uplifting start with Thanksgiving March by Lemare contrasted with Toccata for the Flutes by C18 John Stanley arranged by Harry Wall. In his usual engaging and informative introductions Gordon talked of his affection for the late Breretons. Indeed, the Fantasia and Fugue in G Minor BWV 542 by JS Bach, he had played at their funeral, as requested by Philip himself. This massive work is arguably the most profound of Bach’s organ works and Gordon clearly relished its delivery.

This was followed by C20 British composers admirably suited to the Binns instrument. Pavane in A by Bernard Johnson, Impromptu No 2 by Sydney Hugo Nicholson, and Interlude and Paean by Norman Cocker proved to be advocates themselves of our civic instrument and superbly played.

Particularly poignant was the Prelude on Faithfulness by Dan Miller because of its association with Methodist hymn singing, so close to the heart of the Breretons. This evocation by Miller took the hymn tune and extended its harmonies (and dynamics!) to tremendous emotional heights.

The finale Plymouth Suite by Percy Whitlock consisted of attractive characteristic pieces culminating in a blistering Toccata that should appeal to both organ enthusiasts and newcomers to the fascinating world of the town hall instrument.

At the end of this fitting and glorious tribute from a top-class player and friend of the family, David and Jude Brereton remembered their parents’ and the family’s involvement in the organ world. For example, back in 1979 with a significant upgrade of the Binns, David recalled being a lithe 8-year-old, nimble enough to crawl into the vast complex innards of the organ. His sister, Professor Jude spoke of administering the fund over the years and some of the people and projects it has helped.

The town hall proved to be an accommodating environment for the concert with coffee served before the start and allowing supporters time to chat and socialise afterwards.

Incidentally, that evening at 8 pm there was also an evening performance of ‘Jekyll and Hyde (1920)’ silent movie accompanied live on the Binns organ by another virtuoso Aaron Hawthorne. He previously improvised accompaniments to ‘Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror (1922)’ and ‘Phantom of the Opera (1925)’ in the last two years of historical horror shows, both staggering feats of improvisation … and great fun. (reported separately).

I am sure that Philip and Gwen would have been delighted at the use of the town hall instrument (and attendances) for both types of performances putting the organ at the centre of the town hall experience.

Look out for more Rochdale organ concerts www.rochdaletownhall.co.uk/events; and ORTOA at www.iao.org.uk/ortoa; email ORTOA@hotmail.com; or follow on x@ORTOAA3.

Watch particularly for the forthcoming ORTOA One o’clock Organ Concerts 2027 beginning with Frankie Tempest (Bath Abbey) Saturday 30th January.

RECOMMENDED

Wednesday, 11 November 2026

Voices of the First World War: Shell Shock - Wardle Library

Free

Local historians Carole and Nicola Davies present a captivating description of the history and treatment of shell shock during World War 1.

For adults and teenagers.

No need to book, you can just turn up.

Contact: wardle.library@rochdale.gov.uk

10.30am - 12pm

Wardle Library, 448 Birch Road, Wardle, Rochdale OL12 9LH

Wednesday, 11 November 2026

Toad Lane Concerts - Rochdale's Weekly Music at Lunchtime

This week we have - Nina Savecevic concert pianist (RNCM)

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

St Mary in the Baum, Toad Lane/St Mary's Gate, Rochdale OL16 1DZ

Doors open 12noon, concert starts 12.30pm - 1.30pm

Thursday, 12 November 2026

Bookstart Baby and Bear Club - Balderstone Library

Every other Thursday during term time. Join Amy and Bookstart Bear for a fun session.

Free

For babies and toddlers up to pre-school age and their parents or carers.

Booking required: please book a ticket for every baby and/or child who is to attend. Accompanying adults will not need a ticket. See available sessions and book tickets through Eventbrite https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/rochdale-borough-libraries-10695506106

When you and your child come along to their first session of Bookstart Baby and Bear Club, they will receive their very own Bookstart passport for you to get stamped each time they come along to a session or visit the library. For every 6 stamps they get in their passport, they'll receive a certificate. Don't worry, if you or your child are not library members already, you can join when you come along to Bookstart Bear Club.

Contact: balderstone.library@rochdale.gov.uk

1.30pm - 2.15pm

Balderstone Library, Balderstone Park, Platting Lane, Rochdale OL11 2HD

Thursday, 12 November 2026

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 Free, Children (aged 4-15) £6, Seniors £6, Students £6, Adults £8, Family (4 people) £24.

Phone: Fireground 01706 341219

Visit: https://www.fireground.org.uk/ Thursday, Friday & Saturday from 10am - 4pm

Thursday, 12 November 2026

Reading group - Castleton Library and Community Centre

Read, share and discuss a range of fiction and non-fiction in our reading group.

2nd Thursday of every month. Discover new authors and discuss different genres of books with other keen readers at our free, friendly and informal monthly meetings.

For adults.

No booking required, you can just turn up.

Contact: castleton.library@rochdale.gov.uk

11am - 12pm

Castleton Library, 604 Manchester Road, Rochdale OL11 3AF

Friday, 13 November 2026

Heywood Reads book club - Heywood Library

Second Friday of every month. Discover new authors and discuss books with other readers in this friendly group. Books will be loaned from the library

Free

For adults.

Booking required:

Please email your name and contact email address to heywood.library@rochdale.gov.uk