Rochdale celebrates a life of literacy

Date article online: 05/06/2006

Hundreds of people with an interest in developing language, reading and writing skills in Rochdale borough and beyond will gather at Rochdale town hall this week for a major national conference.

'Celebrating Literacy', on Friday 9 June is part of a week of literacy celebrations in the borough, and sees the launch of Rochdale Council's all-age literacy policy.

Guest speakers include poet and recording artist Lemn Sissay, as well as Carol Taylor, Executive Director of the Basic Skills Agency.

Visitors to the event will take part in a variety of exciting workshops, on subjects as diverse as 'Music and Storytelling' and 'Theatre to stimulate early learning'. The event also features stalls and displays of a huge range of literacy initiatives.

Rochdale Council has developed a literacy policy that brings together the aspirations of everyone concerned with oral language and literacy from the first month of life, through schools years but also throughout adult life. It looks at literacy in the widest sense, in different communities, in homes, workplaces and in education.

Executive Director Terry Piggott said, "The conference begins an exciting festival of literacy across the borough, which will celebrate the excellent work being done but also help people in schools and many other settings to improve literacy for everyone."

More events to celebrate literacy:

Alongside the conference, other events are being arranged to celebrate literacy in the borough. On Saturday 10 June, a Family Learning day at the town hall is a great opportunity for children, their parents and carers to have fun with story-telling, live drama, book making, Urdu calligraphy and lots more. The event is free and takes place between 11am and 3pm.

Throughout the week from Monday 12 June, M6 Theatre presents an Early Years Drama festival. Based at Hamer Primary School, Albert Royds Street in Rochdale, the festival includes performances of 'Sonia's Garden', 'Odd Socks', 'Garden in Winter' and 'The Street where I live'.

All performances are free. To book, call (01706) 355898.