Fundraising, campaigns and promotion during the year
IN this final Observer of the year, we look back at some of the stories and images that made the headlines in the first half of 2018.
Our look back at July to December will feature in next week’s paper.
JANUARY
More than 600 lycraclad runners laced up their running shoes to take part in the charity Great Harwood 10k race.
The popular event attracted parents, children and running clubs from across the region in aid of East Lancashire Hospice.
There was delight as school children, dignitaries and community leaders gathered to celebrate the re-opening of Oswaldtwistle library.
The Union Road library was closed in 2016 and as part of Lancashire County Council cuts and reopened after a £50,000 refurbishment.
FEBRUARY
Campaigners issued a final rallying cry to save the ‘vital’ Accrington Vic- toria Hospital walk-in centre from closure.
More than 10,000 people signed a petition in just a week and another 600 people signed a paper petition distributed to local shops and businesses.
Walk-in centre users and residents gathered outside the facility to voice their support for the campaign backed by the Observer.
MARCH
It was the end of an era after ‘legendary’ Accrington shop Custard Cube was forced to close.
Bailiffs arrived to shut Jim Bowes’ business and empty his shop of more than 30,000 CDs and 100,000 vinyl records.
The 62-year-old was left with a £28,000 legal bill after losing a three-year legal battle with Hyndburn council.
The ‘Beast from the East’ wreaked havoc on Hyndburn with more than a dozen schools and nurseries forced to close.
Plenty of our readers took the opportunity to get out and about as their favourite haunts were covered with a white carpet.
The snowy conditions spoilt World Book Day for some, but children all over the borough made sure their costumes didn’t go to waste.
APRIL
Scandinavia fitness craze ‘Plogging’ - combining jogging and litter picking – arrived in Hyndburn thanks to a group of runners from Baxenden.
About a dozen ‘ Bash Bugs’ gathered at Haworth Park and ventured out on their first ever ‘plog’.
Cheers filled the air as Accrington Stanley secured a historic promotion to League One.
Joy, relief and barely disguised incredulity were the overriding sentiments on the evening after saw John Coleman’s men beat Yeovil Town 2-0 with a brace from Billy Kee.
MAY
Accrington was a sea of red and white as Stanley fans gathered to celebrate their promotion heroes.
Thousands of cheering supporters welcomed manager John Coleman and his League Two champions on Broadway before they posed for pictures and signed autographs.
Royal Wedding fever gripped Hyndburn to celebrate Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s big day.
School pupils across the borough held traditional street parties, mock wedding ceremonies and donned suits and dressed for Royal Picnics.
JUNE
Thousands of people flocked to the borough to enjoy the Accrington Food and Drink Festival, the Great Harwood Agricultural Show and the Oswaldtwistle Carnival.
Patriotic neighbours decked their entire street with England bunting in time for the football World Cup. Arthur Street in Clayton-le-Moors was lined with St George’s flags to the delight of residents and organisers said they were overwhelmed by the response from passers-by and admirers on social media. PRINTED AND DISTRIBUTED BY PRESSREADER PressReader.com +1 604 278 4604 ORIGINAL COPY . ORIGINAL COPY . ORIGINAL COPY . ORIGINAL COPY . ORIGINAL COPY . ORIGINAL COPY COPYRIGHT AND PROTECTED BY APPLICABLE LAW