Page 22 - Real Rochdale Issue 15 Autumn 2022
P. 22
Rochdale’s relationship with Fiji
celebrated with new project
A £61,400 grant has been awarded to the
Rochdale Hornets Sporting Foundation to
celebrate Rochdale’s unique and special
relationship with Fiji.
The Bula Rochdale! project will focus on
celebrating the fantastic Fijian heritage in and
around Rochdale and the surrounding areas.
Rochdale has a long-standing link with the
island nation which dates back to the 1960s
when several high-profile Fijians signed for
the Rochdale Hornets.
Fijian players Voate Drui, Orisi Dawai, Joe Levula and
Chris Tomlinson, Business Development Liatia Ravouvou being interviewed at Hornets in 1963
Director of the Rochdale Hornets Sporting
Foundation said: “This was a fascinating and
significant time in history – for Rochdale, for Supported through The National
Fiji and for rugby league in general. It’s Lottery Heritage Fund, the project
important that we collect and record will involve a series of events,
memories from this time. activities and educational
programmes, including:
“Rochdale is said to have the largest
population of Fijians outside of London and • A primary school programme to
I’m delighted the support from The National educate young people about
Lottery Heritage Fund will allow so many Rochdale’s links with Fiji.
people in Rochdale to learn more about their
town’s unique history and heritage.” • An exhibition at Touchstones Museum
and heritage evenings hosted by a
historian.
Chris is interested to hear from anyone with
memories of the original Fijian pioneers who • Creating a heritage film with Fijian
arrived in Rochdale in the 1960s. community members, plus historical
interviews and footage .
Please get in touch via email • An art project in partnership with
chris.tomlinson@hornetsrugbyleague.com or Redwood Art Club, creating artwork
call 01706 648004. celebrating and depicting the
friendship between Rochdale and Fiji.
• A primary school tag rugby festival
where the schools will compete for
the Mike Ratu Cup, honouring one
of the original Fijians who signed for
Rochdale Hornets in the 1960s.
• A collaboration with Rochdale
Music Service to learn traditional
Fijian hymns.
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