As we get nearer to the bank holiday weekend and beyond Community Rail Lancashire (CRL) would like to give you a heads up on some of the events taking place across our area.
A Picturesque Journey exhibition, P5 Gallery Bolton – photo © Caroline Holden
Now and until Saturday 30 August 2025 – The Clitheroe Line – A Picturesque Journey – the fabulous exhibition of a project under taken by Arts 2 Heal is moving to the Platform 5 Gallery on Bolton station – full details including opening times on this link https://communityraillancashire.co.uk/news/picturesque-railway-journey-on-the-move/
Platform Gallery – photo © Visit Ribble Valley
Now and until 27 September 2022 – Clay North Now at the Platform Gallery, Clitheroe – Clay North Now is a collaborative showcase of ceramics curated in partnership with the Northern Potters Association and Claylab. It’s a beautiful, calming and uplifting showcase of thirteen artists, different connections with the same medium, clay. Opening hours Mon – Sat 10:00 to 16:30 – FREE entry.
Buskers at the Blues Festival – photo © Colne Town Council
Friday 22 August to Sunday 24 August 2025 – The Great British Rhythm & Blues Festival, Colne – taking place for the 34th time in 2025, prepare yourselves for three incredible days of live music across the beautiful little town of Colne in East Lancashire. Our world-famous, award-winning festival returns with fantastic venues in 2025 which will showcase the very best of blues music in the UK right now, as well as the most exciting emerging talent both locally and around the UK. Full details of line up and ticket prices on the official website at https://www.bluesfestival.co.uk/
Saturday 23 August 2025 – Yorkshire Dales Explorer Guided Walks – two guided walks led by volunteers from the Lancashire Rail Ramblers. Walk 1- a moderately strenuous C walk of 13 miles – alight Garsdale & return Kirkby Stephen, Lady Anne Clifford’s Walk – The Highway, Hell Gill Bridge, Shoregill, Pendragon Castle, Lammerside Castle, Wharton Hall, Nateby, Kirkby Stephen. Walk 2 – a moderately easy D walk of 9 miles – Alight & return Garsdale, Blake Mire, Rowantree, Moor Rigg, East House, Grisedale Common, High Shaw Paddock, Aisgill Moor Cottages, Hellgill, The High Way, High Dyke, Pennine Bridleway, Moorcock Inn, Garsdale. For full details of these and other guided walks see Yorkshire Dales Explorer Summer 2025 or communityraillancashire.co.uk/walks/guided-walks/
Soapbox Challenge – photo © AMazing Accrington
Saturday 23 August 2025 – Accrington Soapbox Challenge 2025 – The biggest Soapbox Challenge is returning to Accrington Town Centre. Last year the challenge saw around 15,000 people flock to the town to enjoy a fantastic day of racing, fun and shopping local. The course featured a sharp turn onto Church Street to add excitement, which may well return. There will be plenty of excitement on and off the course, with a half time break between the first and second races to enable visitors to have a look around town and get something to eat and drink. 10:00 – 15:00 FREE event.
Sunday 24 August 2025 – Burnley Canal Festival – Visit the beautifully refurbished Finsley Gate Wharf and along the towpath nearby. Enjoy lots of family-friendly and creative activities; relax listening to music; eat lots of lovely street food and maybe get on to the water too. Burnley Canal Festival is a fantastic way for visitors to celebrate the fantastic resource that is the Leeds & Liverpool Canal, and Burnley’s unique canal-side heritage. 11:00 – 17:00 FREE event.
St. Annes International Kite Festival – photo © Visit Fylde
Friday 29 August to Sunday 31 August 2025 – St. Annes International Kite Festival – the skies above St Annes seafront will be awash with colour on Friday evening, Saturday and Sunday as fabulous display kites take to the air on the beach adjacent to the pier. There will be five flying arenas on the beach, including one outside of the dog control zone, so visitors with dogs can get close up to some of the kite action. There is an illuminated kite flying evening on Friday 29th August. There will be a fairground on the beach and additional food and drink stalls on the Promenade, so if you’re looking for refreshments you are very much encouraged to visit the town centre too or bring your own picnic. Full details of times and facilities on the website at https://www.discoverfylde.co.uk/kitefestival/
Saturday 30 August 2025 – Yorkshire Dales Explorer Guided Walks – three guided walks led by volunteers from the Lancashire Rail Ramblers (LRR) and the Friends of the Settle Carlisle Line (FoSCL). Walk 1 – a moderately strenuous B walk of 12 miles (LRR) – Alight and return Hellifield. Bus to Malham (Fare extra) Mires Barn, Janet’s Foss, Smearbottom Gate, Park House, Low Lainger, Lane Head, Skirethorns, Wood Nook, Height House, Bodley, Gordale Bridge, Malham, bus to Hellifield (Fare extra). Walk 2 – a moderately easy D walk of 9 miles (LRR) – Alight & return Hellifield Bus to Malham (Fare extra) Malham Cove, Watlowes, Pennine Way, Malham Tarn, Home Fm, High Tenhouse, Gorbeck, Pennine Bridleway, Langscar Gate, Yarnthwaite Barn, Malham, bus to Hellifield (Fare extra). Walk 3 – an ‘explorer’ graded walk of 8 miles (FoSCL) – Alight Ramsgreave & Wilpshire & return Whalley. Ramsgreave, Wilpshire, Dean Clough Reservoir, Sunny Bank, Nab Wood, Whalley. This walk uses the first return Yorkshire Dales Explorer. For full details of these and other guided walks see Yorkshire Dales Explorer Summer 2025, communityraillancashire.co.uk/walks/guided-walks/ or Friends of the Settle Carlisle Line (FoSCL) Walks – Summer 2025
Get out there and enjoy yourselves and if possible go by train and save the planet!