Nelson celebrates Lancashire Day

They will mark the day over 700 years  ago when the first elected representatives from Lancashire were called to Westminster by King Edward I to join his Model Parliament.

On 27th November High Sheriff of Lancashire, Dennis G Mendoros OBE, DL, FRAeS, will declare the event open at 11am.

Then the Town Crier, who is also the Mayor of Pendle, will read the official Lancashire Day proclamation.

His Worship the Mayor of Pendle, Councillor Tony Beckett, said:

"I'll be coming to this year's Lancashire Day celebrations with two 'hats' on.

"As Town Crier, it's my job to announce the Lancashire Proclamation every hour, on the hour until 3pm.

"And as Mayor, I'll be representing Pendle Council at this important local event which celebrates Lancashire's rich history."

Lancastrians and newcomers to the county alike are invited to join in the celebrations on 27th November.

In the town centre there will be the chance to try out some Lancashire arts and crafts including making jewellery, beeswax candles and stained glass gifts.

Traditional clog dancers and the Nelson Brass Band will be providing the entertainment throughout the day.

Delicious Lancashire food will be on offer, courtesy of The Sparrowhawk in Fence.

'Highly Acclaimed' by Taste Lancashire, their chefs will be giving cookery demonstrations throughout the day, using only locally sourced products - stick around and you may even get to taste their culinary creations!

There will also be market stalls selling traditional Lancashire produce, such as black puddings and Lancashire cheese.

Then to work off those extra calories, why not get your skates on and take to the town centre ice rink?

Or you can take part in a range of traditional street games, such as playing with a whip and top.

Over in Nelson Library, staff will once again be helping people trace their Lancashire family histories - just like in a episode of Who Do You Think You Are?

Last year they helped people from all over the traditional County Palatine, which stretches from the River Mersey in the south to the River Duddon in the north, in a fascinating trawl through ancient records.

And Nelson's ACE Centre begins its celebrations the evening before Lancashire Day.

They're staging a Lancastrian themed party on Friday 26th November from 7pm.

Local folk band Malkin will be performing and a Taste of Lancashire buffet supper will be served - all for just £10.

For more information and to book tickets, call the ACE Centre on (01282) 661080 or visit http://www.acecentre.co.uk/. 

For more information on Nelson's Lancashire Day celebrations, go to http://www.visitpendle.com/.

Or to get involved in the day's events, contact Pendle Council's Tourism Manager Vaughan Jones on (01282) 661962 or vaughan.jones@pendle.gov.uk.

And for more information on Lancashire Day, go to the Friends of Real Lancashire website: http://www.forl.co.uk/.