Crowds enjoy Dickens of good time

AN estimated 8,000 people flocked to Accrington’s Dickensian Christmas festival extravaganza.

Created by Warner Street traders Evonne Harwood and Kate Furey last year, this year’s event proved to be even bigger, overcoming initial fears over funding.

The event, which spread across Warner Street, Church Street and the side roads in between, was more than six months in the planning.

This year’s festival saw the addition of a ‘Hyndburn Christmas Star’ award, which was won by mother and daughter East Lancashire Hospice fundraisers Mo and Jaqui Collins.

A ‘fire-dancing fairy’ and live samba band delighted the crowds, while children were thrilled to be able to meet Father Christmas and his real reindeer.

It culminated in a candlelit procession and a seasonal carol service at Accrington St James Church, with words from the Reverend Ian Enticott.

Warner Street trader Kate told the Observer the night’s success justified all the hard work.

She said: “I loved the effort that the shop owners had made with their windows, it looked like a proper Christmas street. It is our best event yet, especially because we managed to get a bit more professional.

“The quality of the stalls was amazing, and the products were great and the whole feel of it was so atmospheric. It was simply amazing to see the town bustling with people.

“I hope people will come away with hope that we can actually keep the shops open, we can keep the town alive.

“If we raise the funds we’ll 100 per cent commit to doing it again next year.”

Event-goers heaped praise on the organisers on our Facebook page.

Martina Lunt wrote: “Lovely evening! Thank you so much to those who organised.”

Kate Conboy said: “It was an excellent night! Well done to all involved!”

Kay Aspinall added: “It was a brilliant night, well organised as usual by two lovely ladies Evonne Harwood and Kate Fury and well done to Alison Una Gabryszak for being the wonderful snowlady.”

SEE page 6 for more Christmas fun