A new festival will bring music, dance and art to Mossley over the Easter holidays – and it’s completely free.
The family-friendly event, titled ‘Spring Up!’, is set to take over The Vale and Mossley Heritage Centre on Saturday, April 6.
It will begin as a playful puppet troupe lead the way along the ‘Goose’s Gander Heritage Trail’ between The Vale, off Micklehurst Road, and Mossley Heritage Centre in Longlands Mill.
Activities throughout the day at The Vale include a family ceilidh with a twist, stories and music from Malawi-born performer Marco Woolf, and a Pagode taster session that will see dance enthusiasts try the Brazilian musical style.
There will also be drop-in art workshops, drumming sessions and live music from indie-folk star Coruja Jones, singer songwriter Tiki Black and Carol Jason.
Sierra Leone-born folk guitarist Papa Sam Alafia and Electric Mike aka Mossley's own Mike Mellor complete the line-up.
Cakes, treats and hot drinks will be available from George's Deli, as well as pizza from Pizza Love. The Vale’s bar will be open in the afternoon serving local Millstone ales, as well as beers, wines, spirits and soft drinks.
Meanwhile, at Mossley Heritage Centre, exhibitions about mill heritage and weaving workshops are among the attractions.
Amelia Bayliss, general manager, The Vale, said: “Spring Up! is a free community celebration of the arrival of the new season, which is full of hope and promise.
“It is also a celebration of our local and global heritage, in partnership with Mossley Heritage Centre.
“The day is the culmination of 'Trails to the Vale' - an Action Together-funded project that is focused on getting local people walking and moving more and reducing the reliance on car use for short journeys.
"Come and celebrate the arrival of Spring, try out some new activities, pause to think about the past and future and get moving at Spring Up"
As well as funding from Action Together, the festival has also been made possible by the Paul Hamlyn Foundation, UKRI and The Young Foundation.
It will take place from 10am to 5pm on April 6.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here