Events in Rochdale - Festivals

The Mayor of the Borough of Rochdale, Councillor James Gartside, will raise a special flag outside Rochdale Town Hall at 11.30am on Monday 25 June to commemorate British Armed Forces Day.

As part of the ceremony, the Reverend Canon Alan Shackleton will be delivering words of tribute while representatives of the armed forces will also be present.

Everybody is welcome to attend. If you wish to participate in the service please be at the Town Hall at 10.30am.

The specially commissioned flag will be flying outside the Town Hall until Saturday 30 June. This is the official date of this year’s British Armed Forces Day, which recognises the dedication of our service men and women around the world.

Email: armedforces@rochdale.gov.uk  
Tel: 01706 922230 / 07528 973 568

To start the proceedings there'll be a short ceremony, The Mayor and Local Councillors will be in attendance with Councillor Brett and Councillor Piping making a speech ahead of the flag raising.

Email: armedforces@rochdale.gov.uk  
Tel: 01706 922230 / 07528 973 568

To start the proceedings there'll be a short ceremony, The Mayor and Local Councillors will be in attendance with Councillor Brett and Councillor Piping making a speech ahead of the flag raising. After the ceremony there'll be light refreshments.

Email: armedforces@rochdale.gov.uk  
Tel: 01706 922230 / 07528 973 568

The flag will be raised in Middleton Gardens to mark the build up to Armed Forces Day, an event that takes place every year to celebrate the UK's armed forces – past and present. A short ceremony to mark the flag raising will be held.

Email: armedforces@rochdale.gov.uk  
Tel: 01706 922230 / 07528 973 568

Following from the hugely successful 2012 event, Heywood Business Group in conjunction with Heywood Township brings you Heywood 1940s Weekend in 2013 and it’s bigger and better as a two day event.

Saturday 29 June

WWII Military Encampment on Hill Street (OL10 1EH) including a Centurion Tank along with other armoured and artillery vehicles, a vintage Green Goddess Fire Engine, Antars, Field Guns and numerous Jeeps.

Tilly’s Tea Room with afternoon hosts The Backstep Boogie Club with music, demonstrations and dancing.

Evacuees at Heywood Station as they arrive from Bury on the East Lancashire Railway’s Steam Train to be fostered out to local families.

The Official Armed Forces Parade at 1pm from The Heywood Pub sees many local Veterans and Cadets parade through the town to the Memorial Gardens.

Local talent will perform on the second “The 1940s Factor” at St Luke’s Church where you can visit their NAAFI or have a refreshing ice-cream from the vintage ice-cream cart.
Vintage Carousel or Steam Train at Heywood Library.

40s Cinema, barrel organ, live music from Wartime Singer Jo Lancaster and all the traders dressed to impress at the Market.

Classic and Vintage Cars at Trinity Methodist Church.

Road Run Vehicle Parade at 4.30pm as all the vehicles leave for their overnight stay at Copple Gate Farm.

Fancy dancing the afternoon away, well we have two Tea Dances; one at Sandon House 11-1pm and the other at St James Hall 2-4pm, both tea dances will be attended by Lilli de Carlo singing all the wartime favourites.

The Big Band Night at Heywood Civic Centre, only £12.50 a ticket for a fabulous night dancing to the Big Band, The Backstep Boogie Club dance demo and dj-ing and complete with a Tata Pie Supper. For your tickets call 01706 628451.

Following from the hugely successful 2012 event, Heywood Business Group in conjunction with Heywood Township brings you Heywood 1940s Weekend in 2013 and it’s bigger and better as a two day event.

Sunday 30  June

Get yourself down to Collop Gate Farm, Manchester Road, Heywood OL10 2PX to see all the military vehicles in action, military displays and the Springhill Hospice Summer Fair.

With over 50 stalls and attractions including various vintage attractions, a fair ground, bouncy castle and an arena packed with spectacular military vehicles, you’d be mad to miss it!

Plenty of free off street parking in the fields. Entry fee of £4.00 per adult , £2.00 per child (3-16), children under 3 free, or you can buy a family ticket for £10.00 (2 adults, 2 children) all proceeds to Springhill Hospice. A small price to pay to see these machines in action and all the fun of the fair!

There'll be a parade consisting of Ex-Service Organisations, Sea Cadet, Army Cadet and Air Cadet Units. After the parade a flag lowering ceremony will take place, conducted by Canon Alan Shackleton and a speech by the Mayor.

After the ceremony there'll be free light refreshments and meat and potato pie at the Town Hall.

Email: armedforces@rochdale.gov.uk  
Tel: 01706 922230 / 07528 973 568

The flags will be lowered followed by a short service, wreaths will be laid and there will be a two minute silence to remember our fallen soldiers.

Email: armedforces@rochdale.gov.uk  
Tel: 01706 922230 / 07528 973 568

The flags will be lowered followed by a short service, wreaths will be laid and there will be a two minute silence to remember our fallen soldiers. The Milnrow Brass band will also play a short piece.

Email: armedforces@rochdale.gov.uk  
Tel: 01706 922230 / 07528 973 568