Middleton's Grand Day Out



Edgar Wood hosted tours around Middleton's historic town centre

Young artists performing live in the Middleton Gardens

Children having fun outside the Middleton Arena

Vintage Fire Engine

Middleton Town Team in association with the Middleton Townscape Heritage Initiative hosted a “Grand Day Out" in Middleton town centre on Saturday 13 September to help revitalise the town and celebrate its heritage offer. People from across the borough came to the event that offered a range of activities to enjoy. The day was planned to coincide with National Heritage Open Days weekend and so this provided a great opportunity to boast about the fabulous heritage with in the town and to showcase the work of renowned architect Edgar Wood.

A land train completed a circuit of the town giving people behind the scene insight to some of the buildings designed by Edgar Wood and access to a number of heritage buildings including The Edgar Wood Arts & Craft Centre, the old Queen Elizabeth Grammar school,  the Old Boars Head pub and St Leonard's church. The train guard was dressed as the character of Edgar Wood, Middleton’s local architect, and wore a traditional black and red cloak  and provided a narrative during the train ride informing people about the history of the town. A vintage fire engine located at the Middleton Arena proved popular with children, as did the opportunity to have a photo shoot dressing up in clothes from the 18 century period. There was face painting, bouncy castles, street artists, a teenage market, arts and craft activities and much more which contributed to a successful day .The team ordered in sunshine by the bucketful,  it truly was a huge success and the Town Team are hoping to make the day an annual event.

Membership of the Middleton Town Team includes; Hopwood Hall College, Lords Butchers, Anthony K Associates, Sedgwick Legal Solicitors, M24 Arts & Crafts, Tesco, Royal Bank of Scotland, Middleton Town Centre Management Company, Middleton Shopping Centre, McDonald’s, Link for Life, Boots The Chemist and Rochdale Borough Council.

The Town Team are planning a community event in November to up-date interested businesses and community members on the current and future direction of the Town Team.

For more information please contact the Chair of the Middleton Town Team, Adam Torevell – Director of Middleton Town Centre Management Company on Tel: 0161 653 4990.