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familylife Inside this issue... Autumn/Winter 2017 See what magical Christmas events await you in Oldham town centre Get crafty with HACK Oldham Plus... Win tickets to see this year’s Coliseum pantomime 2 - familylife Welcome to the autumn and winter issue of Family Life This is your personal Christmas brings the usual host of family guide to all the family fun across the borough, starting with activities we have on our traditional parade by Santa and his offer – and there’s reindeers on November 4 and including plenty to keep your firm favourites like our Christmas Lights spirits warm and Switch-On and Brass Monkeys, plus visits help you stay active. from Peppa Pig, Bing and Flop, Fireman Sam and Postman Pat. We’ve got another brilliant line-up of We’ve also lined up a range of interactive free and magical arts and theatre events including entertainment for pantomime, comedy, storytelling and drama all to enjoy, so keep (pages 22–23), ideas for winter activities at this guide handy in home (page 24) and tips on what to do with the coming weeks. your extra Christmas waste (page 25). First up, we’ve got some spooky Halloween If the weather turns bad and you need news activities on pages 4–5. That’s followed on school closures, gritting or travel, you – of course – by the Big Bang Bonfire on can keep in touch with the latest on social Oldham Edge with a funfair, food stalls and media at twitter.com/oldhamalert the best fireworks display around which and facebook.com/loveoldham. one lucky youngster can win the chance We’ve also got winter tips here: to launch in front of thousands of people. www.oldham.gov.uk/winter Find out more on pages 8–9. Please also check on your older neighbours Oldham town centre is changing fast, so and relatives to make sure they are safe. head out with our handy map and guide Finally, if you have any ideas or comments for the best activity ideas from exercise on our entertainment offer, family services to shopping, play, coffee and cinema on and Family Life, please send them via an pages 10–11. email to [email protected] For children and families wanting to learn Have a wonderful time with your family more about technology or media, HACK and friends – and please shop local. Oldham – at our new Digital Enterprise Hub on Yorkshire Street – is the place to be. They are hosting a range of inspired sessions on crafts, photography, gaming and Cosplaying with the chance to learn fantastic new skills based around tech, Cllr Jean Stretton, coding and creative media (pages 12–13). Leader of Oldham Council familylife - 3 Contents Spooky Halloween fun 4 Autumn activities 6 The Big Bang bonfire 8 A day out in Oldham town centre 10 Media, making, coding and creating 12 Events planner 14 Christmas in Oldham town centre 18 Shop ‘till you drop this Christmas 20 Find your local Christmas lights switch-on 21 Interactive arts and theatre 22 Winter at home 24 Winter fun 26 Help a young family this winter 27 Schools admissions 2017 – 2018 27 Win pantomime tickets with Oldham Coliseum 28 4 - familylife Sp o ok y Get your capes, witches hats, brooms and fangs ready for frightfully fun events in Oldham town centre this Halloween. These spooktacular activities can be enjoyed by the whole family… Oldham Spooktacular The Small Cinema: Saturday 28 October, 11am–4pm, free The Gruffalo and Room Take a stroll through the deep dark woods on the Broom (U) and discover lots of spooky goings-on Saturday 28 October, 2pm, £3 per ticket in Parliament Square. Meet The Gruffalo, See the short version of The Gruffalo and who will be appearing at various intervals meet a fun witch and scary dragon in throughout the day at 11am, 12noon, 1pm, Room on the Broom on the big screen. 2pm and 3pm. Each ticket includes a goodie bag with drink and popcorn for all children. Try and tame our fearsome dragon Epico – To book. T: 0161 770 4742 if you dare. Plus look out for the giant eerie trees that spring to life when you www.thesmallcinema.com Oldham Library (Performance Space), least expect it. Oldham, OL1 1AL Listen to the sounds from our giant drumming ants and get close to spiders, snakes and creepy crawlies with Ranger Spooky Saturday Rob’s animal experience. Plus, take part in Saturday 28 October, 11am – 3pm, free See what creepy activities are going on in chilling arts and crafts throughout the day. Spindles Town Square Shopping Centre www.visitoldham.com throughout the day. Take part in Halloween T: 0161 770 4516 crafts, get your face painted as your Parliament Square, Oldham, OL1 1QN favourite villain or scary character and meet the spooky characters. Oldham Library E: [email protected] Halloween Spooktacular T: 0161 628 5891 (All the family) Spindles Shopping Centre, Friday 27 October, 6–8pm, free Oldham, OL1 1HD Join us for an evening of Halloween mischief for all the family. Wear your best costume and meet characters from the Cosplay Companions Guild, play your favourite retro games, listen to spooky bedtime stories and take part in the Halloween trail. E: [email protected] T: 0161 7708036 Oldham Library, Oldham, OL1 1AL familylife - 5 Halloween It wouldn’t be Halloween without a pumpkin resting near the window. That’s why we’re looking for the best and scariest pumpkins from fun Oldham. To enter your design just take a picture and post it Town Centre Ghost Walk to any social media site with Tuesday 31 October, 5pm and 6pm #FamilyLifeHalloween for ages 6–14, 7pm, 8pm and 9pm The winning pumpkin will be revealed for 14 years+, free on the ‘I Love Oldham’ Facebook Take a spooky tour of Oldham Town Centre page on Tuesday 31 October at 2pm. on Halloween. Uncover the secrets of the Oldham Giant and more terrifying tales – Follow our four easy suitable for those who are not easily scared. Walks start and end at Molino Lounge in steps to carving your own Parliament Square and last for 20 to 30 jack-o’-lantern pumpkin. minutes. 1. Choose a large pumpkin and use a sharp serrated knife to cut off To book visit and www.eventbrite.co.uk the crown. search ‘Oldham Ghost Walk’. 2. Using a large serving spoon, scoop out the seeds and fibres and discard. Safety tips Then remove some of the flesh. 3. With a marker pen, draw a simple Planning on going Trick outline of a face on the pumpkin. Use a small serrated knife to cut out the eyes, or Treating? For information and tips to help you nose and mouth. Always cut away keep the kids out of as much from you in case the knife slips. cheeky trouble as possible visit: Pop a tea light inside the pumpkin, 4. light it and replace the crown. www.safe4autumn.com/ halloween-safety Don’t forget to share your images with us on social media from the events using the hashtag #LoveOldham 6 - familylife Autumn activities When the leaves change colour and start Full circle autumn falling from their branches you know activities autumn is here. But even when the nights (All the family) draw in and the temperature drops, Monday 30 October, 10am–12noon, free there’s still time to get out and enjoy Brush up on your circus skills this some brilliant events. autumn, try your hand at different sports, activities and take part in classic games Go! wild with Full Circle. (Ages 4–10) E: [email protected] Saturday 28 October, 1–3pm, free www.fullcirclenwcic.co.uk Jump into autumn and explore the George Street Play Area, Shaw, OL2 8HG seasonal surprises that nature brings. Learn about animal hibernation, make a seed ball If you’ve got spare time one afternoon for your furry friends, join in the nut hunt why not visit one of Oldham’s parks and and see what’s on the nature table. Bring complete our autumn checklist? the family along and have fun with a mix of Find the items below and tick them off science, nature and creativity. when you’ve spotted them. To book: www.eventbrite.co.uk T: 0161 770 4742 Gallery Oldham, Oldham, OL1 1AL Holiday activities (Ages 4–10) 30, 31 October, 1 November, 1–4pm, free (face painting £2) These interactive holiday sessions are linked to the gallery’s exhibitions and you can enjoy arts and crafts, play and more. E: [email protected] www.galleryoldham.org.uk Gallery Oldham, Oldham, OL1 1AL Show us your finished checklist. Just take a picture and post it to any social media site with the hashtag #FamilyLifeAutumn familylife - 7 Autumn colouring sheet 8 - familylife The Big Bang bonfire Thursday 2 November, 5–8.30pm Bonfire word search One of the biggest and most colourful events of the year is back at Oldham Edge. Can you find these words? The entertainment starts at 5pm with funfair rides and mouth-watering food boom pop stalls to enjoy. bonfire night rockets bang sparklers Watch the fiery stage show from 6pm and crackle see amazing acts from around the UK flame including the breathtaking Flame Oz and explode whoosh Raijin Storm. fireworks whizz The night ends with a spectacular 20 b z s b q w c minute firework display from 7pm that will light up the night sky. a z r x k r a Please make sure you wear appropriate n a e u a o x footwear, wrap up warm, arrive early and g v l c i c f use public transport, if possible, to avoid m q k h d u high demand on town centre car parks.