WEEKEND COLUMN SATURDAY 2 AUGUST 2025
- STEVE COOKE AATA
- Aug 2
- 7 min read
previews, reviews, interviews, and recommendations with Steve Cooke
WEEKEND COLUMN SATURDAY 02 AUGUST 2025
Rochdale Comedy Festival to bring ten days of laughter across the borough.
Preview by Steve Cooke
Rochdale Comedy Festival ,launched during our year as Greater Manchester Town of Culture, will be staged for the first time this autumn and we now know the line-up.
Running for ten days Friday September 26 to Sunday 5 October in venues across the borough, the new festival will include established names from television and radio alongside rising stars.
The line-up includes Robin Ince – co-host and creator of the Sony Gold Award winning BBC Radio 4 series The Infinite Monkey Cage.
Also appearing is comedy legend Mick Miller, Tez Ilyas (Man Like Mobeen, BBC3 and The Tez O’clock Show, Channel 4) and Lou Conran who’s a regular tour support for Sarah Millican and host of BBC Radio 4 Extra’s Comedy Club.
Last year’s Britain’s Got Talent finalist Alex Mitchell and Edinburgh Festival best newcomer nominee,
English comedian of the year winner and star of BBC1’s Live at the Apollo - Brennan Reece are also on the bill.
Scottish observational comic Lubna Kerr will make her Rochdale debut along with Chortle Best Newcomer winner Daisy Earl and 2017 Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalist Jonny Awsum.
Edinburgh Festival favourite Patrick Monahan will also be performing along with English comedian of the year Rob Mullholland, Arron Wood - named by Rolling Stone UK as one of the 12 rising comedy stars to see at the Edinburgh Fringe this summer, and comedy musician Alex Camp. The festival’s opening night features internationally renowned award-winning improvisation duo ‘Halls of Ridiculous.’
There will be comedy courses for aspiring comedians hosted by Dave Williams from legendary comedy club The Frog and Bucket. Dave has been a professional comedian for over 25 years and is a regular MC and act at the venue as well as other top clubs across the UK.
There’ll be family friendly laughter on offer too, with Jonny Awsum doing two shows, one adults only and another just for children, performed at Broadfield Community Primary School.
Councillor Sue Smith, cabinet member for communities and co-operation at Rochdale Borough Council said: “Us northerners are famous for our sense of humour and there’s a big appetite for comedy. So, I’m happy to see Rochdale Comedy Festival launching during our year as Greater Manchester Town of Culture. It will bring together communities and give new comedians a chance to shine.”
Rick Attwood, from organisers Ace Lips, added: "We’re proud of this line-up and have hand-picked some of the most exciting comedy talent from well-known names to hysterical shows you won’t have seen yet, along with workshops for aspiring local comedians and support for those who face challenges with socialising, mental health and confidence.”
Rochdale Comedy Festival is part of a spectacular line up of festivals, live performances, exhibitions and art during Rochdale’s year as Greater Manchester Town of Culture 2025-26. The title, awarded by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority celebrates the town’s rich history, creativity, talent and diverse arts scene.
Rochdale’s year as Greater Manchester Town of Culture is supported by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, Arts Council England, Rochdale Borough Council and Rochdale Development Agency.
Rochdale Comedy Festival is supported by Your Trust and the Rochdale Business Improvement District (BID).
Tickets available at whatsoccurrinrochdale.co.uk and rochdalecreates.co.uk
Find out more about Rochdale’s year as Greater Manchester Town of Culture at rochdale.gov.uk/TownOfCulture
Hot Biscuits with Steve Bewick
By Steve Cooke
Steve Bewick is a local Freelance Jazz Broadcaster who is well worth following by anybody interested in good music.
He produces his show ,Hot Biscuits with, two jazz colleagues Gary Heywood Everette and recently Dr Alan Musson.
Also writing occasionally where ever he can find an outlet for his Jazz scribbles. Has written on the growth and spread of Jazz in Europe during the II World war. Travelled in Israel exploring the Jazz scene there and produced both a poem and articles depicting the social and jazz scenes. The rise of Jazz during and following the American war in Vietnam, developed in conjunction with Hoang Minh Chau.
Steve tells me, “I was raised through my teenage years with the sounds of Acker Bilk from his sister’s room and R&B from his brother’s. Got into progressive rock, but later matured into a rounded Jazz fan on a diet of Miles Davis, John Coltrane and Sun Ra. Having slept through Jimi Hendrix at the Isle of Wight festival I was compensated with a first contact experience with Miles Davis's fusion outfit, and I Didn't look back in anger.”
Steve’s highly recommended current output can be found at www.mixcloud.com/stevebewick/
FB page at www.facebook.com/stevebewick/
Rochdale South Asian Heritage Festival 2025
Preview by Steve Cooke
Coming in August is a vibrant celebration of South Asian culture, community and creativity at our iconic Rochdale Town Hall.
This free, family‑friendly festival will bring together music, dance, art, food and storytelling - something for everyone.
What to Expect:
Live Performances
• Traditional & contemporary music, dance & spoken word
• “Threads of Heritage” Fashion Show in the Great Hall
Interactive Workshops
• Writing & calligraphy
• Sari & hijab draping demos
• Craft activities for all ages
Cultural Stalls & Exhibitions
• Community groups, artisans & local organisations
• Health & wellbeing info tailored to the South Asian community
🍛 South Asian‑Inspired Menu
• Town Hall restaurant —kids eat for £1 with an adult meal!
Community Connection
• Meet neighbours, learn about local services & share stories
• Discover how heritage, history & creativity unite us all
Thursday 7th August 2025, 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Rochdale Town Hall
A Wind Band in a Church
Review by Dr Joe Dawson
What? A wind band in a church? Yes. And great fun it was too.
It could be said that, apart from organs from the 8th century onwards, wind instruments and churches have not been happy bedfellows. Once associated with pagan rituals they were kept away from the purity of vocal music in Christian worship.
By the Renaissance however, composers like Gabrieli managed to introduce trumpets and sackbuts into St Marks in Venice to good effect. The protestants of the Reformation had mixed views, embraced by Luther, rejected by Calvin; whilst the Roman Catholics slowly accepted non-theatrical orchestras in the 18th -19th centuries. By then, Anglican churches like St Chad’s would have employed oboes and horns to enrich the hymn singing.
Today, anything goes. This is not to say that pagan is being allowed in at last. Although the Galloping Major played on a post horn was a reminder of from whence, they came.
But some might regard wind instruments as only fit for essentially outdoor use – although this never worried the Salvation Army! Why should the Devil have all the best ensembles?
These musings were quickly drowned out by the strident tones of the GMP wind band players making their presence well and truly felt with Fanfare and Soliloquy by Sharpe and themes from Pirates of the Caribbean. Such rousing styles dominated the programme with other stage and screen favourites such as from Band of Brothers, Mary Poppins and Morricone. These alternated with the moving Somewhere from West Side Story and folks tunes from Ireland and Wales.
The band has the benefit of a long tradition of fantastic composers and arrangers such as Derek Bourgeois, and the players coped with complex music and challenges of sightlines and balancing of sound levels playing in a church wonderfully under the baton of Philip Boardman.
Soloists also featured: an original post horn rendering The Galloping Major from the pulpit, elsewhere an attractive soaring clarinet solo, and even a big band crooner to boot. All producing a varied and entertaining summer concert.
From tentative beginnings in 1861 and 1876 Manchester City Police Band was established quickly followed by Salford. The two amalgamated in 1968 before becoming the generic Greater Manchester Police Band of which today’s wind band (with its added woodwind players) is one manifestation. The band have helped to raise over one million pounds for charitable causes within the past 15 years.
An appropriate celebration concert for the Parish Church of Greater Manchester’s Town of Culture 2025/6.
RECOMMENDED
Saturday, 2 August 2025
Lego Club - Littleborough Library
Every other Saturday get creative with Lego.
All children are welcome to join in and enjoy some creative play with Lego.
Each session, the children will be given a theme, followed by time to let their imaginations run wild and build.
Free
11am - 12pm
Littleborough Library, Hare Hill Park, Littleborough OL15 9HE
Monday, 4 August 2025
Little Reads at Rochdale Central Library
First Monday of every month. Little Reads is a fun, interactive workshop using drama, dance, songs and play to explore children’s picture books.
This is a space for you and your little ones to have fun sharing a story, singing, moving and playing. Remember to join in yourself as your children love to copy you.
Free no need to book
Email: service@rochdale.gov.uk
10am - 10.30am
Rochdale Central Library, Number One Riverside, Smith Street, Rochdale OL16 1XU
Tuesday, 5 August 2025
Let's Read Ladies Book Club - Rochdale Central Library
Discover new authors and discuss shared books with other readers at our friendly reading group.
First Tuesday of every month. Come along to our monthly reading group, for beginners or advanced readers. Come for fun or for a chat.
For female adults and teenagers.
Free no need to book
Email: LetsReadLadies@gmail.com
4.30pm - 5.30pm
Rochdale Central Library, Number One Riverside, Smith Street, Rochdale OL16 1XU
Wednesday, 6 August 2025
Heywood Scribblers - Heywood Library
Join our poetry and story writing workshops. All abilities welcome.
First Wednesday of every month. Free, friendly creative writing sessions. Poetry and story-writing workshops. All abilities welcome, whether you're new to writing or a seasoned writer.
Free no need to book
1.15pm - 3.15pm
Heywood Library, LCpl Stephen Shaw MC Way, Heywood OL10 1LW
Wednesday 6 August 2025
Toad Lane Concerts - Rochdale's Weekly Music at Lunchtime
This week we have - More than Melody Ladies choir
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
celebrating creative arts and artists - an oasis of positivity supporting individual and community wellbeing.
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