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Event: Together (play about the founding of the Cooperative Movement)

Saturday 21 December 2019
2pm

Rochdale Pioneers Museum
31 Toad Lane
Rochdale
OL12 0NU

DETAILS:

Littleborough based drama teacher, Jules Howliston, and the talented members of her children's drama class will tell the story of the Rochdale Pioneers in a performance of her new play 'Together' at the Rochdale Pioneers Museum on Saturday 21 December.

After a career in primary education, Jules started Two Shires Drama to fulfil her ambition of using drama to engage children and build their confidence. The children already have one production under their belt, 'The Rainbow', which they performed in the summer at Ebor Studio, where the classes are held. Now, they are tackling a weightier story, in a play penned by Jules herself.

Together is the first play that Jules has written. Asked why she turned to the story of the Rochdale Pioneers, Jules said: "It's so important for children to learn about their local history and this is a story Rochdale can be proud of. The poor suffered immense hardships in the 1840's and faced huge challenges, which makes the success of the Rochdale Pioneers even more astounding.

"The museum is located at 31 Toad Lane, in the very building where the Rochdale Pioneers opened their first shop, and the 21 December will be the 175th anniversary of the shop's opening. We really couldn't have a more appropriate venue to stage the play, nor a more appropriate date on which to perform it."

Kate Woodward, the museum's Visitor Experience and Operations Coordinator, said: "We are celebrating a historic day for Rochdale and the co-operative movement on Saturday 21 December. All are welcome to celebrate this fantastic performance by local young people and join us to toast the Rochdale Pioneers on their 175th anniversary."

The performance will be at 2.00pm in the Museum's Learning Loft space. Tickets are £3 and can be purchased from the museum on 01706 524920 or by emailing Kate on museum@heritagetrust.coop

The museum will also be holding an event at 4.00pm called '175 years of Co-operation'. There will be a brass band, hot food and drinks.

History will be celebrated at the Rochdale Pioneers Museum on Saturday 21 December. Make sure to be there, to witness that celebration, and to support the children who are celebrating it.

For more information about the performance please contact jules@twoshiresdrama.co.uk

For information about the venue, visit the museum's website on the link below.

Entry fee: £3


Contact: Jules Howliston
07909 505 461

https://www.co-operativeheritage.coop