Free family fun at Spring Up in Mossley

Lighter evenings, warmer days and the first signs of blossom can only mean one thing -spring is on its way.

To celebrate the changing season, The Vale in Mossley is once again hosting its popular Spring Up event, promising a full day of free entertainment and activities for all ages.

Taking place on Saturday, March 28, from 9am to 5pm, the annual celebration will see the arts centre throw open its doors for a packed programme of creativity, wellbeing and family fun.

Visitors can enjoy everything from a relaxing gong bath and gentle yoga session to seasonal arts and crafts, community gardening and model-making workshops.

Adding a touch of magic throughout the day will be roaming puppets from resident Carnival organisation Global Grooves. Expect plenty of character and colour as Terry and Donna, a mischievous pair of prehistoric pteranodons, wander around alongside Nandi the Brahman bull, lovingly created from repurposed saris and decorated with Indian bells.

Keep an eye out too for Sofiya, a striking giant walkabout puppet representing a Ukrainian girl. She was created at The Vale in collaboration with Ukrainian artists and is instantly recognisable thanks to her beautiful flower crown. Anyone who meets her is encouraged to greet her with “dobryi den” – hello in Ukrainian.

Early risers can begin the day with a relaxing sound healing journey. During the free 50-minute session, participants will be immersed in soothing sounds from gongs, Himalayan singing bowls, therapeutic frame drums, hand pans and Koshi wind chimes. The experience aims to guide people into a deeply meditative, restful state and is open to those aged 14 and over.

This will be followed by a gentle yoga class led by Flow & Glow Yoga, who run weekly sessions at The Vale. Starting with simple meditation and breathwork, the beginner-friendly class will move through a sequence of flowing postures before slowing down into relaxing stretches and a final resting pose. The class is also suitable for ages 14+.

Between 10am and 12.30pm, the venue will become a hive of activity as families take part in colourful Carnival-themed arts and crafts sessions.

Visitors can also meet volunteers from the Dipak Dristi Gujarati women’s group, who will be inviting people to try on traditional clothing, while the Our Space garden will host hands-on community gardening activities suitable for all ages.

In the afternoon the fun continues with a bike generator workshop and an introduction to fantasy board gaming and model building/painting with the Knights of the Vale, suitable for ages 12 and over.

Rounding off the celebration at around 3.30pm will be a special performance by Malawian-born, Manchester-based musician and storyteller Marco Woolf.

Light refreshments will be available throughout the day. Those looking for something more substantial can head next door to Pizza Love, which will be serving burgers, salads, fries and pizzas.

Spring Up takes place at The Vale, Unit 2 Vale Mill, Micklehurst Road, Mossley, Tameside OL5 9JL, on Saturday, March 28, from 9am to 5pm. Entry and activities are free, and everyone is welcome.