Westhoughton Community Network

Westhoughton Yarn Bombing Festival 2016
Saturday 2nd & Sunday 3rd July
Westhoughton Town Centre
Ditchfield Gardens | Market Street | Mill Street | White Lion Car Park
Westhoughton Library | Westhoughton Leisure Centre

The 2016 Yarn Bombing Festival has now taken place, its theme this year 'Alice in Wonderland'. Yarn displays covered Market Street, Ditchfield Gardens and beyond, with contributions from community groups, shops, businesses and schools. The event began with a short procession through Market Street by Westhoughton Community Royalty, who later held their annual crowning event at the Leisure Centre. As well as the colourful displays, attractions included a number of stalls and children's attractions. Two days of colour, spectacle and a community coming together…

A programme of entertainment at the Mill Street car park stage, as well as some street entertainment. The varied programme of entertainment included sets from The Travellin' String, the George Formby Society, Kelvis, Bethel Crowd 'Little Shop of Horrors' taster performances, Hang in D with his handpan, local singers, choirs - all overseen by Howfen Radio. This year a Town Crier was on hand to regale you with news and on-the-day event updates. There was a 'Mad Hatter's Tea Party' on the Sunday for children with face-painting, dance performances and fun activities. In the library the latest exhibition from Westhoughton Art Group took place with live art demonstrations. Westhoughton Market got involved with a vintage themed weekend with entertainments and special stalls.

The event begin at 11am on Saturday, with entertainment from 11:30am up to 5pm (a noon start on the Sunday). With the Blackrod Scarecrow Festival taking place over the same weekend, both organisations exchanged displays to jointly promote both events.

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Support from local businesses is being given and is most welcome. Our thanks to Rijo42 for the donation of a Coffee Machine Gift Pack, which was the main raffle prize helping to cover some of the event costs. Raffle tickets available from Choc-la-te and the White Lion (Market Street).

Our thanks to Silcock's Fairs for use of the Mill Street car park; the White Lion for use of their carpark, Rarecrest Scaffolding for providing an entertainment stage, Bolton Council for back-up use of Carnegie Hall. Also our entertainers and volunteers who helped make the weekend possible.