Toad Lane Concerts, Rochdale
4th December 2025

Midweek Musical Delight at St Mary in the Baum!

Every Wednesday at 12:30pm, enjoy the Queen’s Award-winning Toad Lane Concerts at the stunning Grade I listed St Mary in the Baum church, Toad Lane, Rochdale, OL16 1DZ.

Admission is just £6. As a “not for profit” initiative, your entry fee and donations directly support talented musicians, the historic venue, and music resources.

For details, contact Dr. Joe Dawson: 01706 648872.

Note: There have been 1,165 concerts since taking over the council’s Music at Lunchtime in 2001. Justifying continuity in Rochdale’s year as the Greater Manchester Town of Culture.

Doors open 12noon, concert starts 12.30pm – 1.30pm.

Wed 10/12/2025 – Voci Voices – Elizabeth Ambrose & Margaret Ferguson sopranos, Eric Cymbir tenor, Mackenzie Paget baritone & Jonathan Ellis piano.

Here are the next events to whet your appetite.

- Dec 17 Alfred Anderson baritone and Joseph Dawson piano
- Dec 24 & 31 CLOSED Happy Christmas and New Year
- January 07 2026 More than Melody Ladies Choir

Previous Performance Reviews.

Wednesday 3rd December 2025 -Telemann Baroque Ensemble – flute & strings.

Picture 1: the last appearance of the Telemann Baroque Ensemble in October before the harpsichordist and director, Peter Collier, sadly passed away. With the blessing of his widow, Pam, they decided to fulfil this engagement and make it a celebration of their valued colleague and friend.

Peter was a graduate of the Guildhall School of Music and London University and the director of the Baroque Week Summer School, for over 40 years (www.baroque-week.org.uk) for which he built up a library of several thousand music scores. In the TBE’s quarterly appearances at St Mary the Baum, Peter led from the continuo (harpsichord) and introduce the items with carefully researched anecdotes and information, all to highlight the composers and engage the audience. His greatest pleasure was having GCSE students from Heywood College in the audience on a few occasions, who delighted in examining and playing the instrument, which is one of a number he had made himself.

In the past few years, the TBE had played quarterly at St Mary in the Baum, such that they could be referred to as the ‘house band’ – (this playful humour would not have been lost on Peter). This could have been their last stand – but they hope to continue the legacy next June.

Picture 2: The surviving ensemble (pictured clockwise from Alastair Roberts, flute; Sarah Snape and Elaine da Costa, violins; John Goodstadt, viola; Roger Bisby, ‘cello) made a fitting tribute.

Flautist Alastair Roberts introduced and led flute quartets by Haydn and Mozart superbly as well as speaking affectionately of his friend and colleague. Cellist Prof Roger Bisby introduced the strings in two works by Telemann, which had been recommended by Peter in the event of his passing. Chamber music such as this requires excellent individual skill as well as expert ensemble playing. It was doubly sad that the harpsichord part was absent, yet the strong lines of the instrumental writing, the beauty of tone and the capable playing meant that the audience was not disappointed. Surely, the late maestro would have approved.

With thanks to Dr. Joe Dawson for permission to publish his article.