Musical relives co-operative
ROCHDALE Pioneers store opened for business at 31, Toad Lane, Rochdale, on December 21, 1844.
At 8pm on Wednesday, December 21, 2016, St Mary’s in the Baum, opposite 31, Toad Lane, now the Pioneers Museum, will be the venue for a celebration of this event.
Rod Barry, Ian Jenkins, and Graham Marshall have collaborated to write a musical about the beginnings of the co-operative movement in Rochdale, called If We’re Not Together We’re Nowt. Each of them bring a wealth of talent and experience from across the whole spectrum of music, from classical to folk.
Scriptwriter and lyricist for the musical, Rod Barry, said: “The founding of the co-operative movement by the Rochdale Pioneers was a hugely significant piece of social history that resounds around the world to this day.
“We are proud to be the first people, Rochdalians all, to capture it in music, song and dance.
“The concert is the first step to us linking up with the Pioneers Museum and St Mary’s in the Baum in the Co-operation Reborn initiative. We hope to help our community to connect with our proud heritage in a fun way.”
Exactly 172 years after the Rochdale Equitable Pioneers Society opened its Toad Lane store, selling pure food at fair prices and honest weights and measures, we have the opportunity, not only to celebrate the event but also to remind ourselves of what it was all about.
In addition to the Rochdale Retirement Choir performing If We’re Not Together We’re Nowt there will be renditions of The Ballad of Toad Lane, My Vision and Doctor Dunlop’s Dilemma by Ian Jenkins, Magic Clogs by Graham Marshall, That Lovely Smile with Freda Farnworth and Rodney Porter and Emancipation by Jane Hyde.
The Rochdale Retirement Choir will also sing The Dark Satanic Mills, The Pioneers Christmas Spirit, Manchester Markets and a selection of Christmas songs. The show will be narrated by Rod.
Prior to the concert, the Pioneers Museum will be open, to ticket holders only, for a private viewing.
Tickets cost £5, cash only, from the museum. Refreshments will be available during the interval.