Exciting and Exotic Mix Lined up for Half-term

BATS, apples and herbal tea are just some of the ingredients in an exciting mixture of activities put together by Tameside Council for the autumn half-term holiday (October 23 to 27).

It all starts with an introduction to foraging walk and talk at Chadwick Dam, behind Stamford Park, on Tuesday, October 24 (11am to 1pm). It’s aimed at teenagers and adults and will take a look at everything from berries to wild herbs and mushrooms.

On Wednesday, October 25, it’s back to Chadwick Dam but this time for some bat detecting for those aged seven and over (5.30 to 7.30pm). Russ Hedley will show how to spot the bats and how to use detectors to listen to them.

Chadwick Dam figures again on Thursday, October 26 (2 to 3.40pm), for an exploration of the flora and fauna to see what be found for Alison Cooper to distil into a nourishing herbal tea.

Apples and Alchemy, at Werneth Low Country Park on Sunday, October 29 (11am to 3pm) celebrates National Apple Month. Operation Farm will be onsite with their apple press and you can squelch through the mud to build dens, roast marshmallows, turn apples into bird feeders, and join the alchemists for create fragrant potions and mystical transforming clay masks.  

All these events have been partly funded by the Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund for Communities and Place. For more information and to book places visit www.intameside.co.uk

If family theatre is more your thing, the Astley Cheetham Gallery, Trinity Street, Stalybridge, will be hosting “Luna Loves Library Day” on Tuesday, October 24, with shows at 11am and 2pm.

Its’s a chance to join Luna and her dad for an adventure among the library shelves in this exciting new musical suitable for children aged three and over. Tickets – £3.50 per child – are available via www.ticketsource.co.uk

On the Tuesday and Thursday of the week, there are family-friendly arts activities for children of all ages at Portland Basin Museum, Ashton. Drop in any time between 11am and 3pm. £1.30 per child. Children must be accompanied at all times.

There are free space-themed crafts, games and treasure hunts, suitable for children aged four to 11, at Hyde Library on Monday, October 23 (10 to 11am); Stalybridge Library (2 to 3pm) on October 25; Denton Library (2 to 3pm) on October 26 and Mossley Library (10.30 to 11.30am) on October 27. No need to book, just drop in.

Cllr Sangita Patel, Tameside Council’s assistant executive member for culture, heritage and digital inclusivity, said: “With such a wide range of activities on offer at our libraries, museums, galleries and beautiful countryside, and with so many of them for free, there’s no excuse for boredom.

“Everyone can look forward to a fun-filled half-term with lots to do, and enjoy some healthy fresh air and exercise at the same time.”