Eccles is gearing up to share the love as four days of new plays, comedy, markets, music, street food and drink, heritage and art take over the heart of the town.
From mobile theatre straight from the Edinburgh Fringe festival to makers market, from 200 years of history to the Yemeni community showcasing their Eccles roots and from dance to dog agility there’s something for everyone – and many of the events are free.
The event is organised by the Eccles Festival committee made up of local residents and councillors with support from Eccles Town Team which brings together Salford City Council and partner organisations, local businesses and volunteers.
Councillor David Lancaster, chair of the Eccles Festival committee said: “Eccles festival is always one of the highlights of the year. There’s an even bigger programme of events this time round so I hope to see the streets packed and buzzing.”
Roundabout, the world’s first pop-up, plug and play theatre will be in town in the grounds of St Mary’s Church, Church Street. Thanks to The Lowry and theatre company Paine’s Plough, the venue will show three new plays direct from their premier at the Edinburgh Fringe festival and meet the cast sessions.
Love, Lies and Taxidermy is what happens when the son of a Polish taxidermist meets the daughter of a failing ice cream salesman, I Got Superpowers For My Birthday sees three teenagers set out to save the world with their newly acquired powers while Growth is about growing up and manning up.
The venue will also host Manford’s Comedy Club, Salford’s Taste of Honey with young local actors putting their own slant on Shelagh Delaney’s classic play, Barton Theatre Company’s Up Your Street racing through 200 years of Eccles history in 50 minutes and the Yemeni Association’s Roots, Culture and Identity exhibition.
There are dance performances from The Danceworks Theatre and Ballet School, a dance session for two to four year olds, the Eccles Talent Showcase and Soundwaves and Waterways featuring local memories, songs and stories put together by Bridgewater Heritage volunteers.
On Saturday September 10 Eccles town centre hosts the Love Eccles Street Festival on Church Street, including the Makers Market with over 60 stalls selling artisan food, drink and crafts while Eccles parish church and Eccles Town Hall open their doors as part of the Heritage Open Days weekend. There’s also an Incredible Edible Eccles trail and Swinton Photographic Society’s annual exhibition.
And on Sunday there’s the Eccles Festival car boot sale and Eccles Festival dog show at Eccles recreation ground and arts in the afternoon with food, drink and theatre on a pay what you can basis at Smith’s restaurant, Church Street.
Councillor Lisa Stone, chair of Eccles Town Team, added: “Eccles is easy to reach by tram, train and bus all of which drop you right in the town centre or there’s free parking in the town centre John William Street car park on Saturday. Come down and join the party!”
