Bats Theme for Tameside's October Half-term Activities

BATS feature heavily in Tameside Council’s half-term activities, adding a suitably spooky theme to a programme that covers the Hallowe’en period.

Adults and children are invited to join a walk with Russ Hedley on Wednesday October 30 to discover the noisy nocturnal world of bats. He’ll help you discover more about bats, their habitat, environments and how they connect to the greater web of life.

Meet in front of Portland Basin Museum, Ashton, at 5.30pm. Bring a torch or fully-charged phone and ensure you are dressed appropriately for cold and possibly wet weather. Wear sturdy footwear for the canal towpath.

If you have any questions email events@tameside.gov.uk or call 0161 342 4179.

Tickets, on a pay what you can basis, are available from www.ticketsource.co.uk

Meanwhile, Tameside Libraries have arranged for South Lancashire Bat Group to tell children aged 11 and under all about bats and why they are very useful creatures to have around. There will be lots of crafts, treasure hunts and games too.

Monday 28 October: Droylsden Library, 10.30 to 11.30am; Tuesday 29 October: Dukinfield Library,  10.30 to 11.30am; Thursday 31 October: Denton Library, 2 to 3pm; Friday 1 November: Ashton Library, 3 to 4pm.

The spooky theme extends to the Make, Do and Play sessions with artist Caroline Coates at Portland Basin Museum, Ashton, where there are also family trails to help you explore.

On Tuesday 29 October it’s make your own Hallowe’en mask, and on Thursday 31 October it’s embossed foil art based on folk traditions such as the Mexican Day of the Dead.

Both sessions run from 10am to 4pm and the cost is £1.35 per child.

Over at Tameside Local Studies Centre on Wednesday October 30 there’s the chance to  make a beastly boggart.

The workshop, which explains all about the mischievous sprites that are said to inhabit Tameside, gives children the chance to create a pom-pom boggart and make up a back story. They can also learn about the spells needed to send boggarts away. If you want to come in fancy dress, that’s fine.

Drop in to the centre, which is on Cotton Street East, Ashton, between 2.30 and 4pm. For more information call 0161 342 4242.

On the same day, Portland Basin hosts a Magnificent Mushrooms Family Workshop from 11.30am to 3pm.

Myco – the Manchester Mushroom Co-op – will show you to how to create and cultivate your own mini-oyster mushroom bucket. Sign up when you arrive as these are timed and space limited workshops throughout the day.

Cllr Sangita Patel, Tameside Council’s assistant executive member for heritage, culture, participation and sport, said: “Our teams have once again done a wonderful job in organising exciting, unusual and educational activities for half-term, which are not to be missed. They offer a great opportunity for learning in  a creative way.”