MIDWEEK COLUMN WEDNESDAY 21 OCTOBER
Article: Impressions of Summer
Previews: Behind the Scenes of The Traitors with Julie Hesmondhalgh, The Hideout plus Jen Reid - Folk Song and Dialect performance plus Q and A
Review: A scintillating strings Toad Lane Concert
Behind the Scenes of The Traitors with Julie Hesmondhalgh
Preview by Steve Cooke
A treat for fans of the BBC hit TV series The Traitors as Julie Hesmondhalgh lifts the lid on her time in the castle with Celebrity Traitors, sharing behind-the-scenes stories, secrets and what it’s really like to play the game.
You are promised plenty of laughs, candid chat and the chance to ask your own questions.
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Think you’d make a good Faithful? Reckon you’d spot a Traitor a mile off?\
Directly after Julie’s event, you can put your own detective skills to the test by playing (or watching) the Traitors inspired game The Night of the Werewolves, an interactive game of suspicion, strategy and deception.
Whether you’re a die-hard Traitors fan or just love a good story, this is the perfect way to kick off an evening of suspicion, strategy and spectacular double-crossing.
Presented by The Friends of the Coliseum
£17 [£12 concessions]
Sunday 13 December, 17:30, Whittles Oldham, 57 Roscoe Street OL1 1EA
Impressions of Summer
By Steve Cooke
The latest billboard at Ebor Studios, Impressions of Summer, is by Stefan Byrom, a documentary photographer who grew up in Rochdale.
His upbringing plays a significant role in inspiring his work, Stefan’s work is known for its raw and honest depiction of everyday life and ongoing struggles in working-class communities in the North of England. In an era marked by rapid change and urban transformation, Stefan's photography serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of cherishing the working-class traditions and memories that define the North of England.
His images are not just photographs; they are a bridge between past and present, a celebration of the enduring spirit of Northern communities. Whether he's documenting the gritty reality or the poignant traces of nostalgia, Stefan's work weaves a captivating narrative of Northern life.
A scintillating strings Toad Lane Concert
Review by Dr Joe Dawson
This scintillating strings Toad Lane Concert at St Mary in the Baum was number 1,206 since taking over from Rochdale council in 2001.
We were blessed with an impressive lineup of four highly experienced principal string players. 1st violinist Pip Clarke (RNCM and Guildhall) gave her ‘sold out’ debut in Carnegie Hall, New York in 2007, performing the Korngold Violin Concerto with the New York Pops. Back in the UK she leads the Cheshire Sinfonia, teaches privately and conducts a ladies choir.
Violinist Sarah Snape (Dartington College of Arts, York University and the National Centre for Orchestral Studies) has played with the Bilbao Symphony, Northern Ballet Theatre and Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestras, Manchester Camerata and the Northern Chamber Orchestra, including playing at The Proms.
Violist Cathrine Perkins taught violin and viola in the RNCM Junior Department and Chetham's School of Music. Since retiring she has continued enjoying chamber music. An ardent horse rider she has recently returned from a horse safari in Zambia, she also loves bird watching.
Cellist Cathie Bunting (Royal College of Music) played with the Ulster Orchestra and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra where she was a founder member of the Braga string quartet and the Florian piano trio. She left after 14 years to freelance, teach and continue playing chamber music.\
From the first phrases of Puccini’s Minuet & Trio of 1890 we were clearly in good hands, and this was a great curtain raiser to the main work, the sumptuous String Quartet No. 13 in A minor (the Rosamunde Quartet), D 804, Op. 29 of 1824. The second movement, Andante, has the tune of the incidental music he was writing that everyone will recognise, and the rest of the work abounds with development, wave after wave of rich string sound and elegant and refined phrasing.
The string quartet structure was established by Haydn in the 18th century as the supreme medium for a composer’s innermost thoughts. Just four solo strings, without the variety of the rest of the orchestra means that pure musical ideas must be strong enough to hold the work together. Schubert’s Rosamunde Quartet has always been a favourite for players and listeners. It requires ultimate teamwork from excellent individual players, rapport and collective interpretation. This we found in abundance. Despite the logistics and difficulties of getting four such accomplished players together, they enjoyed the marvellous acoustic of St Mary’s and the friendly audience and would love to come again … Yes please!
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.
The Hideout
Preview by Steve Cooke
“Friendship is wonderful… and tricky. Especially when you’re Luca.”\
The Hideout, a family show, is a vibrant and daring mix of circus, parkour, and heartfelt storytelling that captures the highs and lows of making a new friend.
Through breathtaking acrobatics and playful physical theatre, Luca and Maya navigate the delicate balance of trust, boundaries, competition, and connection.
When a fallen tree becomes their secret playground, together, they turn this simple hideout into a world of daring climbs, risky jumps, and unexpected discoveries.
The Hideout is funny, touching, and spectacularly bold, inviting audiences to rediscover the bravery it takes to say, “Do you want to play?”
Original music, playful parkour and heaps of silly ideas explore the anxiety children often feel around friendships in an accessible and beautifully visual way.
Ages 4+
£10, £5 concessions
To book visit https://coliseum.org.uk/booking/?id=113401
Presented by Hikapee Theatre, The Hideout, Monday 26 October 18:00-18.45 at Spindles Shopping Centre, The Spindles, George St, Oldham OL1 1HDon
Jen Reid - Folk Song and Dialect performance plus Q and A
Preview by Steve Cooke
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An invitation to join folk singer and researcher Jennifer Reid for an afternoon of Lancashire Dialect work songs and poetry some inspired by co-operators and the movement, followed by a Q&A session.\
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ennifer Reid performs Industrial Revolution work songs in the Lancashire dialect and Manchester street songs. Sixteen years in, she moves between worlds with ease. She was once described as having “irreverent puckish vim” in a mag. She plays Barb in Shane Meadows’ The Gallows Pole, has opened for Pulp and John Cooper Clarke and performed for Chanel’s Metiers d’Art. She’s toured with Eliza Carthy for 18 months, and in 2025-6, took her songs to Aotearoa and Australia for four months to critical acclaim. She was awarded the Dennis Dubetz Award for her contributions to Cygnet Folk Festival in Tasmania in February 2026.
Performance starts promptly so please arrive before the start time to find your seat; tickets include access to Rochdale Pioneers Museum which tells the history of Britain's co-operative movement.
Price from £11.75
Saturday 14 November, 14:30
Rochdale Pioneers Museum, OL12 0NU
RECOMMENDED
Wednesday, 21 October 2026
Toad Lane Concerts - Rochdale's Weekly Music at Lunchtime
This week we have - Lewis Kingsley Peart piano (Trinity Laban Conservatoire)
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
Wednesday, 21 October 2026
Wardle and Smallbridge History Group - Wardle Library
Every other Wednesday. Come and find out about the history of the village of Wardle and its surrounding areas. New members welcome, refreshments available.
Free
For adults.
No need to book, you can just come along.
Contact: wardle.library@rochdale.gov.uk
10am- 12pm
Wardle Library, 448 Birch Road, Wardle, Rochdale OL12 9LH
Thursday, 22 October 2026
Bookstart Baby and Bear Club - Smallbridge Library
Free
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.
Booking required:
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. We can't take bookings within the library itself. Thank you for your understanding.
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.
Contact: smallbridge.library@rochdale.gov.uk
1.30pm - 2.15pm
Smallbridge Library, Stevenson Square, Rochdale OL12 9SA
Thursday, 22 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
Saturday, 24 October 2026
Lego Club - Littleborough Library
Every other Saturday during term time. Join our free club and get creative with Lego.
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.
11am - 12pm
Littleborough Library, Hare Hill Park, Littleborough OL15 9HE
Saturday, 24 October 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, 24 October 2026
Monthly Lego Club - Langley Library
Free
Last Saturday of every month. A monthly Lego Club with a different theme each session. All creations will be displayed in the library until the following month. There's Duplo for younger children.
For families with children aged 4 and over.
Booking required: Please book by 4pm the day before a session. You can book by:
Emailing langley.library@rochdale.gov.uk
Phoning 0161 654 8911
Calling into the library
10.30am - 12pm
Langley Library, Windermere Road, Middleton M24 4LA
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