A community-led spoken word initiative will feature a special performance at the #AmazingAccrington Christmas Extravaganza on Thursday 28th November.
Funded by Hyndburn Borough Council, workshops have been taking place at Haworth Art Gallery and in the Market Chambers Activity Space throughout November, with local community groups, including Aawaz, working together to write poetry on what Accrington means to them.
The spoken word will now be performed on the main stage at approximately 4:35pm at the Accrington Christmas Extravaganza on 28th November, as well as a special video.
Following the Accrington Christmas event, the spoken word will be used in a Shop Trail in Accrington Town Centre, with more details to be announced in the coming weeks.
With the aim of inspiring arts and creativity with local people, raising pride and aspirations for residents of Hyndburn, the community groups also produced various crafts.
Local schoolchildren from Hyndburn Park Primary School, Oswaldtwistle St Andrew’s CE Primary School and Accrington Woodnook Primary School, have also taken part in the spoken word initiative, performing at the recent Enlighten event.
The schoolchildren prepared and practiced spoken word about what they love about Accrington, before performing at Accrington Library over two evenings in late October.
Actor and legendary Accringtonian, Julie Hesmondhalgh, was a special guest for one of the evenings, introducing and handing over certificates to the students, as well as showcasing a spoken word performance of her own.
Organisers of the initiative, Scott Dawson Advertising, are also working with Respect & Dignity Arts to bring their spoken word collective to Hyndburn in the near future.
Cllr Munsif Dad, Leader of Hyndburn Borough Council, said: “This initiative is a fantastic way to bring people from different communities together to learn more about what Accrington and Hyndburn means to them.
“The workshops have been really well attended and with the recent performances from local schoolchildren at Enlighten, it is great to see the creativity shining through.”
Murray Dawson, Chair of #AmazingAccrington and Managing Director of Scott Dawson Advertising, said: “The spoken word performance will be a fantastic addition to our #AmazingAccrington Christmas Extravaganza.
“Our Christmas event is one for all the community and we are really looking forward to embracing that on 28th November.”
To keep up-to-date with the #AmazingAccrington Christmas Extravaganza, which will be headlined by Spandau Ballet star Martin Kemp, visit: www.amazingaccrington.co.uk
