Town Centre News

World Cup kicks off summer of town centre events

Posted on 08/06/2010

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From football and cycling to music and history - Rochdale town centre has it all for you this summer.

A whole host of events are lined up, starting with 2010 Cup Fever! On Saturday 19 June you can show off your soccer skills on The Butts by having a go at Human Foosball or a Giant Penalty Shoot Out, with great prizes up for grabs. There’ll also be a Soccer Skills coach on hand and The Wheatsheaf Centre is running a table football competition throughout the tournament with more great prizes on offer.

But if football isn’t your thing then there’s not long to wait for a fantastic musical offering at this year’s Feel Good Festival. Chart toppers The Lightning Seeds will headline the main stage at the August event along with The Herbaliser and rapidly rising pop singer Kirsty Almeida. There will also be a food tent and market and celebrity chef Gino D’Acampo has already been announced as one of three top chefs set to appear in the festival’s celebrity kitchen.

September sees some of the borough’s most spectacular and intriguing buildings opening their doors to the public during the annual nationwide Heritage Open Days event. There will be free access to fascinating buildings that are usually closed to the public or charge admission – last year over 25 venues across the borough took part and those that are to be in the heritage spotlight this year will be announced in July.

The same weekend will see cycling enthusiasts descend on the town centre to cheer on 96 of the world’s best cyclists as they push-off from outside the Town Hall to take part in the top race in the cycling calendar – The Tour of Britain. There’ll be a host of activities for people to get involved in too, so even if cycling isn’t your thing there promises to be something for everyone to enjoy.

And just a week later the Peace Parade comes to town. In conjunction with Rock Radio the event marks the United Nation’s International Day of Peace, a day of global cease fire when all countries and all people stop hostilities for one day. Rochdale Council will be announcing in the next few weeks what will be happening to make sure the international day is recognised in the borough.

Cabinet Member for Development, Councillor Dale Mulgrew, said: “This program of events is a strong show of support for our town centre. It is a visible display of the Council and its partners continuing to help the town centre through these difficult times. We are confident that the events planned will not only generate interest and trade from the borough’s residents, but will also attract visitors from beyond Rochdale. The summer menu on offer is truly a choice that should have something for all age groups, and I hope everyone makes sure they keep up to date with what’s happening so they can make the most of what’s on offer.”

To find out more go to www.rochdale.gov.uk/events

Events Rundown

World Cup Events – Friday 11 June - Sunday 11 July

Feel Good Festival – Friday 13 and Saturday 14 August

Heritage Open Days – Thursday 9 September – Sunday 12 September

Tour of Britain Bike Ride – Saturday 11 September

“Rock for Peace” Peace Parade – Sunday 19 September

Keep up to date with the latest event news on Facebook, click here for Rochdale Town Centre, and click here for the Feel Good Festival. Or hear us Tweet on Twitter @Rochdale Town