Rochdale's inspirational creatives and What's On in The Arts

In Rochdale we are lucky to have many inspirational members of the creative arts community. Local people who not only excel in their creativity but also provide opportunities for us to engage in a wide range of activities as participants and audience members.

One shining example is SEAMUS KELLY - poet, writer, artist, and tutor, who comes from the Nottingham but has lived and worked around Rochdale for the last 33 years.

As a writer Seamus says that “To write well we must spend more time thinking than actually writing, and more time yet editing and refining our work. If your writing is to matter then you need to write about things that matter, that is things that matter to the writer personally. That’s why I tend to write about the environment, the places, and people we meet, family and of course society and politics. Sometimes poetry is the best way I can express myself when dealing with difficult and painful issues like loss, war, and our own mortality; as a writer I cannot shy away from those things because they matter. Writing is a very personal business, nobody can tell you what to write, but all of us can benefit from the inspiration, guidance, and encouragement of others.”

As a poet he first became involved in writing groups and performance when Rochdale Library, then at The Wheatsheaf Centre, provided a room and some support for a new writing group in Rochdale. Having been a founder member of the group he went on to lead it for a number of years before stepping back to give more time to writing projects.

More recently he has retired from teaching to concentrate on his creative work and to support others, of all ages, with their creative journeys including running poetry and creative writing workshops for children aged 5 to 12 with YourTrust during school holidays and offering a range of workshops to schools. Seamus also supports young people to build resilience through creativity at Vibe Youth Music.

He has worked with Falinge Park Writing Group, the Writers on Tap group (previously Touchstones Creative Writing Group) and lead a 2022 project in Littleborough, with Elizabeth White, titled “Poetry in the Park” with a series of poetry writing workshops.

As well as writing his poetry which is mainly aimed at adults, Seamus has recently been writing stories for children and is currently working on illustrations.

Seamus says “I’m really pleased that my children’s stories have been very well received by young people on the HAF sessions in the school holidays over the last couple of years. Writing for children is important; it helps develop their own storytelling and imaginations – where else would they be able to meet a lost flamingo chick, a pet T-Rex, whales, wolves, or aliens without having to travel or watch a screen?!”

Forthcoming writing events:

Poetry in the Park, April 22nd – a one day poetry event with poetry writing workshops in the morning from Seamus, Eileen Earnshaw and Gaia Holmes followed by an afternoon talk by James Nash.

Writers on Tap meet on the first Thursday of each month in The Medicine Tap, Rochdale from 2.00pm to 4.00pm with professional facilitators bring new workshops every month.

Poets on Tap is an open mic poetry session that runs every 1st/2nd Sunday of the month from 7.00pm to 9.30pm. Both performers and listeners are very welcome and there is likely to be music and singing too.

Falinge Park Writing Group meet weekly from 10am to noon at the house in Falinge Park, Rochdale.

Heywood Scribblers with Katie Haigh runs at Heywood Library on the 3rd Tuesday of the month from 1pm to 3pm.

As new events are announced you will find them on Seamus’ blog at www.onepoetsvision.co.uk

Another multi-faceted creative is ALISON COOPER, an EBOR Artist - also a musician, composer, museum curator, creative educator, and community worker.

Ebor Studio's billboard programme is a way for its members to explore new formats for their work. Each artist is given freedom to create their own design which is installed and displayed on the side of the Ebor Studio building for around two months.

Alison Cooper's billboard design was installed in early March reflecting on her research project, 'Ways of Listening'. The design responds to a body of research undertaken in the depths of covid lockdowns in 2021.

Alison explains, "During this unusual and surreal time in our lives I reached out to ask, 'how do people listen in their many different ways?'. From music, spoken word, prepared sound or the found sounds like the birds which surround us daily.

"At this time of extreme separation, I was able to find connection through the inquisitive nature of the project. I was able to connect with people about their own unique and individual experience of sound and their hearing rituals.

"As the 'Ways of Listening' project developed it became more poignant, containing one of the last communications between myself and a friend (who passed away). The channels of communication became multi layered. On the one hand I had been enquiring with individuals about their personal listening experiences for the project but also opening up a two way conversation, an act of deep listening and receiving of information between friends, in this strange and unfamiliar world of separation. This last interaction with my friend later informed a collective group listening experience, during the act of mourning.

"This brought me to think further about how although we may 'hear' something, to 'listen' is to give our full attention to everything which is around us.

"The design of the billboard uses letterpress hand printed versions of the word 'listening' positioned to replicate the undulating repeating pattern of a sine wave. This sonic and mathematical pattern is a visual representation of sound waves which are cyclical in nature."

Visit: www.eborstudio.co.uk/artists/alison-cooper

In the world of comedy long-time local resident JIMMY CRICKET is currently celebrating his 50 years in showbusiness with a series performances of his ‘50 Golden Years’ show and also, the publication of his Memoirs of an Irish Comedian.

A highly engaging insight into life in showbusiness with lots of laughs and a few tears - a must read for any young person looking to become a performer. Visit: www.jimmycricket.co.uk

For the singers amongst us, now in its 6th year, Sing! Littleborough has been relaunched with the support of Coronation Street's SUE DEVANEY

The group was founded in October 2017 by Rochdale-based musician, teacher, and choir leader PHIL REYNOLDS to meet demand from local singers for a non-audition community pop choir.

Prior to having to move online during lockdowns in 2020, the choir had performed in many events including the ‘With One Voice’ event in Albert Square to commemorate the anniversary of the Manchester Arena attack, broadcast on BBC to millions of viewers worldwide.

Members had also taken part in two Christmas broadcasts live on air for Heart Radio, several video shoots and a host of local events, including the first ‘Little Glastonboro’ festival, food festivals, charity events and Christmas Light events.

During lockdown, the choir had to move online and numbers sadly dwindled; the choir’s original venue (The Falcon Inn) closed its doors and singing nationally was demonised by some rather questionable science (later proved to be largely inaccurate). Phil set up an online group of over 100 members on Facebook, in addition to setting up WhatsApp groups to try and keep in touch with and support choir members during the pandemic. This included an online Christmas Zoom Concert in 2020.

Despite having a ‘post covid’ fundraising Gala Concert at Manchester Cathedral (for the NSPCC) in 2021 the choir has been on a short hiatus since July 2022 whilst a new venue was secured. Choir member Cath Bradbury described the choir as "a well-loved, friendly community choir, that sings pop, rock and show songs. An ideal opportunity to try out singing in choir... with no auditions, ever!"

To join the choir all you need to take along is your singing voice (no need to read music or audition!) and a sense of humour – and a friend or two if you like! 7-9pm at Littleborough Cricket Club.

Visit: www.facebook.com/singlittleborough Watch: www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOuT3RliCVw