Get a glimpse of what’s on in East Central Rochdale
7 October 2008
From mountain biking to gardening, boxing to swimming, residents
of the neighbourhoods of East Central Rochdale have been sharing
their interests, pastimes and hobbies.
The project, supported by the Oldham Rochdale HMR Pathfinder,
has already shown a fascinating variety of activities enjoyed by
local people.
To celebrate this wealth of activity people from across
Wardleworth, Hamer, Townhead, Mayfield, Cloverhall and Bellshill
are invited to drop in to a community event on Saturday 11 October,
from 12 - 4pm at Wardleworth Community Centre, South Street.
Passions and past times
Residents and local groups are invited to come along to share
their 
passions and pastimes, exhibiting what they do or
demonstrating their activity. The day is also an opportunity to
find out more about new interests and meet new people.
As part of an arts strategy for the Pathfinder, the team
including artist Andy Abbott is working with residents to explore
the relationships people have with issues such as culture, arts,
regeneration, and the local environment.
Andy said, “Opportunities like this, where people are able to
get together to share and talk about what makes their place so
unique, are crucial in building local confidence. There’s a lot to
be proud of in areas undergoing change. We hope that this event
will help to highlight that.”
Abdul Rassaq, a local resident and businessman, is a keen
gardener and through his passion, has opened his garden for young
people to learn the wonder of growing their own flowers and
vegetables.
Abdul said, “I think everyone should get involved with doing
something for their community, they can be as creative as they
like. It builds trust and community harmony. I am a member of a
group ‘Wardleworth for All’ and every Sunday during the month of
Ramadan we cleaned a different area each week. Everyone can do
something to get involved."
Community Capacity Development Worker Kate Arnold said, “The day
will be a great chance to share our passions and pastimes. It shows
we can all have a voice in shaping our community. By sharing our
interests with each other, we can see what people do and learn
about other projects that cross the generations.”
If you’d like to take part please contact Andy on 07834 696724,
email festivalofpastimes@yahoo.com or simply turn up on the
day.
Arts Council North West, the Housing Market Renewal Pathfinder,
Oldham Council and Rochdale Council are funding the project.
Outcomes will help to inform future investment in creative projects
across local communities in the two boroughs.
Background information
The Oldham Rochdale Housing Market Renewal Pathfinder aims to
tackle some of the deep-rooted problems that face communities in
Oldham and Rochdale. Its purpose is to bring about lasting change
in order to improve people’s quality of life, and to drive up the
prosperity of the area.
The pathfinder has been awarded £90 million for the period
2008-2011 to drive forward the transformation of nine
neighbourhoods across the boroughs and to contribute to reviving
the local economies and enhancing both boroughs as places to live
and work.