A new home for the Ramsbottom Heritage Society is now complete thanks to support from Bury Council and 90% funding made available in 2008 from the Heritage Lottery Fund and Skills Funding Agency.

The new £400,000 extension to Ramsbottom Library will be officially opened on 10 September and a range of special activities will take place between 11.00 am and 3.00 pm.

The new extension includes a new classroom and heritage gallery space which will be run in conjunction with Ramsbottom Heritage Society and Bury Museum.

As part of the celebrations the Worshipful Mayor of Bury John Byrne, will accept, on behalf of Bury Museum, the repatriation of ‘cremated human bones’ from Simon Mays from English Heritage. The bones which date back to the Bronze Age and were discovered on the top of Whitelow Hill by enthusiasts from Bury Archaeological Group.

Events and activities will be taking place at the library throughout the day to showcase some of Ramsbottom’s interesting and diverse history such as spinning, quill writing, a workshop by a Lancashire dialect speaker, plus taster sessions 11.00 am to 12.00 by Bury Adult Learning demonstrating flower arranging, stained glass, patchwork and quilting, photography, calligraphy and languages.

Members of the Ramsbottom Heritage Society will also be on hand throughout the day to provide expert local information with displays and demonstrations depicting the rich history of Ramsbottom.

Councillor Yvonne Creswell, Cabinet Member for Communities, said: “This is a fantastic investment in a community resource and a exciting addition to the library, which will be used by many different groups from the local community. The new extension provides a great resource for Ramsbottom Heritage Society and help them tell lots of visitors and local residents about Ramsbottom’s heritage from the Bronze Age through to the Industrial Revolution and present day”.

For further information on the event contact Joanne Fitton, Archivist 0161 253 6314 or email archives@bury.gov.uk.

The gallery will be open to the public during normal library opening times and on Saturdays staff from the Ramsbottom Heritage Society will also be available.

Suzanne Fonseca, a local musician with a national reputation, is teaming up with fellow renowned trombonist Lee Hallam, current lead trombone chair with the ‘Empress Orchestra’ at Blackpool Tower Ballroom, to put on a tribute to JJ Johnson and Kai Winding on Sunday 5th September at the Theatre Royal Ramsbottom.

This is a must for all Jazz connoisseurs and a special treat for all music lovers as Fonseca and Hallam perform the same arrangements that made Johnson and Winding such a celebrated act in the 1950’s.

Ramsbottom based Fonseca is in high demand from jazz enthusiasts the length and breadth of the country regularly playing at prestige venues for and in front of household names. She has chosen the Theatre Royal to put on this showcase to thank her home town for their support and to show off Ramsbottom to her loyal followers.

Doors open for what should be a memorable night at 8pm with tickets prices of £5 for advanced booking (call 01706 828706) and for £6 on the night.

Joining Fonseca and Hallam are Dave Turner on Bass, Paul Kilvington on Piano and John Watterson on Drums.

Date: Sunday 12th September 2010
Venue: The Royal Oak, Bridge Street, Ramsbottom
Times: 11am – Late

The Corner Pin at Stubbins, near the village of Ramsbottom, is steeped in black pudding history.

Since time immemorial the historic public house has paid tribute to the brave men and women who repelled raiding parties from Yorkshire… by competing to dislodge Yorkshire Puddings from the ceremonial plinth with finest quality Bury black puddings (Kindly now supplied by Chadwicks of Bury… The finest Black Puddings in the world)…

An event now enshrined as the WORLD BLACK PUDDING THROWING CHAMPIONSHIPS…

Starting Location: Stubbins
Terrain: Flat
Distance: 4.5 miles

With the Big Walk Home fast approaching why not limber up over the bank holiday weekend with this great walk devised by local resident Daniel Mead.

The walk is designed to be short enough to enjoy as a family stroll so as to make the most of the few glimpses of sun before the winter sets in! The first in this series of walks will take you around the river Irwell and along the old Bury to Accrington railway line, now a popular and scenic footpath connecting Chatterton and Irwell Vale.

Also included in this walk is the option of a halfway stop off at a pub in Edenfield that serve home cooked food and have daily specials. The Coach and Horses also stock a variety of guest ales and welcome walkers (even having their own walking club).

Landmarks include The Old Tentering House, the former home of Samuel Porrit and a section of the Irwell Sculpture Trail.

In the walks to follow expect to be guided around the river Ogden and some more challenging and lesser known tracks.

Click here to download printable directions.
You can also view a map of the route by clicking here.

With the wet weather we have been experiencing please be warned about muddy paths, particularly around Alderbottom (towards the end of the walk) and sensible shoes should be worn.

What was the name of the dog that found the stolen Jules Rimet World Cup trophy in 1966?

Think you know the answer to this piece of trivia or does it leave you in a bit of a pickle?

If you think you’ve got the knowledge to answer this brain teaser of a question then you and a gaggle of your pals could take part in what could easily be described as Ramsbottom’s answer to Mastermind meets the Krypton Factor, (minus the physical activity part, unless raising an ice cold Amstel to your lips is classed as physical activity) in ‘RamsbottonOnline.com’s Not So Famous Quiz Night™’.

This great monthly quiz takes place on the last Wednesday of month. The next on is on Weds 29th September.

The rules are simples enough:

• £5 per team entry (up to 4 people)
• Bowl of chips, nuts & crackers to share
• Drinks offers on the night
• Winner takes the pot of cash
• Everyone is guaranteed to win a prize!
• Start at 8.30pm
• 4 sets of 10 questions covering all sorts!

All you need to do is turn up. Pay your cash. Get an answer sheet and you’re in. If you’re coming join the Facebook event page.

43 Bolton Street
Ramsbottom
BL0 9HU

Tel: 01706 827722
Web: www.thefirstchop.co.uk

As last year’s Lunch in the Suburbs was such a success, Manchester Food & Drink Festival is bringing the experience back, but this time over two weekends – bringing you the opportunity to spend 2 fabulous foodie days out in lovely Ramsbottom. It will take place on Sunday 3rd and Saturday 9th October at Sanminis, Ramsons and The Chocolate Cafe.

You will be able to take a gastronomic tour around the jewels of Ramsbottom’s culinary crown, all under your own steam… Diners will begin their journey at acclaimed Indian eatery Sanminis, where they will enjoy an authentic sharing platter.

It’s then on to award-winning restaurant Ramsons (one of this year’s MFDF Restaurant of the Year Nominees) where owner and local food hero Chris Johnson will host a stunning, locally sourced main course, created especially for the event by Chef Abdulla Naseem.

The culinary crawl will then culminate at the famous Chocolate Café (nominated this year for Coffee Bar and Casual Dining Venue of the Year), where indulgent sweet treats will be served alongside a glass of dessert wine. Diners can then enjoy a digestif at one of the town’s lovely pubs or bars before making their way home.

There will be two Lunch in the Suburbs sittings commencing at 12.00pm (ending at 4.30pm) and 2pm (ending at 6pm) on both Sunday 3rd October and on Saturday 9th October. Feel free to go all out and book both days, as two completely different menus will be served to start and end the Festival on a high note!

This is real gastro treat, priced at an astonishing festival price of £40 for the day! This includes all three courses, a beer and dessert wine.

Book now for this special event as places are limited! For further info and to get your ticket click here.

www.rammyunited.co.uk

Ramsbottom United will need to pull out all the stops when they face current league leaders New Mills this Tuesday. Come and support your local team! Adults £6, Children and Concessions £3, Pie and Peas £1.50 (bargain!)

www.retm.co.uk

Modern, good quality second hand books at really low prices, Crafty Cat greetings cards all individually designed and for practically every occasion, bric-a-brac and our ever popular café serving light refreshments and possibly the cheapest cup of tea or coffee in Ramsbottom. If you’re visiting our lovely little town for the August Bank Holiday, why not call in St Paul’s, take a look around our fine church, enjoy a snack and pick up a bargain or two at the same time.

Regular Spanish Speakers Meet Up

The next meeting is on Thursday 9th Sepetmber, 7.30 pm at The First Chop (downstairs)

The group consists of Spanish speakers of all levels, from beginners to fluent.

If you love to speak Spanish, we would love to meet you.

Hasta pronto!

The shortlist of nominees for the 2010 Manchester Food & Drink Awards, the most prestigious food and drink awards in the region, has been announced. The Awards provide a benchmark for excellence in the hospitality industries throughout Greater Manchester. This year Ramsbottom can proudly boast 3 nominations with Ramsons up for the ‘Restaurant of the Year’, The Chocolate Cafe ‘Best Coffee Shop or Casual Dining Venue’ and new community venture Incredible Edible Ramsbottom in the ‘Manchester Community Foodie Award’ category.

Congratulations and good luck to all three.

You can vote by clicking here. You can only vote once, so make yours count!