Sean Ruane to open ‘Clogs ont’ Cobbles’

Date published: 05 December 2009

Rawtenstall Town Centre Christmas Event
Sunday 13th December, 2009

Opera star Sean Ruane will make sure Rawtenstall’s unique Christmas
shopping experience, ‘Clogs ont’ Cobbles’, hits a festive note.

The Rossendale-based tenor — dubbed the voice of sport following
appearance at The Ashes, rugby and football internationals — will
perform at the opening of the event on Sunday December 13 at 11am.

Focussed on Bank Street, shoppers will be greeted by mixture of
stalls, street performers and maybe, even a donkey! There will be a
hog roast, candy floss, hot chestnuts and crepes stalls, plus stalls
selling Christmas gifts and crafts. More entertainment will be
provided by the Britannia Coconutters, Haslingden and Helmshore brass
band and carol singers.

‘Clogs o’ t’ Cobbles’ is being organised by Rawtenstall Chamber of
Commerce in partnership with Rossendale Borough Council and supported
by a grant from the Rawtenstall Neighbourhood Foum.

It’s the brainchild of Nate Nicholson from the Deli and Elizabeth
Taylor from Bolthole, both on Bank Street, who said: “We are all
really keen to encourage shoppers to shop locally this Christmas and
we wanted offer them something festive but with a twist. So ‘Clogs
ont’ Cobbles’ aims to be a Christmas celebration of all things
Rawtenstall — its history and heritage.

“For a long time, Rossendale has been heavily involved in footwear and
traditionally clogs were a very popular item of footwear and of course
Bank Street’s cobbles give our market town a unique charm. Hence we
thought we’d combine the two for this day of celebration.

“Rawtenstall has a fabulous mix of independent retailers, from the
last Temperance Bar in the country to an award winning fashion
retailer like Sunday Best. It’s a unique blend that makes it a must
for anyone looking for a unique shopping experience this Christmas.

“Clogs ont’ Cobbles is being given great support from the business
community in the town as well as from the local council and East Lancs
Railway, who are helping to promote the event. If it proves to be a
success I am sure it will become an annual fixture on the town’s
calendar.”

Rossendale Hospice will also benefit as they have been invited by the
Chamber of Commerce to set up collection points around the town so the
can boost their funds. The Hospice is also building Santa’s Grotto,
courtesy of Tricketts.

Tony Garner of Rawtenstall Chamber of Commerce said: “Clogs ont’
Cobbles promises to be something very special and we urge people to
come along and enjoy themselves.”

For more information contact:
Email delirawtenstall@yahoo.co.uk or call in.
alisonwilkins@rossendalebc.gov.uk 01706 252593


Clogs on t’ Cobbles
Bank Street, Rawtenstall
Sunday 13 December
10.30am – 4.30pm

PROGRAMME

10.30 Rawtenstall Market & Shops Open
11.00 The Mayor & Sean Ruane (the International Voice
of Sport) officially open the event on Bank St
11.00-13.00 Haslingden and Helmshore Band
13.00 Britannia Coconutters
13.00-16.00 The Rossendale Shoe Trail Exhibition at Rossendale
Museum, Whitaker Park
14.00-16.00 Rochdale Salvation Army Band

Plus carol singing from 12.30

Town Crier, Rossendale Radio, great independent shops, street stalls,
traditional market, Santa’s grotto, nativity treasure trail, food
stalls including hog roast, roasted chestnuts etc

Proceeds to Rawtenstall Hospice