It is nearly carnival time once again, and the streets of Bacup are set to be filled with colour and music. The historic event will take place on Sunday, June 28, with a Teddy Bears’ Picnic theme this year.
Parade Route and Participants
The huge procession will leave Burnley Road, Broadclough, at 11am, winding its way down to the town centre, then out via Market Street and Newchurch Road, before continuing on Park Road and into Stubbylee and Moorland Parks. It will be led by the Mayor of Rossendale, Councillor Liz McInnes, with consort Sean McShea and town crier Simon Dalley. Musicians include Stacksteads Band, who will accompany the Britannia Coconut Dancers and Rossendale Drum Majorettes.
Brownies, Cubs, Beavers, Squirrels, and Jamboree Scouts will take part, as well as helping to litter pick the parade route and fundraising at a stall. Pupils from St Joseph’s RC, Stacksteads, and St John with St Michael, Shawforth, will also participate. Dancers, gymnasts, and performers from Dansworks, Fusion, Mollie May, Footlights Rossendale, and Valley Gymnastics Academy will be in the parade and on stage in Moorlands Park. Valley Aloud Choir will also perform in the park for the first time.
Special Stories and Activities
“We distribute programmes all over Bacup and Stacksteads and when leaving copies at Bright Futures in Bacup we met a nursery nurse, Kathryn Trainer, who was a carnival baby 40 years ago,” said Catherine Smyth, chairman of Bacup and Stacksteads Carnival Organisation. “She told us her dad was a lorry driver pulling a float, when her mum's waters broke just after the carnival parade started. Somehow, the message got to him and he finished the procession. Meanwhile, someone in a Land Rover took her mum to hospital and her dad got there before his daughter was born.” Kathryn added: “He did leave my mum to go back to the carnival and finish the day.” She is delighted that this year’s event coincides with her milestone birthday.
Pups and Pooches will again be holding a fun dog show in the sunken garden, and there will be many charity and business stalls. Funfair rides will also be in the park. As ever, the carnival is free to attend with no admission fee.
Competition and Thanks
“Last year was, without doubt, our busiest ever carnival and I would like to thank everyone who helps to make the event such a success,” said Catherine. “Thanks to Danielle and Darren’s Childminding Service, we will again be running our Capture the Carnival competition. Up to three photographs should be sent to info@basco.org.uk by July 31. The best will win £50 and two runners up will win £25.”
Location: Bacup, Rawtenstall and Haslingden.
