Two new anthologies of poetry written by Rochdale residents have been published to celebrate the area. The special books were created after being inspired by the borough's proud year as the Greater Manchester Town of Culture.
Weaving Words and Poems to Change the World
The first book is titled Weaving Words and features a 120-page collection packed with poems celebrating local people and places. The second book is aimed specifically at children and is called Poems to Change the World. Both of the new titles include over 65 new poems from a total of 96 local poets.
Community Workshops and Inspiration
The project was led by Rochdale Poet Laureate Sammy Weaver, who hosted writing workshops with residents and over 650 young people. She drew on the rich co-operative history of the area as a source of inspiration for the writers. Both anthologies are now available to buy for £10 each from any of the borough’s 16 libraries or from the Rochdale Pioneers Museum on Toad Lane.
Councillor Sue Smith, from Rochdale Borough Council, said: “These two limited edition anthologies are such a fascinating souvenir of a moment in time. They will make you think and make you laugh. We’ve so much creativity and talent within our diverse communities that needs sharing so I’m so pleased now they’ve been published, so many more are now able to enjoy reading them.”
Illustrations and Young Voices
The books also include beautiful illustrations by local artist and poet Mark Rothwell and community artist Phoebe Foxtrot. A painting by Elizabeth White is also featured within the pages of the new collections. Year five student Rania Faisal is one of many inspiring young people who have seen their work published for the first time.
Sammy Weaver said: “These beautiful collections of poems really reflect our people, places and the moments that make this borough feel like home. The feedback and reviews we’ve had so far has been amazing.”
Funding and Cultural Celebration
The project was funded by National Lottery project grants from Arts Council England and Flexible Funds. The cultural celebration ran until April 1, 2026, and featured a spectacular line-up of festivals, live performances, exhibitions, and art. The special title was awarded by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority to celebrate the rich history and diverse arts scene of the town. Anyone who would like to find out more information about the books can visit the Rochdale Creates website.
