WEEKEND COLUMN SATURDAY 25 OCTOBER 2025
- STEVE COOKE AATA
- 2 minutes ago
- 7 min read
previews, reviews, interviews, and recommendations with Steve Cooke
WEEKEND COLUMN SATURDAY 25 OCTOBER 2025
It’s a date - Rochdale Feel Good Festival 2026
Preview by Steve Cooke
The countdown to Rochdale Feel Good Festival has begun with the announcement of the date for the summer 2026 event.
The festival will return on Saturday 8 August, with organisers Rochdale Borough Council promising another big weekend of music, food and entertainment.
There will be live music across indoor venues, the main stage on Rochdale Town Hall Square, a quality food and drink village and other entertainment. Main stage ticket details will be announced shortly.
The festival was first staged in 2008, and previous main stage performers include Ocean Colour Scene, Razorlight, The Coral, Feeder, Lottery Winners, The Fratellis, Heather Small, Cast, Scouting for Girls, Fun Lovin’ Criminals, Toploader, The Feeling, Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, The Beat, Badly Drawn Boy, The Selector and The Lightning Seeds.
Another local band will get chance to open the main stage. Last year Rochdale five-piece ‘Atlas’ played the biggest gig of their career on the Saturday afternoon. The Battle of the Bands competition will be launched in April with local acts encouraged to apply to win the coveted slot.
It will be the 15th edition of the festival, which is funded by the council together with ticket sales and sponsorship from local businesses. If you would like to get involved with the festival, email FeelGoodFestival@rochdale.gov.uk
Rochdale Feel Good Festival is now a bi-annual event, alternating with the Feel Good Family Picnic. The free event for families, which includes performances, music, sports, dance, theatre and shows for children of all ages in local parks, returns in 2027.
Rochdale is the Greater Manchester Town of Culture for 2025-26. The title, awarded by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority celebrates the town’s rich history, creativity, talent and diverse arts scene.
More information, when announced will be available at www.rochdale.gov.uk/FeelGoodFestival
For festival updates on Facebook, go to www.facebook.com/feelgoodfestival and connect with @FeelGoodFest on X.
Celebrating young people in care’s remarkable achievements.
Review by Steve Cooke
The achievements and milestones of hundreds of cared for children and young people in the borough of Rochdale were celebrated during a special awards ceremony.
Acknowledged during the council’s annual ‘Our Big Day’ event at Matthew Moss High School, children were recognised by carers, social workers and teachers for their individual and group achievements, with medals handed out by the Mayor of Rochdale and her consort.
From being outstanding role models and demonstrating care towards others, to showcasing their determination, resilience and a positive attitude, these awards paid tribute to the incredible journeys local children have already undertaken in their young lives.
Awards were also handed out in recognition of those who have shown tremendous engagement or progress in education, vocational or sporting achievement alongside outstanding efforts in extracurricular activities.
Councillor Rachel Massey, cabinet member for children’s services and education, said: “Our Big Day is a celebration of the remarkable achievements of our cared for children
and young people, and I’m honoured to share this special occasion with them.
“This event is a powerful reminder of just how talented, bright and inspiring our children are, no matter what your background is, with this year’s nominations truly reflecting their strength of character and determination.
“I am so proud of each and every one of them and it has been a privilege to share this memorable moment with them on a day filled with joy and entertainment.”
In addition to the awards, children enjoyed a fun-filled afternoon of entertainment and activities to mark their accomplishments alongside their families.\
From guest appearances by the likes of Spiderman and Frozen’s Elsa, to face painting, outdoor activities and inflatable fun, this was a day to remember for many young children.
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Hosted by Rochdale Borough Council, this year’s event was also kindly supported by a number of incredible local sponsors including A&T Surfacing Ltd, Aquatherm, Rochdale Boroughwide Housing, REAL Trust, GFM, Ed for All, Rochdale Hornets, Axiom, Casey, Conlon, George Cox, Rochdale Riverside, Morrisons, The Co Op and SRW Group.\
National Theatre Live – Mrs Warren's Profession
Preview by Steve Cooke
The latest in this excellent series of National Theatre live events at Middleton Arena sees five-time Olivier Award winner Imelda Staunton (The Crown) joining forces with her real-life daughter Bessie Carter (Bridgerton) for the very first time, playing mother and daughter in Bernard Shaw’s incendiary moral classic Mrs Warren’s Profession.
Vivie Warren is a woman ahead of her time. Her mother, however, is a product of that old patriarchal order. Exploiting it has earned Mrs Warren a fortune – but at what cost?
Filmed live from the West End, this new production reunites Staunton with director Dominic Cooke (Follies, Good), exploring the clash between morality and independence, traditions and progress.
Tickets from £10.00
7:00pm
Doors open: 6:30pm
Monday 27 October 2025
Middleton Arena, LCpl Joel Halliwell VC Way, Middleton, Greater Manchester M24 1AG
Civic History and Decorative Surfaces conservator talk and tour
Preview by Steve Cooke
Look deeper into the history of the conservation of the decorated walls and ceilings at the stunningly refurbished Rochdale Town Hall!
The Civic History and Decorative Surfaces conservator will take you round the building and discuss the restoration of the wonderful painted surfaces in the building.
A great opportunity to learn about the technical analysis of the wall paintings, how they were conserved, and the intricacies of conserving the artworks for future generations.
Tickets from £9.00
Monday 3 November 2025,1:00pm
Monday 12 January 2026 , 1:00pm
Duration: 1h 30m
Rochdale Town Hall, The Esplanade, Rochdale OL16 1AZ
ORGAN RECITAL on the internationally renowned JJ Binns organ of Rochdale Town Hall
Review by Dr Joe Dawson
ORTOA (Oldham, Rochdale & Tameside Organists’ Association, est. 1908) presented the celebrated DARIUS BATTIWALLA in their annual Brereton Memorial Concert Saturday 11 October 2025 at 3 pm
A memorable organ recital
The Brereton Memorial Fund was founded in celebration 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).
Today’s distinguished soloist Darius Battiwalla had fond memories of being invited to play here as a young man by Philip Brereton in the 1990s. Darius has continued his relationship with Rochdale’s JJ Binns instrument, including recording it during lockdown and playing the reopening concerts of the renovated town hall. This added a warm sense of continuity to the occasion.
Darius has been Leeds City Organist since 2017, programming the successful town hall recital series, giving regular solo concerts, and currently overseeing their organ renewal. He is in much demand as an organ virtuoso nationally (he played for the annual recital for the Royal College of Organists conferment of diplomas), and also as a pianist and harpsichordist.
His was a tantalising programme exhibiting masterful control and impressive memory skills.
The landmark nineteenth century Sonata 1 in D minor by Guilmant fully established both player and instrument in the Great Hall, utilising all the sounds of our renowned civic organ.
In contrast, Pastorale (ascribed to Bach) with its four Baroque dance movements was brilliant and charming making the most of the flute stops.
Kyrie by the Nigerian Christian Fela Sowande was an unusual and powerful work, coming from this composer’s background as a non-conservatoire trained FRCO with a penchant for jazz piano, who now lives in the USA.
Mendelssohn’s “Prelude & Fugue” in E minor was in fact paired up successfully by Darius from late pieces by the composer that could have been homage to JS Bach, rising to a rollicking Romantic climax.
The rest of this bumper recital consisted of three lovely descriptive pieces by the blind organist Alfred Hollins; Darius’ own adaptation for organ of Chaminade’s delicate descriptive piano vignette, Pierrette (Air de ballet); and finally, Bizet’s mighty Farandole from l’Arlesienne. This rounded off a stirring and joyful memorial concert that showcased the fantastic resources of our renowned civic instrument and a fitting tribute to the Brereton legacy.
The Brereton family, son David and daughter Professor Jude were present with their partners and David gave a warm, thoughtful and amusing account of his parents and the fund (breretonfund.org.uk) in his vote of thanks. How many more future promising organists might be encouraged from it?
Look out for more Rochdale organ concerts www.rochdaletownhall.co.uk/events
and ORTOA at www.iao.org.uk/ortoa; email ORTOA@hotmail.com; or follow on x@ORTOAA3.
RECOMMENDED
Saturday, 25 October 2025
Reading Group - Middleton Library
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.
For Adults
No need to book, you can just turn up.
Free
1.30pm - 2.30pm
Middleton Library, Long Street, Middleton M24 6DU
Saturday, 25 October 2025
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.
Email:
Free
10am - 12.30pm
Wardle Library, 448 Birch Road, Wardle, Rochdale OL12 9LH
Wednesday, 29 October 2025
\Flying the Flag for Libraries Workshop - Rochdale Central Library
Work with professional artists to co-design a bespoke flag that celebrates nature and the power of libraries.
Led by Cabasa CIC, you'll work with professional artists to co-design a bespoke flag that celebrates nature and the power of libraries. No experience needed, just bring your imagination.
For families.
Booking required: book your place for this event on Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/flying-the-flag-for-green-libraries-tickets-1716379028879?aff=oddtdtcreator
Free
2pm - 4pm
Rochdale Central Library, Number One Riverside, Smith Street, Rochdale OL16 1XU
Wednesday 29 October 2025
Toad Lane Concerts - Rochdale's Weekly Music at Lunchtime
This week we have - John Powell baritone (Cambridge University & BBC Singers) Carol Kwater ALCM ARCO LRAM piano 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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