The Reinvention Issue Issue06

COVER IMAGE Sky Valley Mistress for the Save the Napier CampaignBy Derren Lee Poole

DESIGN BYSource Creativesourcecreative.co.uk

PHOTOGRAPHYRichard Tymon – richardtymonphotography /

Derren Lee Poole – phunkography /

Matthew Savage – matthewsavagephoto /

Catherine Caton – MadeAtSource

CURATED BY Faye Adams

Blackburn is Open is a creative regeneration scheme funded by Arts Council England and backed by Blackburn with Darwen Council. Entrepreneur and designer Wayne Hemingway MBE is the creative director. Its ethos is the town’s motto, Arte et Labore, which translates as ‘by art and by labour’ or ‘by skill and hard work’. Blackburn has a

proud history of art, industry and innovation. In recognition of this, Blackburn is Open aims to bring together and support a creative community in the heart of the town centre. It also works to make under-utilised spaces and empty shops available to artists and entrepreneurs, support new businesses and celebrate the creative industries.

CONTACT Blackburn is Open, 65 King William Street, Blackburn, BB1 7HU

01254 667130Blackburnisopen.co.ukideas@blackburnisopen.co.uk

blackburnisopen

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By Skill and Hard Work (BS&HW) is a quarterly publication celebrating the creative talents of people who live, work or play in Blackburn. BS&HW celebrates the town and the commitment to skill and hard work of its creative community.

In this issue we look at reinvention. From people that decided to take a completely diff erent path in life by starting their own business or revamping an old one to those who are changing how people see their own lives through art and culture. It seems it’s never too late to reinvent yourself.

18/ From the Ashes Entrepreneur Lisa Morton on running Blackburn’s one stop rock shop

22/ Cultural Conversations How audiences can look forward to a broader choice of artistic off erings this summer

24/ Making ShapesHow a Darwen company became the go to firm for public art

26/ All AboardArtist Anthony Schrag is challenging residents in Mill Hill to think about what having their own private island means to them

28/ Thai-m for something completely diff erent Thai food fan Dean Haworth has brought a new twist to an old favourite

31/ Making It A new technology, digital and creative hub for Blackburn town centre

INSIDE

Th e Reinvention Issue

Issue06

4/ Swings and roundabouts How one Blackburn firm reinvented itself to become the imagination behind a Swedish theme park

COVER STORY6/ Let There Be Rock

Blackburn will soon get the UK’s first community interest rock pub

8/ Heart and Soul A change of direction hasn’t led to a change of pace for furniture maker Annie Hewitt who is happily busier than ever

10/ Off The Wall A street art festival is aiming to show that graffi ti isn’t just a toy for the boys

12/ Community Clothing Fashion designer Patrick Grant has a plan to boost British industry

14/ Historical Re-enactmentA charity is bringing a much loved building and architectural gem back to life

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How one Blackburn f rm reinvented itself to becom

e the imagination behind a Swedish theme park.

quarryfoldstudio.com

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How one Blackburn f rm reinvented itself to becom

e the imagination behind a Swedish theme park.

In a design studio on the outskirts of Blackburn sits the creative team behind a theme park in Gothenburg. No really, they do.

Liseberg amusement park attracts three million visitors a year and David Schofield, owner of Quarry Fold Studio is its creative director and has been for 22 years.

The theme park that opened in 1923 is one of the most visited in Scandinavia and it is David and his colleagues’ job to put themselves in the shoes of visitors and work out what it is that will make their visit special.

The team includes animators, illustrators, video makers and graphic designers all led by fine artists David and his art director David Talbot. They have come up with concepts for everything from a truly terrifying haunted house to their current project, a Victorian style pleasure garden complete with a twist of English Romanticism.

They’re also currently creating a multi-media exhibition for the Museum of Gothenburg on the birth of the city and are embarking on proposals for a 450 bedroom themed hotel and accompanying water park.

Quarry Fold can also turn their hand to making animations, videos and visualisations for architects.

“We’re not engineers, we don’t design the rollercoasters for example, it is our role to design the experience – what people see, feel, hear and sometimes smell,” explains graphic designer Sarah Heal.

She describes how on joining the team she was taken to visit Hotel Gasten, designed by Quarry Fold for Liseberg and was nearly scared to death.

The award winning ‘haunted house’ attraction is a dilapidated hotel with creepy staff and strange goings-on, such as a constantly overflowing bath and a banquet hall complete with hungry rats.

“It is so detailed that you can go through the ride many times and still see different things and have different experiences,” adds Sarah.

“It’s like a theatre production in essence but it’s from every angle.”

It is this description that gives away the origins of the studio started by David and wife Julia in 1986.

Back then they were designing scenery and organising parties for companies such as MacLaren at Brands Hatch, the Savoy and the V&A attended by the likes of Elton John and the Rolling Stones.

However, with the introduction of advances like digital printing they found the business climate changing and had to reinvent themselves.

“We had our sit down moment when we thought we’re not able to carry on doing this,” explains David T.

“Let’s have a look at our contacts and see what else we can do. Now we’re using those skills to create an all immersive experience - it’s the same thing just a different way of getting there.”

“At its core it’s all about social interaction,” adds David.

“If you’ve got a roller coaster do you choose to put the seats facing outwards or facing each other? You put them facing each other because it’s about that shared experience and it’s that will create lasting memories.”

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Facebook /savethenapierthenapier.co.uk

Let There Be Rock

Blackburn could soon get the UK’s first community

interest rock pub

BLACKBURN BAND SKY VALLEY MISTRESS WHO HAVE BACKED THE CAMPAIGN

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Last year The Sir Charles

Napier, a long standing institution for

Blackburn’s rock community, closed its doors aft er facing

some turbulent times.

However, aft er hearing of the closure, a group of loyal devotees got together and decided to see if they could re-open and re-launch the venue.

The group, called ‘Save the Napier’, which has since set itself up as a Community Interest Company (C.I.C), has around 70 members with five directors who include two licensees and a pub manager.

In the nine months since they began their campaign they’ve had the pub listed as an Asset of Community

Value, and held popular fundraising events including a fundraising

gig by up and coming band Sky Valley Mistress. They’ve

also secured funding of around £40,000

from various sources including investors,

Kickstarter backers and Blackburn with

Darwen Council.

The money raised will allow them to lease the building and revamp the pub before opening its doors in late summer.

Alex Martindale, one of the directors, said: “There’s a lot of aff ection for the Napier and a great deal of nostalgia around it. People have made life- long friends there or even met their partners.

If I think about my social circle for example, it’s based around the Napier and who I met there. So I don’t think people were prepared to sit back and let it close. We were determined to make it as popular as it ever was.”

The group aims to build the pub’s reputation around live music, good quality real ale and craft beers including those from local breweries.

Volunteers will run the venue with a small number of paid staff .

Plans to bring the pub back into the heart of the community include serving food especially aff ordable grub to students and attracting musicians and young bands from local schools and colleges with ‘dry nights’ (alcohol free) to give them the experience of playing in a commercial venue.

Upstairs rooms will be accessible to hobbyists and groups to hire for everything from chess matches to pole fitness classes.

It is intended that there will be a new stage area and newly installed PA system and equipment to edit shows and post them online.

“We’re going to have a strong web presence, a live feed from gigs, introduce cashless payments and use social media as well as having a street team,” added Alex.

“We want to bring the pub into the 21st century - many pubs are closing partly because they’re using an out of date business model. Many owners think all you’ve got to do is open up and customers will come, but it doesn’t work that way. You’ve got to diversify and come up with new ideas so that people hear about you and start using the space.

“The Napier’s still got a reputation and we want to build on that both locally and by attracting people from out of town.“

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A change of direction hasn’t led to a change of pace for fu rniture maker Annie Hewitt

who is happily busier than ever.

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Facebook /Soul-Furnituresoul-furniture.co.uk

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Visiting Annie at her canal side workshop on the outskirts of Blackburn it’s hard not to be jealous of the brave decision that led to her ditching a career managing a busy solicitor’s offi ce and following her calling.

Her workshop is a makers’ dream with high ceilings, a wood burning stove, plenty of space to make a mess and a delightful miniature schnauzer called Dill.

In the summer Annie is able to work outside and sell her furniture to the many day trippers who amble along the canal enjoying the peace and countryside air.

She specialises in furniture made from reclaimed wood, pallets and discarded furniture making everything from tables and chairs to one o� toy boxes, pallet co� ee tables and what she calls her hobbit cupboards.

Each one is unique and commissions are tailor made.

The mum of two says taking the decision just over a year ago to abandon the daily commute to Manchester where she worked on high pressure criminal law cases came a� er a lot of soul searching.

“I was always wanting to make things and when you’re that way inclined you go to bed with a head full of the things you want to make,” said Annie who has a degree in fine art from Blackburn University College and an MA in professional Contemporary Arts Practice.

“So I decided to just go for it and everything fell into place. I think when you’re on the right path opportunities seem to just open up when you’re doing what you want to do. “

A� er finding herself the perfect workshop, people began to hear about what she was doing and started donating old furniture, reclaimed wood and tools, some of which were 100 years old.

She now sells her work online as Soul Furniture and takes stalls at a select number of events most recently at Best of Britannia North (B.O.B) the annual event that celebrates British made products.

As a result she’s now been asked to exhibit again at the Eroica Festival run by B.O.B and also featured in Lancashire Life.

Demand for her work is growing and she is so busy she’s had to dra� in partner Shaun to help.

“I’ve had some doubts especially when it’s cold here in the winter but you just have to keep going and not give up. I couldn’t be happier with how it’s turned out.”

Blackburn Open Walls (B.O.W) is project that will see six forgotten walls in the town centre given a lease of life by six female artists over six days.

A street art festival is aiming to show that graffi ti isn’t just

a toy for the boys.

Street artist Hayley Welsh came up with the idea back in 2014 when she created a piece of art on a disused offi ce block on Exchange Street.

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‘Whilst I was painting, people were stopping and talking about the artwork,” said Hayley originally from Blackburn but who now lives in Australia.

“The creative conservations between strangers was really special. Whether people liked or didn’t like the painting, didn’t really matter, it was just the engaging and coming together of communities that I loved, and street art is so special to be able to make those moments happen.”

The former Blackburn College student who now exhibits internationally and was named by Jetstar magazine as one of 10 street artists ‘you should know’, has invited five other artists from around the UK to take part.

In particular she was keen for female artists to take centre stage in what is often seen as a masculine genre.

“I was just in a street art festival and out of 12 people there were only two that were girls. I want this to show is something that girls can do and make a viable career out of.

“We want to inspire young women and show them that we can climb scaffolding and ride scizzorlifts, and create large things too.’

Local artist Alexandra Gallagher is taking part in the street art festival and curating an accompanying exhibition called ‘Limited Edition’, with female artists from across the globe agrees.

She said “I feel sometimes women are pigeonholed and expected to create pretty, pretty art so this was a chance to really show that surrealist lo-fi work that a lot of female artists are creating.”

B.O.W runs from Monday, June 20 – Saturday, June 25 (closing event 5pm, walking tour 3pm).

@BlackburnOpenWallsFacebook /BlackburnOpenWalls

HAYLEY WELSH

BIRDS WITH BIRDS BY ALEXANDRA GALLAGHER

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COMMUNITYCLOTHING

Fashion designer and face of TV’s Sewing Bee, Patrick Grant is behind a new brand called Community Clothing aimed at making British fashion both a stylish and aff ordable option.

The clothing range that launched on Kickstarter in February will see its first shop open in July in Blackburn town centre, three days a week and will also be available online.

Reminiscent of Norfolk’s cult workwear brand Old Town it will off er a core selection of well made contemporary classics that celebrates British manufacturing and traditional skills.

Fabrics are UK made and where possible Blackburn companies have been used, from the design of the logo to the building of the website.

The idea was borne out of Grant’s recent acquisition of a historic factory in the town called Cookson & Clegg.

The factory which had been open since 1860 manufactured for Clegg’s E Tautz menswear label and was threatened with closure last year at which point Grant, who had previously revived ailing Saville Row tailor Norton & Sons, stepped into help.

But the challenges of competing with cheap imports and the loss of a major contract proved too tough and unfortunately meant the factory has recently had to close – a move which Grant says was heart breaking and one of the worst things he’s had to do – albeit he hopes to revive it sometime in the future on a smaller and more sustainable footing.

Patrick Grant has a plan to boost British

manufacturing

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communityclothingco.uk

But it was while running the factory that produced high end clothing, that the challenges of UK manufacturing were revealed including the huge amount of down time: in contrast to throwaway fashion, designer clothing has two main seasons of production.

It is hoped that Community Clothing that will be produced at a network of UK factories will go some way to addressing these quiet periods.

An initial capsule collection includes a classic Harrington jacket, a unisex raincoat and straight cut jeans.

Crucially the prices are affordable because profit is kept to a minimum to enable the line to compete with high street clothing.

“People would like to buy British but not everyone can afford it,” maintains Grant.

“And although factories producing quality clothing can command a premium there’s only a small percentage of people that can afford £200 or £300 for a jacket. Furthermore consumers are used to paying a lot less because of the big mass volume chains.”

“Fundamentally Community Clothing is about making great quality affordable clothes and restoring pride in our textile and clothing making communities. But this will only happen if people get behind it and buy our products. Everyone can play their own part in making this happen. “

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HistoricalRe-enactmentA charity is bringing a much loved building and architectural gem back to life.

www.resourceblackburn.org.uk

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The Grade II listed former Cotton Exchange occupies a prominent position on the high street in Blackburn sitting opposite the town hall and has had many in the town wringing their hands longing to see it restored to its former glory.

The high Victorian Gothic style building is breathtakingly beautiful even in its state of slight disrepair and was closed in 2005 after seeing life as a cinema.

Built at the height of the Cotton trade in 1863, it represents the prosperity of that era, which saw Blackburn become the foremost cotton weaving town in the world and one of the original members of the Northern Powerhouse.

But with the collapse of that industry at the beginning of the 20th century it lost its purpose.

Now local charity Resource, wants to see it brought back to life.

The charity that works with church groups and Christian networks, bought the building last September following a £500,000 donation from the Lancaster Foundation, donations from the church which is part of Re:Source and backing from the Cornerstone Development Trust and the Council.

They’ve also had funding from the Heritage Lottery Scheme and The Princes Trust.

Ideas for its reinvention include turning it into a restaurant, an exhibition space, a business and creativity centre and an auditorium.

The group are inspired by both The Grand in Clitheroe another Grade II listed former cinema that is now a thriving arts centre and the Liverpool Lighthouse arts centre, a refurbished former art deco Gaumont Palace Cinema building.

Dr Alastair Murdoch, Chair of Trustees, said: “Our vision is to save this magnificent building from continued dereliction, and see it flourish once again.

“Even in its current state it is beautiful and awe-inspiring, but The Cotton Exchange when finished will inspire hope and raise aspirations in the town.”

However, the charity that has to raise £5 million to restore the building say they are keen to find out what local people want to see it used for and are soon to embark on a consultation with local people to gather opinions.

“We’ve already had some great ideas from some incredibly creative people but we don’t want to be too dogmatic about what it will be and want to know what the people of Blackburn think they’d like to see in their town.”

HistoricalRe-enactment

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blackburnisopen.co.ukFurther details at

JUNE

The Bard at Blackburn

Until Wednesday, August 31THE BARD AT BLACKBURN

Marking the 400 anniversary of Shakespeare’s death with a unique opportunity to see the first four Complete Works of William Shakespeare on display. Blackburn Museum & Art Gallery. www.blackburnmuseum.org.uk

Until Friday, June 10Blackburn University Centre end of year degree art ShowCOLLECTIVE

A chance to see the work of emerging new creatives at three venues throughout the town - The Bureau Centre for the Arts / Victoria Building, Blackburn College Campus / The Crypt, Blackburn Cathedral. 10am – 4pm excluding Sundays and Mondays. www.bureaublackburn.co.uk

Tuesday, May 31 – Thursday, June 2 (9am - 3pm) and Saturday, June 4 (11am - 2pm with performance 3 - 5pm)CHILDREN’S HALF TERM CIRCUS SCHOOL with The Beatnik Collective

Ages 6-16 three days of circus school activity culminating in a performance. Hula hooping, juggling, acro balance, devil sticks and more. Sessions count towards Children’s University credits, Earlybird prices Tues-Thurs £60, All 4 days - £80. www.facebook.com/thebeatnikcollectiveContact Alma : 07594 555131 or Kerris: 07845 964802

Friday, June 1A PAINTING AS A WAR MEMORIAL?

Public talk by Dr Kate Nichols, Fellow in British Art at the University of Birmingham. 2 - 3:30pm. Booking essential. Blackburn Museum & Art Gallery, www.blackburnmuseum.org.uk

Thursday, June 9FRIENDS OF BLACKBURN MUSEUM

The History of Whalley Abbey7-8pm, Members free, non members £2.

Saturday, June 18PILGRIMAGE

The Pilgrimage festival returns for one night only. Taking place on the banks of the Leeds Liverpool canal in the heart of Blackburn town with three stages / DJ’s from across the UK, Gypsy Tavern Bar, circus performers, stalls, food, live art and Graffiti. Eanam Wharf, Blackburn. 10pm - 4am, Tickets - £10 - £16.www.facebook.com/gypsycarrotproductions

Monday, June 20 - to Tuesday, July 26URBAN ROOM BLACKBURN

Urban Room returns for a celebration of art, architecture and public space.

It will see 51 King William Street (next to Marks & Spencer), host a series of exhibitions, talks and workshops kicking off with street art project, Blackburn Open Walls (BOW). BOW will see six female artists from across the UK working on six sites over six days to transform empty walls into giant canvases. Artists include Blackburn born artist Hayley Welsh, who creates large scale street art and exhibits internationally.

Thursday, June 23 – Sunday, June 26BLACKBURN CATHEDRAL FLOWER FESTIVAL in association with Barton Grange Garden Centre

A range of events will take place throughout the festival including a book signing by ‘Bake Off’ winner Nadiya Hussain and a selection of stunning contemporary flower installations at the Cathedral by renowned designer Bill Dixon.Blackburn Cathedral, £various, www.blackburncathedral flowerfestival.com

Wednesday, June 29NIGHT AT THE MUSEUMGlenn Tilbrook

Squeeze Legend Glenn Tilbrook will play this very intimate show, tickets limited. £15.Blackburn Museum & Art Gallery. www.blackburnmuseum.org.ukwww.facebook.com/nightatthemuseumlive

Hayley Welsh

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JULY

Nadiya Hussain - Book Signing

Glen Tilbrook

How To Be A Man

Peter Sanders Workshop - Kinara Festival

Thursday, July 7THE DEVIL’S PURSE

Dominic Kelly, Bridget Marsden & Leif Ottosson fuse storytelling performance and music in a wild journey into the cinema of the imagination. The Bureau Arts Centre. 7.30pm. £8 /£6.www.bureaublackburn.co.uk

Friday, July 8 – Sunday, July 31KINARA FESTIVAL

A month of performances and events inspired by South Asian heritage, art and culture. Events include a photography workshop with renown photographer Peter Sanders, dance, poetry and spoken word performances, film showings and a night of comedy by British Muslims. £ various www.loveetiquette.com www.superslowway

Saturday, July 9 HOW TO BE A MAN

Men are in crisis. They don’t know how to be men; they don’t know what it means to be a man anymore. Now they are trying to find the right path, if it even exists. The show is an admission, an apology and a call for revolution. 7.30pm. £7/5.

Saturday, July 16 – Sunday, July 17CHILDREN’S DRAMA WORKSHOPS AND CIRCUS

Facilitated by young people working with The Challenge as part of National Citizen Service. The Bureau Centre for the Arts kerris@bureaublackburn.co.uk

Thursday, July 28Powder keg theatre companyMORALE IS HIGH(since we gave up hope)

A performance that seeks to predict what will happen between now and the next general election in 2020. Throughout the show, intertwining narratives explore the effects of popular culture, political policy and inane day-to-day actions on the way a person decides who they will vote for. The Bureau Centre for the Arts. 7-10pm. £5.

Every TuesdayBLACKBURN FILM CLUB

Dedicated to creating evenings of entertainment through film; screening a variety of releases both new and old to commercial and art-house. The Bureau Centre for the Arts. 7pm. facebook.com/groups/blackburnfilmclub

Wednesdays (during term time)STEEL PAN BAND COMMUNITY SESSIONS

Come and join and learn to play Steel Pans! No musical experience necessary. The Bureau Centre for the Arts, 5.30pm and 6.30pm. susan.ridyard@blackburn.gov.uk or phone 01245 666444

Every second ThursdayDRINK & DRAW

Alternative life drawing session.The Bureau, St Johns Church, Victoria Street, Blackburn, BB16DW. 6:30-9pm. facebook.com/drinkanddrawblackburn

Every third ThursdayART SPACE

A monthly get together for local creative people. Art SPACE stands for S - Socialise, P - Perform, A - Animate / Amuse, C - Create / Collaborate E - Exhibit. The Bureau Centre for the Arts, 6.30pm-10pm. £3. info@blackburnartspace.org www.bureaublackburn.co.uk

SaturdaysGET CRAFTY

Art and craft sessions for children. Children must be accompanied by an adult. For ages up to 12. 12-4pm, Blackburn Museum & Art Gallery www.blackburnmuseum.org.uk

Call out for people to join a choir to perform a new song cycle, called Adam’s Apple which will showcase at The Bureau in June / July. The song cycle explores gender identity through voice. The project is open to all but has a special emphasis on transgender identity. Existing community choirs are welcome. Contact Polly on: 07786 331 440. @AdamsApple2016

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Entrepreneur Lisa Morton on running

Blackburn’s one stop rock shop.

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Where do you go to buy a skull and cross bones bikini, tartan punk bondage trousers or even a cauldron? Well the answer to that may well be Phoenixx Rising.

The one stop shop for all things alt, rock and goth is based in Blackburn and was the brainchild of Lisa Morton and partner Hugh McKenna.

While many of us dream of starting our own business and doing something we love, the couple took the leap in what they now admit was a spirit of innocence.

Nine years later and after a whole lot of hard work and dedication they’re now running a successful business with a healthy turnover.

Lisa, 30, previously had a variety of jobs mostly on a temping basis, including working as carer and a stint as a trainee accountant while Hugh was a computing lecturer but took some time off for ill health.

“At the time we’d both been off work for a while and we were thinking what we could do. We decided we’d love to do something under our own steam,” said Lisa.

“We started off with something silly like a couple of hundred pounds and it went from there. We put everything we had into it so we were pretty gung ho – for us the only way was up.”

Within a year they began to see business really start to grow and were selling enough to employ them both full time.

In 2011 they took on their first member of staff and moved from operating out of their home to a warehouse, teaching themselves how to cope with the demands of business such as stock control and negotiating with suppliers along the way.

As with any other job there are the boring bits explains Lisa and there is the issue of taking holidays and make sure they have enough down time.

But it seems there is no stopping her entrepreneurial spirit as she is currently in the process of launching herself as a Yoga teacher in a bid to challenge Yoga’s perceived ‘yummy mummy’ image and take it to a wider audience.

“I’d say to anyone thinking of starting their own business it’s really rewarding but make sure you do what you love and do something that interests you.”

Facebook /phoenixxrising

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How audiences can look forward to a broader choice of artist offerings

culturalconversations

This summer will see a transformation in the provision of arts and culture for communities across Pennine Lancashire.

Visitors to Blackburn will be able to enjoy the Black Cube gallery which will once again be holding events after last year’s successful seven week residency at Blackburn is Open and Superslow Way is to stage the Kinara festival.

Both will feature a notably high number of South Asian artists and offer people a chance to see thought-provoking art and performances that challenge stereotypes.

The driving force behind both is the not for profit arts organisation Love & Etiquette and its creative director Rizwan Iqbal.

Rizwan Iqbalphotographed by Richard Tymon

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The Lancashire based 39 year old says his aim is to encourage cross cultural conversations and in particular encourage people from Asian communities to participate in arts and culture.

“One of our main objectives is to increase engagement in minority ethnic communities in the arts and to give more young Asian and Black artists opportunities to explore potential careers in this area or just to find out about opportunities in the arts as a way to express themselves,” he said.

To this end he has relaunched the Black Cube Gallery at Blackburn is Open HQ on King William Street.

The space has been transformed into a gallery where people can see and purchase traditional and contemporary artwork created by ethnically diverse artists.

Pieces include the stunning hand carved wooden cedar wall hangings of the ‘Hamsa’ by artist Minah Khalil and also on display is a geometric neon star by Eric Broug a published author on Islamic geometric design.

Until July the gallery will also play host to a number of workshops including Turkish paper marbling, geometric 3D design work, Arabic calligraphy as well as hosting a textiles artist in residence.

And if this wasn’t ambitious enough Rizwan has been invited by the Super Slow Way arts programme to stage Kinara, a festival that will run for four weekends in July across a variety of venues in Pennine Lancashire.

It will aim to reflect the best in contemporary and traditional art, film, literature, music and performance from South East Asia, Middle East and North Africa.

Kicking off on Friday, July 8 with a performance of poetry and a discussion on religious, cultural and community barriers to arts and what is halal (permitted) or haram (not allowed) within the domain of arts.

Other highlights include a British Muslim Comedy Night led by Imran Yousef followed by a post-performance conversation on reconciling humour with race, religion and identity and a weekend of poetry by creatives from across the UK.

Another coup is a masterclass by prestigious photographer Peter Sanders whose professional career has included photographing most of the Muslim world and its various colours and traditions.

Rizwan says he is delighted to have been given the opportunity by Super Slow Way, a two year programme of art and cultural events across Pennine Lancashire and sees the festival as a chance to build on the foundations laid by Love & Etiquette’s previous events.

“This is a fantastic opportunity to grow what we have started and really establish a rich and diverse cultural calendar in this area that represents all the talent that we have here for the next ten years.”

Facebook /lovetiqetesuperslowway.org.uk

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How a Darwen company became the go to firm for public art

THE BRAID, BLACKBURN

THE WAVE, BLACKPOOL

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At first glance Darwen company WEC Group doesn’t seem a likely candidate for making waves in the art world.

WEC, one of the country’s largest engineering and fabrication firms, is made up of 14 individual companies specialising in supplying a diverse range of industries including rail, nuclear and defence.

However, ten years ago Tom Elliot, Divisional Manager for m-tec, the architectural metal fabrication arm of the organisation, had a visit which took the firm in an entirely new direction.

“I was approached by someone who basically threw down the gauntlet and said what can’t you make? It really all started from there and has never stopped,” he said.

The job that kick-started it all turned out to be 60 curved columns that would sit along Blackpool Promenade.

Dubbed “iconic lighting”, that particular project led to a number of other high profile public art contracts in the area as part of the Blackpool seafront regeneration scheme.

Since then m-tec has been commissioned to make just about everything imaginable in the field of public art both at home and abroad or as Tom puts it in his down to earth humour, “the beautiful, the quirky and the down-right strange”.

Commissions have ranged from the moving tribute to 200 years of the Gartnavel Royal Hospital in Glasgow represented in its Two Hearts sculpture to an iconic stainless steel arch in Folkestone to mark the centenary of the outbreak of World War 1

Unveiled in 2014 by Prince Harry it commemorated the place where millions of men marched to boats taking them across the Channel to fight on the Western Front.

More recently m-tec and WEC Group Training Academy apprentices were behind a tribute to LS Lowry. The statue at Knott End-On-Sea celebrates Lowry’s famously painted matchstick man and his dog.

Lowry often visited the resort to capture scenes of the Fleetwood ferry and people waiting on the jetty. The sculpture is located in the spot next to the jetty where he was known to stand and sketch.

And visitors to Blackburn will be familiar with The Braid a multi coloured landmark that draws upon the textile history of the area, along with a nod to the diversity of the communities that make up the town.

“It’s a fantastic way for our apprentices to show off the amazing range of skills that they have and it’s also nice for them to be able to see these projects and think ‘I was involved in that’,” added Tom.

TWO HEARTS, GLASGOW

m-tec.uk.com

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superslowway.org.uk

All aboard

Mill Hill, is an area of Blackburn, long associated with a strong identity and a tight knit community, in which many see themselves as distinct from surrounding areas.

Residents’ pride in the area and their feeling of community spirit is now the basis of a six month project by the artist Anthony Schrag, aimed at getting locals to explore just what drives those feelings of belonging.

The scheme is part of SuperSlow way, a two year arts programme across Pennine Lancashire that will see community collaborations with local, national and international artists.

Many of the collaborations will look to the Leeds and Liverpool Canal for inspiration, which powered the Industrial Revolution in the region and this year is 200 years old.

On arriving in Mill Hill, Anthony who is originally from Canada but now lives in Edinburgh, says one of the first residents he spoke to about the area’s history quoted their grandfather’s description of it: ‘there’s two of everything and you need a passport to get there’.

“The funny thing is there is two of everything, a florist, a kebab shop, you name it and I see what he means it does seem to be like a little island,” says Anthony who praises locals for being friendly and welcoming.

“People see themselves as quite distinct from Blackburn, it’s like a small village.”

Geographically the idea of it being an island he says is also borne out by the divisions of the canal and a stream, which almost fence Mill Hill off from the surrounding area and as a result he has named his project The Island of Mill Hill.

Basing himself in the heart of the community, Anthony has worked with local youth groups and schools asking what Mill Hill means to them tasking them with designing their ‘island’s’ own flag.

The artist who has a PHD in the role of public participation in art is a passionate believer that art is the perfect vehicle for bringing communities together and shouldn’t be the reserve of the chosen few to enjoy and to decide what is ‘art’.

Eventually the project will culminate in getting residents together to build a small ‘ship’ over the next few months from found and donated objects that will then be launched on the canal in August.

Among the objects to be donated include a outboard motor made by a local bike recycling company and a sail made by a community sewing group.

“There’s no overarching design – the community designs it and in a way it’s a metaphor for the community because it only works if everyone participates and people work together.”

Artist in residence Anthony Schrag is challenging

residents to think about what their

own private island means

to them.

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therealthaipie.co.uk

Thai-m for something

completelydiff erent

Th ai food mad baker Dean Haworth has brought a new fl avour to an old favourite

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Think the idea of reinventing the nation’s favourite pastry delicacy is just pie in the sky? Well, one Darwen firm have proved it can be done by giving their products an Asian twist.

The Real Thai Pie Company was set up by husband and wife Dean and Becky Haworth in 2012 and has proved a huge hit ever since.

Former builder Dean explained: “I travelled for many years, mainly in Thailand, and me and Becky met there.

“We fell in love... and fell in love with the food too.”

Dean has got pastry in his blood. His parents have run a K & A Haworth’s Bakery in Darwen for 30 years.

So when Dean and Becky were sharing a Massaman curry with some friends one weekend, the lightbulb moment arrived.

“I just wondered what it would taste like in a pie,” said Dean. “So on the Monday morning I was in my dad’s shop.

“The pastry’s his traditional Lancashire recipe and I started with the Massaman and a red Thai curry.”

Those two varieties have now become five, including the famous ‘Devil Pie’ complete with horns and a secret blend of chilli and spices.

It didn’t take long for the idea to capture the imagination of foodies.

Within a year they’d won awards at the Clitheroe Food Festival and the Guild of Fine Foods.

The latest accolade saw Dean show off his tasty produce at the House of Commons.

With son Archie, six, and four-year-old daughter Mali oft en in tow, the firm - based at Darwen Enterprise Centre - is a real family eff ort, oft en seen at food festivals across the North West.

And they are the go-to guys when Asian-based global hotel chain Banyan Tree hold events in the UK.

So what does Dean put the success down to?

“I didn’t know how it would turn out,” he said. “I thought the target audience would probably be younger people, but we’ve found it’s oft en older folk buying the really spicy ones.”

So with them reinventing the eating habits of the generations, the pie’s the limit for the Haworths.

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A new technology, digital and creative hub is soon to open in Blackburn town centre.

Dr. Eddie Kirkby, director of the soon to open Making Rooms, wants to show that combining creativity and technology can generate limitless opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship.

The former Charity Operations Manager at Manchester’s Manufacturing Institute was appointed to steer Blackburn’s pioneering hub for creative, artistic, digital and technological innovation opening later this year.

The three-storey facility in Exchange Street will feature artist studios, flexible workspaces, a café, exhibition space and areas for workshops.

Central to the project will be a Fab Lab where members of the public can produce new products and artworks using state of the art machinery such as 3D printers and laser cutters.

Due to open this Autumn it will be preceded by a pop up version opening in June just across from the where the main building is cited on Exchange Street.

Dr. Kirkby who has a PHD in optical fibre communication played a pivotal role in bringing the idea of the Fab Lab to the UK from the US where they were developed.

He says one of his priorities will be to make people realise that technology is nothing to be scared of.

“You can design, create and make a huge variety of things with little or no prior knowledge or experience.”

“And the skills learnt can be applied to seeking further training, employment or even starting a new business and can open a lot of doors especially for young people.”

Other aims for the facility funded by Arts Council England, Blackburn with Darwen Council and the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership (LEP), include creating a vehicle for new technology and creative start-ups to grow.

In addition, Dr. Kirkby wants the centre to become a social hub for events, shows and live music as well as a space that community groups and hobbyists can meet.

He especially hopes to attract families to participate in arts, crafts and making activities and has also been building links with businesses who can use the facility to develop new products and test out new techniques and technologies.

Facebook /TheMakingRooms @TheMakingRooms

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WWW.KINGGEORGESHALL.COM WWW.DARWENLIBRARYTHEATRE.COM

BOOKINGS: 0844 847 1664

KING GEORGE’S HALL

Thursday, June 2PUBLIC IMAGE LTD

Following on from highly successful 2015 dates in UK, Europe and North America John Rotten Lydon’s Public Image Ltd (PiL) are pleased to announce a further UK/Europe summer tour

Monday, June 27, 7.30pmPROFESSOR ROBERT WINSTON

Professor, medical doctor, scientist, television presenter and politician Robert Winston will be joining us to talk through some of the most exciting experiments and facts regarding genes

Saturday, October 8, 7pmKATE RUSBY

Fans of folk Musician Kate Rusby are sure to be thoroughly entertained by her choice of much-loved classics from her back catalogue stretching over her two decades of music making together with a selection of fresh new songs from her latest album Ghost.

Wednesday, October 19, 7.30pmBRIAN COX LIVE

Physicist, TV Presenter and Author Brian Cox will take audiences on a dazzling journey through space and time, delving into ‘high science’ and free-wheeling on the edges of the known cosmos.

Friday, October 21, 7.30pmCHANTEL MCGREGOR

After four years of touring and festival appearances, Chantel returns with a vengeance with ten new songs that not only salutes contemporary rock, but shows her gradual transition from conventional Blues to a harder, bigger and bolder rock sound with progressive influences.

Saturday, October 22, 7.30pmNINA CONTI

Strap into the mask as Nina, Monkey and a bag of tricks improvise their way through an adventure of hilarious witchery. No two shows are ever the same!

DARWEN LIBRARY THEATRE

Sunday, May 29 & Monday, May 30, 12pmDARWEN LIVE 2016

Darwen Library Theatre is proud to showcase 22 acts across two stages throughout the weekend

Wednesday, June 8, 7pmSIMON WESTON CBE

Simon Weston takes the opportunity to convey his story in order to motivate and encourage those, who like him, want to move to the next goal, whatever it may be!

PROFESSOR ROBERT WINSTON BRIAN COX

NINA CONTI

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59-61 King William St,BLACKBURN BB1 7HU

9am – 5pmThursday to SaturdayOPEN

JUNE