2015 promises to be another action packed year in Lancashire including a fantastic range of events and things to do across the county.
Whether you want to fly like the Red Arrows, celebrate 40 years of wildlife conservation at WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre, spend a week in Lytham for the new Proms Festival or indulge in a gourmet break at Northcote in the Ribble Valley, you'll find it all in Lancashire during 2015.
Christmas through the ages at Rufford Old Hall
As you sit down to tuck into a traditional turkey lunch on Christmas Day, have you ever thought how our ancestors marked the festive season? At Rufford Old Hall near Ormskirk they’ve delved into the past to find out.
Rufford is one of Lancashire’s finest Tudor buildings – it’s magnificent Great Hall the scene of many feasts and festivities. It also has a beautiful Victorian interior and it was when she was planning Rufford’s Christmas programme this year that Catherine Hazley, Rufford’s Visitor Services Officer decided to link these two historical periods with the theme of festive food through the ages.
Christmas with the Tudors
“Christmas was the greatest festival celebrated by the Tudors” says Catherine. Advent was a time of fasting with no meat, cheese, eggs or dairy products being eaten – although you could get around this by drinking milk made from almonds.
Excitingly we are almost there!
Our teams of event organisers, performers, artists and stewards have gathered, ready to Light Up Lancaster. This year’s Light Up The Streets event promises a unique and amazing experience, with light and art installations, interactive projections and activities, dance and music pieces and lots more on the Friday evening.
Saturday’s event, Light Up The Skies, promises a host of family friendly activities during the daytime culminating in a spectacular fireworks display from the top of Lancaster Castle at night.
Yesterday my family and I made the most of the extra hour and enjoyed a great day out at Thornton Hall Farm Country Park.
Situated in Pendle, close to the Yorkshire border, the farm is surrounded by stunning countryside and views. With animals and tractors galore my little boy was in his element!
As soon as you arrive you can see that a lot of thought has gone into the layout and facilities the farm park has to offer.
WWT Martin Mere is starting a campaign celebrating 40 years of the wetland centre.
WWT Martin Mere opened its doors to WWT members in late 1974 and opened to general public on 1 March 1975. Over the next 6 months, WWT Martin Mere will be sharing historical pictures and information with visitors, as well as asking them to tell us about their favourite memory.
Continue reading "Celebrate 40 years with WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre" »
My name is Susan & I work at Blackburn Visitor Centre (Tourist Information Centre in old money). I love my job but during Heritage Open Days I was regretting having to work all weekend. Blackburn was buzzing – more venues than ever before were opening their doors, there were tours & talks all around the town & to add to the fun a spectacular Heritage Festival was keeping everyone entertained.
As the morning went on I devised a plan of action – just how many HODs could I visit in the hour I had for lunch!
This blog has been given to us from our Guest Blogger Garry Cook
Cycling in a dreamland of undulating hills, strolling through a picturesque village and then
dining in some of the country's best restaurants.
I’m in the Ribble Valley, Lancashire’s at its most brilliantly rural. It’s also a destination for cyclists beyond compare.
A criss-crossing of fabulous country roads and Quiet Lanes, the staggeringly beautiful scenery make the area a honeypot for day-tripping cyclists and touring families.
This blog has been given to us from our Guest Blogger - Nick Hunt, Director - Mid Pennine Arts
Working around Pennine Lancashire and along the M65 corridor, I too often forget the wonders of rural Lancashire just a few short miles away, over the hill. This summer and autumn though, I am getting plenty of chances to get out there and explore. This is while we work on an absolutely lovely project. Two weeks from now, I’d like to introduce it to you too. What more reason do you need to explore the magical world of the Forest of Bowland?
The Highwayman opened in 2007 and was the second in the Ribble Valley Inns (RVI) portfolio of gastro pubs embodying Nigel Haworth’s signature approach to real, local, seasonal food and premium pub dining experiences. Its superb location and quality food (the best of Lancashire, Cumbria and Yorkshire) made it an instant hit but after seven years, and a £200k refurbishment, The Highwayman rides again under the expert hands of new chef, Jason ‘Bruno’ Birbeck.
It’s not often you see something so completely original and fresh at the theatre that you don’t know how to describe it, but that’s how it feels after seeing the brand new show, BLAM! at the Grand Theatre in Blackpool last night.
Continue reading "And now for something completely different!" »
