Coun Miles Parkinson

OUR new town square is looking wonderful now with the planters installed and the lights around our magnificent town hall Market Hall illuminating the architecture of these two fine historic buildings in the evening.

The events of the weekend of November 10 and 11, when the square was officially opened and dedicated to the memory of the Accrington Pals and all those who fell in the Great War, followed by a whole series of commemoration events, highlighted the Square’s suitability to host events.

We have lots more coming up in the town square, starting with Accrington’s fabulous Christmas and fireworks extravaganza this evening, Thursday November 29.

Christmas is coming and tonight is a great time to start your celebrations with the family in Amazing Accrington.

It promises to be a real treat for all the family; with live music, festive food, a Christmas funfair, plus a snow globe and so much more.

I’ll be bringing my family along and we’re all looking forward to the packed programme of entirely free entertainment.

It starts with the traditional Blessing of the Crib on the new town square at 4.45pm.

This will be followed by three hours of entertainment from school choirs and lots of entertainers on stage.

School choirs from Peel Park, St Mary Magadalen, Baxenden Primary, Accrington Academy and Rhyddings High School will kick off the entertainment, followed later by the East Lancs Concert Band and Skoot choir from the Civic Arts Centre.

Here’s also for the first time, a special dance by Santa’s Elves and I know my grandchildren are really looking forward to seeing that.

Comedian Colin Manford will keep the evening’s entertainment flowing and the headline act of the show is The Jerseys, a fantastic four piece group who sing the hits of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons.

The cast of Beauty and the Beast panto will also appear on stage before they start performances at Oswaldtwistle Civic Theatre from Friday, November 30.

The big switch to light up Accrington will be flicked by Mayor, Councillor Mohammed Ayub and Accrington Carnival Queen, Helen Trickett and then we’ll all be oohing and ahhing as the spectacular fire work display is launched into the night sky above Accrington around 7.45pm.

Broadway will be busy with fairground rides with the popular magical Frozen snowglobe taking pride of place.

Also dotted around will be a small number of seasonal food stalls but please support your local cafes and bars on the evening too.

The Ballroom at Accrington Town Hall will play host to an indoor Christmas craft market and the Magical Mayoral Market, supporting local charities and community groups, will be on the outdoor market.

So please bring the family along to the Accrington this evening which heralds the beginning of many more family events next year in Accrington’s new town square.

It’s a time for families to get together and get in to the Christmas spirit, so come along and join us and also support your local township switch on too if you can. PRINTED AND DISTRIBUTED BY PRESSREADER PressReader.com +1 604 278 4604 ORIGINAL COPY . ORIGINAL COPY . ORIGINAL COPY . ORIGINAL COPY . ORIGINAL COPY . ORIGINAL COPY