Have you ever thought of joining an organisation that dedicates itself to helping others, whilst having fun doing it? Have you ever thought about joining Rotary to make a difference in YOUR community but didn’t know how to get in touch?

Ramsbottom Rotary is continually involved in local and Regional projects related to community support, whilst also contributing to the work and goals of Rotary International. You may know us from our Christmas visits and collections around Ramsbottom and surrounding areas or from our Annual Duck Race in May, which brings large crowds of people into the town.

Locally we support charities such as Speakeasy, Bury Hospice, Age UK, Margaret Haes Riding Centre, Henshaws and Bury Blind amongst others and we also contribute to Local School PTA’s, who come out and help us with our Christmas Collection.

We meet every two weeks on a Tuesday at the Red Hall Hotel at 6.15pm.

If you can’t make a meeting but want to know more and fancy a coffee at one of our wonderful town centre cafes contact us on ramsbottomrotary@gmail.com and arrange to meet one of our members to learn a bit more about us.

The Friends of Ramsbottom Civic Hall (FORCH) support one of the town’s key community venues, helping it remain a vibrant hub for local life. Overlooking the historic Market Place, the Civic Hall hosts markets, fairs, festivals, and private events throughout the year. With flexible spaces including a large main hall and additional rooms, it welcomes a wide range of activities and groups. FORCH plays an important role in fundraising and improving the venue, contributing to projects such as the development of the garden area. With strong community ties and a central location, the Civic Hall continues to bring people together for events, celebrations and shared experiences in the heart of Ramsbottom.

Email: mriansmith@tiscali.co.uk

Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary is a unique community space set across 55 acres, offering lifelong care to a wide range of animals. From horses and donkeys to dogs, cats, and small animals, the sanctuary provides rescue, rehabilitation, and safe homes.

Visitors are welcome to explore the grounds, meet the animals, and learn more about the work that takes place on site. Facilities include a café, shop, and bookshop, creating a relaxed and family-friendly environment.

With opportunities to visit, volunteer, and support its work, Bleakholt plays an important role in the local community while promoting animal welfare, education, and care.

RCAV Meets on the first Saturday morning of every month between 10 – 12. We try to maintain as many of the public footpath in the Ramsbottom area. The emphasis is on the countryside walks but we also clear paths around the town centre.

Notification of the next area to be visited is advertised on our Facebook page.

St Andrew’s Church offers a contemporary and welcoming approach to worship, supported by an active and engaged congregation. Sunday services are complemented by a range of midweek activities, including a friendly café, small group gatherings, a thriving Community Choir, and courses for those exploring faith. With opportunities to connect, learn, and take part, St Andrew’s provides a supportive environment for people at all stages of their faith journey. As part of a wider church network, it contributes to a shared commitment to community, care and connection across Ramsbottom.

You would be very welcome to join them for Sunday worship or at their Wednesday café or Thursday evening choir. Sunday services have a contemporary feel, led by a strong and supportive team who preach, pray, sing and help bring church life together.

The café runs every Wednesday afternoon from 2.30pm to 4.30pm, offering a relaxed space to meet, chat and connect.

Ramsbottom Community Choir meets every Thursday evening from 7-9pm during term time – you don’t have to be able to sing or read music – just enjoy having fun making music with others

For those wanting to explore faith more deeply, St Andrew’s regularly runs Alpha groups, creating an open and friendly environment to ask questions and learn more about Jesus, prayer and belief.

There are also a number of small groups that meet regularly in people’s homes, providing a great way to build friendships, share fellowship and grow as disciples of the Lord Jesus.

The church has strong links with its Church School, St Andrew’s CE Primary School, hosting assemblies, services and concerts throughout the year.

St Andrew’s is part of a team of churches that includes St Paul’s in the centre of Ramsbottom, along with churches in Stubbins and Edenfield. While each has its own traditions, they work together to support the community, share the good news of Jesus, and show his love to all.

The church offers full disabled access and has parking available.

Service at 11am each Sunday.
Cafe on Wednesdays 2.30pm -4.30pm
Ramsbottom Community Choir on Thursdays 7 – 9pm
See website for other times and special events

A variety of charity organisations that come together from May to September to marshall the Ramsbottom Carboot. All traders fees go to support the Charities involved. Supporting worthwhile causes whilst earning a little cash on this great Community event.

Station Road Car Park Ramsbottom every Sunday, May to end of September 7.30am to 3pm

We are a voluntary food pantry based in Ramsbottom. Our function is to be the arms that reach out to the community directly.

We are a completely donation-driven food pantry that that relies on the local community’s generosity to help those who need it. For just £5 a week anyone in need, who is a resident of Ramsbottom, can come down to The Pantry and select items to make up their individual pack. This may include food, beverages, household cleaning and personal hygiene items

We are open every Tuesdays & Thursdays between 10:00 – 12:00 down at Christ Church Ramsbottom.

Address: Christ Church, Great Eaves Road, BL0 0PX

Service at 11am each Sunday.
Holy Communion Tuesdays 10.30am
St Paul’s Craft and Chat Wednesdays 10am – 12pm
Toddler Group Fridays (term time) 9.30am – 11.30am
Saturday Cafe 10am -12pm

Balsam Bashing Ramsbottom is your friendly neighbourhood invasive species community group. We are dedicated to tackling invasive Himalayan balsam in Ramsbottom and the surrounding area, helping native plants and wildlife thrive.

From May to the end of July, we run regular balsam bashes on evenings and weekends at locations across town. Outside the balsam season, we get involved in all sorts of practical conservation projects, including removing rhododendron, building dead hedges, sowing wildflowers, clearing brambles and brash, and planting trees and hedgerows.

All ages and abilities are welcome. Most children over the age of six enjoy getting involved, and well-behaved dogs are welcome too.

Removing balsam is easy, weirdly addictive, and a great way to spend time outdoors while supporting wellbeing and meeting like-minded people. We try to make all of our sessions as relaxed and inclusive as possible. You don’t need to be a nature expert or have any special skills to join in.

Come for the balsam! Stay for the banter! Every plant counts!

Image copyright: GBNNSS

Ramsbottom Heritage Society is dedicated to preserving and sharing the town’s rich history through exhibitions, events, and community engagement. Based at Ramsbottom Library, the Heritage Gallery showcases changing displays that highlight local stories and significant moments from the past.

The society also hosts regular public talks, offering opportunities to learn more about the area’s heritage and connect with others who share an interest in history.

Through its work, the society helps keep Ramsbottom’s past alive while encouraging community involvement and appreciation for the town’s unique character and heritage.

The Heritage Gallery is open whenever Ramsbottom Library is open and currently has an exhibition about the Chatterton Catastrophe in 1826.

The Society meet once a month for a public meeting with a talk at Christ Church, Great Eaves Road, Ramsbottom BL0 0PX. These are on Thursday evening at 7:30. Details on the website

Ramsbottom Events Group are a collective of local community figures drawn from businesses, community groups and residents’ intent on delivering and supporting an all-year-round events programme for our wonderful town of Ramsbottom.

With inclusivity and sustainability at its heart, it aims to deliver a wide and varied schedule led by the people of Ramsbottom.

This group will work with the community and business to boost visitors and footfall to our town, thus supporting Ramsbottom businesses and the local economy. Ramsbottom is an amazing part of the world, the groups aim is to talk up our town up, celebrating love, joy and gratitude delivering a programme for residents and visitors alike that will be fulfilling, fun and totally fabulous.

C/O Ramsbottom Events Group, Buchanan Sports & Social Club, 19 Buchanan St, Ramsbottom, BL0 9JF

The Friends of Nuttall Park support the care and development of one of Ramsbottom’s most popular green spaces. Through volunteer efforts, they help maintain the park and create a welcoming environment for visitors to enjoy throughout the year. Their weekend tea room offers a friendly place to relax, with proceeds contributing directly to park improvements.

A regular gardening group also meets to help care for the grounds, supporting biodiversity and the park’s appearance. With accessible facilities and a strong sense of community involvement, Nuttall Park remains a valued space for recreation, wellbeing, and connection thanks to the dedication of its volunteers.

Tea Room open on Saturday and Sunday from 10am – 3pm. All donations are used for park improvements.

Gardening Group meet on Tuesday afternoon from 1.30pm to 3.30pm from March to November.

There is a free car park, and the toilets are open when the Tea Room is open. There is an accessible toilet open with a RADA key.

Ramsbottom Community Choir is a friendly, lively choir for everyone, regardless of musical ability.

It was set up in 2015 by St Andrew’s Church, where it rehearses each Thursday evening during term time. There is no requirement to read music or be able to sing – just bring your enthusiasm and a love of making music with others.
Everyone is made welcome and enjoys singing a wide variety of tunes, from musical hits to popular songs. The recent repertoire includes songs from Les Misérables and Phantom of the Opera as well as pop bands Take That, Abba and Queen.

Rehearsal sessions are free, although a donation towards the cost of providing refreshments is requested.

The choir performs two concerts a year, with all proceeds going to charity.

Rehearsals, led by professional music teacher Karen Lindop, emphasise having fun and many friendships have been formed.

There are currently about 80 members of the choir, but there is always room for more at rehearsals, which start at 7pm and last for around two hours.

There is full disabled access and parking is available.

If you would like to give it a go, without any obligation, just turn up to St Andrew’s Church on a rehearsal evening or contact the choir on 07966 262709.

Christ Church and its Neighbourhood Centre provide a welcoming and inclusive space for community activities and support. As a joint Baptist and Methodist church, it hosts regular Sunday services alongside a wide range of weekly events. These include toddler groups, memory clubs, and a free community café, offering opportunities for people to connect and spend time together.

The building is also used by a variety of local groups, making it a busy and active hub throughout the week. With a focus on inclusion and community wellbeing, Christ Church plays an important role in bringing people together in a supportive and friendly environment.

Service Sunday – 10.30am
Tuesday once a month – Memory club from 1.30pm to 3pm
Wednesday during term time – Little Stars Toddler group from 9.15am – 11.15am
Thursday free cafe open to all from 10 a.m. – 12.30pm

More details on the church website

MotherZen CIC is a holistic support group dedicated to supporting the mental health and well-being of new parents.

We host 6 low cost Community sessions per week led by a small group of volunteers.

Our sessions:
– Stay & Play
– Sensory & Support Journalling for new mums
– Latches & Lattes Breastfeeding group
– Sling library
– Baby bank & community swap shop
– Pelvic floor rehab

Proud to be supported by TNL, Sport England, The CoOp & Ramsbottom Rotary

Ramsbottom’s litter picking group plays an important role in keeping the town clean, green, and welcoming for everyone. Made up of dedicated local volunteers, the group regularly organises litter picks across the area, helping to protect green spaces, streets, and public areas while encouraging community pride and environmental responsibility.

Open to all ages and abilities, litter picking sessions offer a simple and rewarding way to get involved, meet others, and make a visible difference. With a strong sense of teamwork and shared purpose, the group helps ensure Ramsbottom remains a place that residents and visitors can enjoy, while promoting sustainability and care for the local environment.

Passionate about hedgehog welfare, we offer rescue, care and rehabilitation services for injured, orphaned, or underweight hedgehogs. Our goal is to release healthy hedgehogs back into their natural habitat.

Opening Times:
Monday – Friday 9.00am – 4.00pm
Saturday and Sunday – 10.00am – 3.00pm

Friendly and inclusive running club.

We meet every Tuesday at 6.50pm outside the station in Ramsbottom (postcode BL0 9AL) .

We offer a range of routes to suit everyone ranging from a run/walk to longer distances and trail runs.