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Clitheroe Festival Weekend
REVELLERS didn't let a little rain spoil their enjoyment of a fantastic Clitheroe Festival Weekend.
On Friday, when it hardly stopped raining all day, festival organisers were frantically making contingency plans to move as much as possible indoors. But Saturday dawned dry and bright and, despite a poor forecast, the decision was made to press ahead as planned.
It was a good decision, with crowds flocking to the town to enjoy a huge range of attractions spread across a wide array of venues. The 1940s theme chosen for this year gave the festival a real identity and the enthusiastic involvement of several military and civilian 1940s re-enactment groups helped make it a great success.
Twenty entries – some of them duos and trios – in a 1940s authentic outfit contest staged at the Swan and Royal, gave the judging panel a very difficult task indeed. In the end it was the considerable "military bearing" of a British "redcap" sergeant which earned him first prize, the judges taking the view that whilst anyone could step into an outfit, only a special few could really "fill it". Organised by Simon Entwistle, the contest was a great success.
Equally successful was the Clitheroe Beer Festival, organised by the local branch of CAMRA and the committee at the St Mary's Centre, where it has been held for the past four years. Fans of the malt and hops queued outside to sample a wide variety of quality ales and ciders. So great was their enthusiasm that by 9-30 on Saturday night the barrels had been drained dry!
The St Mary's Centre was also one several venues to stage live music throughout the weekend, beginning on Friday evening, everything from choirs to heavy rock bands. A busking competition also meant there was no shortage of music around the streets, again catering for all tastes and ages, together with other street entertainers including a very colourful and friendly dragon called Veronica!
The Castle Field was buzzing with activity, with all the bright lights, smells and sounds of the old-fashioned funfair alongside a fine display of 1940s military and civilians vehicles, plus several other stalls and displays. The Castle bandstand hosted a steady stream of performers to entertain the crowds al fresco.
A little quieter, but no less interesting, was an excellent display of '40s memorabilia at Clitheroe Library, and anyone flagging could enjoy superb refreshments provided by the local Girl Guides at the United Reformed Church, the hardworking Guides raising 170 for charity. The church also hosted a wonderful display of Clitheroe Sheepfest pictures by local schoolchildren.
Clitheroe Market was another hive of activity on Saturday, many of the stallholders dressing themselves and their stalls in 1940s fashion, while ukulele exponent Phil Knight entertained in the style of the great George Formby. Shopkeepers around the town had also joined in, dressing up their windows and themselves for the festival.
The mighty Sentinel steam bus carried passengers to and from Bashall Barn, where many more attractions and displays awaited them, as well as the chance to try some of the wonderful local produce on sale there.
Despite occasional heavy showers, the crowds kept coming throughout Saturday and Sunday and the music played on well into Sunday night. Above all the festival was a credit to its hardworking team of organisers and all who supported, sponsored and set up its many attractions and events, far too many to list.
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Weather for Clitheroe
Sunday 05 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 2 C to 5 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: West
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: -2 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 7 mph
Wind direction: North
