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MIDWEEK COLUMN WEDNESDAY 17 DECEMBER 2025

  • Writer: STEVE COOKE AATA
    STEVE COOKE AATA
  • 2 minutes ago
  • 7 min read

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  previews, reviews, interviews, and recommendations with Steve Cooke

   

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MIDWEEK COLUMN WEDNESDAY 17 DECEMBER 2025

 

Previews: Holiday Hive Christmas Mini-Discos, Immersive sound bath experience in Rochdale Town Hall and  Freaky Friday at HOME

 

Reviews: A Celebration of the late Peter Collier at TLC

 

 

 

Holiday Hive Christmas Mini-Discos

Preview by Steve Cooke


Free Christmas Mini-Discos for the young ones during the week leading up to Christmas at Langley and Wardle Libraries are being provided by Rochdale Borough Council.


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To celebrate the festive season, these events will open with Christmas story telling, so you can pick a comfy spot, snuggle in close and enjoy the sleigh ride.

After the story, you'll spend some time designing and making Christmas themed crafts before the lights go down and the party begins.


Get ready to show off your dancing skills under the disco lights. Can you move like Dancer and Prancer or freeze like a snowman? Join in with the games and let's see.

Fancy dress is encouraged but not essential.


This event is most suitable for families with children of walking age.


All children attending must be a member of the library. Accompanying adults don't need to be members.

Adult supervision is required at all times.

Please go prepared with an appropriate drink in a suitable bottle for your child as refreshments are not included.

Booking required:

This is not a drop-in session. Please arrive in time for the start of the event.

Every child attending will need a ticket. Accompanying adults don't need a ticket.

You'll need to complete a short registration form before attending. This is not a booking form – please book your child's place using the link after completing the registration form: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage

Please give your name and contact number, along with the names of children who want to go.


Photography:

Taking photographs of your own children is permitted.

Taking photographs or videoing the group is not permitted.

 

Holiday Hive Christmas Mini-Disco – Langley Library

10am - 11.30am

Monday, 22 December 2025

Langley Library, Windermere Road, Middleton M24 4LA

 

Holiday Hive Christmas Mini-Disco - Wardle Library

1.30pm - 3pm

Monday, 22 December 2025

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

 

Immersive sound bath experience in Rochdale Town hall

Preview by Steve Cooke


Looking for a way to relax after the hectic festivities? How about an immersive sound bath experience?



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During this relaxing, immersive experience you could be soothed by sounds and vibrations echoing around Rochdale Town Hall's beautiful Great Hall.

You are asked to lease take a mat, blanket, and anything else that will help you feel cozy.


Since this is an evening session, pyjamas are welcome, so you can jump straight into bed for a good night's sleep when you get home.


The event is for adults

£8 - Booking required: book tickets online through Your Trust: https://www.yourtrustrochdale.co.uk/whats-on/events/great-hall-sound-bath/

6pm - 7pm

Thursday, 15 January 2026

Rochdale Town Hall, The Esplanade, Rochdale OL16 1AZ

Health and safety

This session is not suitable if you:

Are in your first trimester of pregnancy

Have thrombosis

If you are prone to seizures, we recommend you consult your doctor before participating in this sound bath experience.

 

A Celebration of the late Peter Collier at TLC

Review by Dr Joe Dawson


The last appearance of the Telemann Baroque Ensemble in October before the harpsichordist and director, Peter Collier, sadly passed away. With the blessing of his widow, Pam, they decided to fulfil this engagement and make it a celebration of their valued colleague and friend.


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Peter was a graduate of the Guildhall School of Music and London University and the director of the Baroque Week Summer School, for over 40 years (www.baroque-week.org.uk) for which he built up a library of several thousand music scores. In the TBE’s quarterly appearances at St Mary the Baum, Peter led from the continuo (harpsichord) and introduce the items with carefully researched anecdotes and information, all to highlight the composers and engage the audience. His greatest pleasure was having GCSE students from Heywood College in the audience on a few occasions, who delighted in examining and playing the instrument, which is one of a number he had made himself.


In the past few years, the TBE had played quarterly at St Mary in the Baum, such that they could be referred to as the ‘house band’ – (this playful humour would not have been lost on Peter). This could have been their last stand – but they hope to continue the legacy next June.


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The surviving ensemble, Alastair Roberts, flute; Sarah Snape and Elaine da Costa, violins; John Goodstadt, viola; Roger Bisby, ‘cello made a fitting tribute.


Flautist Alastair Roberts introduced and led flute quartets by Haydn and Mozart superbly as well as speaking affectionately of his friend and colleague. Cellist Prof Roger Bisby introduced the strings in two works by Telemann, which had been recommended by Peter in the event of his passing. Chamber music such as this requires excellent individual skill as well as expert ensemble playing. It was doubly sad that the harpsichord part was absent, yet the strong lines of the instrumental writing, the beauty of tone and the capable playing meant that the audience was not disappointed.

Surely, the late maestro would have approved.


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

 

Freaky Friday at HOME

Preview by Steve Cooke


When an overworked mother and her teenage daughter magically swap bodies, they have just one day to put things right again.


The new musical, Freaky Friday, based on the beloved 1972 novel by Mary Rodgers and the hit Disney films, which has captured the hearts of generations, is on at HOME over the festive period.


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Freaky Friday is a new family musical based on the celebrated novel by Mary Rodgers and the hit Disney film. A heartfelt, comedic, and touching update on an American classic, this vibrant musical reimagines the iconic body-swapping tale with a fresh contemporary score and feel-good moments that are perfect for the whole family.


Overworked career woman Katherine (Rebecca Locke) and her teenage daughter Ellie (Jena Pandya) continually lock horns and argue, each believing that the other has no idea how they feel. When they spend a day in each other’s shoes, they learn to appreciate one another’s struggles, discover self-acceptance, and come to realise the immeasurable love and mutual respect that bond a mother and daughter


Box Office 0161 200 1500

Recommended age 8+

Running time approx. 2.5 hours (inc. interval)

On until Saturday 10 January 2026

HOME, 2 Tony Wilson Place, Manchester M15 4FN

At the heart of the city centre, at First St, just off Whitworth St West within easy reach of Manchester’s great public transport links and easily walkable from city centre locations.

 

RECOMMENDED

 

Wednesday 17 December 2025

Toad Lane Concerts - Rochdale's Weekly Music at Lunchtime

This week we have - Alfred Anderson baritone and Joseph Dawson piano

The concert series has been held at St Mary’s since 2001 and was granted the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service in 2020.

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, 18 December 2025

Bookstart Baby and Bear Club - Smallbridge Library

Every other Thursday during term time. Join Amy and Bookstart Bear for a fun session, especially 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. If you or your child are not library members already, you can join when you come along to Bookstart Bear Club.

Free

1.30pm - 2.15pm

Smallbridge Library, Stevenson Square, Rochdale OL12 9SA

 

Thursday, 18 December 2025

Reading Group - Smithy Bridge Library

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

3rd Thursday of every month. A monthly group that meets to discuss a chosen title and have a general chat about their shared love of reading.

For adults, no need to book, you can just turn up.

Free

1.30pm - 3pm

Smithy Bridge Library, 121–123 Smithy Bridge Road, Littleborough OL15 0BQ

 

Thursday, 18 December 2025

Christmas Craft Session - Littleborough Library

Come and join our Christmas craft session.

For families with children aged 3 and over, no need to book, you can just come along.

Free

3pm - 4.30pm

Littleborough Library, Hare Hill Park, Littleborough OL15 9HE

 

Friday, 19 December 2025

Christmas story and singalong - Langley Library

Join us at Langley Library for a Christmas story, followed by a festive singalong with our very own ukulele group.

For families with children aged 4 and over, no need to book, you can just drop in. Places are limited and will be served on a first come, first served basis.

Free

1.30pm - 2.30pm

Langley Library, Windermere Road, Middleton M24 4LA

 

 


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