Contents:
- Editor's welcome
- Dave Richardson: Man of Rochdale 2023
- Best in region for Rochdale BNI
- Wardle’s rare George V post box
- Access all areas at Hopwood Hall
- BLOKES at Hare Hill House - a safe space for men to socialise
- Hairdressing trend - Wednesday's bangs
- Benches for new Town Hall Square inspired by global fabric designs »
- 11 years of bespoke slow fashion at Violet Flamingo
- Triple layer Easter traybake
- Rochdale Riverside Brick Show
- Nature’s Elements: discover your inner magic
- Historical follies photographed from unique aerial perspective
- Lamb shanks with mashed potatoes and roasted root vegetables
- Springhill’s Volunteer Appeal 2023
- 10 years of comedy with ACE LIPS
- Seasonal small business markets at Hare Hill House
- The financial habits to make 2023 less taxing
- Ian Henderson becomes Dale’s all-time record goalscorer
- Gardening tips for spring
- Legal changes ahead for businesses
- Dani Burke: mental wellness through art
- Why spring can still get up your nose
Spring 2023Benches for new Town Hall Square inspired by global fabric designs
Nine new bench seats inspired by fabric designs from around the world are being constructed for the new Rochdale Town Hall Square.
The seats will encircle trees in the new square and feature global fabric patterns as a nod to Rochdale’s heritage, when locally woven textiles were traded across the world.
The benches use patterns from a wide spread of cultures, building up a mosaic of patterns to represent each continent.
Some patterns are drawn from designs originally painted or printed onto fabric. Others are from designs created in the weave, or through tie-dye, appliqué or embroidery.
Concrete curved beams have already been installed for the three groups of seats which are located at the Packer Street side of the square.
The first glazed sections representing Asia and Africa have been successfully fired, and work on the Oceania and Europe sections will begin shortly. The patterns representing the Americas have been carved into the clay and are being dried before they are glazed.
The benches are being created by Cheshire-based designers Broadbent Studios and specialist ceramicists Darwen Terracotta for the square, part of the town hall redevelopment and refurbishment.
Warren Chapman, associate partner at landscape architecture Gillespies, said: “We are delighted to see the progress on bringing new life into the heart of Rochdale town centre.
“The completed project will create people-friendly civic space for generations of Rochdale residents to enjoy and cherish.”
The project is being delivered by Rochdale Development Agency on behalf of Rochdale Borough Council.