Community carnival to expand

Date published: 21 August 2010

Carnival organisers are building on the success of their hugely popular event in June by bringing the event back to Stacksteads.

Bacup and Stacksteads Carnival has already been booked for next year, on Sunday June 26 2011.

Organisers BASCO have listened to residents of Stacksteads and agreed with the police that the floats and vehicles in the procession will start from Baldwin Street, the original starting point of the carnival when it was held in Bacup town centre.

Once floats arrive at Futures Park they will be interspersed with a walking parade and toddlers will be able to join in Bacup town centre. All groups and vehicles will then proceed to Stubbylee and Moorlands Park where a fair, stalls, displays and other attractions will be held.

Chairman David Morris said: “We had an incredible turnout to our first event – 3,000 people came into the park and we had hundreds line the streets as the parade passed through the town. That momentum will only build for next year’s event and we received so much positive feedback from visitors.

“We were thrilled that Wynsors, Rossendale Round Table and the Royal Oak were able to put floats in the procession and look forward to receiving applications from many more companies and organisations wanting to have floats in next year’s event.
“One of the nicest comments people made was when they said we had given Bacup back its community spirit. It was a fantastic fun day out for all, family friendly with no trouble and no alcohol.

“We want to continue with the same format but with the addition of floats passing through Stacksteads and more attractions in both Moorlands and Stubbylee Parks.
“As organisers we would like to say a big thank you to everyone who helped, supported and attended our event and made it a tremendous success.

“As a committee we are already preparing next year’s event our meetings have already started.”

The team will also be planning fund-raising events to promote the event and ensure that they have the necessary money in place to hold the carnival. Last year postman and BASCO member Colin Nightingale sat in a bath of beans!

David said: “We have yet to determine what fund-raisers we will be doing, but rest assured you will see BASCO members in and around Bacup and Stacksteads.

“Our stage was a huge success in the park, but it gets booked up very quickly. Anyone wanting to get involved can email info@basco.org.uk and we will send out a 2011 carnival flyer to book places in the parade or park or volunteer to help.”

Carnival flyers are also available at Stacksteads Post Office, Newchurch Road.