WHALLEY PREPARES FOR ITS ANNUAL PICKWICK FESTIVITIES, CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF THE FAMOUS DICKENSIAN THEMED EVENT

Post date: Nov 11, 2013 9:07:56 PM

Whalley celebrates a quarter of a century of its annual Whalley Pickwick Night . To mark the event Malcolm Hebden, known as ITV’s Coronation Street “Norris Cole”, will be present to officially open the 25th Pickwick Festival in Whalley.

Plans are well underway to reflect and celebrate the 25 years of the annual Christmas event. The event organisers are delighted welcome Whalley’s own resident Soap Star, Malcolm Hebden, as its special guest who will be will be present at the grand opening ceremony at 6pm on Thursday 5th December. He will be joined by Dave Moretta a former solider who bids to raise money for the Royal British Legion by completing 18 marathons in 18 days. They will be in the company of other VIP guests and dignitaries.

The event in recent years has held host to about 5000 visitors. This year various activities and entertainment are planned. Further details will be released in the coming few weeks, via the event website www.whalleypickwick.org.uk and the local press.

To give a taste of what to expect the following activities are being planned:

• Live festive music
• Live acts and entertainment
• Children’s entertainment and activities
• Dickensian Street theatre
• Over 35 stalls ranging from Gifts, Cards, Christmas Fare, Festive Foods, Hot Foods, Games and Tombola’s
• Christmas Lights, Trees and Decorations

All stall holders and businesses open on the night will be joining in the celebrations, just as they all did at Whalley’s 1st ever Pickwick Night in 1988. Many will be dressed in Dickensian themed costume, bringing a real Victorian Styled feel to Christmas in the beautiful setting of Whalley.

The focus of the event will be Community Spirit, raising funds for many local good causes and charities. Many local groups are supporting the celebrations including Blackburn Lions, Whalley in Bloom and the local Churches. Bell Ringing, Singing and Good Food and Mulled Wine are being planned by these groups to bring a festive atmosphere to Whalley.