Category Archives: Accrington

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.

‘Hy’-end Magazine Boost for Hyndburn

Scott Dawson Advertising is launching a brand new feel-good glossy publication for the Lancashire district of Hyndburn.

LIFE:STYLE Magazine plans to promote the positive side of Accrington and its surrounding areas appealing to tourists, business investors, heritage, music and culture fans.

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“I am thrilled to see a lifestyle magazine promoting the area and the very hard work going on behind the scenes by my office, the district council, and the many brilliant community groups we have here.”

Hyndburn MP Graham Jones, pictured, said: “I am thrilled to see a lifestyle magazine promoting the area and the very hard work going on behind the scenes by my office, the district council, and the many brilliant community groups we have here.”

Mr Jones added: “There is a thriving business community in Hyndburn and I hope members of this  community will step up to support LIFE:STYLE magazine and help get the positive aspects of the area out to a wider audience.”

The twice yearly magazine will showcase local businesses, shops, cafes and restaurants, and concentrate on promoting civic pride.

Said a spokesperson for Scott Dawson Advertising, which will produce an autumn/ winter and spring/summer edition: “Like other areas of Lancashire Hyndburn also enjoys the benefit of bustling town life with both major retail and food chains and small independent shops and restaurants, picturesque parks and villages and breath-taking countryside – which is perfect for running, cycling and hiking enthusiasts.

“We wanted to produce a magazine to share all that is wonderful about the area.”

LIFE:STYLE Magazine promises to explore and encompass all aspects of the area’s rich ethnic diversity.

The first issue will feature a lively dinner debate between four Hyndburn men of Irish, English, Pakistani and Polish descent, about their varying views on Family Values.

Interested in advertising in LIFE:STYLE Magazine? Please call Sue on 01282 426846.