HEYWOOD LITTLEBOROUGH MIDDLETON ROCHDALE


The


year2012 Big


Events Guide www.link4life.org/bigyear


The BIG Games


Hollingworth Lake


BIG Water Festival 10am-4pm Sunday 3 June at Hollingworth Lake Water Activity Centre, Sailing Club & Rowing Club.


A chance to try out a range of adventure sports on and around lovely Hollingworth Lake with all equipment and tuition provided. Low cost taster sessions available with a choice of water sports, mountain biking, orienteering and climbing.


A celebration event for HM The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee


The BIG Games 10am-4pm Sunday 24 June Middleton Arena Sunday 1 July


Saturday 7 July


Littleborough Sports Centre


Rochdale Leisure Centre, Touchstones Rochdale and Broadfield Park


Saturday 14 July Heywood Sports Village and Queen’s Park


For full details of the BIG Games programme visit www.link4life.org/bigyear or call in to one of the participating centres.


The BIG Games programme in 2012 is a series of events boroughwide to mark this special year. Organised by Link4Life in collaboration with Rochdale Borough Council and many local clubs and groups, it is a showcase of sports, arts and heritage that provides a chance to try out many different activities either free or at very low cost. Fun and surprises with prizes to be won. No pre-booking – just turn up.


The BIG Games programme builds on previously successful ‘Open Weekend’ events to mark the annual countdown to the start of London 2012. For its work in helping to promote sport, culture and volunteering, The BIG Games has also been recognised through the Inspire programme and has been awarded the Inspire mark as one of the London 2012 family of events being celebrated across the UK.


BIG Dance Week 7-15 July at Venues Boroughwide Join this national celebration of dance as part of the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad. Link4Life will be promoting a week-long activity programme with the chance to both get active and show off your artistic side.


The BIG Disability Games 2pm-6pm Friday 24 August at Heywood Sports Village Organised by Link4Life and supported by schools, local clubs and groups this is a chance to try out different activities and sports. Activities for adults and children.


A celebration event for the Paralympic Torch Relay


Welcome to our Big Year guide to events in 2012. It is an exciting year of celebration – internationally, nationally and locally.


WELCOME TO THE


As the nation prepares to host the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics, here in the borough of Rochdale we will see the completion of a building programme of more than £34 million investing in new sports and arts facilities. These facilities will showcase an exciting programme of Big Year events that joins with many local clubs and groups to help provide a lasting legacy for this exciting year.


Rochdale, home of the Co-operative Movement, has been declared the ‘World Capital of Co-operatives’ and will be hosting events across the borough throughout 2012 in celebration of the United Nations International Year of Co-operatives. The message for the year is “Co-operative Enterprises Build a Better World.” It unites organisations and people working to meet common economic, social and cultural needs and aspirations and the borough is getting ready to welcome visitors from all over the world as part of this international celebration.


BIGYEAR


To mark 60 years of Her Majesty The Queen’s reign, the Diamond Jubilee celebrations will centre around an extended bank holiday weekend in June. The only other British monarch to celebrate a Diamond Jubilee was Queen Victoria in 1897 and this historic event will be at the heart of the year’s local celebrations.


It is also, of course, 10 years since the 2002 Manchester Commonwealth Games. For many it will bring back memories of visiting the Games, volunteering or taking part in the Spirit of the Games festival. We now have the opportunity to ‘Be Inspired’ in 2012 and build further on this local legacy.


Comic Relief Mile Take part in one of the hundreds of Sport Relief Mile events taking place across the country on Sunday 25th March. Whether you do 1, 3 or 6 miles – as a family team, with your mates or against the clock – sign up for a place at the Rochdale Millipede Mile taking place in Rochdale’s Broadfield Park. To enter visit www.sportrelief.com/the-mile Organised by Link4Life and RMBC Parks & Countryside Service


Triathlon Events Official British Triathlon competitions organised by Rochdale Triathlon Club. Details: 01706 844890. Pre-enter online at www. rochdaletriclub.com (via Entry


Central).


Junior Aquathon Pool swim and run for ages 8-16. Events on Sunday 1 April - Wardle School. Saturday 21 July - Heywood Sports Village. Saturday 6 October - Oulder Hill School.


All events start 1pm. Limited entry on the day. Entry fee.


WORT – Wardle Off Road


Triathlon Saturday 4 August at Wardle School Full Triathlon - 160m pool swim, 20km off road cycle, 8km off- road run. Mini Triathlon - 160m pool swim, 10km off-road cycle, 4km off- road run.


Categories: Adult Male & Female, Seniors, Veterans & Super Seniors. Individual and relay team entries welcome. Entry fee.


Rochdale Leisure


Centre Opening The new Rochdale Leisure Centre will open with a weekend of public tours giving an opportunity to take a look round this £10.8 million new centre. Watch for date. For details visit www.link4life.org/newcentre.


Para-Climbing


Competition Organised by BMC, Climb Rochdale and Link4Life Sunday 15 April at Climb Rochdale, School Lane, Rochdale.


Have a go at competitive indoor climbing in a friendly environment. Three different categories of entry will accommodate people with different levels of mobility. Also open to people with sensory impairments and people with learning disabilities. For juniors and adults. To pre-enter visit www.bmc. co.uk and to find out more contact Link4Life Disability Officer, Graeme Hill on 01706 926203.


Heritage Tours of


Central Leisure Centre As Central Leisure Centre closes in May in readiness for the opening of the new Rochdale Leisure Centre, share your memories of over 70 years of history at ‘Rochdale Baths’ in an exciting heritage project led by Link4Life Arts & Heritage Service. Heritage Tours also available on Thursday 19th April. Places limited. Contact 01706 924928 for details and booking.


Search for a Gold Star


Sunday 13th August at Manchester Golf Club. A one day golfing experience to showcase the sport of golf to young people who have never given it a try and would like to. A London 2012 Inspire Mark project.


National Family Week 25-31 August Boroughwide. Link4Life are once again taking part in National Family Week with special free or low cost family friendly events to enjoy together.


Heritage Open Days 6-9 September Boroughwide. Annual heritage celebration with places to visit and guided walks and tours.


PRIDE OF ROCHDALE


AWARDS Presentation Evening at Middleton Arena on 24 September. Closing date for nominations 31 July.


This year also sees Touchstones Rochdale celebrating its 10th Anniversary as an award- winning arts and heritage centre and visitor attraction. There is an exciting programme of exhibitions and events to mark the Cultural Olympiad of London 2012, the International Year of Co-operatives and the Diamond Jubilee celebrations.


And 2012 also marks the 5th Anniversary for Link4Life. This has been a period of fantastic achievements and many challenges – and we are looking forward to this Big Year of celebration.


For information in large print or Braille ring 01706 924928


Watch for details of all these events and more at www.link4life.org/bigyear or ring Rochdale Visitor Information Centre on 01706 924928


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