Something for all at Saddleworth Festival

BLOOMING great Saddleworth gardens will be open to the public during the Festival.

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HIGHLIGHTS of this year’s Saddleworth Arts Festival include performances from a world-renowned violinist, a famous comedian and spectacular opening and closing concerts.

The festival kicks off with “A Summer Night in Vienna”, waltzes and opera from the London Opera Players and The Parry Ensemble on June 6.

Soul singer Ruby Turner and her band will perform a medley of hits in an event sponsored by the Chronicle on June 7, before internationally-renowned violinist Tasmin Little performs Beethoven with Martin Roscoe on June 8.

Funnyman Arthur Smith will blend surrealism and one-liners in equal measure as he puts the world to rights on June 9.

The finale celebrates the late festival founder at St Chad’s Church, Uppermill, in the Lord Rhodes Concert, including the world premiere of Peter Martin’s “Saddleworth Dances”, written for the church’s 800th anniversary this year.

A host of afternoon events will take place across the festival, including Timothy Walker, director of the University of Oxford’s botanic garden, who will give a talk on small gardens on June 10.

Award-winning poet Simon Armitage discusses his work on June 11, and there is an opportunity to create your own millinery masterpiece with the help of two award-winning hat-makers on June 12.

Saddleworth Male Voice Choir performs with Wynne Evans – voice of the Go Compare TV ads - to celebrate the choir’s 60th anniversary on June 11.

Saddleworth Musical Society will perform a programme of British music including Gilbert & Sullivan on June 13.

If you are looking for something different Alan Barnes, Anita Wardell and the Chris Holmes Trio will recreate the music of jazz legend Duke Ellington on June 10. Or enjoy a night for the family to kick up their heels with a ceilidh featuring the Legplaiters.

Youngsters can broaden their knowledge of the arts with two expert workshops. Tasmin Little will lead a masterclass at the Lyceum on June 7, while Simon Armitage will offer a creative writing class on June 11.

Fourteen private gardens in Saddleworth will be open to the general public on June 6 and 7.

There will also be several fringe events and sports taster sessions.

Suppers will be available after each performance in the Civic Hall with a different menu each evening.

The festival will see a host of live acts, music, arts and exhibitions over the nine days period between June 6 and 14. Here’s a full guide...



DAY-BY-DAY

June 6: 17 Saddleworth Gardens is open to visitors from 11am to 5pm today and June 7. Tickets £2 per garden or £10 for all locations.

June 6: Canalside Quilters display from 1-4pm at the Church of St William and The Sacred Heart, Uppermill, until June 14.

June 6: Quilts, crafts, artwork, ceramics and artwork for sale until June 14 at Heights Church, Delph.

June 6: The London Opera Players and the Parry Ensemble perform “A Summer Night in Vienna”, an evening of waltzes, polkas and opera from Vienna from 7.30pm at Civic Hall, Uppermill. Tickets £17.50.

June 6: Saddleworth Players present “Filumena” by Eduardo de Filippo at the Millgate Arts Centre, Delph.

June 7: Tasmin Little leads a masterclass at the Lyceum followed by a short performance. Tickets cost £5 by calling 0161 770 5660.

June 7: Festival Bowls Tournament at Friezland Bowling Club from 11.30am.

June 7: Soul singer “Ruby Turner & Her Band” performs at Uppermill Civic Hall from 7.30pm. Tickets £17.50

June 8: Tasmin Little performs pieces by Beethoven with Martin Roscoe at 7.30pm, Uppermill Civic Hall. Tickets £17.50.

June 8: Saddleworth Film Society presents Abus Kiarostani film “Like Someone in Love”, from 7.30pm at Millgate Arts Centre, Delph.

June 9: Alternative comedian Arthur Smith will set the world to rights from 7.30pm at Uppermill Civic Hall. Tickets £17.50.

June 9: Popular choral concert “Saddleworth Singers in Concert” is at Uppermill Methodist Church from 7.30pm. Tickets £8.

June 9: Uppermill Stage Society performs “Billy Liar”, by Keith Waterhouse and Willis Hall, at Ebenezer Church Hall, Uppermill until June 13 from 7.30pm.

June 10: Director of Oxford Botanical Gardens Timothy Walker, talks about creating a small garden “On Top But Never in Control” from 2pm at Uppermill Civic Hall. Tickets £8.

June 10: Saddleworth Runners club host the Cross Keys Killer Fell Race from the Cross Keys Inn, Running Hill Gate, Uppermill from 7.30pm

June 10: “Saddleworth Consort” joins with cellist Melanie Jones to present an evening of summer music from 7.30pm at Holy Trinity Church, Dobcross. Tickets £8.

June 10: “Duke Ellington Jazz Night” with Alan Barnes, Anita Wardell and the Chris Holmes Trio from 7.30pm at The Oak Room, The White Hart, Lydgate. Tickets £12.50.

June 11: Bonhams provide auction valuations and advice on antiques between 11am and 3pm at Saddleworth Museum, Uppermill. A minimum donation of £2 is required.

June 11: ‘Simon Armitage is reading his work and answering questions followed by a booksigning at Uppermill Civic Hall from 2pm. Tickets £8.

June 11: Saddleworth Male Voice Choir with guest soloist Wynne Evans will perform an evening of music inspired by Mario Lanza as well as opera favourites from 7.30pm at Uppermill Civic Hall. Tickets £12.50.

June 11: “A Taste of Tango” with Tango 5 and Argentinian dance duo Cicadas de la Noche at Oak Room, The White Hart, Lydgate from 7.30pm. SOLD OUT.

June 11: “Telemann Baroque Ensemble” is a programme of 18th century music by Peter Collier from 7.30pm at Holy Trinity Church, Dobcross. Tickets £10.

June 12: Award-winning milliners will show you how to make your own millinery masterpiece from 2pm at the Millgate Arts Centre, Delph. Tickets £10 including materials and afternoon tea.

June 12: Family fun with “Ceilidh and The Legplaiters” from 7.30pm at Uppermill Civic Hall. Tickets £10, family ticket £25 (2 adults and 2 children). Price includes meat and potato pie supper.

June 12: “Saddleworth Sing for Pleasure Choir” and “Holy Trinity School Choir” celebrating the enjoyment of music from 7.30pm ay Holy Trinity Church, Dobcross. Tickets £5. Children free.

June 13: Dr Jonathan Foyle tells the story of Henry VII’s marriage bed, criminal deception and a Saddleworth connection in “George Shaw of Saddleworth: The man who unwittingly rescued a royal treasure” from 2pm at Saddleworth Museum, Uppermill.

June 13: “Saddleworth Musical Society” present a concert celebrating British music from 7.30pm at Saddleworth School, Uppermill. Tickets £12.50.

June 14: “The Lord Rhodes Concert” with the Northern Chamber Orchestra presenting a feast of English music and celebrating the people and places of Saddleworth from 7.30pm at St Chad’s Church, Uppermill. Tickets £17.50.

Exhibitions & Sports Taster Sessions

A range of exhibitions including Delph Community Association’s Scarecrow Trail, a Flower Festival at St Chad’s Uppermill and sports taster sessions for young people will be taking place during Festival week. Full details can be found on the Festival website.