Rochdale Literature and Ideas Festival preview event

Ashleigh Haigh, Aleesha Lamb, Gill Parnell-Jackson and Shanelle Lamb

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Darnhill Library in Heywood played host to a celebration of poetry and music based on the theme of 'air' in a preview event for Rochdale Literature and Ideas Festival today (Saturday 12 October).

The event was part of four preview events that have been lined up before the festival kicks off on Friday 25 October.

Vicky Lomax, Arts Festival Director, said: “This event is being run to get people involved before the festival actually starts.”

Community groups, including Cartwheel Arts, Spiral Dance and the Youth Council were involved in producing workshops.

Martin Stannage, from Cartwheel Arts, said: “The older kids have responded really well to the workshops and have enjoyed getting involved.

"We have been working with people over the last few months in these workshops producing pieces of creative writing.”

A Takio drumming workshop took place and Gill Parnell-Jackson, who was running the workshop, said: “We have had some interest and that’s great.”

The theme for National Poetry Day was water so an elements theme was created, 'air', for the preview events.

Vicky added: “We wanted the themes to flow easily so we decided on the elements so we could achieve that. Each event has had a different element theme.”

The Literature Festival comes to the borough for the first time in two weeks and when asked if she is looking forward to the event, Vicky said: “Definitely, but I can't believe that in two weeks we’ll be in the thick of it. There will be lots going on and lots of events for children and families, so even if you don’t have tickets, come along because there will be something going on.”

The Rochdale Literature and Ideas Festival runs from Friday 25 October until Sunday 27 October.

For more information visit: www.rochdaleliteraturefestival.co.uk