Rochdale buzzing for the arrival of the Forever Amnesty Bee

The thought-provoking Greater Manchester Bee sculpture created from knives and guns taken off the streets, will be visiting Rochdale between Monday 27th June & Saturday 2nd July.

The Bee, produced by British Ironwork Centre, is a dedicated monument for Greater Manchester. In partnership with Greater Manchester Police (GMP) this ongoing amnesty campaign, “Forever Amnesty”, collected weapons across GM to create a thought provoking anti-violence monument.

The sculpture will be used as an educational tool and will symbolise the city region's complete intolerance to all forms of violent behaviour.

Councillor Neil Emmott, leader of Rochdale Borough Council, said: “We are really pleased that the Bee is coming to our borough. The variety and sheer volume of weapons surrendered is a stark reminder that our need to suppress violence is an ongoing effort that requires a continual focus. The Bee is a tangible example of people’s positive choices against violence and shows our community commitment towards anti-violence as every weapon that forms the Bee has been surrendered during amnesty.

“When we see the Bee, we can all reflect on its meaning to us and realise that the each weapon surrendered has potentially saved a life.

“Once the Bee leaves the borough, we continue with our campaigns to keep the borough safe, such as the Safe for Summer, reducing antisocial behaviour (ASB) on the Metro link and providing activities to youth groups, to help engage our younger residents and support their parents.”

Throughout the week the Bee will visit youth centres in Middleton and Milnrow, the Darnhill Festival in Heywood, Rochdale football ground, Rochdale leisure centre, Rochdale Sixth Form College and also make an appearance at the Rochdale in Rainbows Youth Pride festival in Broadfield Park on Thursday 30 June.

Full list of venues
Monday, 27 June 2022
1.30pm–4pm
Milnrow Youth Club, Milnrow OL16 3DW

Tuesday, 28 June 2022
2pm–3.30pm and 6pm–7pm
Springvale Youth Centre, Middleton M24 2LA

Wednesday, 29 June 2022
9am–3pm
Rochdale Sixth Form College, Rochdale OL12 6HY

Thursday, 30 June 2022
2pm–5pm
The Butts, Rochdale Town Centre

6pm–8.30pm
Broadfield Park, Rochdale OL16 1UT

Friday, 1 July 2022
6pm–9pm
Rochdale Leisure Centre, Rochdale OL16 2HZ

Saturday, 2 July 2022
11am–2pm
Darnhill Festival, Heywood 

5pm–8pm
Rochdale AFC, The Crown Oil Arena, Rochdale OL11 5DR