MIDWEEK COLUMN WEDNESDAY 22 APRIL 2026

STEVE COOKE AATA
4 minutes ago
11 min read

Previews, reviews, interviews, and recommendations with Steve Cooke

MIDWEEK COLUMN WEDNESDAY 22 APRIL 2026

Previews: The Beautiful Game, LAYERS plus a new creative programme for 11–16-year-olds.

Reviews: Rochdale’s year as GM Town of Culture far excelled all expectations, Ebor Studio - Open Studio Afternoon and HARMONY AT TLC

Rochdale’s year as GM Town of Culture far excelled all expectations .

Review by Steve Cooke

Rochdale’s year as GM Town of Culture far excelled all expectations through a truly pioneering co-operative approach led by the wonderful Rochdale Creates team at RDA [Rochdale Development Agency].

Many of the creative artists and organisations that were fundamental to this successful year were celebrated at a spectacular closing weekend event in our town hall at the Rochdale Culture Awards.

The awards were supported by Your Trust, Rochdale Borough Council, Rochdale Development Agency, Culture Co-op, Cartwheel Arts, and Rochdale Borough Cultural Network; part of a yearlong spectacular line up of festivals, live performances, exhibitions and art that celebrated our town’s rich history, creativity, talent and diverse arts scene.

Seven awards were handed out from 19 finalists at the event.

The creative of the year award was collected by Hayley Garner, a multi-disciplinary artist and curator of last year’s popular Common Walls International Mural Festival. Rochdale-born Hayley has brought bold, large-scale murals to Rochdale and Heywood. Her work explores human connection, emotion and perspective, transforming public spaces through powerful visual storytelling. Last month she mentored young artists as part of the FAB Youth Arts Festival.

Cultural event of the year was awarded to Darnhill Festival, organised by Cartwheel Arts alongside the Darnhill Festival Association and local partners. Proudly community-led, this annual festival shines a light on creativity, resilience and humour, bringing families together through the arts. Last year it attracted over 2,000 visitors and championed many more youth voices through its young producers’ programme. The event was praised for its bold carnival energy and a strong sense of belonging, building pride and tackling isolation.

It was a double success for Skylight Circus Arts, who collected the health and wellbeing award and the community award. They provide circus workshops for all across the region, regardless of age, background or ability as well as live shows at events and festivals. Through classes, school sessions and community work they create inclusive spaces where people can build confidence, connect with others and improve their wellbeing.

Young Creative of The Year went to Rochdale indie-rock band PoolEra. Known for melodic guitar sound and energetic shows, the band who formed whilst at school in Milnrow have rapidly expanding fan base. When they’re not playing or recording, the band also mentor young producers, visit youth groups and have created opportunities for other emerging artists.

The Heritage Award was won by South Asian Heritage Rochdale. In just two years, the community led platform has grown the South Asian Heritage Festival at Rochdale Town Hall into a large and joyful celebration of history, identity and lived experience, with music, dance, food, fashion and heritage from South Asia.

M6 Theatre Company who produce and stage wonderfully imaginative shows for children and young people won the cultural legacy award.

Special thanks were also given during the evening to Hebe Reilly, who recently stepped down as creative director and chief executive of Cartwheel Arts. She was praised for the enormous contribution she has made to the borough, including chairing Rochdale Borough Culture Network over the past four years.

During the event there was music from singer/songwriter Ellysse Mason, a reading from Rochdale’s Poet Laureate Sammy Weaver and a beautiful performance by the brilliant Middleton based Tracing Steps Theatre and Dance Company. There was also a live artwork demonstration by Zairah Life and a set by DJ Zak Gurnah.

Pete Courtie, head of culture and placemaking at Rochdale Development Agency said: “Rochdale has certainly been at the forefront of culture in Greater Manchester over the last year, brimming with creativity, and these awards which we would like to see become an annual event, helped celebrate the artists, innovators, community activists and organisations who are using culture and creativity to make a real difference. Congratulations to all the winners and finalists, it’s been a privilege to be part of it, and you should all be very proud.”

Estelle Rowe, chief executive of Your Trust said: “The standard amongst our finalists was very high and it was incredibly difficult to pick the winners. We were so proud to be part of Rochdale Culture Awards, celebrating the abundance of creativity, passion and dedication in the borough.”

Find out more about the winners at www.rochdalecreates.co.uk

Moves are now underway to secure the title of Town of Culture!

FOLLOW THAT OLDHAM!

The Beautiful Game

Preview by Steve Cooke

Jumpers for goalposts and tears of joy. This concert, performed on pitch at the National Football Museum, celebrates the drama and passion of the nation’s most beloved sport.

Not only does the music of football set the atmosphere alight in stadiums everywhere, but it also proudly embodies the culture and identity of the cities and communities that shape our nation.

“Football is the ballet of the masses.” – Dmitri Shostakovich (music composer)

Hosted by Classic FM and sports presenter Karthi Gnanasegaram, who knows her way around a football pitch as well as a stadium anthem!

From terrace chants such as ‘Blue Moon’ and ‘Glory Glory Man United’ belted at full volume, to iconic anthems echoing across stadiums, the voices of centuries of die-hard fans have formed the soundtracks for football clubs across the nation.

The earliest recorded football chant is believed to have been written by composer Sir Edward Elgar in 1898: “He Banged the Leather for Goal”, in tribute to Wolverhampton Wanderers striker, Billy Malpass.

One of the pieces we will feature is James MacMillan’s Eleven. It begins with the sound of a referee’s whistle before two eleven-note themes are thrown around between wind and strings, as if they are two opposing teams.

In this concert, you’ll enjoy familiar football anthems, a mix of local and international chants, and music inspired by the world’s favourite sport.

There are 2 shows of this concert 6:30 and 8pm. The concert will run approximately 55 mins, and it will be standing. Please email info@manchestercamerata.co.uk if you would like to discuss accessibility requirements.

Programme to include: Fauré, Haydn, Shostakovich, Mozart and Elgar.

This concert is hosted by Karthi Gnanasegaram, presenter for Classic FM, BBC, and Sky Sports, to name a few! Together, we'll enjoy familiar football anthems, a mix of local and international chants, and music inspired by the world’s favourite sport.

Watch trailer: https://manchestercamerata.co.uk/performances/the-beautiful-game/

£22.50, £10 for Under 30s | £5 for Students | £3 for Gorton Residents

To book visit: https://manchestercamerata3.beaconforms.com/form/8f16d8a2

Friday 24 April 2026, 6.30pm & 8pm, National Football Museum Urbis Building, Cathedral Gardens Manchester, M4 3BG 

Ebor Studio - Open Studio Afternoon

Review by Mark Rothwell

Three floors, thirteen studios and one gallery space were opened to the public for Ebor Studio’s annual open studio afternoon featuring sculptors, artists, photographers and designers.

On the ground floor is Gallery Frank hosting the Ouroboros Exhibition of artworks created by associate members, one of whom, Stephen Cranston, displayed a framed collage made up of four parts, three circular, each a picture of a round speaker, and one rectangular, consisting of numerous photographs of brass instruments and abstract forms condensed in a small area and loosely related to cubism, unlike the majority of his compositions, and partly inspired by the Arnolfini Portrait by the Dutch master, Jan van Eyck, who practiced in the 1400s. Cranston describes himself as a low income, working class, visual artist from Glossop now resident in the Pennine township of Littleborough where he practices his art, some of which can be viewed on his Instagram account: procranstonation.

First floor sculptor, Kara Lyons, makes semi-narrative works based on personal symbolism and aspects of abstraction and automatism related to surrealism. Lyons makes beautiful drawings. Demonstrating this is her ´Powdered Wings & Other Intangibles’ series of artworks inspired by her two month residency in Ningbo, China, last year. Each composition reveals a delicate butterfly subject or subjects surrounded by unmarked white paper, for example one butterfly caught in the pupa-adult stage of its four part life cycle. The line, shape and composition of each drawing stems from a careful hand making the subjects appear fragile and delicate just as they are in real life.

Cheryl Beswick, on the second floor, explores Chakra art, a craft process which, in Beswick’s practice, involves embroidering paper to depict what is considered the seven energy centres of the human body using imagery derived from ancient Hindi and Buddhist tantric traditions. Tantric traditions are South Asian spiritual systems to enable each person to spiritually liberate themselves. Each paper embroidery is framed alongside a crystal which in itself is supposed to bring you balance and positive energy.

Beswick utilises geometric forms in her compositions which are known as Yantras. These result in a separate Yantra design for each of the seven Chakras, in themselves based on a lotus. The number of petals for each lotus and each Chakra vary in number and colour and are thought to symbolise or represent such things as love, emotion, creativity, compassion and communication.

The three storey building is full of artworks by a huge range of practitioners who each reveal their own unique visual outcomes from their artistic endeavours.

The exhibition closes on the 26th April 2026 with viewing by appointment only. For general enquiries phone 01706 551 001 or contact info@eborstudio.co.uk

LAYERS, a new creative programme for 11–16-year-olds.

By Steve Cooke

Layers is a new creative programme for 11–16-year-olds, developed by Theatre in Flow and Touchstones Rochdale. Co-designed with local young people, Layers offers a safe, inclusive space to explore dance, drama, film, storytelling, music, costume and writing.

At its heart is a simple belief: every young person is creative. Layers helps young people build confidence, develop communication skills, improve wellbeing and make meaningful connections with others.

The programme also celebrates Rochdale’s rich heritage. Through Touchstones’ collections and exhibitions, young people will explore local stories, learn about the borough’s past and create new work inspired by their own experiences and community.

Launching with a pilot in Rochdale, Layers will bring high-quality, affordable creative opportunities led by supportive artists.

More details coming soon. Session times, sign-up information, and full programme details will be shared in April 2026. Stay Connected: creativecommunities@yourtrustrochdale.co.uk

HARMONY AT TLC

Review by Dr Joe Dawson

The 1,180th lunchtime recital since taking over from the council in 2001 was ‘supercalifragilisticexpialidocious’. This key word from their Mary Poppins medley said it all.

The latest science states that singing in choirs is good for your health and wellbeing. It is also rather good for your audience. Here is a bunch of men and women who practise together for hours to bring good music to life to entertain us.

Local mixed voice choir, HARMONY was formerly known as Rochdale Retirement Choir as part of Rochdale Music Service. They have been independent for quite a few years now, meeting every week (in school term time) at St Aidan’s church on Monday between 1.00 and 3.00 pm. They welcome anyone who has an interest in singing.

Conductor Freda Farnworth is herself a distinguished soprano soloist. Educated at Chetham's School of Music in Manchester and a graduate of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, London, Freda is a well-established singer, teacher, producer and conductor and clearly has brought on her choristers well.

The able accompanist today was retired teacher Graham Chamberlain, who was born in Essex but has lived for many years in Rochdale. He is an active committee member of the Oldham Rochdale and Tameside Organists' Association. Among his other interests, he enjoys singing and is a keen Rochdale Football supporter.

Their varied programme began with a set of charming light music arrangements: I Got Rhythm by Gershwin, Tea for Two by Caesar, and Let’s do it by Porter. This was an upbeat start before turning to the more serious and reflective motets by Stanford, which were very moving.

Then to the cinema and the West End for a jolly Mary Poppins Medley by Sherman & Sherman arranged by Huff. Just in case the excitement became too much Wiegenlied by Brahms and The Long Day Closes by Sullivan calmed our spirits before the hilarious Ill Wind by Flanders and Swan, which made irreverent puns to Mozart’s Horn Concerto.

Finally, Prayer (Hansel and Gretel) by Humperdinck brought us calmly to a peaceful close.

The audience included Emma Wild with colleagues and members from Rochdale Carers, who all thoroughly enjoyed it.

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, 22 April 2026

Toad Lane Concerts - Rochdale's Weekly Music at Lunchtime

This week we have - Johanna Leung clarinet (RNCM) and ChiChi Li piano (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, 23 April 2026

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.

Free

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.

1.30pm - 2.15pm

Smallbridge Library, Stevenson Square, Rochdale OL12 9SA

Thursday, 9 April 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\

Saturday, 25 April 2026

Lego Club - Littleborough Library

Every other Saturday during term time. Join our free club and get creative with Lego. Suitable for all the family.

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.

No need to book, you can just come along.

Email: littleborough.library@rochdale.gov.uk

Free

11am - 12pm

Littleborough Library, Hare Hill Park, Littleborough OL15 9HE

Saturday, 25 April 2026

Reading Group - Middleton Library

Last Saturday of every month. Discover new authors and discuss books with other readers in this friendly and relaxed reading group.

Books are provided and loaned through the library. Refreshments will be provided.

No booking required, you can just turn up.

Email: middleton.library@rochdale.gov.uk