Join us at The Vale to celebrate our 5th birthday!
Enjoy a day of FREE creative Carnival activities and taster sessions from our team and local community groups, then stay on into the evening for a night of live music from BolognaBridge Band. Celebrations will continue the next day with the return of our Sunday Sessions!
Here’s what to expect on our big birthday weekend…
Saturday 12 September
From 10am to 4pm, explore a mix of wellbeing, music, dance, craft and garden activities across The Vale. There’s something for all interests and ages, and every session is completely FREE!
Sound Bath, 10 – 10.45am
Join us on a relaxation sound healing journey; a fantastic way to leave behind the stresses of modern life. Come to regain sense of inner peace and tranquillity, and leave feeling relaxed, refreshed and restored. During this session, Gongs are played gently along with Himalayan Bowls, Frame Drum, Hand Pan, Koshi and percussion instruments, creating a sound to lull you into an Altered State of Consciousness (similar to deep meditation) inducing a deep, restorative relaxation.
Suitable for ages 18+
Meet the Maker: 10.30 – 11.30am
Step behind the scenes of our carnival world and discover the artistry that brings our giant puppets to life. Join sculptor and puppet‑builder Mel Roberts for an up‑close look at one of our spectacular large‑scale creations, hear stories from the workshop, and learn how these towering characters are dreamed up, designed, and built. A rare chance to meet the maker and see the magic in the making.
Mossley Writers: 10am – 12pm
Mossley Writers will be here with a pair of playful storytelling activities, inviting visitors to create both a giant collaborative chalk story that winds its way around the building (or onto an indoor flip chart if it rains) and a collection of tiny books, where people can jot down small, meaningful anecdotes to take home or leave in our tiny library. Alongside these hands‑on activities, there’ll also be some printed anthologies of the group’s recent work available for anyone who’d like to browse or make a donation to take one away.
Suitable for all ages, children under 14 to be accompanied by an adult.
Mossley Morris Men: Time TBC
Mossley Morris Men will be joining us for a special appearance during the celebrations, a group of traditional local dancers bringing their trademark energy, colour, and good humour to the day. We’re delighted to have them as part of the festivities!
Mindful breathwork: 11.15am – 12pm
Join Padma for a restorative breathwork practice designed to ease tension and steady the mind. Through the simple, grounding technique of Anapanasati, you’ll be guided into a state of deep relaxation and clarity. Ideal for anyone looking to reset, recharge, or simply breathe a little more fully.
A yoga mat or chair is recommended for comfort.
Suitable for ages 14+
Arts and Crafts: 10am – 12.30pm
Drop into Martha’s much‑loved Crafty Saturday and get stuck into making your very own wooden bot creature. Perfect for little hands and big imaginations, this relaxed session lets children build, decorate, and take home a quirky character of their own. A gentle, creative start to the day.
Suitable for all ages, children to be accompanied.
Our Space Garden Activities: 10 – 12.30pm
Spend the morning in our community garden and explore the scents growing all around you. In this special Our Space session, you’ll pick, blend, and experiment with fragrant plants to create your very own natural perfume to take home. A calming, hands‑on activity celebrating the creativity of the garden.
Don’t forget to bring a small jar to take some home!
Apple juicing: 11am – 1.30pm
Roll up your sleeves and join Andreea for a wholesome, hands‑on juicing session using her traditional apple press. Bring your own apples, a container, and a bit of muscle power, and you’ll head home with the freshest, tastiest juice you’ve ever made. A simple, joyful craft that celebrates the season and the community.
Suitable for all ages, children to be accompanied.
Full Stilt Walkabout: Throughout the day!
A vibrant (and very tall!) flock will be roaming The Vale during the day; a stilt‑walking walkabout inspired by flamboyant Bachelors of Paradise and their larger‑than‑life courtship rituals. Expect dazzling feathers and playful preening as these towering birds strut, dance and charm their way through the celebrations!
Paper Cap Craft: 1 – 3.30pm
Ready to get creative? Gordon’s on hand to help you cut, fold, twist, and decorate your very own paper cap. Go bold, go colourful, go completely wild – this is your chance to craft a wearable masterpiece and show off your style!
Suitable for all ages, children to be accompanied.
Drumming Workshop: 2.15 – 3pm
Feel the rhythm and dive into this high‑energy drumming session for all ages. No experience needed – just bring yourself, plenty of enthusiasm, and get ready to make some noise. A brilliant, uplifting hour of beats, movement, and collective joy.
Suitable for all ages, children under 14 to be accompanied by an adult.
Carnival Ceilidh: 1 – 1.45pm
Join Born and Bred dance theatre for a Carnival Ceilidh! Learn a selection of traditional English dances such as the Caerphilly March or the Witches Reel, and then perform them to Carnival music. Bring your family and friends to move, laugh and socialise.
Suitable for ages 5+
Knights of The Vale Taster Workshop: 12pm – 3pm
Step into a world of fantasy, strategy and creativity! Join Knights of the Vale – your gateway to epic tabletop hobby adventures. Come and explore a dazzling model showcase, jump into a live fantasy wargame, or try your hand at building or painting a miniature masterpiece. All skill levels welcome.
Suitable for ages 12+
Ride Out Loud Story Trail: 1pm – 3pm
Ride Out Loud will be running their much‑loved Story Trail from 1pm–3pm, inviting families to follow the two Giants from a Saddleworth folktale written by Tori Burgess, with music by Jake Fletcher and illustrations by Lizzie Rigby. The trail starts and finishes at our pedal‑powered story tent, where visitors can hop onto a fixed bike to generate the power needed to listen to the story, make their own giant’s beard using mostly natural materials, and enjoy a free book and prizes for completing the trail.
Bike heights suitable for ages 6+
Wind-down Tunes: 3.30-4pm
Join us for an upbeat end‑of‑day session with Matt Catt, bringing a burst of sound before he returns to take over the decks at the evening’s gig!
‘Unheard Stories’ Exhibition Highlights: 10am – 4pm
Over the past six years, Cabasa has worked with hundreds of women and people across Greater Manchester. We invite you to hear their stories and celebrate the people who have shaped this work in a powerful exhibition, featuring stunning images of pregnancy and postnatal body painting, audio stories, written experiences, and textile work.
Food and drink: 10am – 4pm
Bologna Bridge Band: 7.30pm
The Bologna Bridge Band – known affectionately as BBB – is a high‑energy brass band born beneath one of Bologna’s most evocative bridges. Drawing on the rich musical traditions of New Orleans, their sound channels the spirit of street parades and celebrations, where the line between performer and audience dissolves into one shared experience.
They’ll be on stage in The Venue on Saturday night and we can’t think of a better way to round off the day!
Please note this event has an age restriction of 14+
Under 18s must be accompanied by an adult.
Doors 7:30pm
Tickets £18* available HERE
This is a standing show. If you require a seat for accessibility please get in touch before the show via [email protected]
*A limited number of donate what you can tickets are available on a first come first served basis. We respect our audience’s privacy to choose the right ticket for their financial circumstances, no evidence required.”
Sunday 13 September
Sunday Sessions: 1 – 4pm
What better way to finish our birthday weekend than with the return of the ever-popular Sunday Sessions? We can’t wait to welcome you back for this laid-back afternoon of family-friendly live music.
We hope you can join us for this special weekend. If you have any questions, drop an email to [email protected] or call 01457 238089.