Category Archives: Accrington

#AMAZINGACCRINGTON FOOD FESTIVAL ANOTHER ROARING SUCCESS

 

THOUSANDS came out once more to enjoy the sights, sounds and the wonderful flavours of the Accrington Food & Drink Festival.

On Saturday, June 3, Accrington town centre was, once again, awash with foodies and revellers as they enjoyed what has come to be something of an institution in the town every year.

The 20th annual Accrington Food Festival, organised by Scott Dawson Advertising, built on the success of the previous two years, attracting numbers that even eclipsed the 14,000 of last year’s event.

Murray Dawson, Managing Director of Scott Dawson Advertising, said: “This is the third year in a row that we have had the privilege to arrange the Accrington Food & Drink Festival. We at Scott Dawson Advertising take immense pride in the role we have taken up in keeping the festival going and that we have been able to increase attendance ten-fold since we began organising the event. And, considering the sheer amount of people, we can report that the event went very smoothly

“We are always looking for fun new events and stalls to bring to the festival and this year we were really spoilt for choice. Richard Fox, in his third year at the festival, was fantastic as always, the WW2 re-enactment, the cooking demo from The Balti House, the Accrington Pals bus, the Oops Upside Your Head record attempt and many, many of the other attractions went down brilliantly.

“We are incredibly happy about the positive feedback we have received, stall holders told me after the event that they made more money than they do in larger cities in the UK, and we hope to be involved with this wonderful event for many years to come.”

Live cookery demos in the theatre kitchen, hosted by celebrity chef Richard Fox, wowed the crowds. Over 70 food stalls lined the town centre streets offering everything from Catalonian meatballs and fresh, oven-baked pizza to chilli jam and prosecco cocktails.

97% of all the retailers on the day said that they would come back again, with Asmma Zafar, owner of Tishy’s Cakes summing up her day in one short sentence: “Brilliant! I sold out.”

A dramatic World War 2 re-enactment, to commemorate D-Day, took place on the grounds of St James’ Church, complete with authentic weapons. The battle, which was between American and German troops, drew fantastic crowds as the sounds of the shots booming around the churchyard created a fantastic atmosphere.

The live cookery demonstrations were also a big hit with Chef Fox cooking up North African Shakshuka, a dish consisting of poached eggs in a spicy tomato sauce.

Addressing the crowd, Richard Fox, said: “I can’t believe it’s been three years since the first time I came to Accrington for the food festival. It’s great to see everyone here and it looks like it’s getting bigger every year – so thanks to you all.”

One the largest and most popular attractions of the day was the live demonstration by the wonderful chefs from The Balti House, Rishton, who turned heads as the scent of fresh chicken jalfrezi wafted around the market stalls. Celebrity Chef James Martin once described the food at The Balti House as “one of the best curries I’ve ever had in this country.”

Another of the day’s highlights was the ‘Oops Upside Your Head’ unofficial record attempt which was carried out with great joy in the grounds of St James’ Church. There was also a poignant side to the record attempt as it was dedicated to the late Evonne Harwood – the ‘Wonder Woman of Warner St’ – who was instrumental in organising the record attempt and sadly passed away on April 22. The event was coordinated and the dancing choreographed by George De Rosa from Clubbercise Hyndburn. The event also raised money for East Lancs Hospice.

Culinary students from one of the event’s main sponsors, Accrington and Rossendale College (AccRoss), managed to get a few mouths watering with their gin and tonic sorbet creation while the event’s other main sponsor, Duckworths Estate Agents, were running the hook-a-duck stall to raise money for cancer research.

Mayor of Hyndburn, Peter Britcliffe, said: “It really is a fantastic event which growing from strength to strength every year. There were 14,000 people last year and wouldn’t be surprised if records were broken this time around.”

AccRoss students were also on hand in the market hall as they helped children write their names on sponge Accrington NORI bricks to build into a WW2 style Anderson shelter display.

There was lots of attention for the static tank and the old Accrington Pals bus which was on display – as money was raised to return the old bus to its former glory.

The support for the idea of restoring the last Accrington Corporation bus remaining in the colours of the East Lancashire Regiment was truly overwhelming. The proposal to make the restored bus available to local schools to transport children to local attractions was received with great enthusiasm.

Restored in its original colours the bus will unquestionably stand as a symbol of the civic pride of Accrington – a visual link to the history of the town

For more information and update on the Accrington Food & Drink Festival visit www.accringtonfoodfestival.co.uk/

 

 

 

Accrington & District LIFE:STYLE Magazine

Welcome to the second edition of LIFE:STYLE magazine, your fabulous, FREE, publication showcasing the proud achievements of people who live and work in Accrington and its surrounding towns and villages.

This bumper summer edition is a sizzling mix of food and drink, family fun, great local characters, celebrity interviews, home and garden inspiration and the phenomenal business heroes who are boosting the local economy and putting this part of Lancashire on the world trade map. You will find their interviews on pages 38 to 49.

Our cover interview is with Jon Anderson, founder of the progressive rock band Yes – and the talented artist who penned the global hit ‘Owner of a Lonely Heart’.

Jon recently flew back to the UK as part of a European and Asian tour with his new band ARW and fellow bandmates Trevor Rabin and Rick Wakeman. We will be running part two of Jon’s interview – where he makes some astonishing revelations – in issue 3 of LIFE:STYLE magazine.

For those who missed our first edition, community wellbeing, education, tourism and the fortunes of the borough are at the heart of this magazine.

Our publisher Murray Dawson, managing Director of Scott Dawson Advertising, is a Clayton lad who now lives in Great Harwood.

LIFE:STYLE is part of his company’s ongoing civic pride initiative which supports and celebrates the people and projects working to improve life for people in the borough.

MP Graham Jones is one of those hardworking individuals who dedicates his professional and personal time to doing just that – and has been an enormous support to the magazine – as has Hyndburn Borough Council and all our advertisers. You will find Graham’s article on pages 36 and 37 where he provides a fascinating insight into the Palace of Westminster and comments on the recent terrorist attack.

One of my favourite interviews is with Walter Holmes, local historian, author and expert on the Accrington Pals. Walter is a wonderful character who, along with the late Bill Turner, has done so much to keep the Pals stories alive for new generations.

The LIFE:STYLE team will be out in force at this year’s Accrington Food Festival where the brilliant Warner Street trader and event organiser Evonne Harwood will be hosting a world record charity attempt to gather the most people performing the Oops Upside Your Head dance in the grounds of St James Church.

Dig out your luminous leg warmers, shiny shell suits and ra-ra skirts folks because we need you all there to support this fab event. You can find more information and register to take part at http://bit.ly/OopsUp

If you are an Accrington Stanley fan you may enjoy our interview with management team John Coleman and Jimmy Bell.  We wanted to shoot behind the sporting headlines and turn the spotlight their personal friendship.

We hope you enjoy this edition and thank you to everyone who took part in LIFE:STYLE number 2.  We will be back with another bumper read in the autumn . . .

BUS-TED UP – Join Campaign to save ‘Accrington Pals’ Bus at Food & Drink Festival 2017!

Members of the public will get to voice their views on a campaign to restore a classic ‘Accrington Pals’ bus back to its former glory.

The show-stopping vintage vehicle – a 1974 Leyland Leopard – will be wheeled out for everyone to see at this year’s Accrington Food Festival on Saturday, June 3rd.

It is thought to be one of the last known surviving buses of its type in the world . . . and the only one painted in the original colours of the East Lancashire Regiment.

One of the most poignant stories to emerge from World War 1 is that of the Accrington Pals, officially named the 11th Battalion of the East Lancashire Regiment.

In the First Battle of the Somme 720 men from this regiment engaged German forces suffering devastating losses with 638 men listed as killed, missing or wounded.

The colours of the East Lancashire Regiment were blue melton with a red pinstripe and it was in tribute to the regiment that Accrington town’s buses were painted blue and red.

Rather than painting the window frames and mudguard cream, the decision was to use black instead to reflect the mourning of the town for the devastating loss of life.

A modern transport policy has changed the bus fleet – but one bus remains – a 1947 Leyland Leopard.

When it was de-commissioned the bus was restored for show use.

Murray Dawson, Managing Director of Scott Dawson Advertising, whose agency organises the food festival and is supporting the campaign, says: “The bus is in a poor state of repair and requires a complete refurbishment. However, it is simply unthinkable to many people that this visual link with history is lost forever because it represents the proud identity of the town.

“The plan is to restore the bus to a modern safety standard such as fitting modern safety belts and digital touch screens so that it is available to hire for local schools and organisations. “

As part of Murray’s ongoing civic pride initiative to the area, technical colleges have been invited to help with the restoration using students’ skills such as painters, upholsterers, mechanics and electricians.

Once restored the bus would be available to take children from local school to places of historical interest such as Haworth Art Gallery and Stanhill Heritage Trail.

Local groups such as the Accrington Stanley Supporters have also expressed interest in using it when travelling to local fixtures.

Adds Murray: “The bus could be used for events connected with local heritage and civic duties – a visual colour symbol of the bus of the town and an important link to its history.

“Used in this way the bus will be a living example of the transport heritage of the local community and a symbol of civic pride.”

If any members of the public are interested in finding out more about joining the restoration process, the bus will be on display at this year’s Accrington Food Festival on Saturday, June 3rd.