WEEKEND COLUMN SATURDAY 12 APRIL 2025

previews, reviews, interviews, and recommendations with Steve Cooke

WEEKEND COLUMN SATURDAY 12 APRIL 2025

FIREGROUND

Preview by Steve Cooke

The Fireground Museum, former Rochdale Fire Station, tells the story of firefighting, particularly in the Greater Manchester region.

Manchester formed England’s first municipal fire service in 1826, whilst the country’s earliest motorised fire engine was delivered to Eccles in 1901.

Over the past 200 years, our local fire services have had to deal with every type of incident, from house fires to cotton mill blazes, from all kinds of industrial fires to major ship, road, rail and aircraft incidents, as well as two world wars and terrorist incidents of national significance.

The area was also noted as an important centre of manufacture for fire engines, fire hose and equipment. Companies such as William Rose, John Morris and Mather & Platt achieved universal success in their particular fields.

Twenty-five larger exhibits make up the appliance fleet, supported by many other items of firefighting equipment, uniforms, models, medals and insignia, paintings, curios and other objects. The Museum also holds several items related to the famous Tozer family of fire chiefs.

In 2010, the Museum was awarded full accreditation from Visit England under the VAQAS (Visitor Attraction Quality Assurance Scheme) arrangements and in 2014 was awarded the Quality Badge of the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom.

The Museum offers educational visits for pupils and students of all ages from reception to A-level. Regular topics include The Great Fire of London, People Who Help Us, Victorians, Uniforms and The Blitz.

They will have a couple of special events for Easter on Thursday 17th and Saturday 19th April, in the form of our Family Fun Days. Over and above the "normal" offer and prices, also some extra children's attractions, including an Easter Fun Trail for the children with prizes to win (small additional charge), and other family-friendly features for the two days.

Visit: https://www.fireground.org.uk/

Get ready for a groundbreaking circus adaption of Tess of the D'Ubervilles coming soon to HOME

Preview by Steve Cooke

Ockham's Razor come to HOME this June, with their critically acclaimed production, Tess, adapted from Thomas Hardy's epic tale.

An ensemble of performers weave together Hardy’s words and the extreme physicality of circus to tell this tale of power, loss and endurance.

Weaving together the beauty, heartbreak and yearning of Hardy's novel with the extreme physicality of the circus, an ensemble of performers breathe new life into this classic tale of power, loss and endurance.

Set against a backdrop of projections, the cast wield wooden planks, climb shifting walls and move through ropes and swathes of linen to evoke the vast landscapes and interior worlds of Hardy’s Wessex.

It is a story which still has extraordinary relevance for our times in its incredibly nuanced evocation of female relationships, sexual desire, consent, privilege and poverty.

This retelling captures the beauty, heartbreak and yearning of the novel and draws upon the incredible strength of the circus body to create a Tess as heroic as Hardy intended.

Watch trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-K2XMucSg

5 - Sat 7 Jun 2025.

Age recommendation - 12+ (Adult themes)

Tickets from £20

Schools - £11 (one free teacher per 10 students)

Groups - Buy 10 get the 11th ticket free.

Box Office Phone: 0161 200 1500

Visit: https://homemcr.org/

HOME, 2 Tony Wilson Place, Manchester M15 4FN

MARCH AT TLC

Review by Dr Joe Dawson

March 05: Chetham’s School of Music Flautist Gabriel played an assured and exuberant Mozart Concerto. Young tenor Joshua gave beautifully controlled interpretations of Schubert, Dowland, and Rodgers’. Violinist Megan drew out every ounce of passion and drama from Wieniawski’s Legend, whilst Philippa enchanted the audience with Schubert, Bellini, and Saint-Saëns with a rare true developing mezzo soprano timbre. This was rounded off by flautist Greta with captivating mature performances of Reinecke.

They were chaperoned and expertly accompanied by Elena Nalimova a member of the piano faculty. Exquisite.

March 12: Rochdale Phoenix Opera Society This successful local society formed in 1977 with the merger of Kirkholt G & S and Rochdale Intimate Opera. Soloists and chorus under Jon Gibson with Edward Rigg accompanying, gave extracts of their forthcoming Princess Ida and sneak previews of next year’s show, The Gondoliers. With assorted solo vocal gems from the stage and concert hall this made for a delightful lunchtime at the opera.

March 19: Rachel Stonham violin and Tsukushi Mitsuda piano A master’s student at the RNCM, Rachel’s recent solo work has involved the Beethoven concerto with the Manchester Philharmonic and Vivaldi’s Four Seasons with the Amaretti Chamber Orchestra. This was reflected in her solo tone and commanding interpretation of Martinu, Amy Beach and Schubert. She was supported at short notice by the Japanese RNCM student pianist, Tsukushi Mitsuda who proved to be a superb partner.

March 26: Tonacliffe Primary School This was concert number 1,130 since taking over from the council in 2001 and the youngsters put a spring in its step with their third annual visit. Excellent choral work sometimes unaccompanied and in parts, directed by Freda Farnworth; plus, brass octet, clarinets and recorder groups.

Their final song title summed it all up – Supercalifragelisticexpialidocious!

With over 60 children and staff, and 66 in the audience the atmosphere was buzzing for the beginning of spring.

The Queen’s Award-winning Toad Lane Concerts are every Wednesday at 12.30 pm at St Mary in the Baum, Toad Lane, Rochdale, OL16 1DZ. Entrance fee is £6. Contact 01706 648872 for further information.

RECOMMENDED

Saturday 12 April 2025

Rochdale Music Society concert: A4 Brass Quartet

From Bach to Bates - a musical journey of silvery sounds.

Adults £14

Students £5

Children £1

Disabled persons with carer £10

Tickets can be purchased on the door or reserved in advance from Graham Marshall 01706 642139

Visit: https://www.rochdalemusicsociety.org

7.30pm

St. Michael's Church, Bamford, Bury and Rochdale Old Road, Heywood OL10 4BB

Sunday 13 April 2025

Horrorwood 2 - Heywood's Horror Convention

Heywood's first and only Horror Convention returns for its second year bringing over 50 horror and alternative themed traders selling merchandise, clothing, homewares and goods.

We'll have a mini scaremaze walk through, with live actors, sets, props and photo ops, SFX makeup demo, tattoo artists and scare actors for entertainment.

Plus, the opportunity to upgrade to a premium ticket which gets you into the independent horror movie showcase (this section of the event is strictly over 18's).

So, if you like things spooky, weird and little bit different come and support this awesome local event because horror fans are horror fans all year round, not just at Halloween!

£5.50 advance for adults or £7 on the door

Phone: Kim Goldie 07807 906828

Visit: https://distantscreams.co.uk/

10am

Heywood Sports Village, West Starkey Street, Heywood

Tuesday 15 April 2025

Rochdale & District Camera Club - Outdoor meeting for blue hour at sunset

Trying to get pictures with sunset lighting. If outdoors, start at 19:30 Sunset is 20:10. Walk up from the chapel to the top of the hills near Brown House Wham res.

Alternative TBA.

You are more than welcome to come down to one of our club nights to see if you would enjoy joining the club.

Visit the link below for the 2025 syllabus.

https://www.rochdalecameraclub.org.uk/

Phone: Pete Williams 07967 969136

7.30pm - 9.30pm

Syke Methodist Church Hall, Syke Road, Rochdale OL12 9TF

Tuesday 15 April 2025

Knit and Natter

We hold a 'Knit and Natter’ in the Marian Room every Tuesday afternoon.

Everyone is welcome to drop by and call in for a chat with friends, old and new.

The church will also be open for anyone who would like to take time for prayer and reflection.