Spring Up! returns to The Vale

A free family friendly day of live music, movement, making, nature, and community is happening this May.

Enjoy the relaxing vibrations of a gong bath, get up close and personal with a puppet as tall as a giraffe and find your balance at a stilt walking workshop when free, seasonal celebration Spring Up! returns to The Vale, in Mossley on Sunday 11 May 2025.

The Spring Up! event will be funded by the Paul Hamlyn Foundation.

Hands-on family friendly activities at the arts centre in Mossley, Tameside, run from 10am.

Then from 1pm, grab a drink from the bar, pull up a pew, and stay to enjoy an afternoon of live music. Special guest artists include the highly acclaimed MIRO (Manchester International Roots Orchestra) and Purple Collective.

The day begins at 10am with a calming and therapeutic gong bath with an hour-long session. Suitable for ages 14+, bring a mat and blanket or pillow for maximum relaxation.

Then take a behind the scenes stroll through Global Grooves' Studio 2 and meet some of their enchanting giant walkabout puppets.

The Vale in Mossley Credit: Spring Up!

Early pre-booking via The Vale’s website is essential for the free stilt walking taster with experts with Full Stilt (11am and 11.30am). For safety reasons, participants should be at least 5 feet tall (around 1.5m) and 12 years+.

Outside, there's a spring garden trail running 11.30-2pm, giving plenty of opportunity to explore The Vale's beautiful community gardens as they burst with life, with craft stations along the way including simple take home projects. Suitable for all ages, there will be certificates and a book prize for everyone who completes it.

A lively taster session from 12-1pm invites children and adults to feel the rhythm of the Carnival with a beginner’s movement and drumming workshop. Little ones are welcome to tag along and may also enjoy unfurling their wings and becoming a butterfly in the garden with Cabasa Carnival Arts (12-2pm).

Whilst indoor crafts activities, running from 10-12pm, include making a mini puppet to take home.

Throughout the afternoon guests can enjoy live music, featuring Brazilian and Latin tunes from the house band and very special guest artists.

The Manchester International Roots Orchestra (MIRO) is a unique ensemble of musicians with roots from across the world including refugee musicians. With a repertoire skilfully combining diverse musical influences from haunting Eastern European melodies to the delicate textures of Middle Eastern percussion and vocals, through to soulful Sufi chants of South Asia and joyful African gospel, you can enjoy their global sounds in an intimate environment from 4-4.30pm.

The Manchester International Roots Orchestra group. Credit: Spring Up!

Other guest artists include Mossley Ukulele Group (2-2.30pm) and Purple Collective (3-3.30pm).

The bar will remain open until 5.30pm, offering a selection of Millstone ales, wines, and a good variety of non-alcoholic hot and cold drinks. 

Pop up catering options include Portuguese artisan pastries and biscuits from Mossley-based Maria Rita Patisserie with other snack food available 10-12.30pm and the bar open from 1pm.

Amelia Bayliss, General Manager, The Vale, said: "After great success last year, Spring Up! is back, with new and familiar activities for all ages.

"The day is not only a free community celebration of the arrival of spring, but also a chance to meet up with friends and family, listen to some live music and try out something new.

"We hope to see you there."

Spring Up! Is at The Vale, Vale Mill, off Micklehurst Road, Mossley, Tameside OL5 9JL on Sunday 11 May 2025 from 10am-5pm