Christmas in Colne 2019

Christmas in Colne 2019
The Christmas in Colne event was as popular as ever, tempting more than 5,000 people to the town centre to celebrate the beginning of the Christmas Season.

There were two Santa’s Grotto’s (one in the Market Hall and one in The Arcade) both of which proved to be very popular with children and families. The fun fair rides, free face painting, donkey rides, Punch & Judy show and art & crafts also all proved to be extremely popular. Plus plenty of live music, stalls and street entertainment throughout the day!

More than 1,000 people joined in for the annual Torch Light Parade which was led by Father Christmas in his sleigh.
As the Parade made its way up Albert Road towards Hartley Square, the Christmas lights were progressively illuminated just slightly ahead of the parade. The cast of Aladdin and the Helen Green Academy of Dance performed to a completely packed out Hartley Square! At 7 pm, the event concluded with a firework finale.

The event spanned Colne Library, the Market Hall, The Arcade, Shackleton Hall, Hartley Square, Market Street, Parliament Street Car Park and Colne Parish Church. Businesses all over Colne added to the festive spirit by seasonally decorating their shop fronts. Many local business entered the window dressing competition.

Colne Library
Colne Library offered many varied activities and was very busy throughout the day … the Library staff were loving it! Activities included face painting by Painting Rainbows, entertainment from the Malkin Morris and the Roughlee Ruffians, arts & crafts for the children, a free film and reading activities.  On occasion, the queue for face painting was doubled up!

Don’t forget … Colne Library is a valuable resource for the town.  There are the traditional physical books to choose from, but there’s so much more on offer.  They have daily papers (incl. the Colne Times) available to read (free of charge), a whole host of computers with access to the internet, printing & colour photocopying facilities. You can get help tracing your family tree/history on Wed mornings.  The Library puts on free films, hosts lectures & talks on local history and is host to a whole bunch of local community groups. Their noticeboards are literally full of groups, societies and other activities and events.

Market Hall
The Christmas display in the Glass House (outside the Market Hall) won 2nd place in the window dressing competition. Well done to the staff at the Market Hall!

Throughout the Christmas In Colne event, there was entertainment under the Market canopy from the Barnoldswick Brass Band, Darwen Brass Band, and Burnley Silver Alliance. Inside the Market Hall, there were Arts & Crafts and a absolutely fabulous Santa’s Grotto and, obviously, the traders themselves.  

Maureen, aka The Kitchen Witch, was busy helping streams of children to decorate biscuits.  Money raised by Santa’s Grotto was all in aid of  Home Start.

The Arcade
The Arcade offered a free Santa’s Grotto and free Arts & Crafts.  The Arcade itself was decorated extremely well and had a very festive feel. 

The Arcade wasn’t officially part of the Colne Town Council event, but in true Colne trader style they just integrated themselves with the Christmas spirit. Hats off to the traders there – they’ve clearly worked very hard together to create a superb atmosphere and, judging by the number of visitors, they were very successful.

St. Bartholomews Church
The “Keep the Beat” drumming circle were playing in the entrance vestibule of Colne Parish Church and they always generate a happy atmosphere. Yes, it was cold … but they had their big coats …!

Once inside the Church, we were greeted by some of the Church volunteers who decided it was a great time for a dance. Neil & I were invited to dance too, but having two left feet each, we decided to talk bout the Church Tower tour instead. (The ladies from the Natter Shack are also trying to break down this fear of dancing! Good luck with that!)

Looking around, there were several tables being setup for arts & crafts for the children. Each of the windows around the Church were decorated with festive features. Colne Parish church has a little tea & cake cafe area and these were ready to go! They’d taken the opportunity to put out a few stalls selling Christmas gifts. The Church always likes to get involved with community events where possible and they definitely create a very welcoming & friendly atmosphere.

Sadly, the Church Tower tours were cancelled due to the top of the tower being unsafe for the general public. The tours are pretty rare, but the Church likes to try to offer tours at some of  the major events – this year, we’ve been lucky enough to go up three times … at the Easter in Colne event, at The Great British Rhythm & Blues Festival and the Christmas in Colne event.

Unfortunately, the day was icy cold and this made it extremely slippy up top. How do we know? Well, we managed a one-to-one tour. (Thank you!)

We do have many pictures of Colne from the top of the tower … but they are for another day! 🙂

Photo’s of the actual event and the Torch Lit Procession? Coming next …!

Other stories about Christmas in Colne 2019:-
Christmas in Colne: Window Dressing Competition – 1st Place: Chosen By Jessica
Christmas in Colne: Window Dressing Competition – 2nd Place: Glasshouse display (outside the Market Hall)
Christmas in Colne: Window Dressing Competition – 3rd Place: Molly Mae’s Florist