Mayor visits as plans for culture year are revealed

Borough will host 12 months of arts events after landing title

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GREATER Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham visited Rochdale on Friday as more about the town's plans for its year as town of culture were revealed during a preview event staged at the town hall.

Mr Burnham took a tour around the recently refurbished Rochdale Town Hall before heading to the nearby Voltalab Studios where he met international artist Shilpa Gupta and a Ukranian community choir as they rehearsed for Shilpa's exhibition taking place in Rochdale this July as part of Manchester International Festival.

The mayor also got chance to see the new Town of Culture Outdoor Gallery on Drake Street, featuring 24 new pieces of public art.

Mayor Burnham said: "There is so much happening here over the next few months, Rochdale has the most magnificent town hall you could wish to see, such a rich cultural heritage, so we're going to be celebrating this and all the history during the year as Greater Manchester Town of Culture.

"It's easy to get here by public transport, and Rochdale will surprise you, it's got so much to offer and it's going to be a wonderful year in the spotlight."

The Greater Manchester mayor's visit was followed by a preview event at Rochdale Town Hall attended by creatives, artists, arts organisations, businesses and local leaders, including Rochdale MP Paul Waugh, as more was revealed about the spectacular year ahead.

The evening included a performance from Rochdale's new poet laureate Sammy Weaver who read her poem inspired by the peregrine falcons that nest in the town hall before introducing two new poets in residence Alende Amisi and Sasha Mostafa who will be capturing the spirit of Rochdale in words.