MIDWEEK COLUMN WEDNESDAY 2 JULY 2025
- STEVE COOKE AATA
- Jul 2
- 7 min read
previews, reviews, interviews, and recommendations with Steve Cooke
MIDWEEK COLUMN WEDNESDAY 2 JULY 2025
Budding archaeologists invited to major Rochdale dig
Preview by Steve Cooke
Local history enthusiasts are invited to get hands on with history in a major archaeological dig taking place on the Broadfield Park Slopes next month.
The Broadfield Park Slopes, which are currently being restored and redeveloped as part of a council and lottery funded project, have a fascinating history.
The site, which sits just behind Rochdale Town Hall, is thought to be key to the early development of Rochdale. The natural spring which forms the Packer Spout Fountain created an abundant water supply which is thought to have supported the development of industry around the site.
Earlier digs on the site have uncovered the foundations of a Victorian corn mill known as the Charles Kershaw Central Corn Mill. A weighing station has also been discovered on the site, which people would have used to weigh the corn they had bought at market to ensure they hadn’t been short changed, ensuring fairness for all, a major principle on which the worldwide cooperative movement, founded in Rochdale, was based.
It is hoped that the new dig, taking place from 7 to 18 July, will enable people to uncover even more of the site’s fascinating history, particularly its post medieval history, dating from the 1540s to the 1760s.
Archaeologist, Dr Colin Elder, from Elder Archaeology CIC, which is leading the dig, said: “This area is crucial to the development of Rochdale, and it would have been a hive of activity, particularly during the Industrial period. Homes, now long gone, would have lined the church steps and the people living in them would have worked in the mills in the area. Archaeology is an evolving story though; there’s always more to discover, and Rochdale residents will help us do this as part of the next big dig.”
The dig is part of wider restoration of the Broadfield Park Slopes, which is being funded by Rochdale Borough Council and The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Local contractors Caseys, are already on site, delivering the project which will turn the area into a stunning new outdoor space with new landscaping, a restored Packer Spout Fountain, and much more.
Councillor Danny Meredith, cabinet member for Regeneration at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “Rochdale has a rich history and there’s always more to uncover. It’s so important that residents have opportunities to get involved in our projects, particularly heritage ones, because it’s their history. This dig promises to be another fantastic, free event and I’d really encourage residents to book on. They might just find something that hasn’t been touched by another person for hundreds of years and that would be an incredible feeling.”
Helen Featherstone, Director, England, North at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “We’re delighted to be supporting the Broadfield Park Slopes project and that it is giving the communities of Rochdale the opportunity to get truly hands on with their local heritage and discover some of the fascinating stories of the history of their hometown.”
The dig will take place every day from Monday 7 to Friday 18 July. There will be two sessions each day for people to choose from, one from 10am to 12.30pm and another from 1.30 to 4pm. Anybody from 5 years old and upwards can attend, although all children must be accompanied by an adult. Tea and coffee making facilities will be available on site, alongside toilets. The event is free, but booking is essential.
In addition to the dig itself, short site tours will be available for people who are interested in finding out more but would prefer something less physically demanding. The tours will take place on Wednesday 9, Saturday 12, Wednesday 16 and Friday 18 July and also need to be booked in advance.
The Big Dig is one of a number of incredible cultural events taking place across the borough during Rochdale’s year as Greater Manchester Town of Culture 2025–26. The title, awarded by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, celebrates the borough’s rich history, creativity, talent and diverse arts scene.
Culture Quest
Preview by Steve Cooke
Culture Quest is Rochdale Creates new campaign to mark being awarded Greater Manchester’s Town of Culture.
They are launching this new campaign to support and encourage families to explore their town of culture.
The campaign will launch in early July with a new Culture Quest page on the Rochdale Creates website specifically for families. The page will include a digital map of twenty five cultural locations in Rochdale town, a directory of family friendly events across the borough and information about local transport options.
To encourage families to start exploring, there will be a digital Culture Quest Challenge over the summer holidays, aimed at KS2 children and their families. Parents or carers will be able to register for free and then use their phones to ‘check in’ to locations on the Culture Quest map and collect points. The more places they visit and the more points they collect, the more opportunities to win prizes including free family theatre tickets, art materials and an Instax camera!
TLC’s Sumptuous House Band
Review by Dr Joe Dawson
Meet the sumptuous Baroque ‘House band’
The Toad Lane Concerts provide platform opportunities for musicians of all kinds. Instrumental and vocal soloists, ensembles and choral groups form part of a schedule for everyone. Of many excellent freelance players in the Northwest, the Telemann Baroque Ensemble is sort of the ‘House Band’ of Toad Lane Concerts, as they come at least once a quarter; each time with a slightly varied line up.
Lynch pin and sweet-talking director Peter Collier (harpsichord) is a graduate of the Guildhall School of Music and London University and was director of the Baroque Week Summer School for over 40 years (www.baroque-week.org.uk) for which he has built up a library of several thousand music scores.
Alastair Roberts started to play the flute at the age of 12 yrs. He graduated from the RNCM and was Head of Music in a comprehensive school whilst continuing to play regularly as a soloist and with the Cheshire Sinfonia and Wilmslow Symphony Orchestra.
Sarah Snape (violin) trained at York University and the National Centre for Orchestral Studies. She was a member of the Bilbao Symphony Orchestra and upon returning to the UK played with the Northern Ballet Theatre Orchestra. She then freelanced for many years with the Liverpool Philharmonic, the Manchester Camerata, the Northern and Scottish Chamber Orchestras. She now teaches from home and in schools and plays regularly with chamber ensembles.
Roger Bisby was taught to play the cello from the age of 11 years by his grandfather, who had been a musician in a theatre orchestra all his life. Music has always been a great source of enjoyment to him. In his day job Roger read Chemistry at university and became Professor Emeritus of the University of Salford. Although he has played in several orchestras his main commitments nowadays are with the Wilmslow Symphony Orchestra and the Telemann Baroque Ensemble.
This visit introduced a new personality into the mix, with another cellist, Rosy Hickman. She started playing cello at the age of 7 and later studied cello at the Birmingham Conservatoire. Having obtained a PGCE as a primary music specialist, she came to Manchester where she quickly joined several local amateur orchestras. She is currently principal cello in both Sale and Lancashire Chamber Orchestras, and a member of several others. Rosy’s contribution was not just doubling the bass line but also enriching the texture as a tenor might – like adding cream or brandy to the sauce (apologies to chefs).
This undoubtedly contributed to the sumptuous sonority of today’s ensemble in the unusual repertoire of Flute, Violin, 2 Cellos and Harpsichord in Telemann’s 7th Paris Quartet in D major and the Paris Quartet in G major. In between these two suites of dance movements the strings and harpsichord played the attractive Sonata in G major Op 37 no 1 by JB Boismortier. A terrific ‘House Band’ in this 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. Entrance fee is £6. Contact 01706 648872 for further information.
RECOMMENDED
Wednesday, 2 July 2025
Toad Lane Concerts - Rochdale's Weekly Music at Lunchtime
This week we have - John Sabar piano (York Univ & 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.
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, 3 July 2025
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
Open Thursday, Friday & Saturday from 10am - 4pm
Fireground, Maclure Road, Rochdale OL11 1DN
Thursday, 3 July 2025
Middleton Lego Club - Middleton Library
First Thursday of every month. Come and join our Middleton Lego Club, build your own Lego creations in our themed sessions. Duplo is also available for younger siblings.
Build what you like in this fun and free session.
For children aged 5–12 and their parents or carers.
Free
3.30pm - 5pm
Middleton Library, Long Street, Middleton M24 6DU
Thursday, 3 July 2025
Bilingual story time - Rochdale Central Library
Free
12pm - 1.30pm
Rochdale Central Library, Number One Riverside, Smith Street, Rochdale OL16 1XU
Friday, 4 July 2025
Singing Group - Heywood Library
Join us in our wheelchair-accessible community room. Refreshments will be provided.
Don’t worry, you don’t have to be a good singer. It’s all about having fun and meeting new friends in a relaxed atmosphere.
Songs sung include everyday pop favourites from the 1950s, 60s, 70s and 80s as well as show tunes.
For adults, you can just come along.
Free
11am - 12pm
Location: Heywood Library, LCpl Stephen Shaw MC Way, Heywood OL10 1LW
Saturday, 5 July 2025
Lego Club - Littleborough Library
Come and join our Lego sessions.
For families with children aged 2 years and above. Lego club sessions are aimed at children aged 5–12 and their parents or carers. Duplo is available for younger children.
Each session, the children will be given a theme, followed by time to let their imaginations run wild and build.
Free
11am - 12pm
Location: Littleborough Library, Hare Hill Park, Littleborough OL15 9HE
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