Monster fun for kids as giant comes to town
UNIQUE and original free activities popped up all over Bacup as the first This Here Festival was staged.
Puppets giant and small, musicians, attractions, craft workshops and performances were held on Irwell Terrace and at the ABD Centre.
On Bank Holiday Thursday children and adults donned Godzilla masks to find their way through a maze set up by Whalley Range Allstars.
Iris Jarosz, six, joined her sister Etta, three, and Nana Alison Nuttall to find her way through the maze. Iris, who said her favourite dinosaur was a stegosaurus, said: “It was good and I found the way out easy.”
Also on the dinosaur theme, nearly 90 children and adults watched a performance by Dommy B - Aaaaaaaaaaaaargh Dinosaurs at the ABD Centre, while upstairs at the community centre on Burnley Road, Waterfoot independent artist Jill Randall ran a very busy sculpture workshop to make mini wagons with Sarah Kershaw from the Horse and Bamboo.
Jill said: “We had a really good response to the workshop. Everyone was making Bowtop Wagons, often referred to as gypsy caravans, and later this year Analogue Farm from Whitworth will be building a full-size Bowtop Wagon.”
On Bank Holiday Friday, Eko, a giant 4m high puppet strolled around town. Out of the Deep Blue and Eko then performed a dance on Irwell Terrace to a large crowd.
Jon Cudworth said: “The giant puppet was spectacular and it delivered a strong message that pollution is choking up our oceans.”
Jeanette Connell said: “The puppet was absolutely brilliant. It was amazing and had superb interaction with the public. I am looking forward to next year’s performance now.”
Valley Heritage chairman Stephen Anderson said: “It has been really nice that we have had a lot of people coming from out of town to the events. I know we had people from Bury, Rawtenstall, Waterfoot and Burnley, as well as locals.
“It is lovely that we are attracting people from outside of Bacup so we can showcase what our town can do.”
It was a busy time for local businesses too and Danielle Almond, owner of Baked Cakes, said: “It has been manic; we have had our regulars but also a lot of new customers coming in too. The town centre should be used for more events like this.”
ABD Centre manager Peter Dunn said: “This is what the ABD is all about - it is about the community and bringing new experiences, new performances and something different and free for people to enjoy. It is about giving something back.”
The event will return next year on June 2-4.