Nelson lights up for Lancashire Day!

Between 11am and 4pm, the town will be hosting the county's largest Lancashire Day celebrations.

They will be opened at 11am by the High Sheriff of Lancashire, Dennis G Mendoros OBE, DL, FRAeS.

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."

Everyone, local folk and newcomers alike, is invited to join us in celebrating what it means to be a Lancastrian.

Mayors from all over Lancashire will be coming along, as well as the Chairman and Lady of Lancashire County Council, Councillor Chris Holtom and Mrs Dorothy Shaw.

The celebrations 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.

In Nelson 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 a total of three 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.

And a variety of rides will keep younger children entertained.

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.

Then later, as the sun goes down, Nelson Brass Band will be tuning up ready for the Christmas lights switch-on event.

They'll be playing traditional Christmas carols from 6pm - why not come to the town centre and join in the singing?

The ice rink and some stalls from Lancashire Day will stay open into the evening to add to the festive atmosphere.

Then at 6.30pm the Mayor of Pendle, Councillor Tony Beckett, will flick the switch to turn on the Christmas lights in Nelson town centre.

Councillor Beckett said:

"There won't be a large Christmas tree in Nelson town centre this year, because of the important work being done to reopen the high street.

"But the wall mounted decorations and string lights will create a festive atmosphere about the place.

"Plus there will be new lights twinkling in the trees down Market Street and around Memorial Square.

"It's going to look very pretty and will certainly put me in a Christmas mood!"

For more information on Nelson's Lancashire Day celebrations and the Christmas lights switch-on, go to http://www.visitpendle.com/.

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