Colourful display
Music and art to celebrate town heritage
ACCRINGTON town centre burst into life with a spectacular display of music, art and creativity celebrating Hyndburn’s culture and heritage.
More than 1,000 people flocked to Broadway last Saturday for the Accrington Spring Parade which was kick-started with the beat of Katumba’s drums.
Musical performances from the world famous Accrington Pipe Band and Accrington-based drumming band Suco Samba also kept the procession moving in unison.
The parade weaved its way from Broadway at 2pm through the centre, before ending with the grand finale at St James’ Church gardens.
More than 100 artists and students took part in the parade while proudly holding the props they produced.
Spectators were entranced by a sea of colourful costumes and displays, reflecting the diversity and heritage of Hyndburn including Tiffany glass, acorns, kingfishers and turkey red dye.
A prop in the shape of Blackpool Tower also featured in the procession as a nod to the Accrington ‘nori’ bricks that were used in the foundations of the tower.
The free community event was the first spring parade of its kind in Accrington.
Well-renowned event specialists, Handmade Productions teamed up with Hyndburn’s head of culture and heritage Lucy Dusgate to run the event which was funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and
Arts Council England.
Handmade Productions also collaborated with groups to host workshops and produce costumes and props including; AAWAZ, Peel Park Primary School, Spring into Action, Community Solutions, Accrington and Rossendale College, Lancashire Women’s Centre, Dance Syndrome, PROSPECTS Foundation and Adventure Hyndburn.
Louise Duxbury from Accrington
was selected to work with Handmade Productions and delivered workshops to AAWAZ, Lancashire Women’s Centre and Accrington and Rossendale College in preparation for the big event.
She joined the parade holding a flag made from silk embellished with a design of a Madder plant, used to dye fabrics in the town’s textile industry and played a big role in putting Accrington on the map.
Louise said: “It was amazing with all of the colours and the best thing I could’ve imagined.
“There was a good turn out and the bands were fabulous.
“It was like a mini concert at the end at the church gardens which is a beautiful area of Accrington with the old buildings surrounding it.
“There were so many happy faces and it wasn’t just the children, but the adults too.
“The parade brought out everyone’s inner child.”
The public were given the opportunity to take a closer look at the costumes and headpieces and ask questions after the performances.
Visitor Nicola Savage said: “We loved it and it was nice to have the performances come together at the end.
“All the kids were dancing and my son who attends Peel Park Primary School got involved and made the trees for the parade during a workshop.
“We would definitely come back if there is another spring parade.”
Lucy Dusgate said: “Thank you to everyone who has joined us in Accrington town centre for what has been a tremendous community event.
“The organisation and effort which has gone into making the costumes and props over the last few weeks and months has been remarkable and what an incredible display we have witnessed today.
“Accrington Spring Parade really has showcased the creativity, community spirit and rich cultural heritage of Hyndburn and to see that embraced by the local community makes us all very proud.
“Well done to everyone involved!” To learn more about events taking place in Hyndburn this year, visit: www.hyndburnbc.gov. uk/events/. You can learn more about Handmade Productions by visiting their website: handmadeproductions.org.uk.