Your Personal Programme For The Rossendale 60s Festival 2023

Event and Sponsors:

The Rossendale 60s Festival is now in its 10th year and has established itself as the premier valley-wide event in Rossendale. The Festival has been sponsored and supported by Rossendale Borough Council since its inception in 2013. They have provided both financial and logistical support, and continue to do so. Over recent years, the Festival has been interrupted due to COVID and other circumstances, and so the organisers are taking the opportunity to relaunch the Festival and have introduced a new event in Rawtenstall for 2023 which will be held on Rawtenstall Town Square. ‘Sixties On The Square’. The event is a collaboration with Rossendale Radio, who will be presenting the event on the day and promoting it through their station and social media. This year the Festival is also sponsored by Dansworks Dance Academy of Performing Arts CIC, David Gould Opticians, Althams Travel and Market fresh Fruit and Veg

Our Objectives:

Since its inception back in 2013, the organisers of the festival have always seen the event as unique in that it looks to include the whole of the Rossendale valley in its activities, and has been faithful to its main objectives of bringing the community together. Despite not being able to stage the Festival in 2020 due to the COVID pandemic and last year due to the sad death of HM Queen Elizabeth II, the organisers are determined to fulfil its main objectives, and we feel the addition of ‘Sixties On The Square’ will help achieve our goals.

Programme of Activities :

The Rossendale 60s Festival 2023 encourages groups, venues and organisations throughout the Valley to stage 60s themed events for their benefit and for the benefit of their community as well as adding to the overall choice and diversity of Festival events on offer to visitors. The following is the programme of events for you to enjoy throughout the 60s weekend:

FRIDAY 8^th SEPTEMBER:

• TESCO Haslingden (BB4 6LY) will be host to the Sounds of the 60s launch event from 1.00-4.00pm to get the weekend started. This will feature DJ Pete Sweetmore and Rossendale Radio’s Tony Nixon
• St Mary’s Chambers (BB4 6RB) will be hosting Ben Thompson as Elvis Presley (evening event)
• The Little Queen (OL13 9AE) in Bacup will be hosting Francesca singing your favourite tunes (evening event)
• Casked (BB4 6AA) in Rawtenstall will be hosting a singer performing 60s songs (evening event)
• The Shepherds Inn (BB4 6RE) in Rawtenstall will be hosting the band Corporation Pop who will be playing 60s tunes (evening event)
• The Railway Tavern (BB4 6DD) in Rawtenstall will be hosting 60s music performed by Jim Rhodes (evening event)
• The Firepit (BB4 6AJ) in Rawtenstall will be providing live 60s music (evening event)
• The Roebuck (BB4 9JR) in Waterfoot will be hosting Paul Scholey singing favourite 60s tunes (evening event)
• Haslingden Community Link (BB4 5PG) will be hosting “The 1960’s Community Lunch” at The Link Cafe. To book a table call 01706 230116.
• The results of the Window Dressing Competition (sponsored by TESCO) will be on show around the Valley. So look out for them in shop windows

SATURDAY 9^th SEPTEMBER:

• Sixties On The Square – The event will be held on Rawtenstall Town Square and starts at 10.00am and will run through to 5.00pm. Over 20 Community Stalls will be open throughout the day along with Funfair rides and Bouncy Castles, a display of 60s bus and Fire Engine and a Scooter ride-in that will be visiting the square along with other venues in town.The stage will come alive with 60s music from 10.00am and will include The Lancashire Choir of the year 2022 The Rossendale Male Voice Choir, The RUB (Rossendale Ukulele Band), DLNW DANCE and Fitness, Smokey Top Poetry by Michelle, Singers Kaitlin Richards and Eion Kelly and John Gallagher , a 60s DJ set from Rossendale Radio’s own Alan Gee. Top of the bill is Singer Lareena Mitchell with her amazing Dusty Springfield tribute, There will also be a ‘Hippie Parade’ providing you with the opportunity to dress up 60s style and even win a prize. The local Scouts will also be offering 60s Face Painting and we now have our official photographers booked. Trevor Elkington and his ‘Jpeg’ group will be snapping away throughout the event

• Haslingden Library (BB4 5QJ) will be hosting the Helmshore Ukulele Band from 11.30am playing a programme of 60s tunes
• Rawtenstall Library (BB4 6QU) are planning a 60s themed coffee morning with a quiz and a memory box, 60s themed book display, entry into the window display competition and a 60s craft event for children
• The Green Squirrel in Haslingden will be hosting a Motown/Soul/Reggae and Ska vinyl set from 10.00 – 2.00pm
• The CPA Social & Bowling Club (BB4 8QT) in Loveclough are putting on a 60’s evening including a 60s DJ, Quiz and 60s themed dress & food.

• The Shepherds Inn (BB4 6RE) in Rawtenstall will be hosting Luke Taylor singing songs from the 60s (evening event)

• The Hare & Hounds (OL13 0NB) at Stacksteads will be hosting the popular Two Tone Tony bringing you all the best of Northern Soul and Sixties vibe followed by Natasha Harper (as seen on ITV’s Starstruck) singing songs from the 60’s with her fabulous voice and style!! Prizes for the best Fancy Dress!! H&H we know you love a dress up, so come and join us for a night to remember!! Be Cool n Groovy (evening event)
• Casked (BB4 6AA) in Rawtenstall will be hosting a Motown/Soul/Reggae and Ska vinyl set from 3.00 -5.00pm
• The Firepit (BB4 6AJ) in Rawtenstall will be host to J Bear and the Giants playing 60s hits with staff in 60s gear (evening event)

• The Royal Oak (OL13 DH) in Bacup will have Vicky Schofield with a mix of Motown and 60s to celebrate the Rossendale 60s festive 2023 get your 60s outfits on and join in the fun (evening event)

• The Railway Tavern (BB4 6DD) in Rawtenstall are hosting vocalist Garry Riley (evening event)

• The Roebuck (BB4 9JR) in Waterfoot will be hosting 60s music (evening event)
• Ye Olde Boot and Shoe (BB4 7AU) in Waterfoot will be hosting duo Dad ‘n’ Lad, who will be specialising in songs from the 60s from 9.00pm

• Blind Tiger (BB4 6AA) in Rawtenstall will have live music on all day, with a focus on 60s from 4.30pm until late

• Barrels (Rawtenstall Conservative Club) (BB4 7QT) will be hosting singer Kevin James from 9.00pm singing your favourite 60s songs
• The Buffer Stop (BB4 6AG) at the ELR station in Rawtenstall are hosting Kayleigh Hall

• Scentish (BB4 7QN) on Bank Street Rawtenstall will be offering a ‘Tie & Dye’ service. So if you take your T- shirt along and they will create a unique shirt for you to wear.

• Rawtenstall Market (BB4 7QX) will be getting in the groove showing 60s films, playing 60s music and stallholders dressing in 60s gear
• ASDA Rawtenstall will be dressing their window for the festival and staff will be dressing in 60s gear

• The results of the Window Dressing Competition (sponsored by TESCO) will be on show around the Valley. So look out for them in shop windows

SUNDAY 10th SEPTEMBER:

• The Whitaker Museum & Art Gallery (BB4 6RE) will have a pop up exhibition showcasing some 1960s items from their collection and a band playing 60s music in their Old Stables space.

• The Shepherds Inn (BB4 6RE) in Rawtenstall will be hosting a 60s Open Mic

• The results of the Window Dressing Competition (sponsored by TESCO) will be on show around the Valley. So look out for them in shop windows