Free family celebration of Spring is coming to The Vale in Mossley

A free celebration of Spring is coming to The Vale and Mossley Heritage Centre during the school Easter holiday.

Spring Up!, on Saturday week, April 6, 2024, has a perfect pick 'n' mix of music, dance, art, storytelling, carnival, heritage, and even a gaggle of upcycled geese who are itching to take you for a walk.

A Gaggle of Geese is a comical troupe of mobile puppets made from recycled materials by local people and Mossley's Phantasmagoria.

The feathered ensemble will lead the way along the Goose’s Gander Heritage Trail between The Vale, off Micklehurst Road, and Mossley Heritage Centre in Longlands Mill next to Emmaus Mossley.

Join one of three scheduled walks and see what history you can unearth between these two Mossley mills - while trying not to get nipped by a troublesome beak!

AT THE VALE

Activities throughout the day at The Vale, include a family ceilidh with a twist.

Born and Bred Dance Theatre's Carnival Ceilidh is suitable for everyone from age 5+.

Bring your dancing shoes and try your hand at a selection of traditional English dances such as the Caerphilly March and the Witches Reel - and then see them in a whole new light as you perform them to Carnival music!

Malawi-born storyteller and musician Marco Woolf will be inviting visitors to step into his enchanting world as he shares original tales inspired by timeless folklore and fables, exploring the themes of home, belonging, and the magic of friendship.

Giant walkabout puppets Charlie and Maude will be welcoming visitors, whilst the Glowing Gastropod, a giant African land snail and rider, will be exploring the garden space, ready to race the local wildlife.

Sample a Pagode taster session from The Vale's regular Sunday Sessions band ahead of their next full performance on Sunday, April 14.

Pagode is a Brazilian musical style, similar to samba.

And drop in visual art workshops throughout the day will offer the opportunity to craft your own artwork to take home.

Movers and shakers of every age can join a drumming or dance workshop.

Live music throughout the afternoon includes dreamy indie-folk from Coruja Jones, a blend of Western and African influences from singer songwriter Tiki Black, who was born in Paris to Cameroonian parents and traditional Jewish music from Carol Jason.

Sierra Leone-born folk guitarist Papa Sam Alafia and Electric Mike aka Mossley's own Mike Mellor complete the lineup.

Cakes, treats and hot drinks will be available from George's Deli and spring greens pizza by the slice from Pizza Love.

The Vale's bar will be open in the afternoon serving local Millstone ales, as well as a variety of high quality beers, wines, spirits and soft drinks.

AT MOSSLEY HERITAGE CENTRE

While at Mossley Heritage Centre you can visit exhibits on Mossley and mill heritage and take part in weaving workshops between 1-3pm.

Amelia Bayliss, general manager at The Vale, said: "Spring Up! is a free community celebration of the arrival of the new season, which is full of hope and promise.

"It is also a celebration of our local and global heritage, in partnership with Mossley Heritage Centre.

"The day is the culmination of 'Trails to the Vale' - an Action Together-funded project that is focused on getting local people walking and moving more and reducing the reliance on car use for short journeys.

"Come and celebrate the arrival of Spring, try out some new activities, pause to think about the past and future and get moving at Spring Up"

Spring Up! is funded by Action Together, Paul Hamlyn Foundation, UKRI and The Young Foundation.

Spring Up! takes place from 10am-5pm on April 6 at The Vale and Mossley Heritage Centre. 

Guided walks will take place at 10am (Mossley Heritage Centre to The Vale), 12pm (The Vale to Mossley Heritage Centre) and 1.30pm (Mossley Heritage Centre to The Vale).

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