WEEKEND COLUMN SATURDAY 24 MAY 2025
- STEVE COOKE AATA
- 4 days ago
- 8 min read
previews, reviews, interviews, and recommendations with Steve Cooke
WEEKEND COLUMN SATURDAY 24 MAY 2025
Look for a book 2025 – a Festival of Libraries event with Dame Maggie Aderin-Pocock PhD
Preview by Steve Cooke
Dame Maggie Aderin-Pocock PhD is a space scientist whose passion is presenting science to an audience and demonstrating that you "don’t need a brain the size of a small planet" to understand, participate in and enjoy science.
She studied at Imperial College London, where she obtained her degree in Physics and her PhD in Mechanical Engineering. She has spent her career making novel, bespoke instrumentation in both the industrial and academic environments including working on the James Webb Space Telescope and various satellite monitoring climate change.
Dame Maggie says,
“Libraries are such amazing places to fuel your rocket and jet off into all the places books can take you, for families to get together, and spend time having fun together. To take part in Look For A Book, follow your local Manchester library on social media to get the clues, then head out to parks and libraries near you to get your hands on your copy and get exploring.”
As well as public speaking, she is a Bafta nominated TV presenter, co-hosting the world’s longest-running science television program "The Sky at Night", which parents might recognise. Her exciting book "Am I Made of Stardust?" recently won the Royal Society book prize. She studied at Imperial College London, where she obtained her degree in Physics and her PhD in Mechanical Engineering. She has spent her career making novel, bespoke instrumentation in both the industrial and academic environments including working on the James Webb Space Telescope and various satellite monitoring climate change.
Calling all young explorers. Hidden in libraries and parks all across the borough will be 50 copies of Dame Maggie Aderin-Pocock’s "Am I Made of Stardust?", lying in wait to be found.
To take part, follow Rochdale Borough Libraries on social media:
Rochdale Borough Libraries on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RochdaleBoroughLibraries
Rochdale Borough Libraries on social media platform X https://x.com/rochdalelibrary?lang=en-GB
Look out for clues posted each morning from Tuesday, 27 May 2025–Friday, 30 May 2025, which will hint where to find these extra special book packs. They will be in green spaces nearby, and some even hidden in the libraries themselves. This year, there will be some additional books on the Bee Network, in Spinningfields, and hiding in museums, making 2025 the biggest book hunt yet.
Once you’ve found a pack, there will be your very own copy of "Am I Made of Stardust?" to enjoy, plus instructions on how to claim your golden ticket, to be in with a chance to meet Maggie at an event during the Festival of Libraries itself. Good luck treasure hunters.
About Festival of Libraries
Look For A Book 2025 - Manchester City of Literature is the introduction to Festival of Libraries 2025 - Manchester City of Literature, which sees Greater Manchester’s entire library network put on a programme of exciting and celebratory activities. All of the libraries across Greater Manchester are taking part; from historic and internationally renowned libraries like Central Library, The Portico and John Rylands Research Institute and Library to the A to Z of community libraries, which take you from Abraham Moss Library to Z-Arts Children’s Library.
Festival of Libraries runs from Tuesday, 27 May 2025–Friday, 30 May 2025
Contact: library.service@rochdale.gov.uk
Town of Culture Outdoor Gallery
By Steve Cooke
Rochdale’s Town of Culture is well underway. The recent launch event in the wonderful Town Hall excited all those present with a preview of an array of exciting activities and events.
The underlying theme being that 25/26 is for the people of Borough, it is our Town of Culture. So, I urge you to engage and make it a year of culture never to be forgotten.
Already up and running is the impressive Outdoor Galley on Drake Street which has been shaped by the people of Rochdale, co-curated by local residents known as Cultural Pioneers through Culture co-op, the Arts Council’s Creative People and Places programme for Rochdale Borough.
The Panel of Cultural Pioneers selected 23 artworks from over 100 submissions with all the selected artists being paid for their exhibited artwork.
The Outdoor Gallery also makes space to celebrate the young talent that can be found across the borough featuring artists from Hopwood Hall College and Rochdale Sixth Form College.
The 23 artists whose artwork we can enjoy on Drake Street are
Finlen Horsey, Rochdale – ‘Jeremiah Avenby’
Ellie Waters, Stalybridge - ‘Notes From College Bank’
Paskaline Maiyo (cheb Arts), Cardiff - ‘Black is Gold’
Mia Pike, Manchester - ‘Miss Happy’
Alex Blakey, Meltham, Holmfirth, United Kingdom - ‘Architecture of the Human Mind’
Simge Vurtak, Manchester - ‘Migration’
Ben Twentyman, Heywood - ‘A Delicate Balance’
Stefan Byrom, Rochdale - ‘Purple Flowers’
Lewis George Belcher, Bacup – ‘Co-op van in Rochdale with the leaves surrounding it’
Ian Lord, Rochdale - 'A moment before sunrise at Syke Pond' Teaktster, Aylesbury, South East, UK - ‘Prayer’
Cath Dunn, Sheffield - ‘Dark Peak’
Haleema Aziz, Manchester - ‘Draped Memories’
Mon Cheung, Droylsden, Manchester, United Kingdom - "Whimsical Cat Wonderland"
Hannah Mortimer, Salford and Rochdale - ‘Head in the Clouds’
Kate Leach, Manchester - ‘Bloom’
Caroline Boyd, Manchester
Emma Donald, Rochdale - “Rochdale Canal Candy”
Robin Rehman, Rochdale - ‘What’s up with the geese around here?’
Amanda Ryan, Bolton - 'Don't pull the...over my Eyes'
Kate Holmes, Prestwich, Manchester - ‘Salt, Vinegar, Euphoria’
TiPP, in collaboration with Rochdale Connections Trust.
Mikesian Studio, Stockport - ‘It is Okay to do Nowt’
Whether you are a regular visitor to art galleries or don’t think they are for you a highly recommend that you give the Rochdale Town of Culture Outdoor Gallery a go – you won’t be disappointed!
AN INSPIRING DAY OF POETRY WORKSHOPS, PERFORMANCE AND DISCUSSION
Preview by Steve Cooke
An inspiring day of poetry workshops, performance and discussion to look forward to at Hare Hill House in Hare Hill Park Littleborough.
In the morning 10-12 there will be a choice of POETRY WORKSHOPS with published poets.
Poetry in Nature – with Seamus Kelly and Contemporary Poetry – with Becky May.
Followed at 12-1 by performance.
Then, An Afternoon with Gaia Holmes - 2-4 p.m.
Gaia Holmes is a freelance writer and creative writing tutor who works with schools, universities, libraries and other community groups throughout the West Yorkshire region. Her latest work a debut short story collection, He Used To Do Dangerous Things has recently been published. Seamus Kelly will talk to her about her work.
Booking is essential. Admission £5 including refreshments. [Tea and Coffee will be provided all day, you are welcome to bring your own lunch, there are cafes within walking distance, free car parking and a station at Littleborough.]
This event is sponsored by Rochdale Borough Culture Network
To reserve your place please Email: lizwhitecreative@gmail.com indicating which workshop you wish to attend.
Saturday 28th June 2025
Hare Hill House, Hare Hill Park, Littleborough OL159BG
Extraordinary Regular Soloists at TLC
Review by Dr Joe Dawson
These two extraordinary performers are popular regular soloists at St Mary in the Baum. Both are highly trained and able to cross the apparent divide between serious and popular music. To have them together in a recital was terrific.
Soprano Margaret Ferguson came to the UK on a scholarship from Ghana for higher study at the RNCM and later at the European Mozart Academy in Poland. Now based in the northwest she also directs the Manchester Gospel Choir and teaches Ghanaian drumming, singing and dancing. She is as at home with jazz and popular styles as with classical songs and grand opera.
Pianist Maria King also trained at the RNCM and was an accompanist there for 8 years. She forged a successful career as a classical pianist and entertainer and regularly performs on cruise ships.
Both have been involved in charitable work such as Music for Hospitals, for many years.
We began with Lehar’s Vilia from The Merry Widow, the popular soprano favourite set the mood, and the standard high. Then we toured a variety of styles with Bononcini, Bellini and Verdi where Margaret displayed the richness and expressive range of her operatic skills, all ably accompanied by Maria.
A change of mood with the charming eighteenth century When Daisies Pied by Dr Arne led to some powerful opera and oratorio arias by Handel.
We moved into the lighter repertoire with The Pipes of Pan from Arcadians, Can't Help Lovin' dat Man from Showboat (where a real blues feel came through) and the hysterical One Meat Ball by Zaret and Singer, a captivating number not a usual bedfellow with the classic soprano repertoire! But Margaret embraced that too. Finally, the hilarious Alto's Lament by Zina Goldrich (by request) brought the house down.
Both Margaret and Maria have a fantastic rapport with their audience. Their concerts bubble with joie de vivre and their superb abilities grace any style.
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, Toad Lane, Rochdale, OL16 1DZ. Entrance fee is £6. Contact 01706 648872 for further information.
RECOMMENDED
Saturday 24 May 2025
Author Talk - Martin Gittins - Middleton Library
Martin will be talking about his revised edition of Peggy Smith's book Collected Articles on The History on Middleton.
Peggy Smith was a prolific local history writer, and her articles appeared regularly in the Middleton Guardian. The book was originally published in 1980 and has been revised by Martin Gittins.
Free
1pm - 2pm
Middleton Library, Long Street, Middleton M24 6DU
Saturday 24 May 2025
Every other Saturday.
Join our free club and get creative with Lego. Su
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.
Free
11am - 12pm
Littleborough Library, Hare Hill Park, Littleborough OL15 9HE
Tuesday 27 May 2025
THE HERDS Half-term Family Workshops
Got a wild one at home? Let’s turn that creative energy into puppet magic with free, drop-in workshops
Looking for something fun to do this half term? Our Let The Wildness In family workshops offer a behind-the-scenes look at THE HERDS.
Using the specially created Let the Wildness In activity pack as your guide, create a puppet animal of your very own. Led by professional artists and makers, these sessions are an exciting opportunity to learn more about THE HERDS and get your little ones crafting.
No experience needed — just drop by the Social and get stuck in.
THE HERDS is part of Manchester International Festival 2025.
11am – 3pm
Free / Pay What You Want
The Social, Aviva Studios, Water Street, Manchester M3 4LG
Wednesday 28 May 2025
Dinosaur Adventure Live presents The Big Jurassic Storm
Are you ready for a brand new adventure with Dinosaur Adventure Live?!
When a satellite tasked with controlling the island’s weather systems malfunctions, chaos erupts.
The island’s tropical climate spirals leading to one big Jurassic storm. If not stopped, it will erase all existence of the island… forever!
The mission: find the code hidden deep within the island, reboot the satellite and save the dinosaurs before it’s too late.
The adventure of a lifetime awaits… bring the family on a T-Rex-iffic journey with our brand new dinosaurs, meet their roar-some babies and help the rangers save the island. Are you brave enough to face the Jurassic storm?
6 to 10 Years old
From £16.00
14:00
Accessible viewing platform / area
Middleton Arena, Lance Corporal Joel Halliwell VC Way, Middleton, M24 1AG
Visit: https://www.rochdalecreates.co.uk/whats-on/dinosaur-adventure-live-presents-the-big-jurassic-storm
Wednesday 28 May 2025
Toad Lane Concerts - Rochdale's Weekly Music at Lunchtime
This week we have - Dimitra Ananiadou violin (Universities of Greece, York & Manchester) with Richard Whalley piano (Universities of York & Harvard)
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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