MIDWEEK COLUMN WEDNESDAY 28 OCTOBER
previews, articles, reviews, interviews, and recommendations with Steve Cooke
MIDWEEK COLUMN WEDNESDAY 28 OCTOBER 2026
Previews: Manchester Collective: Black Gold, Haunted Homes: a horror writing workshop - Rochdale Central Library,
Manford’s Comedy Club returns to Middleton Arena, plus 25th Anniversary Brereton Memorial Organ Concert
Review: A heartwarming Toad Lane Concert at St Mary in the Baum
A heartwarming Toad Lane Concert at St Mary in the Baum
Review by Dr Joe Dawson
This heartwarming Toad Lane Concert at St Mary in the Baum was number 1,207 since taking over from Rochdale council in 2001.
Oldham’s mixed voice Community Choir rehearses on Wednesday mornings in central Oldham. Formed in 1985 by an Oldham music teacher, its direction was taken over in 1995 by J Edward Rigg, a Rochdale music teacher. Currently acting as accompanist, Edward was born in Wardle. After qualifying as a teacher and with a diploma from the University of Paris, plus an LRAM, he taught in Rochdale for 18 years. Throughout this time, he has been involved in music making as a conductor and accompanist as well as a keen choral singer. He is President of Rochdale Phoenix Opera Society and organiser of the Littleborough Coach House lunchtime concerts.
The present conductor, Jonathan Gibson began playing the French horn at the age of 9 and quickly became a regular player with the county’s youth orchestra and the Northampton Symphony Orchestra. From 1993 to 97 Jonathan studied at the RNCM.
Since graduating he freelances with several professional ensembles and even appeared playing his horn in the Queen’s Jubilee episode of Coronation Street. He is currently also the MD for Rochdale Phoenix Opera Society and the ladies’ choir More than Melody. He is proving to be a great asset to the Northwest music scene.
With two such experienced and capable mentors, the choir continues to entertain themselves and others, such as here at St Mary in the Baum on their annual visit.
It was curtain up with sprightly numbers ‘Another Opening, another show’ and ‘Comedy Tonight’, before contrasted serious anthems, ‘With A Voice of Singing’, and ‘Such Lovely Things’. Clearly, much care had been taken to learn singing parts and the male contingent made a fine foundation.
Show songs, ‘Getting to Know You’, ‘Oh What a Beautiful Morning’ and ‘Oklahoma’, plus 1950’s hit standards the ‘Chattanooga Choo Choo’, ‘Catch a Falling Star’, and ‘Perhaps’, culminated in a rousing ‘Joshua at the battle of Jericho’. A characterful ‘Oliver’ medley demonstrated laudable stamina, and Chorus Line’s ‘One’, meant that we could be ‘Stepping Out … putting on the Ritz’ with a final sizzling ‘All That Jazz’. There was a tune for everyone in this joyful, varied programme.
No wonder modern medicine recommends singing in a choir to beat the blues and maintain youthful vigour.
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.
Manchester Collective: Black Gold
Preview by Steve Cooke
Shape-shifting ensemble Manchester Collective return to Aviva Studios for “a tectonic journey through the elements rock, fire and oil. The elements drip, crash and thunder against each other in Black Gold”.
You can expect to feel the ground tremble as the excellent Manchester Collective morph into a bass-heavy ensemble. Sliding rhythms and revving engines from James Tenney’s Glissade rip open a chasm from which Luke Mombrea’s atmospheric Black Gold emerges.
Tracing the history of a disastrous oil well fire, Luke’s audiovisual piece takes us from rising Californian mountains to the rumblings of industry – until we’re plunged into the inferno. Fragmented photographs and textural projections by visual artist Nate Mohler complete the story.
Sitting between these tectonic pieces is a new commission by composer Sasha Scott, known for her shattering, glitchy music. Finally, enjoy a moment of catharsis with contemplative Bach chorales and a cinematic vista from Hildur Guðnadottir. Much loved for her TÁR, The Joker and Chernobyl scores, her piece From the Other Place is a masterclass in restraint and expanse before we plummet back towards the shattered earth.
Manchester Collective are renowned for their imaginative programming and immersive performances. No strangers to Factory International, they will be back for Patterns in Repeat in June – an evening of contemporary experimental music with four titans of the genre – after Sky with the Four Suns earlier this year.
Programme
J.S. Bach Selections from Orgelbüchlein (1708–17)
James Tenney Glissade I. Shimmer and II. Array (a’sysing) (1982)
Sasha Scott New commission (2026)
Hildur Guðnadottir From the Other Place (2014)
Luke Mombrea Black Gold (2023)
Line-up
Manchester Collective Flute, viola, cello, double bass, percussion
Tickets
Standard: £28, £22, £17
Affordable: Concessions 25% Discount
Aviva £10 Tickets
A booking fee of £1.50 applies to all tickets.
Anyone under the age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult 18+. No babes in arms.
Wheelchair Access
Friday 4 December, 20.00 [85 minutes + interval], The Hall, Aviva Studios, Water Street, Manchester, M3 4JQ
Haunted Homes: a horror writing workshop - Rochdale Central Library
Preview by Steve Cooke
Another great activity from our excellent libraries team with Haunted Homes: a free horror writing workshop for adults. This chilling workshop will look at horror fiction of the page and screen, questioning who and what belongs in the home.
For many, the home is a physical location which – through its sturdy walls and locked doors – protects from the dangers of the outside world. However, in the modern world, technology and devices can open new doors into homes: the spectres of history and society can enter whether they are invited or not. During the workshop, you will put pen to paper and reclaim what the home means, exploring how horror can help to confront and understand anxieties in a creative way.
The workshop will include discussions and guided writing activities. No previous writing experience is necessary, and there’s no pressure to share anything during the workshop. Bring something to write with or on if you like, but we will also have pens and paper.
Free but booking required: places are limited. Book your place through Eventbrite https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/haunted-homes-a-horror-writing-workshop-tickets
Location: Rochdale Central Library, Number One Riverside, Smith Street, Rochdale OL16 1XU
Date: Friday, 30 October 2026
Time: 2.30pm - 4.30pm
Manford’s Comedy Club returns to Middleton Arena!
Preview by Steve Cooke
The Middleton Arena welcomes back the award-winning Manford’s Comedy Club
Each show has a different line-up of four top comedians, who are all personally chosen by Jason Manford.
The line-up at the Arena includes:
MC – Freddy Quinne
Award-winning comedian Freddy Quinne is a regular at many of the biggest and best comedy clubs in the country where he performs his shamelessly opinionated, no-holds-barred stand up. He is known for his frank approach and often brutal punchlines, covering everything from topical news to universal truths. His Amazon Prime comedy special Quite The Catch has had over half a million views.
Tom Taylor
Multi-award winning comedian Tom Taylor has received high praise from audiences and critics alike. His unique brand of musical comedy is smart and silly in equal measure, and he can boast an impressive stock of quirky and very funny, musical one-liners.
Murph
Oldham-based comedian Murph, winner of the 2023 Beat the Frog World Series, brings his blend of unusual observations and quirky, offbeat thoughts, with wit and casual storytelling.
Sam Avery
Friendly and enthusiastic, Sam’s observational style instantly puts you at ease allowing him to weave his tales of everyday life around you. Sam has gained a reputation for being able to spark life into the dullest of rooms with his warm, infectious humour and quick wit.
His first book Confessions of a Learner Parent has been flying off the shelves, as his opening line is… ’I always wanted kids – but then again, I always wanted a loft conversion. Both are pretty easy to put off as they’re very expensive and tend to wreck your house.’
Strictly ages 16+ only
Tickets from £14.70 (inc. £0.70 cmsn)
Thursday 12 November, 8:00pm, doors open: 7pm
Middleton Arena, LCpl Joel Halliwell VC Way, Middleton M24 1AQ
25th Anniversary Brereton Memorial Organ Concert
Preview by Dr Joe Dawson
The Brereton Memorial Fund (breretonfund.org.uk) was founded in memory of Philip and Gwen Brereton who died in December 2000. Throughout their lives they were valued volunteers for ORTOA, the Royal College of Organists and the Incorporated Association of Organists, where they organised the Annual Congress. This concert celebrates 25 years of the fund.
Appropriately the guest player is one of the leading organists of his generation, the celebrated Scottish organ virtuoso,
Gordon Stewart, who knew the Breretons well and knows Rochdale’s JJ Binns instrument as well as anyone.
Following studies in Manchester and Geneva he was for 15 years a cathedral organist, first in Manchester then in Blackburn. For 30 years he was Borough Organist of Kirklees and is now Emeritus.
He has recorded on organs in the UK and in South Africa on and has played concertos with major orchestras. For over 20 years he broadcast regularly as organist and conductor on BBC radio and television, chiefly as a musical director on Daily Service, Sunday Half Hour and Songs of Praise. He has taught for several years at the Royal Northern College of Music, Cambridge University and courses for the Royal College of Organists. He has played concerts throughout the UK and Europe, in the United States, South Africa and Australia.
Gordon is a former president of the Incorporated Association of Organists. He holds honorary fellowships of the Royal College of Organists, the Royal School of Church Music and the Guild of Church Musicians, and an honorary doctorate by the University of Huddersfield. In 2023 He was awarded the British Empire Medal in the King’s first birthday honours.
His wide-ranging programme promises to put the JJ Binns instrument at the town hall through its paces with Lemare, Stanley, JS Bach, Johnson, Nicholson, Cocker, Dan Miller and Percy Whitlock. This should appeal to both organ enthusiasts and newcomers to the fascinating world of the town hall instrument. You can stay after the concert to socialise and celebrate 25 years of The Brereton Memorial Fund at the rear of the hall.
Saturday 31 October, 3:00pm
Tickets from £8.40 (inc. £0.40 cmsn)
To book visit https://www.yourtrustrochdale.co.uk/whats-on/events/25th-anniversary-brereton-memorial-organ-concert/book
You could even make it a further memorable organ day for yourself and join in the spirit (sic!) of Halloween. Why not dress up appropriately and additionally book for the evening performance of ‘Jekyll and Hyde (1920)’ silent movie accompanied live on the Binns organ by another virtuoso Aaron Hawthorne who improvised accompaniments to ‘Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror (1922)’ and ‘Phantom of the Opera (1925)’ in the last two years of historical horror shows, both staggering feats of improvisation … and great fun.
Saturday 31 October, 7.00pm - 10:00pm
Admission £10 (concessions £8)
Booking required: book your tickets through Your Trust https://www.yourtrustrochdale.co.uk/whats-on/events/25th-anniversary-brereton-memorial-organ-concert/– please book by Friday, 30 October 2026
Email: hello@rochdaletownhall.co.uk Phone: 01706 924 797 10am-4pm, Monday-Saturday
Rochdale Town Hall, The Esplanade, Rochdale, Greater Manchester OL16 1AB
RECOMMENDED
Wednesday, 28 October 2026
Toad Lane Concerts - Rochdale's Weekly Music at Lunchtime
This week we have - John Powell baritone (Cambridge Univ & BBC Singers) & Carol Kwater piano
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, 29 October 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, 29 October 2026
Unicorn Live!
Harmony, Melody and Starlight are the best of unicorn friends. Join them as they use their magical unicorn powers to save the show and conjure up the magical fourth band member and use the power of song and dance to create the band, Unicorn Live!
Featuring your favourite pop and musical theatre songs, dazzling costumes, and a real unicorn called Sparkle, this show is a show like no other for children of all ages – and after every performance there is a free photo opportunity with Harmony, Melody and Starlight.
Let’s sing, dance and make kindness thrive!
From £14.18
To book visit https://heywoodcivic.co.uk/event/unicorn-live/
13:00
Heywood Civic, LCpl Stephen Shaw MC Way, Heywood, OL10 1LW
Saturday, 31 October 2026
Kids' Club - Wardle Library
Come along and get creative at our craft table.
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.
Free
10am - 12.30pm
Contact: wardle.library@rochdale.gov.uk
Wardle Library, 448 Birch Road, Wardle, Rochdale OL12 9LH
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