Touchstones Events Guide: January - June 2020

JANUARY – JUNE 2020

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At a Glance 4

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Exhibitions

Regular Activities

Special Display: L.S. Lowry Rochdale’s Collections Radicals and Rebellion Natural History

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6 Dippy Exhibition 8

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Dippy Events

Visitor Information

The Ugly Animal Preservation Society Talk on Rochdale’s Ancient Past Dippy’s Naturenauts Elmpenny’s Dinosaur Museum Come and Meet the Mini Beasts R.O.A.R Laboratory Dino Science Animal Adaptations Future Tech!

Dippy Experience Diplodocus Brick Build Ranger Rob

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Welcome Welcome to a very special edition of our exhibitions and events guide covering an extended period from January to June 2020.

In case you hadn’t heard, Dippy, the world famous Diplodocus dinosaur cast from the Natural History Museum is on a national tour and will arrive in Rochdale, his only North West stop, in February 2020.

While Dippy plays a starring role at Number One Riverside, we will be hosting an equally show-stopping, and complementary exhibition and events programme at Touchstones Rochdale.

During this exceptional and exciting ‘take-over’ many (but not all) of our normal activities will take a bit of breather. Having said that, if all things prehistoric aren’t your thing, don’t miss the chance to see some rarely seen works by L.S. Lowry on loan from the Co-op in the museum.

Team

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EXHIBITIONS

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Exhibitions UNTIL SEPTEMBER

Special Display: L.S. Lowry MUSEUM “Learning from the past, from people like the Rochdale Pioneers, helps to inform our future. L.S. Lowry pictured the proud industrial heritage of the north. The Co-op are pleased to lend these two pictures to Touchstones, not only to celebrate our 175th year, but also to help inspire us all to reimagine how co-operation can inform and transform communities in the 21st century.” Ed Powell – Co-operative Partnerships Manager.

‘Footbridge’ and ‘Cleator Moor’, two important works by L.S. Lowry, are both owned by The Coop. Purchased for their links to the history and principles of the co-operative movement, they have rarely left their Manchester offices. However, to celebrate The Co-op’s 175th anniversary we are delighted to be able to stage a special display of the works alongside ‘Our Town’, a muchloved painting within the borough’s own fine art collection. During their stay in Rochdale, and in the spirit of community and sharing, the works will

Our Town, L.S. Lowry © The Estate of L.S. Lowry.

All Rights Reserved, DACS 2019

also be taken out on ‘day trips’ to a number of local schools and community venues. Please keep an eye on our website for further details about when and where.

With the generous assistance of and support from The Co-operative Group, UK and The Pioneers Museum, Rochdale.

ONGOING EXHIBITION

Rochdale’s Collections MUSEUM As well as our changing exhibition spaces, we have a dedicated permanent museum which aims to tell a potted history of Rochdale in a fun and friendly way. The museum is ideally suited to families and people with an interest in the history of Rochdale. There are hands on exhibits, films, audio and a wide range of objects from the borough’s collection on display.

To book: visit www.link4life.org/touchstones, call 01706 924492 or pop in to Touchstones Rochdale

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EXHIBITIONS

UNTIL JUNE

Radicals and Rebellion MIDDLETON ARENA Linked with the commemoration of Peterloo this display looks back at Rochdale borough’s proud liberal heritage, celebrating the individuals and societies who have fought for social and political change over the last 200 years.

From local anti-slavery supporters, who starved during the Cotton Famine to fight for equality in America, to the Pioneers whose principles remain the foundations of the Co-operative movement today. The rebellious people of Rochdale borough have played an important role in pushing for change on a national, and even international level.

UNTIL JUNE

Natural History HEYWOOD SPORTS VILLAGE Take a peek at some of the amazing natural history objects that form part of our museum collection.

Wonder at the variety of objects, from bird eggs to fossils and shells and taxidermy and botanical specimens.

Learn more about the objects and the individuals and groups that collected and donated them.

To book: visit www.link4life.org/touchstones, call 01706 924492 or pop in to Touchstones Rochdale

at Touchstones Rochdale visitrochdale.com/dippy visitrochdale.com/dippy Number One Riverside, nhm.ac.uk/dippyontour Number One Riverside, Rochdale nhm.ac.uk/dippyontour

DIPPY EXHIBITION AND EVENTS

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Rochdale Number Riverside, Number One Riverside, 10 February - 28 JuneOne 2020 10 February 28 June 2020 Rochdale Rochdale Free entry plus family friendly exhibition Free entry plus family friendly exhibition at Touchstones February - 28 June 2020 10 February - 28Rochdale June102020 at Touchstones Rochdale

In partnership with In partnership with

Free entry plus family friendly exhibition Free entry plus family friendly exhibition visitrochdale.com/dippy visitrochdale.com/dippy at Touchstones Rochdale at Touchstones Rochdale nhm.ac.uk/dippyontour visitrochdale.com/dippy nhm.ac.uk/dippyontour visitrochdale.com/dippy

www.nhm.ac.uk/take-part/dippy-on-tour nhm.ac.uk/dippyontour

nhm.ac.uk/dippyontour In partnership with

In partnership with In partnership with

In partnership with

Debbie Powell for NHM Debbie Powell for NHM

Debbie Powell for NHM

Supported by Debbie Powell for NHM Debbie Powell for NHM

Regional sponsors

Regional supporters

Supported by

Supported by

Regional sponsors

Regional sponsors

Debbie Powell for NHM

Supported by Supported by

Regional sponsors Regional sponsors

Supported by

Regional sponsors

Mid Communications Manchester Airport Group Regional supporters Mid Communications Manchester Airport Group

Regional supporters

Mid Communications Manchester Airport Group

Regional supporters Regional supporters

Mid Communications Manchester Airport Group Manchester Airport Group Mid Communications Regional supporters Mid Communications

Manchester Airport Group

Dippy Exhibition

10 FEBRUARY - 5 SEPTEMBER 2020

The Natural History Museum’s famous dinosaur, Dippy, has left the museum for the first time to go on a tour of the UK, and Rochdale has been selected as one of just eight venues which will host him during the tour.

Visitors to Rochdale, Dippy’s only North West stop, can enjoy two dinosaur adventures as part of their visit and they’re both free.

To celebrate Dippy’s stopover, Touchstones Rochdale have redesigned their gallery spaces to host an exciting, ambitious and hands-on exhibition. Explore the world of the dinosaurs, discover what Rochdale was like during their golden age, and learn more about what we can do to protect our planet. There will be plenty of interactives and fun facts to keep all of our visitors interested.

For more information on Dippy on Tour and events: visitrochdale.com/dippy

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DIPPY EXHIBITION AND EVENTS

DINOSAURS

Learn more about the Diplodocus and other dinosaurs including the fearsome T.rex. Discover when and where they lived on Earth and get up close to some fossilised bones, teeth, eggs and even some dinosaur poo, all on loan from

the Natural History Museum in London and Manchester Museum.

SWAMPLAND Travel back in time to find out what Rochdale would have been like 300 million years ago by exploring our immersive, atmospheric space where giant plants grow and strange creatures roam. Learn more about fossils found locally and how they are formed as we bring our famous Rochdale scorpion fossil to life.

For more information on Dippy on Tour and events: visitrochdale.com/dippy

DIPPY EXHIBITION AND EVENTS

8 OUR CHANGING PLANET Looking at how we can all work together to protect the future of our planet, this gallery tackles current issues facing our environment such as climate change and loss of habitat.

how our community has helped us create a huge knitted bee swarm.

Learn more about some of the sustainable projects happening right here on your doorstep.

We celebrate the variety of life on Earth through a large display of British insects. Come and see

Dippy Events - Touchstones Rochdale 24 FEBRUARY

11AM & 2PM

FREE

AGES 7+

The Ugly Animal Preservation Society Simon Watt is President for Life of the Ugly Animal Preservation Society. They celebrate and explore the incredible biology of the animal kingdom’s most unphotogenic creatures.

How did such creatures as the blob fish, the dromedary jumping slug and the aye aye evolve in the first place? Find out what adaptations make them amazing!

The show features videos,

demonstrations and lots and lots of audience participation.

Simon Watt is a biologist, writer, science communicator, comedian and TV presenter. Simon runs “Ready, Steady, Science!”, a science communication company committed to making information interesting and takes science based performances into schools, museums, theatres and festivals.

BOOKING REQUIRED

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For more information on Dippy on Tour and events: visitrochdale.com/dippy

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AGES 8+

Talk on Rochdale’s Ancient Past From giant trees and deserts, to feathered dinosaurs...

Join Dr David Gelsthorpe, Curator of Earth Sciences at Manchester Museum on a journey through Rochdale’s ancient past. He will reveal the evidence for incredible 300 million year old fossils from scorpions to giant trees, how deserts covered the land and dinosaurs ruled the Earth. There will be glimpses into the latest research on what dinosaurs looked like and what caused the mass extinction 66 million years ago.

Dippy’s Naturenauts Grab your phone or tablet to become a naturenaut and continue your adventures with Dippy, alongside Head Naturenaut Fern the Fox. Dippy and Fern want to know all about the natural world and your mission is to introduce them to nature on your doorstep.

Help Dippy and Fern to find colours, identify flowers, collect a scrapbook of trees, listen to birdsong and more!

Free, online at www.nhm.ac.uk/ take-part/naturenauts

DIPPY EXHIBITION AND EVENTS

2PM

26 FEBRUARY

Supported by

45 minutes with time for questions.

BOOKING REQUIRED

17 & 18 APRIL 11AM & 2PM FREE AGES 0-5

Elmpenny’s Dinosaur Museum PERFORMANCE

MULTISENSORY THEATRE

Poor Elmpenny has lost his favourite dinosaur treasures from his museum. Will you join him on an epic quest through prehistoric worlds to help him find them?

Elmpenny does hope so!

Please note that the 11am on 17 April will be a relaxed performance.

BOOKING REQUIRED

26 MAY FREE

10.30AM - 3.30PM AGES 3+

Come and Meet the Mini Beasts They may not be cute and cuddly but mini beasts are fascinating! Find out what makes mini beasts unique.

This is a wonderful opportunity to get close to millipedes, snails, spiders, scorpions and a wonderful variety of insects.

Come and find out about some of the creatures that have survived on Earth since the time of the dinosaurs.

The event will be run by the Animals In-Tuition team of rangers who are passionate about promoting respect for, and an understanding of, a wide variety of animals and their habitats.

NO BOOKING REQUIRED

For more information on Dippy on Tour and events: visitrochdale.com/dippy

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DIPPY EXHIBITION AND EVENTS

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R.O.A.R Laboratory Rochdale’s Obsolete Animal Research Laboratory (R.O.A.R Lab) is now open and looking for new recruits!

Do you have a curious mind and a good sense of observation? Do you have a keen interest in extinct and unusual organisms? Do you know your Diplodocus from your Brachiosaurus? Then we need you!

Throughout the February, Easter and May half term holidays take part in a series of exciting, but rigorous, training programmes at Touchstones Rochdale including dinosaur cloning and breeding, amazing animal adaptations and future technologies. If you pass the training process then you will become a member of the prestigious R.O.A.R Labs for life..

Go Lucod k!

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Dino Science Enter the R.O.A.R Lab to hatch eggs, extract DNA, create your own dino wrist tech and go back in time to visit a prehistoric Rochdale. All mini explorers allowed (and thier adults - if they behave themselves).

10AM | 12NOON | 2PM

9 APRIL

28 MAY

Animal Adaptations The R.O.A.R Lab opens its door yet again to explore the animal world. Discover how the creatures around us have adapted to survive in our exciting family friendly sessions.

Make your own Fabulous Animal Flip Flap Book and much more to shrink down and enter the miniature animal world.

FREE

AGES 5+

Future Tech!

The R.O.A.R Lab opens one last time to explore the future! Help develop new technologies while building miniature moon domes, a ‘solar powered’ hat and even a useable solar oven! Finally, visit the Rochdale of the future and see how your technology has affected life as we know it!

BOOKING REQUIRED

For more information on Dippy on Tour and events: visitrochdale.com/dippy

Dippy Events - Number One Riverside

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5.30PM - 7.30PM

FREE

Dippy Experience - relaxed reduced sensory twilight sessions Quiet Time with Dippy - Touchstones Rochdale and Number One Riverside (Suitable for children with sensory needs)

We are running a series of relaxed teatime sessions supporting the needs of children with SEND. Visitors are welcome to meet Dippy at any time, however these sessions are in place to offer your child the chance to enjoy the whole Dippy experience in a quiet and less crowded space.

BOOKING REQUIRED

AGES 5+ 21 & 22 MARCH

10AM

FREE

AGES 5+

Diplodocus Brick Build Warren Elsmore is an artist in LEGO® bricks and a lifelong fan of LEGO® who is based in Edinburgh, UK. He will be coming to Number One Riverside this March to build a giant Diplodocus out of LEGO® bricks with the help of children and families.

Come along anytime between 10am and 5pm on the day and help to build the Diplodocus.

All children and family welcome at this exciting event.

13 APRIL FREE

10AM - 3PM

AGES 5+

Ranger Rob Ranger Rob will be coming to Number One Riverside on Easter Monday to present 10-15 different reptiles, amphibians and creepy crawlies.

All of the animals are interactive and this is a great event for children and families to be involved in.

NO BOOKING REQUIRED

NO BOOKING REQUIRED

For more information on Dippy on Tour and events: visitrochdale.com/dippy

NO BOOKING

DIPPY EXHIBITION AND EVENTS

27 FEBRUARY | 19 MARCH | 23 APRIL | 14 & 28 MAY | 18 JUNE

Regular Activities

REGULAR ACTIVITIES

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EVERY THURSDAY

2PM - 4.30PM

FREE

Family History Drop-in Sessions Need help with your family tree or don’t know where to start? Call in to our weekly family history drop in sessions where friendly staff will be able to help you.

VARIOUS DATES

2PM - 3.30PM

FREE

Knitty Gritty VARIOUS DATES

FREE

Homework Club Got a project to finish, need a picture printing out?

Come along to our Homework Club. Children under 11 years must be accompanied by an adult.

Every Wednesday | 3.30pm-4.45pm Saturdays | 1pm-4.45pm

Join our monthly knitting circle in The Art Café.

Feel free to bring along your own knitting projects, share ideas or start something new inspired by our current exhibitions.

Sessions run on the last Tuesday of every month.

28 January | 25 February 31 March | 28 April 26 May | 30 June JUST TURN UP

ALL AGES

To book: visit www.link4life.org/touchstones, call 01706 924492 or pop in to Touchstones Rochdale

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REGULAR ACTIVITIES

VARIOUS DATES

6PM - 7PM

DONATIONS WELCOME

Menopause Monthly An opportunity for women to come together to discuss the menopause and take an exercise or art class to help relieve anxiety related to the menopause.

31 January | 28 February 27 March | 24 April 28 May | 26 June | 31 July JUST TURN UP

ADULTS

FRIDAYS

3PM - 5PM

FREE

The Rochdale Youth Theatre This group meets weekly at Touchstones Rochdale to create exciting new work addressing issues that are important to young people in Rochdale.

For more information please contact: Lisa.Oneill-rogan@link4life.org JUST TURN UP

AGES 13-25

To book: visit www.link4life.org/touchstones, call 01706 924492 or pop in to Touchstones Rochdale

GET INVOLVED

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Get Involved!

Creative Learning at Touchstones Rochdale Our creative questers, Professors Jigget and Aeon, are on a mission to find and recruit the greatest seekers of knowledge in the known universe!

Do you know of any early years children who can get hands on and explore traditional tales through imagination, creativity and play? What about a class of primary children who could become archaeologists, history detectives and crafters of time?

If you’ve answered YES to any of the above then get in touch at schools@link4life.org to have a chat about getting involved!

Don’t forget all our creative learning sessions come with a full lesson plan and will help you achieve all of your learning aims and objectives.

Celebrate Dippy’s arrival with our dinosaur themed workshops. Give your EYFS/KS1 class a prehistoric experience to remember with our ‘Help! Our Dinosaur is Missing!’ workshop for hands-on dinosaur fun.

Find our colourful bones, feed the dinosaurs and make your own fossil. KS2 pupils can also have a go at our ‘Dinosaur Discovery’ workshop. Turn your teacher into a dinosaur, dig for bones, rebuild the skeletons and design a new and improved animal. Mathematical and creative fun for all.

So… what are you waiting for?

For full details, visit www.link4life.org/touchstonescreativelearning.

To book: visit www.link4life.org/touchstones, call 01706 924492 or pop in to Touchstones Rochdale

Volunteering Whether you’re helping out with our loans boxes, giving tours of the galleries, collecting feedback or supporting our workshops and activities, if you would like to get involved, please email touchstones@link4life.org.

Arts & Heritage Resource Centre Ever wanted to see where we keep and care for the borough’s museum, art gallery and local studies collections when they’re not on display?

Visits to the Arts and Heritage Resource Centre must be booked in advance, please enquire at Touchstones Rochdale for more information.

Why not have a look on our website to see the amazing Virtual Reality Tour of the centre.

To book: visit www.link4life.org/touchstones, call 01706 924492 or pop in to Touchstones Rochdale

GET INVOLVED

We’re always looking for volunteers to help out both inside and outside of the building.

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GET INVOLVED

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Join the Friends of Rochdale Art Gallery The Friends of Rochdale Art Gallery have been essential to our continued growth and development as an important regional art gallery.

Through their generous donations over the years we have been able to conserve and acquire countless key works of art for the collection.

Annual membership is ONLY £10 and in addition to supporting the Art Gallery, you will get discounted rates on the annual programme of talks and trips organised by the Friends and invitations to private views for all exhibitions at the Art Gallery.

You can join in a number of ways: •

Post a cheque (made payable to FRAG) c/o Touchstones Rochdale, The Esplanade, Rochdale OL16 1AQ (please make sure you include a cover letter giving your full name, address, postcode, telephone number and email address).

• Come along to one of the talks organised by the Friends and pay in person.

FURTHER INFORMATION To discuss any aspect of the Friends or membership please contact Jenny Buckley (Chair, FRAG) on 01706 358686 or Mark Doyle (Art Gallery Curator & Collections Manager, Touchstones Rochdale) on 01706 924555 or mark.doyle@link4life.org

Talks: Friends of Rochdale Art Gallery The Friends organise monthly talks by invited speakers about art and craft and an annual trip to visit other regional art collections.

For more details about the next season of events please visit www.link4life.org/touchstones/frags.

Second Tuesday of every month 14 January | 11 February | 10 March 14 April | 12 May | 9 June 12.30pm – 1.45pm | £4 (*£3 for members)

To book: visit www.link4life.org/touchstones, call 01706 924492 or pop in to Touchstones Rochdale NO BOOKING REQUIRED

PAY ON THE DAY

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As well as our museum, art gallery and events programme, there are plenty of other reasons to visit Touchstones Rochdale.

Touchstones Rochdale is the home of Rochdale Borough’s Arts & Heritage Service and is operated by Link4Life.

VISITOR INFORMATION CENTRE Our Visitor Information Centre staff will be happy to help you learn more about the local area. They have information about local and regional events, accommodation and hospitality; and are full of suggestions for things to do and places to visit for all ages, backgrounds and interests.

VENUE HIRE Touchstones Rochdale offers a unique venue for meetings, parties and events and can accommodate up to 100. Our studio space and meeting room offer theatrical lighting, projector, wi-fi and technical equipment and are available for hire.

Email touchstones@link4life.org for more details.

To book: visit www.link4life.org/touchstones, call 01706 924492 or pop in to Touchstones Rochdale

VISITOR INFORMATION

Visitor Information

VISITOR INFORMATION

18 THE ART CAFÉ Serving a wide selection of fresh hot and cold food, drinks and snacks. With free wi-fi and a relaxed atmosphere, it’s the perfect place to catch up with friends, meet colleagues, or simply relax after enjoying our exhibitions and displays.

Extended opening times during Dippy on Tour.

With Dippy coming to Rochdale, complete the experience at the café with dinosaur themed snacks and meals for children to enjoy.

Monday - Friday: 9am - 5.30pm Saturday and Sunday: 9.30am - 5pm Bank Holidays: 10am - 4pm

SHOP To celebrate Dippy coming to Rochdale our shop at Touchstones Rochdale will be home to a fascinating range of unique gifts inspired by our love of dinosaurs and the natural world.

The products on offer include a wide range of affordable children’s items to inspire their imagination about dinosaurs and the natural world around them. With plenty of souvenirs to choose from, the shop also includes a great selection of publications and gifts to suit all the family.

LOCAL HISTORY CENTRE Discover the past for yourself first hand.

Whether you’re interested in local history, want to trace your family roots or just want to know a little more about the street you live on, we can help you find out more.

Our collections include maps, photographs, ephemera, archives and local newspapers on microfilm. Free internet access including ancestry.com is also available. Just pop in and our friendly staff will help with your enquiries.

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Train Station

TRAVEL INFORMATION

METROLINK

Touchstones Rochdale is located close to Rochdale town centre approximately five to ten minutes walk from Rochdale Transport Interchange with bus and tram access and ten minutes from Rochdale Railway Station.

Metrolink is the easiest way to get to our Dippy venues. The Rochdale town centre stop is across the road from Number One Riverside, and a short walk (0.4 miles) from Touchstones Rochdale.

We are located 10 minutes drive from J20-M62. Cycle parking is available outside Touchstones Rochdale.

@Touchstones

Touchstones Rochdale is fully accessible for people using wheelchairs. There are three designated parking bays for blue badge holders outside the venue.

If you have any special requirements please call us on 01706 924492 and we will do our best to help.

For more information visit: www.tfgm.com/publictransport/tram CAR PARKING There is no public parking on site.

Parking in Rochdale town centre car parks is free for the first three hours but you must display a ticket.

There are a number of parking bays available for Blue Badge holders around the centre of Rochdale. For more information visit: www.rochdale.gov.uk/parking

VISITOR INFORMATION

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CONTACT US

Email: touchstones@link4life.org

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FREE Admission

Visitor Information Centre: 01706 924928

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Bank Holidays 10am - 4pm

Main Reception: 01706 924492

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Saturday and Sunday 9.30am - 5pm

**These opening hours are from February- June 2020. Please note our normal opening hours for January 2020**

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Monday-Friday 9am - 5pm

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WHERE TO FIND US

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OPENING TIMES

The Esplanade, Rochdale, OL16 1AQ

01706 924492 link4life.org/touchstones

Art Gallery | Museum | Local History Centre | Visitor Information Centre | Events Programme | Education Service | Shop | CafĂŠ

All information stated within this brochure is correct at the time of printing and subject to change.

Link4Life is the trading name of Rochdale Boroughwide Cultural Trust. Registered Charity No: 1118610

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