The first Bacup Classic Car & Bike Show, organised by the Bacup Now Community Group and the Legendary Road Riders was an amazing success and a credit to all involved in organising what is hoped to be the first of many. The organisers would like to thank all who came in what was awful weather and made the show such a success
The Bacup Community Weekend will be held over the weekend of Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th May, and will be a full on weekend of tradition, activities and attractions, and will showcase all that is so distinctive about the Bacup community.
The weekend is a true reflection of Community collaboration with the Bacup THI, Bacup Now Community Group and the Stubbylee Community Greenhouse Volunteer Group jointly organising the weekend, which promises to be an amazing celebration of Bacup’s history, heritage and it’s outstanding Community spirit
The weekend starts on Saturday 25th May in Bacup Town Centre from 10.00am, with the following activities and attractions:
On Sunday 26th May, the action will move to Stubbylee Park, where the following will be on offer:
Still in Stubbylee, there will be the ‘Scrufts’ fun dog show taking place on Bank Holiday Monday 27th May, with 10 classes of competition. Registration will be from 11.15am and will cost just £1. In addition there will be up-cycled bikes for sale, stalls and refreshments at Stables Cafe including Mrs Dawson’s delicious ice cream.
The Bacup Community Weekend promises to be another fantastic Bacup experience for the community and visitors alike
The Bacup Now Easter Bunny Giving out eggs to the children (Original Photo by Janet Boon)
The Bacup Now Easter Festival was hailed by organisers and the community as a success beyond all expectations. The Bacup Now Community Group have been working for months to bring the Festival to the people of Bacup. A number of elements were included to cater for all.
There was an Easter Artisan market that offered an amazing selection of quality handmade products. Visitors flocked to the market and stallholders said that they enjoyed the atmosphere and the friendly people, and by mid morning the market was ‘buzzing’. Stallholders are already booking stalls for future markets.
Irwell Terrace offered a whole range of entertainment, activities for the kids and food and drink in the mini food court area. Pete Sweetmore MC’d the day and hosted an amazing day of music and dance from acts such as the Rossendale Ukulele Band, Francesca, Flashbax, Free Sandwiches and Badger. Dansworks provided a great performed on the Terrace along with the Rossendale Drum Majorettes.
Easter Saturday would not be complete without a performance of traditional dance from the Britannia Coconutters as part of their Easter Boundary Dance, and they didn’t disappoint with a classic performance on a crowded Irwell Terrace.
The kids were well catered for with funfair rides on the Terrace and the Owls Trust, Circus school and games in the Kids Zone
The force was definitely in Bacup with the arrival of the Star Wars Stormtroopers in the town centre, exciting children and adults alike.
Feedback from the community via Facebook has been extremely positive with comments such as “I’ve never seen Bacup so busy. It was fantastic to see”, “The market was buzzing”, “The event really brought Bacup back to life” and “It was nice to see Bacup bursting with smiley friendly faces”
The organisers would like to thank all who supported the Festival including RBC, Local business and the community with special thanks going to members of The Legendary Road Riders who marshalled the event with true professionalism and enthusiasm, The amazing team of volunteers, the Artisans and food and drink outlets and not forgetting the fabulous Easter Bunnies.
The Bacup Now Community Group are planning further events, including a community Heritage weekend on 25th and 26th May, a 60s event on 7th September and the Christmas Festival on 7th December.
Bacup has an amazing programme of events and activities to offer this coming Easter weekend. There are activities in Bacup Town Centre on Irwell Terrace and on the Market Site, Bacup Nat, Bacup Library, Bacup Royal Court Theatre and Bacup Cricket Club. The following is the extensive programme of activities on offer at each of the venues:
Bacup Now are organising the Bacup Easter Festival on Saturday 20th April and have on their programme the following:
Bacup Nat will be hosting an event on Easter Saturday 20th April at 11.30am, where there will be the unveiling of a Memorial Bench & Soldier in the Wall of History Garden in memory of men from the Bacup Natural History Society who lost their lives in WW1. You will also have the opportunity to see the ‘Meet the Tommy’ exhibition. Refreshments will be served
Bacup Royal Court Theatre have a whole range of activities planned for Easter Saturday 20th April. These will include:
Bacup Cricket Club have some great activities over the Easter weekend including:
Bacup Library will be hosting a photographic Exhibition by the members of the Bacup Camera Club, which will be running from 10th April until 15th May
It promises to be a brilliant Easter, so get down and enjoy!
Two beautiful Panels from the Irwell Tapestry
The eagerly anticipated unveiling of the Irwell Tapestry has taken place at Globe Arts Studios, Toll Bar, Stacksteads over the weekend of the Rossendale Art Trail and has exceeded all expectations. The brief was set by the THI Communications and Training Sub Group as a project that engaged the Bacup Community in developing a textile that draws on traditional sewing, printing and embroidery skills to reflect personal memories and history of life along the river Irwell from Weir through Bacup to Stacksteads. Adults, children, artisans and crafters all got involved in applying their skills in interpreting the history, heritage, local folklore and popular characters from a personal perspective. Many sections of the Tapestry have been worked on by community members who have acquired new skills directly through the project.
Ruth Evans was the Project leader and inspiration behind the Irwell Tapestry and was instrumental in delivering this amazing work of art, crafts and skills, and truly reflect The history, heritage and above all its unique character of the area. The THI Communications and Training sub group see the Tapestry as a fitting legacy of the THI project, and is determined that the Tapestry is seen by as many people as possible and used to attract interest in Weir, Bacup and Stacksteads as a preferred tourist destination. A permanent site is to be found for the Tapestry, and consideration is being given to touring the Tapestry both within and beyond Rossendale.
Recipients of the TESCO Book Sale Fund being presented with a cheque from Colette Butler (left) and Bev Finnigan (right)
Bev Finnigan, the Store Manager at TESCO Haslingden, had the pleasure of presenting a number of local community groups with a share of the £2500 raised in store through their Book Sale earlier this year. Books were donated by customers and participating groups in the sale, and for the first time, all the money raised has gone to local groups. Those benefiting from the fund are the Veterans In Communities Charity, Rossendale Radio, Made in Haslingden, Cancer Research Bacup, The Positive Start Food Group, The Red Box Project, Haslingden Civic Pride and Cherry Tree Pre School. Much of the credit for the success of the project must go to the TESCO Haslingden Community Champion Colette Butler, who has supervised the project, and is tireless in her support for the Rossendale community. The project has been such a success that there are plans to run it again next year.
TESCO Community Champion Colette Butler, Organiser of the book sale
TESCO Haslingden will be presenting a number of local volunteer community groups with funds raised through the TESCO Haslingden annual book sale. Eight local groups will be benefiting from a share of the £2500 raised from donations given by TESCO customers. Beneficiaries include the Veterans In Communities Charity and Rossendale Radio. There will be an official presentation of the cheque on Friday 5th October at 11.30am.
TESCO would like to express their sincere thanks to their customers for such generous donations that will be going directly to local group and used to support their work in the community.
