Ashton-under-Lyne District Assembly is proud to present The Black Knight Pageant on Saturday 17th September 2005. This colourful carnival street procession will depart from Tameside College at 12:30pm and arrive in the town centre at approximately 12:45pm. The route is Beaufort Road, Penny Meadow, Old Cross Street, St.Michael's Square, Stamford Street, Booth Street and Old Street ending close to its junction with Old Cross Street.

The Pageant will include community groups and local businesses and even a float staffed by a team of volunteers from the District Assembly itself.

Chair of the Assembly, Councillor Bill Harrison said: "This event has been associated with the town for hundreds of years and taking part in the procession allows us all to maintain our great heritage. I'd like to thank all those groups and businesses that have taken the time to enter and to invest the time in decorating their floats. Taking part is a lot of fun and creates a wonderful spectacle for people to watch as the Pageant winds its way through the town".

The procession will be followed by a FREE Family Fun Day featuring Professor Nik Nak's Punch & Judy Show and fun and games including FREE face painting with Eddie Allen around 'The Family Statue' in Fletcher Square until 4.30pm.

Donahey's Dance Extravaganza - 'Ashton Live' - takes place on a specially erected stage outside the Town Hall with hundreds of dancers performing throughout the day and raising money for 'Children In Need. This will continue until 4pm when Ashton's award winning live music venue, The Witchwood presents 'Witchwood Underlined', a showcase of local music talent featuring top local bands: 'Absolute Beginners', 'The Authority' and 'Metrix'. This gig will continue until 7:30pm but please note this is an alcohol free event.

Following this event, there will be a party featuring more local bands at the Old Street home of the Witchwood where a range of special drinks promotions are being lined up to celebrate this great day out!

Heritage Open Days

8th - 11th September

Celebrate your community

Heritage Open Days celebrates England's fantastic architecture and culture by offering free access to properties that are usually closed to the public or normally charge for admission.
It is a once-a-year chance to discover hidden architectural treasures and enjoy a wide range of tours, events and activities which bring to life local history and culture.

Co-ordinated nationally by the Civic Trust in partnership with English Heritage.

For more information about Heritage Open Days in Ashton Click HERE

For details call: 0161 342 4144.

Plans for the new Ashton Market Hall and outdoor market, in Ashton-under-Lyne, will soon go on show for public consultation.

Everyone is invited to a three-day Tameside Council exhibition in a marquee specially erected on the market square from Friday July 15 to Sunday July 17 - open Friday and Saturday 10am to 4pm and Sunday 10am to 2pm.

And there are special preview events for market traders and local businesses.

Following the devastating fire in May last year, which destroyed all but the shell of the Listed Victorian building, council staff and architects have been co-ordinating design, planning and funding to bring forward this ambitious scheme.

The plans enhance the traditional architectural features of the market hall, offering a new, continental civic piazza and an improved outdoor market, keeping all the current stall frontage, with a better lay-out and a high-level canopy to protect shoppers from bad weather.

"Ashton’s famous and historic markets are the key to the success of the town centre," said Cllr Kieran Quinn, the council's executive member for economic services. "Over the years they have become a major attraction, bringing thousands of people to visit and shop.

"The fire has given us a major opportunity to revitalise and improve this important area of the town, rather than just rebuild the market hall.

"But such a major refurbishment will be with us for decades to come – so we need to get it right. That's why we want shoppers and visitors, market traders, businesses and anyone with an interest in the town and in Tameside's retailing to come and give us their views."

The initial concept for the market area was developed by architects Patel Taylor. More recently, architects Taylor Young from Handforth have been appointed to develop this concept into detailed plans.

Pennine Care NHS Trust Takes 22,000 sq ft at Ashton’s Urban Business Quarter

Ask Developments has announced the agreement of the first pre-let at St Petersfield, the new urban business quarter in Ashton-Under-Lyne, Tameside.

Pennine Care NHS Trust will relocate its headquarters to St Petersfield, enabling plans for a major redevelopment of the Tameside Hospital site to proceed. The Trust will take 22,000 sq ft of space within a 55,000 sq ft building on Stamford Street West, with the other 33,000 sq ft being developed speculatively.

Tameside Council and its joint development partners Ask Developments, English Partnerships and the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) have secured the deal with the NHS Trust which will use the new headquarter premises to bring together key functions such as human resources, finance, estates and risk management departments.

The swift confirmation of the CPO - two months ahead of schedule - means that demolition and construction work on the scheme will be brought forward allowing work on phase one to commence in early August.

Practical completion of the £4.6m building, designed by Aedas Architects, is now due in July 2006.

The development will provide 280,000 sq ft (26,012 sq m) of high quality office space with retail and leisure amenity facilities totalling 400,000 sq ft (37,160 sq m) on completion.

CBRE and JCS Consultants acted for Pennine Care NHS Trust, and Dunlop Haywards acted for Ask Developments.

John Hughes, Senior Development Executive at Ask Developments said: “This is great news for St Petersfield and Tameside as a whole. We are delighted to be working with Pennine Care NHS Trust who will be the site’s first tenant. This is further evidence of occupiers choosing a town centre location, and their associated benefits, ahead of out-of-town office parks.”

Councillor Kieran Quinn, Cabinet Deputy for Economic Services, said: "This is a key gateway site into Ashton. Work on the business quarter will bring new jobs and benefit the whole of Tameside, attracting the quality jobs we'd anticipated to our borough."

John Archer, Chief Executive at Pennine Care commented: “Patients, staff and the wider community will all benefit from this relocation. Freeing up space on the main Tameside Hospital site supports the planned redevelopment of that site, leading to major improvements in services offered to patients. We’ll also be providing our staff with a high quality workplace in an excellent location, and at the same time contributing to the regeneration of Ashton town centre.”

Maurice Gubbins, NWDA Area Manager for Greater Manchester, said: “The relocation of Pennine Care NHS Trust to St Petersfield is great news for Ashton-under-Lyne and is solid evidence of the increasing confidence in Greater Manchester as a business location. I am confident that the St Petersfield development will prove be a powerful catalyst for future investment and very much look forward to seeing its continued development.”

Paul Spooner, Regional Director of English Partnerships added: “English Partnerships has been pleased to assist with site assembly work to help make this important development come to fruition.”

Once complete the St Petersfield development has the capacity to sustain almost 2,000 jobs and will have attracted private sector capital investment of over £42m.

The scheme is being delivered through a public/private sector partnership, with £14.5m of Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), English Partnerships and ERDF money already committed to the 5.2-hectare (13-acre) site.
www.st-petersfield.com

As the sun begins to think about shining again, that means that in Ashton-under-Lyne it's time for the start of the town's annual Summer Funshine Festival, where shoppers and visitors will be invited to see if they can spot vintage cars, jazz bands, line dancing, sophisticated jazz, children's entertainment and accordionists around the town centre - and that's just during June, the first month of this fantastic four month festival!

One of the main Festival highlights will be the annual Vintage & Classic Car Show sponsored by Quicks Bramhall, which will take place on Sunday 12th June, when this free exhibition of lovingly restored and cared for motor vehicles can be found around Ashton's historic marketground.

Other highlights include a fantastic weekend on 8th, 9th and 10th July, when as well as the Tameside Canals Festival at Portland Basin there's another three-day Continental market in Ashton town centre on the same dates!

On Saturday 16th July, the original sixties 'Batmobile' will be attracting spectators on Fletcher Street as part of the fifth annual Sci-Fi Weekend when all your favourite characters from TV and movies can be found in the town centre.

Looking further ahead, in August we welcome the 96.2 Revolution Radio Roadshow, as well as an afternoon of Barbershop singing featuring the Stockport Liberty Belles and The Rainy City Barbershop Chorus.

There will be a variety of free entertainment for all the family in and around Ashton town centre every weekend throughout the four months up until the end of September and a free programme of events can be requested by contacting the Ashton Town Centre Management Initiative on 0161 339 3040.

Click here for more details or email your postal address to receive a free programme of events.

An invitation has gone out to all businesses based in Ashton-under-Lyne, to attend a briefing session to be held at 5.30pm on Thursday 3rd March at the Broadoak Hotel, Broadoak Road, Ashton-under-Lyne.

The aim of the briefing will be to underline the successes of the first year of the 'Ashton Underlined' campaign and to consider ways in which the campaign can be broadened during 2005.

A hot buffet will be served before the meeting commences and Mrs Janet Callendar, Chief Executive of Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council will open proceedings.

Councillor Kieran Quinn will update those present on developments regarding the rebuilding of the original Victorian Market Hall and the awaited arrival of Metrolink, before Mr Ken Knott, Joint Chair of the Ashton Regeneration Project will deliver a presentation about the 'Ashton Underlined' campaign.

As places are strictly limited and only available on a first come-first served basis, anyone interested in attending should contact Andrea Puttnam at the Ashton Regeneration Project Office on 0161 343 7290

TAMESIDE HIPPODROME, ASHTON-UNDER-LYNE SUNDAY 28th NOVEMBER 2004

THIS year’s Diwali celebrations are sure to light up faces across Ashton Town Centre.

To commemorate the 14-day Indian festival and mark the beginning of the Hindu New Year, Tameside Council – in partnership with Tameside Racial Equality Council – will be decorating the town in thousands of lights.

The official switch-on ceremony, to take place next Saturday (November 6), will begin at 4pm with a lantern parade arriving at Ashton Town Hall.

Entertainment will be provided by fire jugglers, a Bhangra Band and the Swamanarayan Hindu Mission South Asian Dance group. The Civic Mayor, Cllr Bill Harrison ,will lead a countdown to the switch-on - which will include pyrotechnics and special effects.

There will also be welcome speeches and a blessing from representatives from Tameside Racial Equality Council and the three Tameside Hindu organisations; The Swaminarayan Hindu Mission, The Ram Mandir, and the the Shree Bharatiya Mandal (the Shree Bharatiya Mandal is also representing over 20 smaller Hindu organisations in Tameside).

The Diwali festival, similar to Christmas in the west, is celebrated in each of India’s regions in its own way, but the lighting of many small oil lamps is common throughout the country.

The lamps are symbolic of the victory of the light of goodness and knowledge over the darkness of evil and ignorance. The lighting of the lamps is also an opportunity for people to show thanks for the good things in their lives.

Cllr Frank Robinson said: “These are going to be our biggest and brightest Diwali celebrations to date and provide an opportunity for everyone in Tameside to enjoy the festival. Tameside Council and our partners in the Indian community would like to wish everyone a happy Diwali and prosperous new year.”

Saturday 30th October will see Tameside’s latest Blue Plaque, to commemorate local people or places, unveiled at Tameside Hippodrome Theatre on Oldham Road in Ashton-under-Lyne. The plaque celebrates the centenary of this famous landmark.

Tameside Hippodrome, originally the Empire Hippodrome, opened its doors for the first time in November 1904 and was built by William Henry Broadhead, who was head of the Broadhead family theatre circuit.

Over the years the Hippodrome has attracted many famous names including Charlie Chaplin, the legendary silent movie actor, who took to the Hippodrome stage as a young theatre apprentice, before setting off to explore the bright lights of America in 1910.

Entertainer KEN DODD, who will be performing on stage at the Hippodrome later on Saturday evening, will unveil this blue plaque.

Further details: LOUISE ATKINSON - 0161 342 4144

The first ever Tameside Food And Drink Festival Awards took place on Wednesday 6 October in the Civic Hall, Ashton Town Hall.

The Civic Mayor and Mayoress of Tameside, Councillors Bill and Pauline Harrison were in attendance and Mr Mayor opened the event with the a live competition between the Caledonia Hotel and The Witchwood, with both well known venues striving to create the ‘Best Cocktail’,. The Caledonia won with their chocolaty delight and the Witchwood proceeded to give samples of their liquorice and orange treats to the audience.

The Mayor was also invited to judge the sandwich competition where Sorrentos Coffee House, Massarellas Restaurant from the Arcades shopping centre and once again, The Caledonia Hotel created their specialities live on the night. It was definitely The Caledonia's night when they picked up their second award of the evening with their chicken tikka special.

The Mayor said about the evening: “My Mayoress and I were delighted to attend the first ever Food Ad Drink Festival Awards for Tameside and it was a pleasure to celebrate the local food and drink culture.

“The live competitions were interesting to watch with the making of the two cocktails and the making, and in my case the tasting of the three sandwiches. It was a difficult one to judge as all the entries were excellent. Congratulations to all the category winners and best of luck for next year”.

Local pie makers Hewitts of Tameside had donated a giant gala pie and after the interval, this was donated to Willow Wood Hospice. Refreshment for the evening had a made-in-Tameside flavour to them with the pies from Hewitts washed down with a special ale brewed just up the road in Mossley!

Mr Stuart Ayres, representing the Tameside Forum For Disabled People, visited those venues which had entered the category of ‘Best Access Provision For People With A Disability’ and he chose as the best entrant, Woolworth’s Café in the Arcades Shopping Centre.

The remaining of the glass trophy awards were presented and congratulations went out to all the winners and to all those who had held special festival nights in their venues.

The full list of Award winners is:

Best Cocktail -The Caledonia Hotel, Warrington Street, Ashton-u-Lyne;
Best Bar – The Gaslight Rooms, Stamford Street, Ashton-u-Lyne;
Best Pub - The Witchwood, Old Street, Ashton-u-Lyne;
Best Wine List - Seasons Restaurant in the York House Hotel, Ashton-u-Lyne;
Best Sandwich - The Caledonia Hotel, Warrington Street, Ashton-u-Lyne;
Best Coffee Bar – Sorrentos Coffee House, Market Avenue, Ashton-u-Lyne;
Best Vegeterian Provision - The Indian Ocean Restaurant, Stamford Street, Ashton-u-Lyne;
Best Family Friendly Venue - Woolworths Café, Arcades Shopping Centre, Ashton-u-Lyne;
Best Access Provision - Woolworths Café, Ashton-u-Lyne;
Best Restaurant - The Lazy Toad, Ashton Hill Lane, Droylsden.

Any venue wishing to get involved with the 2005 Festival should telephone: 0161 342 3084 for more information.

Welcome to a celebration of all things foody in Tameside!

Tameside Council is organising the first ‘Tameside Food & Drink Festival’ at the beginning of October and the Ashton Town Centre Management Initiative is strongly involved!

The Festival will be part of the bigger ‘Manchester Food & Drink Festival’ and will be a celebration of the diversity of food and drink available across the borough.

A programme of special events has been organised by venues across Tameside, many of which are here in Ashton-under-Lyne. You might like to try Vodka Tasting at the Witchwood?
Ever been to a Mushroom Fest? Well there’s one at The Stables in Park Bridge! And if you fancy something exotic, how about an evening of traditional food from the sub-continent at the Indian Ocean Restaurant? For details of these and other events click here

There are a series of awards to be made to venues which have chosen to enter the following categories:

Check back here after the Festival to see who came out on top!

The Manchester Festival has a website which includes ALL events and you can view this at: http://www.foodanddrinkfestival.com.

24 September – 20 November 2004 –
Central Art Gallery, Old Street, Ashton-under-Lyne, Tel: 0161 342 2650

Gallery Open : Tues, Wed, Fri: 10am-12.30pm, 1-5pm, Thurs: 1-7.30pm,
Sat: 9am-12.30pm, 1-4pm, Closed Sunday and Monday

A piece of paper coloured, ripped and torn, like a body

Central Art Gallery hosts a new exhibition by Newton-le-Willows based artist, Catherine Taylor Parry. Her paintings deal very directly with her body and its relationship to the degenerative disease of Multiple Sclerosis, which Catherine has had since 1996.

Catherine, who trained at Staffordshire University and then Liverpool John Moores University, works with a range of materials including paints, inks, acrylics and wax. The paintings are highly coloured, abstract images that portray the stresses, strains, vulnerabilities and strengths of the human body.

The surface of the paintings are often scratched or torn. Layers of paint or wax are put onto the surface and then taken away. Some areas are left, some are altered. The drawing materials give the impression of peeling or erosion. This aspect of Catherine’s work reflects the way with MS some parts of your body can remain the same, some parts are repaired and then other areas are altered.

Catherine says of her work:
My work is a series of paintings, which I began at the very end of 2000. I was diagnosed with MS in 1996 and as my health suffered so did my desire and physical ability to continue painting. By 2000 I had reached a point at which I felt ready and well enough to work again.

My previous work had been based on the body; I manipulated the body image and controlled its shape and its form. Since having MS I do not feel confident enough in the body to manipulate it or use the body shape, which I took for granted. My body has become a naughty child, it does what it wants, not what I expect it to do.

I began to look into how my illness made me feel and I try to express these feelings as an images. As I am housebound, my images are taken from the world I see through windows. They show signs of decay and deterioration, reflecting how I feel about my own body. In many of my pictures I see glimpses of faces unclear and faded.

For more information please contact : Meg Lewis-Crosby, Curator of Art, Tameside Museums & Galleries, 0161 343 2878, meg.lewis-crosby@tameside.gov.uk