TAMESIDE is taking part in the first Greater Manchester Festival of Libraries by hosting three of more than 80 free events that will take place across the city region from June 9 to June 13.
From workshops to tours, performances and even picnics, the festival will welcome everyone from regular library-users to those visiting for the first time, showing them what Greater Manchester’s network offers across all 10 boroughs.
Supported by Arts Council England, via the National Lottery-funded Project Grants programme, the festival celebrates the contributions to wellbeing, culture and creativity, digital and information, and of course reading, made by libraries of all kinds, not only those run by councils.
The Tameside programme – all via Zoom – comprises:
Thursday, June 10 (10 to 11am)
Virtual Library Club – the Pendle Witch Trials
Tour guide Simon Entwistle cover the crimes, characters and the prosecution from the famous trials of 1612, leaving it to you to decide if the defendants were innocent or guilty.
Friday, June 11 (2 to 3pm)
Ashton’s Radical Poets
Mike Sanders and Jennifer Reid focus on the work of John Stafford and Joseph Chapman, who were active radicals and poets in Ashton in the early 19th century. Their songs and poems were used to create, celebrate and commemorate Ashton’s proud radical heritage.
Saturday, June 12 (noon to 1.30pm)
Writing for Wellbeing Workshop
Professional writers from Manchester University’s Centre for New Writing show how writing can relieve stress and help you feel better.
All these sessions are open to all Greater Manchester residents. Booking is essential via www.tamesidelibraries.eventbrite.co.uk