Spring 2019Editor's welcome

A warm welcome to Real Rochdale

We started the magazine to celebrate and promote the very best of local culture, arts, style, music, people, fashion, lifestyle and business and it is therefore fitting that in this issue we have an interview with Paul Dixon, the chairman of ‘This is Rochdale’, an independent organisation that promotes Rochdale as a destination for business.

2018 was an incredible year for Heywood, Middleton & Rochdale Circle, a not-for-profit social enterprise based in Rochdale, marked with record breaking numbers across all the services ‘HMR Circle’ provides. We find out what’s in store for 2019.

Antonio Sheldon is a professional mixed martial artist based at the Full Contact Performance Centre in Rochdale; we interviewed Antonio to find out what it takes to step into the octagon.

We talk to Ella Chadwick: an adorable 11-year-old Pride of Britain winner from Whitworth who has won hearts across the nation for her bravery in overcoming a rare kidney disease.

We also spoke with Andy Walker, who was named in the New Year’s Honours list, for his services to people with disabilities.

Rochdale Judo Club is regarded as one of the leading clubs in the North West and long serving chairman and trustee Warren Schofield gives us an insight into the Trafalgar Street Dojo.

Local blues/rockers ‘The Lol Goodman Band’ are gearing up for a ground breaking tour of America and the release of their latest album. We caught up with Lol to find out more about what will be the band’s busiest year.

Geoff Butterworth - the award winning watercolour artist - gives us an insight into his stunning work.

I hope you enjoy the magazine and do please support our advertisers - thank you.

CLAIRE FLETT
Editor

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Rochdale
OL16 1LA

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