A HUGE Victorian themed event is set to take over Colne town centre tomorrow.
Organised by volunteers from the town council, Colne’s Victorian Christmas Carol, which will include the festive lights switch on, has something for all the family to enjoy.
For children there will be fairground rides in the town’s precinct from 11am until 7pm, and face painting in Shackleton Hall any time from 2pm to 4pm. Donkey rides will also being available.
Darwen Brass Band and Pendle Jazz Band will be putting on performances for everyone to enjoy, and Pendle’s Mayor, Coun. Asjad Mahmood, is set to arrive at Pendle Leisure Centre at 5-45pm, in time for the torchlight procession at 6pm.
The parade will stop at St Bartholomew’s Church where members of Pendle Youth Choir will be waiting, for a 10-minute outdoor service at 6-15pm, .
The procession and choir will then make their way to the market, where hot refreshments will be served and a 20 to 30 minute community carol singing session will be held.
The event will end with a spectacular firework display at 7pm.
Despite wet and windy weather conditions, 150 people turned up to the torchlight procession last year, leading Coun. Dorothy Lord, chairman of Colne Town Council’s Events Committee, to hail it a success.
According to Coun. Lord, the forecast this year looks much more hopeful, with promises of sun and no wind.
She said: “We felt it was successful last year, so we thought we would follow the same format again.
“Pendle Youth Choir was just wonderful, and everybody was singing away during the community carol singing session.
“We want people – residents and visitors – to come and enjoy the event in the town.
“The town council wants to put on something special for the people of Colne.
“We are hoping that people will come dressed in Victorian costume, even if it is just something like men putting a flat cap on.”
Pendle MP Andrew Stephenson has also shown his support for the Colne event.
He said: “This is always a fantastic event and I am sure it will be again this year. I’m looking forward to taking part.”
The torchlight procession will be stewarded by professional stewards and members of the town council, and the police will assist with the firework display.