Published October 18, 2021 at 15:30
Rossendale council have a series of events planned across Rossendale this autumn as part of the drive to encourage more people into town centres.
Local councils across the country received money from the government earlier in the year to help assist in attracting people back to our high streets after the challenges of the last eighteen months.
The Welcome Back Fund is providing councils with a share of money from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) to support high streets and help build back better from the pandemic. This funding builds on the Reopening High Street Safely Fund (RHSSF) allocated to councils in 2020 and forms part of the wider support government is providing to communities and businesses.
Arts and events company Culturapedia have organised town specific events in Rawtenstall, Bacup and Haslingden taking place over half term this October.
The series of events kicks off in Bacup with ‘Bacup Inspires’ on 23 October where there is a day of creative activities and story gathering planned in the market and town centre.
There will be trail packs for children, street theatre, live music, yarn bombing, storytelling in the library, plus craft and food stalls.
‘Drawn to Rawtenstall’ is a one-day event on 28 October celebrating everything Rawtenstall has to offer and encouraging people to take a little time for themselves, take in their surroundings and enjoy a creative activity or two.
Artists will be dotted around Rawtenstall as part of a live art trail, painting, sketching and capturing the local area.
There will also be a number of free creative workshops and well-being activities. Plus local businesses will be getting involved and there will be activity packs for families to pick up, explore the town and get creative with.
With Haslingden fast becoming a hub for foodies with the regular Grub Bazar, there will be a trail of ‘Haslingden Food Heroes’ between the Makers market on 14 November and Grub market on 28 November
A trail of clay pies – inspired by the famous Cissy Greens, will celebrate people’s favourite recipes and fillings. These pies will be displayed around the shops for everyone to discover. There will also be an opportunity to make your own clay pie at Deaden tearoom on 21 October, the second of a two-part workshop with further dates to be confirmed.
There will also be story time in the library on 26 October with a rotating film programme from Spot On Stories so you can drop in at any time.
Council Leader Alyson Barnes said: “It’s absolutely wonderful to see our High Streets open for business again after such a tough eighteen months.
“We want to make our high streets vibrant and attractive again and we’re really pleased to be able to offer these fantastic family events that will provide not only something to keep the kids entertained over half term but will also hopefully provide another boost to our high street businesses.”
For a full list of events and information scan the QR codes on the posters and banners around the town centres and visit the council’s social media channels.