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 Library 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, Captain of 1st Team 07932 739092 

Dancing

To find out more information on dancing groups around Tameside search for dancing on Tameside Library 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 PM 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.
 Ms Carla Stokes (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 Amateur 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 CD Roms 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 Library Database.

Flower Arranging

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 Library 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 Library Database.

Music

To find out more information on music groups in Tameside search for music on Tameside Library 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 facilities 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 (answer phone)
  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 people over 55. 
Every Thurs 1.00pm – 3.00pm at Grafton Centre, 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