MIDWEEK COLUMN WEDNESDAY 23 SEPTEMBER 2026
previews, articles, reviews, interviews, and recommendations with Steve Cooke
MIDWEEK COLUMN WEDNESDAY 23 SEPTEMBER 2026
Articles: ShelterBox Book Club, Memory Lane Melodies
Preview: RW Dance presents Movie night
Reviews: Troubadours and strolling players at TLC and New Dawn Fades, The Heywood Civic
Troubadours and strolling players at TLC
Review by Dr Joe Dawson
This entertaining Toad Lane Concert at St Mary in the Baum was number 1,202 since taking over from Rochdale council in 2001.
These troubadours and strolling players have performed abundantly in the area for several years.
Anne Butterworth a peripatetic music teacher, is well-known as a soprano and flautist, and is also MD for Woodhouses Church Amateur Operatic Society. Stephen Taylor is a retired telecommunications engineer who has musically directed many ‘am dram’ groups and performed several baritone leads. He also plays saxophone in three concert bands and is MD for Pendle Community Orchestra and The Hyndburn Singers.
Pianist Elaine Marsden is involved with many societies and accompanied today, including a piano solo in the middle of Gershwin’s Let’s call the whole thing off. The trio was joined at short notice by a ‘plus-one’ as page turner and extra percussionist, David Lawson.
The soloists alternated in the programme. From Anne: Come to the fair (Easthope Martin/Taylor), ’Tis done, I am a bride (G & S), Ave Maria (‘Caccini’ Vavilov), A word in my ear (Flanders & Swann), and Michael Arne’s The lass with the delicate air.
From Steve: The Old Superb (Newbolt/Stanford), When the night wind howls (G & S), Stars (Boublil & Schonberg), An Ill wind (Flanders and Swann/Mozart horn concerto), Stars (Boublil & Schonberg), and Not while I’m around (Sondheim). They also blended together in duets Perche Crudel (Mozart), and It goes to show (Lehar) with well-matched voices.
In the mix, these versatile troubadours turned instrumentalists, joining Elaine for a delightful trio performance of Shostakovich’s Waltz No 2 with Anne on flute and Steve on saxophone. Later, they performed an effective King of the fairies (Traditional Irish with a continental middle section) with a different trio line up: Steve on guitar, Anne on flute and Elaine on recorder, joined by plus-one, page-turner David Lawson on bodhran (Irish drum).
An entertaining potpourri from popular, local, multi-talented performers.
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.
New Dawn Fades, The Heywood Civic
Review by Mark Rothwell\
Brian Gorman’s 2013 dramatic eulogy to Ian Curtis, his post-punk band Joy Division, and Manchester is locked in every word and sound of his play, New Dawn Fades.
The first iteration of Joy Division was Stiff Kitten, the second was Warsaw, named after the David Bowie song Warszawa on his album Low. Joy Division was the name given to prostitutes who were forcibly active in German concentration camps during WWII.
The scene was set by loud music by Joy Division and a little nitrogen gas for effect in the Tin Orb produced play at The Heywood Civic.
Gorman plays Anthony H. Wilson (Tony Wilson), the narrator and participant in the timeless story of the four piece band, all former grammar school students who created two landmark albums, Unknown Pleasures (1979) and Closer (1980).
The story of Joy Division is familiar to their fans and those with a knowledge of the Manchester music scene since the 1970s.
Photographers and writers have made a mythology around the band due to exposure in the music press. An exposure built by a complimentary media including contributions by the NME and Sounds photographer, Kevin Cummins and two writers, Paul Morley and Mick Middles, three of the twenty two characters on stage played by a mainly male cast of eight actors.
In a play of two halves, in total spanning 100 minutes, the 400 audience members witnessed a superlative performance that mixed speech, music, song, the spoken word and digital images displayed at the back of the stage.
Images included the Unknown Pleasures album sleeve, a photograph of the Electric Circus, a building now demolished, the Granada television logo and a video of a television commercial selling Smash, a potato product, featuring metal made aliens ridiculing human behaviour.
Gorman’s Tony Wilson was spot on, an exact voice and exact mannerisms in portraying the influential broadcaster, journalist and Factory record company boss.
Numerous scenes revealed the key elements of the wider story, the ambition to have a band, to be recognised and have a record label. Their Factory label debut was A Factory sample, FAC-2, which also featured Cabaret Voltaire, Durutti Column and John Dowie.
Josh Lonsdale performed Ian Curtis in a demanding role from enacting epileptic fits to singing, with a clear voice, Joy Division songs. He wore a stylish raincoat; tall, thin, he gave a commanding performance. A fine act.
Lonsdale performed live the songs: Shadowplay, Transmission and the play’s closing song, Love Will Tear Us Apart.
New Dawn Fades is a brilliant, captivating, must-see production. Lauren Greenwood, director and playing the role of Ian Curtis’ wife, Deborah, was the only female actress in the incredible ensemble.
Joy Division were Peter Hook, bass guitar, Stephen Morris, drummer, Bernard Sumner, lead guitar and Ian Curtis, vocalist, who committed suicide on the 18 May 1980.
New Dawn Fades is a touring production. Consult newdawnfades.co.uk for upcoming dates.
RW Dance presents Movie night
Preview by Steve Cooke
“Get your popcorn ready… because you’re in for a real treat!”
An invitation to step into the world of the movies with RW Dance’s spectacular Movie Night at Middleton Arena for a show packed with music, dancing, acting, drama, comedy that promises plenty of entertainment.
From the iconic energy of Grease, the magic of Matilda, the power of Step, the fun of Sister Act, and the passion of Honey and so much more they’re bringing some of your favourite movies to life on stage.
With three hours of non-stop entertainment, performed by dancers of all ages and abilities, there truly is something for everyone to enjoy.
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“Expect show stopping performances, unforgettable music, incredible talent and plenty of surprises along the way. At RW Dance, we sure know how to put on a show!”
Tickets from £18.90 (inc. £0.90 cmsn)
Saturday, 10 October, 6:00pm, [Doors open: 5:30pm] Middleton Arena, LCpl Joel Halliwell VC Way, Middleton M24 1AG
ShelterBox Book Club
By Steve Cooke\
If you like reading but don’t have the time or are unable to get to a book club or are looking for something a bit different to read, I can recommend ShelterBox.
They read stories that focus on people; modern literary fiction, autobiographies, and short stories from all over the world. They choose books that share underrepresented stories from cultures and communities that don’t often appear on the bestseller list.
What sets this club apart is its inspiration: choosing books set in countries where ShelterBox has delivered aid, amplifying voices and stories from those communities.
Some books that they have read are:
The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer (Malawi)
Life as a Unicorn by Amrou Al-Kadhi (Iraq, Kuwait, UK)
A Woman of Firsts by Edna Adan Ismail (Somaliland, UK)
We, The Survivors by Tash Aw (Malaysia)
A Woman Is No Man by Etaf Rum (Palestine, USA)
Sweet Bean Paste by Durian Sukegawa (Japan)
Augustown by Kei Miller (Jamaica)
The Mountains Sing by Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai (Vietnam)
You can join with a monthly payment – £10-£15 is recommended.
You can then vote on your choice of 3 books inspired by the people living in countries your donation supports.
You will then receive your copy of the winning book through the post every six weeks.
You have the opportunity to take part in online discussions and have access to exclusive experiences including Q+As with the authors.
ShelterBox started 25 years ago with what became their iconic green ShelterBoxes. Today, they are doing much more.
Right now, over 100 million people worldwide have been forced from their homes by disasters, conflict and climate change – and that number is growing every day. So, ShelterBox have scaled up their response and work in new ways.
“We listen. Hearing what people need, creating tailored support to meet complex situations.”
“We support. Giving emergency shelter and aid essentials. Shelter repair kits, water filters or solar lights. Helping people build, repair or return home.”
“And we share. Using our expertise to support those affected and champion local partnerships and environmental sustainability.”
“Disaster, conflict and climate change are forcing more people to flee their homes than ever before. We must act now to change this.”
To find out more about ShelterBox visit https://shelterbox.org/
Memory Lane Melodies
By Steve Cooke
Music is an important part of life for many of us, including those living with dementia, from encouraging memories using specific songs to using music to communicate and connect with others.
Research shows music can help reduce heart rate and blood pressure, relieve muscle tension and help people manage pain.
It can also trigger feel-good hormones called endorphins, which may ease depression, anxiety and agitation.
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Music can have a positive impact on people’s mental abilities, too, improving attention and concentration, cognition (thinking), memory, speech and non-verbal communication skills.
All of these processes can be impaired by dementia, making music extremely beneficial for people with the diagnosis.\
Memory Lane Melodies is a fun, social session for people living with dementia or similar and their carers.
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Each month a different vocalist performs songs to take participants on a trip down memory lane.
Tea, coffee and cold drinks are provided too by their wonderful volunteer team.
Every 1st Tuesday of the month, 1:00pm - 3:00pm, Butterworth Hall, New Street, Milnrow
Booking is required for a session, contact by message or call / WhatsApp 07778 543233\
This session is free to attend thanks to funding from Rochdale Borough Council Pennines Township Fund and The Star Tree Studio.
RECOMMENDED
Wednesday, 23 September 2026
Toad Lane Concerts - Rochdale's Weekly Music at Lunchtime
This week we have - Sara Donnelly soprano (Queensland & RNCM) & Tim Kennedy piano (Cambridge Univ & RNCM staff)
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, 24 September 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
Please book a ticket for every baby and/or child who is to attend. Accompanying adults will not need a ticket.
Please note all bookings must be made through Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/rochdale-borough-libraries- We can't take bookings within the library itself. Thank you for your understanding.
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.
Contact: smallbridge.library@rochdale.gov.uk
1.30pm - 2.15pm
Smallbridge Library, Stevenson Square, Rochdale OL12 9SA
Thursday, 24 September 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, 24 September 2026
Norden Book Nook - book club at Norden Library
Last Thursday of every other month. Discover new authors and discuss books with other readers in this friendly and relaxed reading group which meets every 2 months.
Free
For adults and teenagers.
No need to book, you can just drop in. However, please be aware limited spaces are available.
Please see staff for the latest book and information about the next meeting.
Contact: norden.library@rochdale.gov.uk
3.45pm - 4.45pm
Norden Library, Shawfield Lane, Rochdale OL12 7RQ
Saturday, 26 September 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.
No need to book, you can just come along.
Free
11am - 12pm
Littleborough Library, Hare Hill Park, Littleborough OL15 9HE
Saturday, 26 September 2026
Reading Group - Middleton Library
Free
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.
Contact: middleton.library@rochdale.gov.uk
1.30pm - 2.30pm
Middleton Library, Long Street, Middleton M24 6DU
Saturday, 26 September 2026
Kids' Club - Wardle Library
Last Saturday of every month. These themed Kids' Club activity sessions will include crafts, activities and challenges.
For families with children aged 4 and over.
No need to book, you can just come along.
Contact: wardle.library@rochdale.gov.uk
Free
10am - 12.30pm
Location: Wardle Library, 448 Birch Road, Wardle, Rochdale OL12 9LH
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