St. Edmund’s Church Falinge Rochdale, Friends page

08/06/2026

An anonymous benefactor has stepped forward to save an iconic Scottish Borders church with a £115k donation, just days before it was due to be put…

07/06/2026

07/06/2026

A Farewell to “Icons on Ammo Boxes” at St. Edmund’s Church, Falinge

Today marked the final public viewing day of the extraordinary Icons on Ammo Boxes exhibition here at St. Edmund’s Church, Falinge, Rochdale.

Over the past few weeks, hundreds of visitors have passed through our doors to experience these remarkable works of art, painted on reclaimed ammunition boxes from the war in Ukraine. Together they tell a powerful story of faith, resilience, hope and humanity in the face of unimaginable suffering.

We would like to offer our sincere thanks to everyone who visited, shared our posts, donated, volunteered, and helped make this exhibition such a success. Your support has helped raise funds for desperately needed medical equipment and all-terrain ambulances that continue to save lives in Ukraine.

We are especially grateful to those who have purchased one of these extraordinary icons. Each icon not only finds a new home but also continues its journey of transforming the instruments of war into symbols of peace, compassion and healing.

The collection will leave St. Edmund’s on Tuesday, after the sold icons have been delivered to their new owners. While the public exhibition has now closed, there is still a final opportunity to view the collection before it departs.

Private viewings and group tours can be arranged by prior appointment only. If you are interested in purchasing one of the remaining icons, or would like to arrange a private or group visit, please contact us as soon as possible at:

[email protected]

or send us a message via this page.

From all of us at St. Edmund’s Church, thank you for your support, friendship and generosity.

From war came these ammunition boxes. Through faith and art they became icons. Through your support they have become hope.

Friends of St. Edmund’s Church, Falinge, Rochdale

AUGB Rochdale Ukrainian Club AUGB - Ashton Ukrainian Centre Ukrainian Cultural Centre AUGB Manchester Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain Giving to Ukraine Medi Tech Trust Taras Shevchenko Ukrainian School in Manchester Ukrainian Catholic Church Manchester UNBROKEN Ukraine The Churches Conservation Trust Roch Valley Radio Rochdale Borough Council

06/06/2026

🕊️🇺🇦 FINAL DAY – ICONS ON AMMO BOXES 🇺🇦🕊️

Tomorrow, Sunday 7th June, is the final day of the extraordinary Icons on Ammo Boxes: From War to Hope exhibition at St. Edmund’s Church, Falinge, Rochdale.

The images in this post show just a few of the remarkable icons currently on display. Painted by Ukrainian artists on fragments of ammunition boxes recovered from the front lines of war, these powerful works transform instruments of destruction into symbols of faith, hope, peace and resilience.

Over recent weeks, visitors have travelled from across Greater Manchester and beyond to see this internationally acclaimed exhibition, which features 22 icons, including 10 never before exhibited outside Ukraine.

As you browse these images, take a moment to reflect on the extraordinary journey of each icon—from the devastation of war to a message of hope for the future.

📅 Sunday 7th June
⏰ 12 Noon – 4.00pm
📍 St. Edmund’s Church, Falinge, Rochdale
🎟️ Free Entry – Donations Welcome

Many of the icons remain available for purchase, with proceeds helping to provide essential medical equipment and humanitarian aid for Ukraine.

We would like to thank everyone who has visited, volunteered, donated and supported this remarkable exhibition. Your support helps ensure that these stories of faith, courage and hope continue to be shared.

This is your last chance to experience these extraordinary icons in the beautiful surroundings of Grade I listed St. Edmund’s Church.

From War to Hope. From Destruction to Beauty. From Darkness to Light.

06/06/2026

06/06/2026

Earlier this year, we relaunched our Sleeping Beauty Campaign alongside the publication of our report, Silencing the King. Today, we’re delighted to share some wonderful news.

Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, we unlocked the full £13,000 of matching funding generously provided by the Dalgleish Foundation. As a result, the Sleeping Beauty Fund now stands at over £36,000.

Now we’d love to put that fund to work.

If you know of a “Sleeping Beauty” pipe organ that could be returned to playable conditions with a grant of up to £1,000, please get in touch via www.pipe-up.org.uk — we would love to help bring it back to life.

05/06/2026

Join us this Saturday at St. Edmund’s when we will be joined by the Cadence singers for an informal afternoon of song 12:30/1:30 your chance also to see the incredible exhibition of “Icons on Ammo Boxes” before they leave Rochdale , open 12noon until 6pm Saturday , then 12noon until 4pm Sunday, Don’t miss your chance to see these Icons here in Rochdale . Entry free Donations Very Welcome , the icons are available for purchase and the funds will go to provide essential emergency medical equipment , your very own chance to own one of these unique works of art whilst supporting the ukraine .

05/06/2026

🏆 We are absolutely thrilled to announce that the Friends of St. Edmund’s Church, Falinge, have been awarded the Marsh Volunteer Team of the Year Award by the Marsh Charitable Trust and the Churches Conservation Trust.

This award recognises the passion, dedication and hard work of our incredible volunteer team, who help care for our beautiful Grade I listed church and bring heritage, culture, community events and educational activities to the heart of Falinge.

As we celebrate this wonderful achievement, we remember our dear friend Shirley, who sadly passed away last year, and whose contribution to St. Edmund’s and our community will never be forgotten. Her kindness, friendship and dedication remain a lasting part of everything we do.

We would also like to recognise and thank our amazing volunteers, including Simon, who works tirelessly behind the scenes and always seems able to turn ideas into reality, quietly solving problems, moving projects forward and helping make the impossible possible; Jackie, our wonderful Secretary, whose dedication and organisation help keep everything running smoothly; Luke, our youngest volunteer, whose enthusiasm, commitment and willingness to help wherever needed represent the future of St. Edmund’s; Gemma, who has brought new energy through her work with the Creative Youth Group; and Davina, Carl, Pete, Michael and Charley, whose friendship, support and dedication make so much of what we do possible.

“It is a tremendous honour to receive the Marsh Volunteer Team of the Year Award. We don’t do what we do for recognition; we do it because we care passionately about our community and this remarkable church.

Being part of the wider Churches Conservation Trust family has been an amazing experience, and we are incredibly proud to be part of the In Bloom community, helping to transform our churchyard and grounds into a colourful, welcoming and award-winning space for everyone to enjoy.

From concerts and exhibitions to community projects, environmental initiatives and our humanitarian work supporting Ukraine, including helping facilitate the delivery of more than £1.5 million worth of medical aid and equipment, everything we have achieved has only been possible because of our volunteers. Most recently, we were honoured to bring the internationally acclaimed Icons on Ammo Boxes exhibition to St. Edmund’s, sharing a powerful story of faith, resilience and hope.

This award means so much because it recognises our volunteers. It belongs to every person who gives their time, energy and enthusiasm to St. Edmund’s and to everyone who has supported us on our journey.”

Thank you to the Marsh Charitable Trust, the Churches Conservation Trust, our volunteers, supporters and friends.

05/06/2026

There was some incredible light streaming through the east window this morning at St. Edmund’s , maybe it’s all these beautiful icons we have here at the moment . Open from 2pm until 5pm today