Chips are on festival menu

HAVING their chips . . . cast members Julie Ashforth, Hayden Burns and Alexandra Healey

A CELEBRATION of the humble chip will be Oldham’s entry in a unique art procession on Sunday.

It marks the starts of the Manchester International Festival and is a traditional parade with a local twist. Created by Turner Prize-winning artist Jeremy Deller, it brings together people from across Greater Manchester to showcase stories and traditions from its diverse communities.

Oldham’s entry is called “The Adoration of the Chip” and takes its inspiration from the birthplace of the culinary classic.

The modern day fish and chip shop was born in Oldham and a blue plaque on Tommyfield Market marks the spot of the country’s first fried chips in the 1860s.

“The Adoration of the Chip” is a humorous piece of musical theatre full of the sights, sounds and even smells of a busy chip shop.

Members of Oldham Theatre Workshop, Young Oldham Dance group, St Herbert’s Amateur Dramatic and Entertainment Society, Peshkar Productions and Oldham Sixth Form College will take part, with support from Oldham Council’s arts development team.

Councillor John McCann, cabinet member for community services and housing, said: “The project celebrates our heritage in a fun way and I hope Oldhamers support The Adoration of the Chip as it makes it way through Manchester.”

The event is free and the floats will start the procession at the junction of Liverpool Road and Deansgate, Manchester, at 2pm.