Visit Lancashire

Slaying the Dragon

St. Georges day was extended for us this weekend. We went along to Lytham St. Annes on Sunday for the St. Georges Day Festival Family Day. The weather held on (just), and the crowds were out.

Even though it was busy we easily found a parking space and set off to explore. The first thing that grabbed us was the hot roast pork barms. yummy! The marquee was buzzing with local crafts, retailers and a dance area where we sat back and enjoyed the Kirkham Grammar School Choir and Scream Dance School.

Back outside and the rides for children were full of excited kids enjoying themselves. My 18 month old was eager to try them all out but unfortunately too young this year. He enjoyed looking around the Spitfire alot - in fact it was a challenge to move him along!

Finally we sat down to watch the re-enactment of St. George slaying the dragon. A great family afternoon and we're already looking forward to Lytham Proms 2010 on 21st August to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. Bring on the tanks!

Sarah Lundy

Flying the flag for Lancashire

Today sees a host of fantastic events happening across the county as we English finally catch on to celebrating our national patron saint’s day. The flag of St George is flying proudly from the top of Blackpool Tower and a weekend of celebratory events is underway in Lytham at the 2nd annual St Georges Day Festival.

Here at the tourist board we have decided to celebrate in a quintessentially English manner by having an afternoon cream tea, all of course using locally sourced produce.

We hope you enjoy your St Georges Day and don’t forget to tell us what you did.

Diane

The changes at Samlesbury Hall

It’s a place I went to often as a child and a regular day out whenever the relations came over from Italy; they loved the hall, to them it was the epitome of an English house (and a fine example of one to boot!) which they still talk about to this day.  So, going back to Samlesbury Hall after some time and having the benefit of Director Sharon Jones as guide, was a bit of a revelation.

Things have changed at Samlesbury.  Not the wonderful moment you turn the corner on the drive to see the splendour of the black and white timbers or, the beautifully kept gardens (literally springing-into new life after our seemingly endless winter) no, the real changes are within the hall itself.

A typical day at Bancroft Mill? “No such thing!” says Harry Moore.

Since the mill was built and commissioned ninety years ago there must have been many routine days for those involved with the mill. All that changed in 1968 when, after nearly sixty years of manufacturing quality cotton, adverse trading conditions and high running costs forced its closure. Two years later the efforts of Pendle Council and a few local people ensured the formation of a Trust to preserve the remaining buildings and to restore the engine to running condition if at all possible. 

Following that there has never been a typical day! 

Sailing with HRH Prince Charles and Buttercup the Cow!

Running a 50 capacity passenger boat on the Leeds Liverpool canal all year round means that we see the changing seasons and work in all weathers. Every day is different - when the weather is awful it can be a real challenge to keep our visitors entertained, but we must be doing something right because visitors tell us often that they did not expect the canal trip to be so good. (Our visitors also appreciate being allowed to eat their own food on board our canal boat.)