Information on where to go for various activities that interest you
Hobbies and Interests
- Allotment and Garden Societies
- Bridge
- Chess
- Dancing
- Drama
- Family History
- Flower Arranging
- Literature
- Readers Groups
- Writers Groups
- Local History
- Music
- Pets and Animals
- Photography
- Visual Arts
Allotment and Garden Societies
Allotments are valuable green spaces and community assets that can help improve people's quality of life by promoting healthy food, exercise and community interaction. If you want to find out more about renting a council allotment then please contact Parks and Land Management.
To find out more information on allotments and garden societies search for gardening on Tameside Libarary Database.
Bridge
Ashton Bridge Club Must bring a partner. Also run Improvers' Sessions on Mondays and Wednesdays at 1.00pm at the same venue - partner not required.
Elaine McKinstry 01457 875122
Dukinfield Community Centre Bridge Club
Meet Thursdays 1.00pm - 3.30pm.
Town Lane, Dukinfield,Tameside, SK16 4BX
0161 339 3800
Chess
Denton Chess Club All levels of player welcome, new members welcome.
Wednesday nights. 7.30pm - 11pm in the Winter, 8.30pm - 11.00pm in the Summer.
Boundary Pub, Guide Bridge, Audenshaw
John Wood (Secretary) 0161 336 1925 or
David Toole, Camptain of 1st Team 07932 739092
Dancing
To find out more information on dancing groups around Tameside search for dancing on Tameside Libarary Database.
Drama
Centre Players, Hurst The group produces plays, pantomimes and other general variety shows. We welcome people of all ages for all types of involvement, including acting, singing, backstage officials, help with costumes and refreshments.
Meet at Hurst Community Centre on Wednesday and Thursday evenings when a show is being rehearsed.
Don Barr on 0161 330 9910
Droylsden Little Theatre ![]()
At the theatre there are opportunities to participate in all theatre related activities, not just acting. Any age and ability welcome.
Mrs.P.M.Hatton (Artistic Director) on 0161-370-6932
Dukinfield Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society
Season starts in April each year. New members welcome.
Anne Emmerson (Secretary) on 0161 643 5369
Flowery Field Amateur Dramatic Society
Everyone welcome acting or backstage assistance.
Meets on first Wednesday of every month at Flowery Field Community Centre.
Mrs Abbott on 0161 368 2606
Guide Bridge Theatre
(Audenshaw) To find out some history on this theatre and what is on at the moment have a look at their website.
SA Needham (Chairman) on 0161 330 8078
Hyde Little Theatre
New members welcome, all skills.
Meets every Tuesday at 8-30pm Studio 9, Market Street, Hyde.
Mrs S Phillips (Secretary) on 0161-368-0222
Hyde Musical Society
Rehearsals at United Reformed Church, Union Street, Hyde. Annual Spring musical production.
Mrs B Elliott (Hon. Secretary) on 0161 430 6000
Mossley Amatuer Operatic and Dramatic Society
Based at George Lawton Hall Mossley. Rehearsals and meeting held at Woodend Mill Off Manchester Road Mossley.
Mr J A Buckley (Hon Secretary) on 01457-870875
Mossley Community Arts
Mr. M. Nield (Secretary) on 01457 833287
Sylvia Walker Players Aim to produce a play at the Festival Theatre, Hyde, every September.
0161 338 4662
Family History
Family History Society of Cheshire Dukinfield Group 
Covers all Tameside’s towns.
Monthly meetings are a mixture of talks visits, open forums and projects to get involved in.
Gay Oliver 0161 338 5241
North Cheshire Family History Society
Promoting and helping family historians with research via lectures and meetings.
Covers Cheshire and Tameside
Meet at Hazel Grove Civic Centre on the 3rd Tuesday of the month at 7.30pm; and at Park House, Sale, on the 2nd Wednesday. Also "Help Table" at Stockport Heritage Library every 2nd Saturday of the month from 09:30am - 1:00pm.
Mrs R. Clarke (Secretary) 0161 439 2635
Tameside Archaeology Society Ltd
Members will receive basic training in archaeological methods while working on our current sites. This can include preparation of a site for possible excavation, research, survey work, digging, trowelling, drawing and maintaining a Site Diary.
Meet on the third Thursday of the month at 7:30pm in Room 10, Festival Hall, Above Denton Library, Peel Street, Denton.
Ann Cookson (Secretary) 0161 882 9813
Kevin Wright (Chairman) 0161 330 6438
ann.cookson@manchester.ac.uk
Tameside Local Studies and Archives Centre
Research your family history at Tameside Local Studies and Archives. We have census returns, parish and nonconformist registers, monumental inscriptions, indexes to wills, the IGI, the 1881 census index and other CDRoms and free public access to the internet. Advice sessions run by the Cheshire Family History Society are held 2pm - 4pm on the first Tuesday of every month at Tameside Local Studies & Archives Centre.
To find out more information on family history search family history on Tameside Libarary Database.
Flower Arranging
Fairfield Floral Art Society
Meet first Wednesday of every moenth (except January) 7.30pm Moravian College, Fairfield Square, Droylsden.
Mrs J Hammond (Chair) 0161 371 7203
Haughton Green Flower Club
Aimed at people who enjoy floral art demonstrations.
Meets at Two Trees Lane Methodist Church on the second Thursday in the month at 7:30pm (except August).
Mrs G. Goodall (Chairman) on 0161 336 1679
Stalybridge Flower Club
Meets on the first and third Wednesday of every month at Stalybridge Celtic.
Barbara McCallum on 01457-763-125
Literature
Readers’ Groups
There a number of Readers' Groups that meet regularly in Tameside Libraries, and a Book Talk group for visually impaired people. If you love reading and long to discuss the brilliant books you have read then you can join one of Tameside Libraries Readers' Groups.
To find out more information on readers' groups around Tameside search for readers groups on Tameside Libarary Database.
Writers’ Groups
Friday Writers Circle (Ashton)
Meets on Fridays, 10.30am-12.30pm, at Tameside Central Art Gallery
Mrs.Thora Beddard on 0161 330 8797
Hyde Writers Group
Meet at the Conservative Club, Reynold Street, Hyde on Thursdays from 1pm-3pm.
Mrs A. Jenkins (Secretary) on 0161 320 7601
Writers Reign Group (Stalybridge)
New members with experience in writing are welcome. Meets at Stalybridge Labour Club, every Monday (except first Monday in the month) 7-30 to 9-30
Mavis Bailey (Chairperson) on 0161-338-6045
Local History
If you are not sure where to look for information, libraries are a great place to start. There are 13 libraries in Tameside, all staffed by friendly, helpful people always pleased to help you - and best of all this wonderful service.
To find out more information on local history visit search for local history on Tameside Libarary Database.
Music
To find out more information on music groups in Tameside search for music on Tameside Libarary Database.
Pets and Animals
Animal Welfare
Millstream Animal Shelter
Volunteers welcome to help care for the animals.
Sheila Cheetham (Rescue Manager) 0161 683 4194
Pennine Link Badger Group
Raises the profile of the badger and its habitat through education.
PC Andy Faithfull, Police Wildlife Liaison Officer, Tameside. 0797 999 1451
andrew.faithfull@gmp.pnn.police.uk
RSPCA Tameside and Glossop Branch
The Tameside and Glossop branch of the RSPCA cares for cats and dogs, which have been subjected to cruelty or neglect or who are simply unwanted by their previous owners until caring new homes are found. They have a Charity Shop on Market Avenue, Ashton-under-Lyne. Volunteers welcome.
Irene Platt (Honorary Chairwoman) on 07050 264531
office@rspca-tameside-glossop.org.uk
Cruelty and Advice Line - 0300 123 4999
Tameside Animal Shelter 
We have a fund raising shop on Reynold Street, Hyde - 0161 368 8585. Goods always needed for resale to support our work. Boarding facilites available at Tameside Animal Shelter .
Mrs Anne Flitcroft (Manager) on 0161 368 8586
Bees
Oldham and District Beekeeping Association 
Meets at 8pm on the first Friday in the month at the Polish Catholic Club, Chamber Road, Oldham.
Paul Lythgoe (Chairperson) 0161 681 0475
Birds
Denton and District Canary Club
Meet at The Trading Post, Lodge Lane, opposite Westmorland Avenue, Dukinfield.
W Willerton 0161 338 5904 or L Johnson 0161 368 7584
Oldham Caged Birds Society
Everyone is welcome to join our club young or old. Advice and discussions on the keeping of birds and wildlife. Meets every second Sunday in the month at 11.30am at Oldham Community Centre, Calland Street, Greenacres
Mr T Newby 01942 882601
Dogs
Ashton-under-Lyne and District Kennel Association
Dog training and ring craft. Meet on Tuesdays every other Wednesday at 8.00pm at St Stephens, Lower Bennet Street, Hyde for Ring craft. Meet on the opposite Tuesdays (every other week) at 7.30pm for Good Citizen Classes. (Waiting list for this class please contact for further details).
Mrs Anne Lunt (Hon.Secretary) 0161 367 9636
louarne@waitrose.com
Haughton Green Dog Training Club
Obedience training for pet dogs
Meet at Young People's Centre, Lancaster Road, Haughton Green. Wednesdays 8pm - 10pm. £2 per dog per session
Christine Freer (Trainer) 0161 320 4567
jackie.fan@ntlworld.com
Horses
West Pennine Bridleways Association - Tameside Branch
Aimed at all horse orientated people of all ages. The association's purpose is to communicate with horse riders and drivers, and to extend bridleways. We try to deal with all issues that all horse riders/drivers have - badly maintained bridleways, gates and fences; in addition to creating new ways, upgrading existing rights of way, communicating new legislation etc.
We meet second Thursday in the month at the Stalybridge Station Buffet at 8pm. All Welcome
Mr AF Turner (Chairman) 01457 838495
Tortoises
British tortoise Society 
The British tortoise Society offers practical help on tortoise diet, housing, species, re-homing and information on tortoise organisations. Six open days per year, offering health checks, weighing and measuring, and identification of species and sex.
Sandra Kay 0161 740 1406 (ansaphone)
angela@britishtortoisesociety.com
Photography
Ashton Photographic and Imaging Society
Meets every Thursday 8pm-9-30pm at Hurst Community Centre, Kings Road,
Ashton-under-Lyne.
Mr S Rhodes (Hon Sec) on 0161 330 2906
Hyde Photographic Society
For anyone interested in photography.
Meet every Monday at The Hyde Club, Bowling Green Street, Hyde at 8pm
Mr D Giles on 0161 368 9619
Stalybridge Photographic Club 
Meets every Monday 8.00pm-10.30pm have a look at their website.
Mr Ken Nolan (Chairman) on 0161-330-7681
Visual Arts
Age Concern
Craft Mondays 10.00 – 12.00noon
Calligraphy Wednesdays 10.00 – 12.00 noon
131 Katherine Street, Ashton-under-Lyne,
0161 308 5000
Artists Meet (Hyde)
For leisure painters and local artists.
Mrs B Johnson (Treasurer) on 0161-368-5921
Artists' Workshop
Recreational painting. Open to any age and ability, self-help group
Every Thurs 1.00pm – 3.00pm at Pensioners House, Hyde
Mr E.J. Cavasji on 0161 336 4060 or Barbara Robinson on 0161 368 6027.
Godley Art Group 
Wednesday evenings 7.30pm have a look at their website.
Contact: Sheila Martin on 0161 303 9788
Mossley Community Arts
Provide arts opportunities for people living, working and studying in and around Mossley. We are an events based organisation. Meet at Mossley Youth and Community Centre. Roughtown Road off Stockport Road (near St John's Church), Mossley, OL5 0SG
Mr M. Nield (Secretary) on 01457 833448
Stalybridge Art Club
Easy group activity, all art forms including: watercolours, pastels, drawing, pencil drawing. No tutors, but beginners find all members friendly and helpful
Meets at Stalybridge Civic Hall on Wednesdays 9.00am - 12noon
Mrs Carole Anderson (Organiser) on 0161 344 2516
The People's Gallery
Arts Group
Johanna Ross on 0161 338 8333
Tameside (Denton) Art Society
Drawing, painting and demonstrations
Meet every Wednesday evening at Denton Festival Hall from 700pm - 9.30pm
Ms Val Hallsworth on 0161 230 7271

