MIDWEEK COLUMN WEDNESDAY 24 SEPTEMBER 2025
- STEVE COOKE AATA
- Sep 24
- 7 min read
previews, reviews, interviews, and recommendations with Steve Cooke
MIDWEEK COLUMN WEDNESDAY 24 SEPTEMBER 2025
CASTLETON LITERARY & SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY
Preview by Steve Cooke
Castleton Literary Scientific Society, now in their 131st year, have compiled an eclectic mix of speakers and topics for their new programme, starting on Friday 26th September with “Life is a Minestrone” by new president Val Craddock. Val’s maiden talk promises to be a delicious mix of special events and a soupçon of her life in this modern world. Meetings are held in the recently reopened Castleton Community Centre.
Programme for 2025-2026
**Illustrated talks
Sept 26 President’s Evening - “Life is a Minestrone” ** with Val Craddock. [Born in the 50's, Growing up in the 60's, Family life/work, Rochdale Cycling, Music, Keeping fit, Castleton Community Centre]
Oct 10 “Hollingworth Lake” ** - A history of its construction and development for leisure with Iain Bowden Local historian.
Oct 24 “Abel Heywood” 1810 - 1893 ** - Mayor of Manchester, Radical, Chartist and English Publisher with Joanna Williams, Historian.
Oct 31 “The life of John Ashworth of Rochdale” ** - Radical thinker and contemporary of the Pioneers with Danny McGrann, Local Historian.
Nov 14 “East Lancs Railway” ** - Behind the Scenes in workshops and with volunteers with Mike Moore, ELR Engineer.
Nov 28 “True story of Hannah Beswick, the Manchester Mummy” ** - A wealthy woman from N. Manchester, mummified in 1758 with Hannah Priest, The book’s Author.
Dec 5 Christmas Lunch at a local restaurant - TBC
Dec 12 “An Evening with Janna May, Medium, Psychic Artist and Spiritual Healer” - An interactive occasion, questions welcomed, with Janna May.
2026 Winter Programme
Jan 9 “Open Mic Evening” - Your 10 minute tales, with Barry Hobson & others.
Jan 23 “Recent Travels in Tropical Borneo” ** - Not only Orangutans … with Cath Savin, Adventurer & Walker.
Jan 30 “Ashworth Valley: Tales of Transformation” ** - History, Industry & Nature converge on a valley rich in forgotten stories with Adrian Cornforth.
Feb 13 Number One Writers perform new creative writing with Val Chapman, Ray Stearn & performers.
Feb 27 “Capturing the Spirit of Rochdale” - join Rochdale’s first Poet Laureate to hear poems woven out of our people & places with Sammy Weaver.
Mar 6 Annual Dinner at a local restaurant – TBC.
Mar 13 Annual General Meeting & Quiz Night, - all welcome.
Membership £25 per year, Non-members £3 per evening
For further details contact: Barry Hobson 07724135099, barrychobson@gmail.com
All Welcome on Friday Evenings at 7pm
Castleton Community Centre, Castleton, Rochdale OL11 3AF
2-Day Stained Glass Workshops - Glazing and Leading
Preview by Steve Cooke
2-day beginner workshop - You'll learn all the techniques involved in making a leaded glass panel in Rochdale Town Hall.
Day 1: you'll learn to cut glass along cut lines before cutting all the pieces for your design.
Day 2: once all your glass pieces are cut to size and shape, you'll be shown how to piece them together using lead joints and solder.
For adults at beginner level. You must have good use of your hands and be able to work at a workbench.
All materials are provided.
Tools are also provided but you can bring your own if you prefer.
Please wear clothing you don’t mind getting dirty and/or an apron.
Health and safety: please note, because of the use of lead, this workshop is not suitable if you're pregnant or breast feeding.
Booking required: please book your place by 2 days before the session you want to join.
Book your place online at Your Trust: https://www.yourtrustrochdale.co.uk/whats-on/events/two-day-stained-glass-workshop-glazing-and-leading-2/
You can also call 01706 924797 between 10am–4pm to book.
Email: hello@rochdaletownhall.co.uk
Tickets from £120 each
Saturday, 27 September 2025–Sunday, 28 September 2025 (this workshop takes place over one weekend)
10am - 4pm
Rochdale Town Hall, The Esplanade, Rochdale OL16 1AZ
Hamlet at Middleton Arena
Preview by Steve Cooke
Coming to Middleton Arena a full-scale production of Shakespeare’s Hamlet set in the shadowy medieval court of Denmark, where love, power, and vengeance collide.
When the ghost of his murdered father reveals the truth, Prince Hamlet is thrust into a deadly struggle for justice. As secrets unravel and loyalties crumble, Hamlet must navigate a path of deception, heartbreak, and deadly ambition in his pursuit of revenge.
Experience this Shakespearean classic with ghostly apparitions, intense family betrayals, and thrilling sword fights. A tale of ambition, heartbreak, and the eternal question: To be or not to be?
Prepare to be spellbound by this timeless masterpiece, brought to life in what hay promises to be a thrilling and unforgettable production.
Watch the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oejy4doInwo
Age Recommendation: 11+
Warnings: Choreographed fights, flashing lights (not strobes), use of stage blood, use of haze.
From £17
Tuesday 14 October 2025 - 230pm and 7.30pm
Middleton Arena, LCpl Joel Halliwell VC Way, Middleton, Greater Manchester M24 1AG
General Enquiries & Bookings: 0161 662 4000
Ticket Sales & Event Enquiries (open Mon-Fri 10am – 2.30pm: 0300 303 8633
Box Office:arts.events@yourtrustrochdale.co.uk
Two Supremely Talented Musicians at TLC
Review by Dr Joe Dawson
This was concert number 1,153 since taking over the council’s Music at Lunchtime in 2001. In Rochdale’s year as the Greater Manchester Town of Culture, these two supremely talented musicians dazzled this lunchtime audience at St Mary in the Baum with their consummate musicianship and exuberance.
Both violinist Duncan Reid and pianist Jonathan Ellis studied on the prestigious joint music course of the RNCM and Manchester University and gained postgraduate diplomas.
Duncan, originally from Bristol, has worked with various orchestras and chamber ensembles, around the UK. He plays on a fine example of a Joseph Hel violin made in Paris during the 1890's. Jonathan graduated first-class from both institutions with higher diplomas and prizes as a soloist, accompanist, and chamber musician.
Beethoven’s Violin Sonata Op. 24 in F major “Spring” of 1801was full of optimism, energy and freshness. Evenly matched, the dynamic duo explored a symbiotic interpretation. The initial Allegro unfolded with furious scalic passages between them. Spontaneous applause between movements showed how thrilled the audience was. The expressive and expansive melodic Adagio was transfixing; the Scherzo and Trio brisk and cheeky, with tight off-beat imitation teasing the audience as if nearly out of synch, merging into the final vigorous Rondo. Sheer delight.
Jonathan’s masterful interpretation of the full orchestra backing on the 1935 Challen 8-foot Grand piano was impressive in its framing of Bruch’s Violin Concerto #1 in G minor. Duncan’s superb virtuoso playing was buoyed up with this energy, tone and timbre and they produced a memorable performance worthy of any concert platform. It confirmed the concertos’ enduring popularity. Sensational.
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.
RECOMMENDED
Wednesday 24 September 2025
Toad Lane Concerts - Rochdale's Weekly Music at Lunchtime
This week we have - Anne Butterworth soprano Stephen Taylor baritone
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 25 September 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, 25 September 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.
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
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
Saturday, 27 September 2025
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.
For Adults - No need to book you can just turn up.
Free
1.30pm - 2.30pm
Middleton Library, Long Street, Middleton M24 6DU
Saturday, 27 September 2025
Kids' Club - Wardle Library
Come along and get creative at our craft table.
families with children aged 4 and over no need to book, you can just come along.
Free
10am - 12.30pm
Wardle Library, 448 Birch Road, Wardle, Rochdale OL12 9LH
Saturday 27 September 2025
Samantha Jane School of Dance presents Love V’s Hate
Samantha Jane school of Dance presents their annual school dance show – Children from 4 years to adults will performance at this spectacular Event with dance and acro routines about Love and Hate.
Special performance from The Dancing Dude Dad’s too.
Children and Adults will dance an array of different styles from modern theatre /tap/classical ballet/contemporary/ commercial/country/zumba and so much more. Samantha Jane school of dance is one of the longest, most established dance schools in the area, so you’ll be in for a real treat.
Tickets from £17.50
General Enquiries & Bookings: 0161 662 4000
Ticket Sales & Event Enquiries (open Mon-Fri 10am – 2.30pm: 0300 303 8633
Box Office: arts.events@yourtrustrochdale.co.uk
2h 30m
LCpl Joel Halliwell VC Way, Middleton, Greater Manchester M24 1AGSat 27 Sep6:30pmDoors open: 6:00pmTickets from £17.50
celebrating creative arts and artists - an oasis of positivity supporting individual and community wellbeing.
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