Events in Rochdale for 17/07/2009

Sat 17th July - Shamrocks Tug-O-War Charity Night commencing at 7:30 at Spotland Reform Club and featuring female vocalist Sue Hassett and DJ Mark's Disco Karaoke. Tickets £3.00 available from Mick Downes on 07824 844128.

Paul Rowen holds regular surgeries across Rochdale. There is no need to make an appointment to attend a surgery, just attend during the time shown below, it is on a first come, first served basis. If none of the surgeries are convenient for you, or you would like to suggest a future surgery date please feel free to contact me.

The week-long programme of free fun events and activities along the length of the Rochdale Canal from Calderdale to Manchester. Organised by Special Projects Partnership & Regeneration Service.
Daily events. Come along and join a week of FREE eco - fun packed activities to celebrate the Rochdale Canal. Activities include  kayaking taster classes, guided walks, bike rides, canoe and angling taster sessions, boat rides, wildlife workshops, art & photographic competitions, fun days and much more. 

Event opening fun day at Ealees, Littleborough on 11th July.

Rushbearing began in the 10th century when Pope Gregory decreed that rushes should be taken to church on its Saints Day to cover the earth floor for warmth. At Grassmere the rushes are still carried in procession. But in Lancashire and parts of Yorkshire the procession became more elaborate with the rushes being conveyed on decorated carts. The tradition continued in many areas until Victorian times when it was banned for encouraging ‘drunkenness and lewd behaviour’.

Littleborough Rushbearing was revived in 1991 when someone in Rochdale Morris said ‘Wouldn’t it be a good idea to have a Rushcart to celebrate our 10th anniversary?’ The project was successfully achieved with the help of Littleborough Action Group and has become an important part of Littleborough’s calendar of events.

The Littleborough Rushcart is paraded through various parts of the town with dance stops at pubs and finally enters the Square led by a local brass band and escorted by local dignitaries.

In 2008 the Festival was extended and began on Friday night with a singaround at a local pub. Saturday also included a ‘Party in the Park’ – a family fun-day with stalls and entertainment. Saturday evening’s celidh completed a busy day. Sunday’s procession takes in Hollingworth Lake Visitor’s Centre and a nearby pub, before entering the town centre for more dancing (including the ‘traditional’ dance by Littleborough’s finest).

Our summer exhibition is the Canals of the Pennines, during July and August we will have an ever changing exhibiton of work by a number of popular artisits, including Geoff Butterworth, David Ainsworth and Judith Herring - plus some new artists. The preview will be on Saturday 4th July from 2-4pm.