Today's events in Rochdale

There’s no excuse not to visit your local library next month – it’s National Libraries Day 2012 on Saturday 4 February.

The day, devoted to all libraries nationwide, aims to highlight what people can do in their local library – and it’s more than just reading books! You can browse and borrow a vast selection of DVDs and CDs, surf the internet for free on a suite of computers and use the library as a space for community events and meetings.

Respected author and playwright Muli Amaye will be hosting an afternoon of writing workshops at Rochdale Central Library from 2pm – 4pm. And to make sure you get to see all of the facilities, there will be guided tours of the library at 11.30am, 1.30pm and 3.30pm.

Top author Tom Palmer will be the special guest at a ‘meet the author’ session, also at Rochdale Central Library from 3pm. The accomplished author has written two football popular fiction series for children - Football Detective and Football Academy.

To book free places, call Ray Stearn on 01706 924972 or email ray.stearn@rochdale.gov.uk  

Heywood Library is inviting everyone to pay them a visit to see what’s available and just how useful the library can be for learning and leisure. They’ll also be asking for feedback on what you think of the library and why you love visiting it. Comments will be put on display in the library.

And the day before the big day, Middleton Library hosts a fancy dress party for local children. 

Remember to visit your library on National Libraries Day.

Littleborough Rugby League are looking for new junior players to help build up our club.

Littleborough Kid’s Rugby training starts Saturday 4 February at 10.00am Littleborough community fields. Any 7-9 year olds welcome. Training is free. For more info, please contact: Janine Browne 01706 370974.

A moderate 9 mile walk.

Allow time for parking and getting your walking gear on.

Due to the increased popularity of these walks, car sharing whenever possible would reduce parking congestion. Bring adequate clothing, snack and drink. With respect, no dogs allowed.

The Ramblers’ Association aims to encourage walking, protect rights of way, increase access on foot to uncultivated land and defend the beauty of the countryside. Walking boots and suitable clothing are advised for all walks. Leaders may turn away walkers who are not adequately dressed for the conditions.

For more information contact: David Kay 01706 374633 (or mobile 07944088699) or Maureen Rush 01706 632303.

An easy 5 mile walk.

Allow time for parking and getting your walking gear on.

Due to the increased popularity of these walks, car sharing whenever possible would reduce parking congestion. Bring adequate clothing, snack and drink. With respect, no dogs allowed.

The Ramblers’ Association aims to encourage walking, protect rights of way, increase access on foot to uncultivated land and defend the beauty of the countryside. Walking boots and suitable clothing are advised for all walks. Leaders may turn away walkers who are not adequately dressed for the conditions.

For more information contact: David Kay 01706 374633 (or mobile 07944088699) or Maureen Rush 01706 632303.

Pennine Panto Players (formerly Rochdale Infirmary Players) present their annual pantomime.

This year the proceeds will be going to the Northwest Air Ambulance and Eye Ward, Birch Hill Hospital.

Anyone wishing to purchase tickets can do so by:

For Tickets & Enquiries contact: 07432 839555 or (after 5pm) 07835 603534

Tickets:
Adults £10
Children £5
Senior citizens £5

From the proceeds of our 2011 panto “Dick Whittington”, we were able to donate £500 to Macmillan nurses and a further £500 to Springhill Hospice.

An exhibition showcasing the work of two of Rochdale's freshest and newest artists, Helen McCarthy and Zak Hammouda.

Helen uses close up and macro photography to capture floral detail at its most striking and radiant. Zak uses acrylics on canvas to capture tones of an abstract lifecycle, through the movements of grunge, garage and pop art.

To attend the preview evening on Friday 3rd February please contact for an invitation.

A selection of works from the Art Gallery’s permanent collection exploring how artists capture different elements of landscape. Featuring both historic and contemporary works, artists will include Adrian Berg, Ivon Hitchens and Mariele Neudecker. The exhibition will also include a new acquisition by artist Vincent James.

The exhibition will include a new set of activities in our under 5s activity station linked to paintings on display and other hands-on activities for 5-12 year olds and their families.

They have dominated the Rochdale landscape for over 40 years; this year College Bank Flats, known locally as the Seven Sisters, will be the focus of seven films created by artists Catherine Corlett and Zachary Ingham.

During the summer the artists will create the films by positioning cameras at the top of each of the Seven Sisters. The cameras will be attached to sails, which will rotate on their axis in reaction to the direction of the wind and record panoramic views of Rochdale borough and the other towers. The films will blur both urban and rural landscapes and challenge our perception of the area.

The films will be installed at Touchstones Rochdale this winter. The exhibition will be accompanied by a series of workshops for young people.

The Seven Sisters project has been made possible by funding from the John Grant Davies Trust.

Nora Fok is one of Britain’s leading contemporary jewellers, who works with quite ordinary materials to create extraordinary results.

The processes Nora uses – knitting, weaving, crocheting and knotting – transform linear nylon microfilament into simple and complex structures, inspired by her fascination with the natural world and the mathematical models that underpin it.

Much of her work can be classified as jewellery, but she pushes the definition to its limits making larger bodywear and pieces which stand independently as sculpture.