Brownedge Festival showcases very best of community talent

Mayor of South Ribble, Coun Linda Woollard, accompanied by her consort, husband Alistair present the prize winners, pictured here with Mick Gardner who won first prize in the photography section

The week long Brownedge Parish and Community Festival was hailed another success by organisers, with more than 300 entries for the art and digital photography competitions.

The event also featured special performances at church and visitors were welcomed to come and enjoy the displays and special exhibitions on offer.

Festival committee member David Gorman said: “A number of interesting exhibitions were in place including one, by Jim Rawcliffe, on local men who gave their lives in the Great War and a special exhibition showcasing the work of the late Lawrence Cartmell, an artist who exhibited at Festival every year and for which Lawrence’s family had kindly provided some 30 of his paintings.

Blackpool Brass Band perform at St Mary's Brownedge RC Church in Bamber Bridge at the annual Brownedge Festival

“This year, evening concerts were given by the Lidun Singers of Lytham and the Blackburn People’s Choir. Another musical evening, Fr Colin and Friends, is an annual favourite.”

Mayor of South Ribble, Coun Linda Woollard, accompanied by her consort, husband Alistair helped present the awards and prizes for the art and photography.

Mick Gardner received first prize in the photography competition and George Horsfield picked up the trophy for his artistic ‘Young Marilyn’, while William Carr was presented first place for the under 16 section.

The Festival was first held in 2000 to mark the completion of a major refurbishment of St Mary’s Church, Brownedge in Bamber Bridge and, since then, has been held on an annual basis.

Visitors enjoying the displays at the annual brownedge festival held at St Mary's Church Bamber Bridge

Every year there is an open art competition and also a digital photography competition.

All of the art and photographs were displayed in the Church during Festival week and the Church was decorated with beautiful floral displays, many arranged by ladies of neighbouring churches.

An ecumenical service to commemorate those who have died in war was also held. Pupils of St Mary’s and St Benedict’s RC School, Bamber Bridge and Walton-le-dale Primary School, each performed on two of the afternoons. The festival will return in 2018. Visit the website www.brownedgefestival.org.uk or the Facebook page