Whitworth Town Council

Afternoon tea, music and singalong with Josie.  Admission 50p.  Scones and drinks will be on sale.

For more information, contact Sharon or Glenda at the Day Centre on 01706 344534.

The Rossendale Art Market returns, in association with the Russian Tea Room in Bacup.

Taking place on Bacup Market on Union Street on Saturday 4 September, 10am to 3pm, the event features:

Unique specialist stalls
Handcrafted products
Wide variety of contemporary artists
Gifts to suit all tastes and budgets
Sample teas from all around the world

For more information, contact the Communities Team at Rossendale Borough Council on 01706 217777 or visit www.rossendale.gov.uk/markets

The Oxford Pub on Whitworth Road is hosting a family fun day on Saturday 4 September in aid of Help for Heroes.

The day kicks off at 1.30pm with local band Biscuitface filling the opening slot. They have a bucking bronco at 2pm along with BBQ, bouncy castle and face painting for the children. They also have a raffle and auction with some fantastic prizes donated by local businesses, and a few 'real life' soldiers will be floating around.

Throughout the afternoon/evening there will be live performances from female vocalist Miriam, male vocalist Andy Graham, Whitworth's Samba Dance Academy, an acoustic performance from a very talented chap called John Clapper and finally local, up and coming band, Electric Duck will be closing the day at approximately 9pm.

For more information, contact The Oxford directly on 01706 646889, or visit their Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rochdale-United-Kingdom/The-Oxford/100225853646

Following months of discussion, negotiation and planning, the Whitworth Rushcart celebrations will take place in the town on the afternoon of Sunday 5 September 2010.

This is a family friendly event and all are welcome. The Tourism and Leisure Committee of Whitworth Town Council has been working closely with the Police and with the multi-agency Events Safety Group on this year's festivities.

A procession will leave from North Street car park, off Market Street, Whitworth, at 1.00pm. Featuring numerous traditional morris dance troupes (including the famous Britannia Coconutters and the Whitworth Morris Men), the Rushcart procession will travel north up the main road (Market Street), arriving at Whitworth Civic Hall (also known as The Riverside) at approximately 1.20pm.

From 1.30pm until 4.30pm, the car park of the Civic Hall will be cordoned off for stalls, entertainments, and performances from the various morris dancing troupes, plus the Whitworth Vale and Healey Youth Band. St Bartholomew's Church will be providing traditional hot food, and the Civic Hall bar will be open for liquid refreshments.

Councillor David Chorlton, Chair of the Tourism and Leisure Committee says: "Everyone on the Tourism and Leisure Committee is delighted to have the backing of the various agencies that work within Whitworth, and hope that residents will give the plans their full support as well. We're all looking forward to another fantastic, fun-filled, family-friendly event."

Additionally, a number of other events will be taking place on or around the Rushcart weekend, including:

• Whitworth Museum on North Street will be extending its opening hours over the weekend of 4 and 5 September, and will be hosting a Rushcart exhibition, featuring photos old and new and archive materials. For more information, please contact Mr Alan Schofield on 01706 343370.
• On Sunday 5 September at 6.30pm, St Bartholomew's Church, Whitworth Rake, will be holding a Rushcart Evening service, to which all are invited. For more information, please contact Mrs Pauline Schofield on 01706 343370.
• Whitworth Band Club on Market Street will be hosting the Whitworth Vale & Healey Brass Quintet on the evening of Sunday 5 September, 8pm, with potato pie supper and black peas. Entrance is free.

For more information, contact the Band Club directly on 01706 852484. For further information, please contact Karen Douglas, Whitworth Town Clerk on 01706 852018 / email: info@whitworth.gov.uk (Monday to Thursday, 9am - 4pm).

In conjunction with Heritage Open Days, Rochdale Countryside Service Rangers will be conducting a Guided Walk within Healey Dell Nature Reserve on Thursday 9 September, starting at 1.30pm at Station Road car park at Broadley.

Whether you're interested in local history, wildlife or just want to find out a bit more about this local beauty spot, why not join this afternoon stroll?

Suitable for all ages and abilities, including pushchairs and motability vehicles.

For more information, please contact the Healey Dell Ranger Office on 01706 350459 or email healey.dell@rochdale.gov.uk.