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Co-operative events in 2012
Here are some of the events which will be taking place throughout 2012. Keep checking the website, as events will be added throughout the year.
Fairtrade
The Co-operative Movement in the UK and throughout the world is at the heart of promoting fair trade, making sure producers get a fair deal.
Rochdale is a Fairtrade Borough and in this special year we will be working with the Fairtrade Foundation to spread the word and make sure everyone knows what they can do to make a difference.
There will be activities and events in schools and in Fairtrade Fortnight (27 February – 11 March) we will be welcoming a tea producer from the Kibagenge Co-operative in Kenya to share his experience of fair trade.
Enjoy Fairtrade Food!
Primary schools from across the borough have been developing recipes using fairly traded ingredients. You can enjoy the fruits of their labour during Fairtrade Fortnight at special events at Hopwood Hall College. The hospitality and catering students along with Cottons Restaurant will be serving the recipes up on:
Tuesday 28 February 12pm – 2.30pm and 6.30pm – 9.30pm.
Thursday 8 March 2011 – 12pm – 2.30pm and 6.30pm – 9.30pm
To find out more and book your place call the College’s Cottons Restaurant on 01706 345346 (ext 2238).
Co-operative Activities at Touchstones
Throughout the year there will be a Co-operative exhibition at Touchstones Rochdale as well as a series of activities including talks and craft sessions.
There will also be ‘Co-op Fun-Tastic’ on 20 October, 11am-2pm. A fun-filled day of family friendly arts and craft activities on a co-operative theme.
Throughout August Touchstones Rochdale and the Rochdale Pioneers Museum will be delivering fun arts and crafts sessions on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Our Co-operative Heritage
Fancy finding out about our heritage?
Toad Lane
The Rochdale Pioneers Museum on Toad Lane, in the building where the Rochdale Pioneers opened their first co-op store, will reopen after extensive refurbishment and improvements.
Co-operative Trails
Throughout the year there will be the opportunity to join Blue Badge guides on walks to find out more about the borough’s co-operative heritage.
Celebrating Our Heritage - Rochdale Town Centre Trail
Rochdale town centre has a fascinating, rich heritage and you can find out all about it by following our town centre trail.
You can do it on your own. Download PDF here
Or join one of our Blue Badge Guided Walks on 16th or 17th March, Easter Saturday (7th April) and then on various dates, one per week, from 5th May to 28th September. From late May onwards these walks will give an opportunity to visit the re-opened Pioneers Museum as part of the walk (subject to operating schedule at the Museum). These walks are free, bookings via Rochdale Tourist information Centre 0n 01706-924928.
Saturday 28th July
2.30pm – duration approximately 2 hours. £3 per person.
Heywood, the Co-op, and Charles Howarth, inventor of the ‘divi’
A Blue Badge Guided Heritage Trail to celebrate this special co-operative year. Meet your guide, Margaret Clay, outside Heywood Civic Centre, Church Street, Heywood, OL10 1LW.
Friday 17 August 2.15pm – duration approximately 2 hours. £3 per person.
Milnrow Heritage & Co-operation
Meet Blue Badge Guide Margaret Clay at 2.15pm outside ‘The Bobbin’, Dale Street (bottom of Kiln Lane), Milnrow, OL16 3LH. During this walk there may be an opportunity to view the excellent exhibition about the role of the Co-operative Movement in the area’s villages. The exhibition has been compiled by local historians Bernice Clifton and Margaret Edwards.
Saturday 6th October 1.30pm – duration approximately 2 hours. £3 per person
Middleton Heritage & The Co-op
Meet Blue Badge Guide Anne Thomas outside Middleton Library, Long Street, Middleton, M24 6UE.
Find out what the co-op has done for Middleton.
Fancy a longer walk?
The Pioneers Round is a 20 mile walk which can be broken down into smaller walks of between two and four miles. Starting at Toad Lane it’s a great way to discover our heritage, taking you to places you may otherwise never visit. Hopwood Hall College students are updating the walk to make sure those who decide to give all or some of it a go, get the most out of it. More detail coming soon.
Go Green for 2012!
Looking after the environment and caring for our community are at the heart of co-operatives.
That’s why this year there’s lots going on to make sure we all can appreciate our environment and get involved in improving it.
There’ll be a community volunteer day at Healey Dell in August and a Sustainable World Competition, but first we need your help at Mandale Park.
Mandale Park, in the centre of Rochdale, is to get a makeover after being untouched for the past 20 years.
We’re looking for volunteers aged 10-16+ to transform the park into a vibrant place once again, with help needed to create a new walkway, plant flowers and improve the entrances to the park.
For further information or to volunteer please contact jo.manfred@rochdale.gov.uk or call 01706 925155.
More events will be added all the time, so keep checking the website to ensure you don't miss out.
