Look around, there’s plenty to do in town

BEEN to some great events in Rochdale this last month in Rochdale Town Centre area.

On Friday, February 9, I went to Touchstones to see a theatre production by a new young writer.

The play “Bare Skin on Briny Waters.” All written and produced and acted by young actors and brilliant and well acted.

Great for Touchstones staff using their building to showcase new theatre talent to the audience and general public.

Also the following night, Saturday, February 10, I went to the Gin festival at Rochdale Town Hall. Where various displays of gin and their traders explained the various gins on offer. Talks were also held on the various history of gin and how it is made.

A great night out thanks to the staff and volunteers at the Rochdale Town Hall.

Friday night, February 23, went again to Touchstones to see Bernard Wrigley, who gave the audience a comical insight into Lancashire folk in song and monologues and verse. A

gain a great night out and thanks again to the staff at Touchstones for arranging this.

So when some people say there is nothing to do in Rochdale, I think they need to open their eyes and just see what Rochdale has to offer.

The recent opening of The Wellington in Rochdale, which at weekends puts on musical events and also The Flying Horse, which also does the same.

The various new wine bars that are open will also on occasions hold events themselves.

There is Heywood Civic Hall that has various shows and concerts and all the exciting new restaurants and cafes that have opened in the last couple of years or are due to open.

There is Jazz on a Sunday night held in Castleton, too.

Then you get The Empire at Rochdale Town Square which has various themed nights at the weekend like Abba tribute band for example. Free to go in before a certain time.

Look at all the various entertainment that goes on during the day, like lunchtime concerts that happen in various churches and other establishments in the area. Also living museums like Ellenroad Engine Steam Museum at Newhey.

There are the various sports and sport clubs in the area that also work with the community and various art displays held at Touchstones and Littleborough Coach House.

Do not forget a lot of what I mentioned are run by dedicated volunteers in a lot of cases, who work hard behind the scenes in their own time to make sure events are held and visitors and families are entertained and enjoy the experience of the events held.

Also thanks to the staff and volunteers at places at Touchstones and the Town Hall who work hard to make sure the buildings are put to good use and also that they try do something different to cater for all tastes.

Also not to forget the business owners in the area who work hard in their businesses and also in some cases sponsor events that are held in Rochdale.

So next time you moan about nothing to do in Rochdale, take a look around and go out and look you will find there is more going on in Rochdale than you think.

You do not need to pay out a fortune either like you have to in Manchester. Kenneth Hall Fairway Milnrow

COUNCIL IS ON RIGHT ROAD

WITH the latest avalanche of snow battering our borough, the result is likely to be yet more potholes appearing as the roads break up under the extreme frost.

Normally I would moan about the state of the roads and what the heck is the council doing about it. ●●This week’s big picture was taken around Greenbooth and Ashworth Valley by Rob Bickerstaffe. Email your pictures to us at rochdaleobserver@ menemedia.co.uk or upload them to flickr.co,/groups/rochdalepics Not this time. I was delighted to read that the council is investing an extra £12million on repairing our roads and footpaths.

Along with the existing budget, that means almost £20million is to be spent over the next 2-3 years – the biggest ever investment in repairing our roads.

You don’t hear me saying this too often, but well done Rochdale council!

And well done to Milnrow councillor Neil Butterworth who has campaigned so hard for the extra cash.

It just shows what an individual councillor can achieve if you never give in and are determined to make a difference.

Yes, it won’t fix every road but it’s a good start.

The AA estimates, nationally, there is a £12 billion backlog in road repairs with towns all over the country facing the same problem.

At least Rochdale is getting stuck in and starting to rid us of the menace of potholes.

More power to your elbow, Councillor Butterworth! Paul Clegg

WE’LL SLEEP EASIER IN BEDS

THE High Court Injunction preventing travellers from setting up illegal camps around the town is music to my ears.

I’m fed up with them setting up camp on the Kingsway Business Park, Cronkeyshaw Common and countless other sites around the borough.

And what a mess they leave afterwards.

Not to mention the stress and fear they cause among neighbouring residents who are plagued by anti-social behaviour.

Up to now, they have run rings round the trespass laws and made a mockery of the courts.

Now, this High Court injunction means they can be forced to move immediately by the police or face arrest if they refuse. Their wagons and caravans can be seized.

There have been 133 illegal camps set up in Rochdale in the past three years - costing around £10,000 a time to clear up afterwards.

That’s a huge £1.3 million cost to the council tax payer.

Thank you Rochdale council for being one of the few councils to take this decisive step forward.

We’ll all sleep easier in our beds and be better off in our pockets in the future. Sandra Evans Harbour Lane Milnrow