A MOSSLEY arts centre celebrated its fifth birthday with a packed day of workshops, performances and plenty of creativity.
The Vale marked the milestone by throwing open its doors to families, artists and local residents for a day of free activities celebrating the people and culture that have helped shape the venue.
And despite the occasional rain shower, visitors turned out in force to join the celebrations.
There was something for all ages, with drumming and dance workshops, arts and crafts and a Carnival ceilidh among the activities on offer.
Families also got involved in a traditional apple pressing session, turning fresh fruit into juice, while a garden workshop gave visitors the chance to make their own natural perfumes.
Carnival artist and puppet builder Mel Roberts was also on hand with Rimmon, a giant walkabout puppet, giving visitors an insight into the stories and work behind her creations.
For those with an interest in tabletop gaming, Knights of the Vale hosted a Warhammer figure-painting workshop, while members of Mossley Writers encouraged visitors to get creative with words during a “pavement poetry” session.
The celebrations even featured a surprise appearance from Mossley Morris Men.
The birthday was also a chance to look back at how far The Vale has come.
The former mill building on Micklehurst Road was originally launched on a shoestring budget 14 years ago before undergoing a £1 million redevelopment and reopening in 2021.
Five years on from its reopening, it has established itself as a venue for arts, culture, learning and community activities in Mossley.
Emma Scott, events coordinator at The Vale, said: “It was wonderful to see so many people coming together to celebrate everything The Vale has become over the last five years.
“The craft workshops were hugely popular, while the sound bath, meditation, drumming and dance sessions brought fantastic energy throughout the day.
“What made the celebration so special was seeing people of all ages discovering something new, getting creative and connecting with one another. Moments like these are exactly what we are about.
“The Vale has become a centre for creativity, learning and community engagement, welcoming thousands of visitors through its programme of events, workshops and cultural activities.
“The fifth birthday celebrations provided a fitting opportunity to reflect on that journey while looking ahead to the next chapter.”