Latest news with #NorthernRoots
BBC News
23-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Oldham eco-visitors centre to open in summer 2026
Construction work is underway on a landmark £13m visitors centre at the UK's largest urban farm and Northern Roots regeneration scheme is transforming 160 acres of empty land to the south of Alexandra Park in Oldham. Oldham Council Leader Arooj Shah said the building would be a "centre of green excellence" which "has to be the best, because that's what people deserve". The project also includes landscaping, an events arena and a building for teaching forestry skills. The visitors centre will include a café, shop, production kitchen, performance and exhibition space, plus classrooms and meeting rooms. The nearby forestry skills centre will focus on technical and land-based training, helping residents gain qualifications in sustainable Ferriere, 76, a volunteer who has been helping to build six commercial-grade polytunnels at Northern Roots in Oldham, said: "I lost my wife two years ago and I was totally lost, so I became a volunteer and it's given me a new lease of life."I feel young again." It is hoped the next phase of Northern Roots will boost skills, jobs, tourism, biodiversity and the local Morrison, from the Northern Roots charity, said the main inspiration behind the project was to bring "hope and pride to Oldham".She said: "Why should Oldham not have something which is really special?" Over the last two years, the Northern Roots charity has established the first phase of the Urban Farm, where volunteers grow fruit and wildlife habitats have also been created, with over 2,000 new trees, six ponds, a community garden and a wildflower Gibbs, 39, who lives in nearby Fitton Hill and works at Northern Roots, said: "At my children's school, a lot of the teachers are really eager to bring classes down and people are excited at the job prospects which are going to be available." The Northern Roots project is being delivered with support from the government's Town Deal Fund and Levelling Up visitors centre at Northern Roots is expected to open in summer 2026. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
BBC News
15-02-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Newcastle MOBO Awards: History of black music photo display at Discovery Museum
A photo display paying tribute to the history of black music on Tyneside is on show, as Newcastle gears up to host the MOBO ceremony is being held in the city on Tuesday, with a five-day fringe event running alongside it to create opportunities for the area's Discovery Museum will exhibit the display from Saturday, in partnership with Northern Roots, which supports local D'Aronville, of the organisation, said: "This exhibition is just a glimpse into moments in time, with the future holding so much more for artists and audiences in our community." She added the creative community had changed through history and "no longer are we drawn to other places to be able to programme some of the best and most diverse talent".The display features international artists such as Chaka Khan, Public Enemy and Goldie, alongside contemporary Newcastle artists Kema Kay and Kay Greyson, at venues including Jumpin' Hot Club, Hoochie Coochie, World Headquarters and at festivals Boss Sounds and Evolution. Keith Merrin, director of North East Museums, which manages Discovery Museum, said: "We welcome people from all over the UK and further afield so for our visitors to be able to see this as soon as they walk in the museum is wonderful."The montage of photographs will be projected on the wall above the iconic Turbinia ship - the first object people see when entering the display closes on 23 part of the MOBO Fringe Festival, workshops have also been held in schools about rap music and song people have also been learning God Gave Me Feet for Dancing by Ezra Collective - a previous MOBO winner - as part of the production of a video to be shown during the Youth Choir Project will join ensembles Jambone, Quay Voices and Step Up Singing on the concourse at the Glasshouse on Sunday for a showcase of music by black MOBO Awards are being held at Newcastle's Utilita Arena with acts including Krept & Konan, Bashy, Spice and Nova Twins confirmed to perform. Follow BBC Newcastle on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. Send your story ideas here.
