Enter into Christmas spirit at local libraries

SANTA Claus will be on hand to read seasonal tales to children every day in December at Oldham Library and Lifelong Learning Centre.

The stories will be told at regular intervals throughout the day, including Sundays, in a special storytime grotto in the upstairs children’s library.

The activities are part of a packed programme of festive events for all the family at libraries across Oldham.

Music lovers can enjoy carols and choirs at our traditional Christmas concerts.

The Westwood Brass Band will perform at the new Chadderton Wellbeing Centre on Saturday December 12, 11am-1pm, and at Failsworth Library on Saturday December 19 from 11am.

The Oldham Band (Lees) will visit Lees Library Community Hub on Saturday December 19, 10am–12noon.

Children can get creative at a Christmas card-making session at Northmoor Library on Monday December 14, 4pm, with craft sessions at a number of libraries.

Enjoy a mince pie and a hot drink at Christmas coffee mornings at Crompton, Lees and Limehurst libraries.

Seasonal refreshments will also be available at the select-and-collect session at Turf Lane Community Book Exchange.

Library staff will have helpful advice on improving reading habits over the winter months on Friday December 18, 2–3pm.

Councillor John McCann, cabinet member for community services and housing, said: “Oldham’s libraries will have a warm welcome for everyone this Christmas.

“With over 40 free events, there’s plenty to get you into the festive spirit.”


The full line-up of festive activities

All activities are free unless stated otherwise.


CHADDERTON WELLBEING CENTRE

Burnley Street, Chadderton.

Tel: 0161-770 5656.

Rock puppets Christmas special: Saturday December 5, 1–4pm. A musical puppet show for the under-5s.

Brass band and Christmas carols: Saturday December 12, 11am–1pm. With the Westwood Brass Band.


CROMPTON LIBRARY

Farrow Street East, Shaw.

Tel: 01706-842505

Choir and coffee morning: Thursday December 3, 10.30am. With carols from Farrowdale House Independent Preparatory School choir.

Carol concert: Saturday December 5, 10am–12.30pm. Local schoolchildren sing a selection of carols.

Under-5s Christmas party: Friday December 18, 9.30am

Christmas storytime and crafts: Tuesday December 22, 10.30–11.30am

FAILSWORTH LIBRARY

Main Street, Failsworth.

Tel: 0161-681 2405

Christmas crafts and coffee morning: Saturday December 5, 12, 19, 10am–noon

Children’s craft sessions: Monday December 21, 2.30–3.30pm

Christmas concert: Saturday December 19, 11am. With the Westwood Brass Band.


FITTON HILL LIBRARY

Fir Tree Avenue, Fitton Hill.

Tel: 0161-633 2011

Christmas craft session: Monday December 14, 10.30am–12.30pm

Children’s Christmas party: Saturday December 19, 11am–12noon


GREENFIELD LIBRARY

Chew Vale, Greenfield.

Tel: 01457 872472

Guitars and harps: Wednesday December 16, 2–3pm. Christmas music, with coffee and mince pies.

Christmas craft and storytime: Monday December 21, 2pm


LEES LIBRARY COMMUNITY HUB

Thomas Street, Lees.

Tel: 0161-633 5764

Christmas lights switch-on: Saturday December 5, 4–6.30pm. Celebrate the village switch-on with food and entertainment. There will be a small admission fee.

Under-5s Christmas party: Thursday December 17, 2pm.

Christmas concert: Saturday December 19, 10am–12noon. With the Oldham Band (Lees), seasonal refreshments provided.

Christmas crafts and storytime: Monday December 21, 2pm

Christmas coffee afternoon: Wednesday December 23, 2–3pm


LIMEHURST LIBRARY

St Chads Centre, Lime Green Parade, Limehurst.

Tel: 0161-624 0351

Choir and coffee afternoon: Wednesday December 9, 2pm. With music and carols from Limeside School choir.

Christmas party: Monday December 21, 2–3pm


NORTHMOOR LIBRARY

Chadderton Way, Oldham.

Tel: 0161-633 1168

Christmas card-making session: Monday December 14, 4pm

Christmas party: Wednesday December 16, 4pm


OLDHAM LIBRARY AND LIFELONG LEARNING CENTRE

Cultural Quarter, Greaves Street, Oldham.

Tel: 0161-770 8000

Santa’s storytime grotto: Every day in December. Children can enjoy a Christmas story every day, with sessions announced regularly throughout the day.

Bedtime with Bookstart: Wednesday December 9, 6–7pm. Christmas stories and songs for the under 5s.

Oldham Community Pop Choir: Wednesday December 9, 7pm. With refreshments provided.

VIP Christmas party: Thursday December 10, 2–4pm. A giant party for visually-impaired people, with music from Holy Cross Junior School choir, a festive quiz and seasonal refreshments. Call 0161-770 8000 for tickets and more details.

Polish and Ukrainian Christmas traditions: Saturday December 12, 1–3pm. A traditional eastern European party with songs, food and craft activities. Carols come from the Oldham Polish Saturday School and Dnipro Ukrainian Mixed Voice Choir.

Steel band sounds: Monday December 14, 2pm. With music from the Alexandra Park School Steel Band.

Christmas concert: Thursday December 17, 7–8pm. A musical concert by young people from Oldham Percussion Academy, with refreshments provided.

Christmas rhymetime: Tuesday December 22, 10.30am. Music and stories for the under 5s.

Christmas crackers craft session: Tuesday December 22, 2.30pm

Winter wonderland storytime and crafts: Thursday December 31, 2–3.30pm


ROYTON LIBRARY

Rochdale Road, Royton.

Tel: 0161-770 3087

Bookstart rhymetime: Wednesday December 16, 2–2.45pm

Christmas flower arranging: Thursday December 17, 10.30–11.30am. A floral demonstration by Wendy Bellis. There will be a small admission fee.

Charlie the musical clown: Monday December 21, 10.30–11.30am


TURF LANE COMMUNITY

BOOK EXCHANGE

Turf Lane Community Centre, Turf Lane, Chadderton.

Tel: 0161-682 6120

Select and collect: Friday December 18, 2–3pm. Enjoy afternoon tea with seasonal refreshments and get tips on how to brighten up your reading choices.


UPPERMILL LIBRARY

St Chad’s, High Street, Uppermill. Tel: 01457-872777

Guitars and harps: Wednesday 16 and Saturday 19 December, 10.30am. Christmas music, with coffee and mince pies