Funded by Ambition for Ageing, the festival is being co-ordinated by a partnership of five groups, 4CT, HMR Circle, MMU Age Friendly Team, Persona and Wigan Athletic Community Trust. The celebratory event will portray a more positive view of ageing, as well as encouraging policy-makers to take the action needed to improve the lives of Greater Manchester’s 907,000 older people – a figure set to rise to 1.1million in the next twenty years.

 

The Festival will offer a range of activities, fun, music, dancing, hobbies, physical activities, information and lots of opportunities for individuals and communities to join in or create their own festival fringe event. Events and activities planned so far over the festival fortnight are as follows:

The main festival events taking place in eight towns across the festival fortnight have just been confirmed as follows:

• Monday 2^nd July: Festival Launch Manchester City Centre (12noon – 4pm) - 

  The festival fortnight will kick off with a launch event across Manchester City Art Gallery, Central Library and Albert Square.  

  Our three Festival venues will house a themed programme of events which will launch the first Greater Manchester Festival of Ageing. Zoned activities will offer taster sessions, exhibitions, activities and information of all the great things on offer around GM.

  Highlights include a climbing wall, ‘Silver Swans’ ballet taster session, middle eastern dance, interactive Desert Island Discs, arts and crafts, walking football tasters and tournament, line dancing, seated Tai chi, and musical performances throughout the day.

• Tuesday 3rd July: Bolton Main Festival Event (11am – 3pm)

  This open-air event will be held the heart of Bolton in Victoria Square. Marquees in Victoria Square will house a rolling programme of events and activities for older people to enjoy. 15 minutes sessions to include dancing, trampette exercise with Jump Extreme, Bolton Wanderers information stand, Total Fitness, choir performance and a huge celebration selfie.

• Wednesday 4th July: Bury Main Festival Event  (11 am – 3 pm)

  Taking place in Bury's Millgate Shopping Centre. there will be a rolling programme of events with activities taking place in 15 minute slots - to include ballet, Shooting Stars sporting activities, historical walks, Bury leisure activities, Age UK activities for older people, The Grundy Choir, a photo exhibition by Amy Barron, art gallery information and tours, Total Fitness activities, Trampette Exercise from Jump Extreme, and local Healthwatch health checks.

• Thursday 5th July: Wigan Main Festival Event (12noon – 4 pm)

  A packed programme of events will be ran at the DW Stadium, to include 3 live music acts, a walking football tournament, taster sessions of walking netball, health walks, table tennis, cycling. 'Teds Talks' - a talk about writing by a local author, Leigh Film Society and spinning wheel demonstrations. There will be free tea and coffee all day, and a free pie for the first 300 people through the gate.

• Friday 6th July: Oldham Main Festival Event (2pm)

  This booking-only event will be held at De Niros Restaurant in Heyside, Royton. Join old friends and make new friends in an afternoon of musical entertainment and hot food buffet. To book your place, please contact Heywood, Middleton & Rochdale Circle on 0800 112 3440, 01706 751 165 or email mark@hmrcircle.org.uk.

• Saturday 7th July: Salford Main Festival Event (11am – 3pm)

  A great day out - for young, old and those in the middle at Helly Hansen Watersport Centre. “Get in the Boat" with boat races, stalls, cakes, pasties, talks, films, a climbing wall and more. For more information, please contact Dementia Support Services on 0161 728 2001 or email esmith@ageuksalford.org.uk.

• Tuesday 10^th July: Tameside Main Festival Event (12noon – 4pm)

  Join us at Ashton Under Lyne Market for an afternoon of stalls, activities, music, dancing, games and fun as part of the Greater Manchester Festival of Ageing. The event is for all people aged 50+ who live in Tameside. Attendance and activities are all free, and there will be free refreshments available too. For more information telephone 0161 230 1438.

• Friday 13th July: Rochdale Main Festival Event (2pm)

  This booking-only event will be held at Heywood Civic Centre. With special guest musical entertainment, The Cheatles. To book your place, please contact Heywood, Middleton & Rochdale Circle on 0800 112 3440, 01706 751 165 or email mark@hmrcircle.org.uk.

• Sunday 15^th July: Festival Finale Event (2pm) - COMPLETELY SOLD OUT - PLEASE NOTE THAT TICKETS WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR ON THE DAY

  An invited audience of Festival Event organisers and key Festival supporters will enjoy a showcase of the most talented over 50s Greater Manchester has to offer. During the interval, they will partake of a buffet styled on the famous Midland Hotel Afternoon Tea.

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