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Your invitation to a Victorian Christmas


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EARLIER this year, an ex- Burnley lady now living in the South of England, was visiting Florida where she got into conversation with an American gentleman. On learning she had once lived in Burnley, he told her that he too had spent some time in East Lancashire and had found the Weavers’ Trian­ gle the most facinating of the places he had visited.


how widespread knowledge of the “T r ian g le ” has


This anecdote shows just ____Oiiflook


BRIAN HALL tells the fascinating story of how a group of volunteers is restoring some of our heritage from the days of King Cotton and gives Outlook readers an invitation to a very special Christmas celebration


become — during Septem­ ber alone the Visitor Centre welcomed people from Australia, the USA. South Africa, Canada, Switzer­ land. Belgium, Spain and Bahrain; in addition to lnin-


drods from many parts of the UK. Indeed, a recent survey showed that only about lOGof visitors came from Burnley itself. The story began in 1U78


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weaving-sheds, spinning- mills, warehouses, foun­ dries, and domestic build­ ings which was to become known as the "Weavers' Triangle", and the Action C o m mitt e e e v e n t u a 11 y changed its name to llie Friends of the Weavers' Triangle.


has not been easy. In the early days money was raised by holding raffles, jumble-sales and auctions, and it was hardly possible to afford even the prover-


was set up in tile former canal toll office at tile .Man­ chester Road Wharf, hut none of those who were present at its official open­ ing by Brian Redhead in RI.SU imagined that in less than 111 years it would have won several national and local awards, been featured in TV and radio p ro ­ grammes, received a visit by the Prince of Wales, and expanded into the adjacent Wharfmasler's House. Financing the venture


A tiny heritage centre


when a small group of enthusiasts met in the offices of the Burnley Express to discuss what could he done to preserve something of the textile her­ itage of what could claim to have been the most impor­ tant cotton-weaving town in the world. They decided to set up the Burnley Indus­ trial .Museum Action Com­ mittee, and soon identified an area on the hanks of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, bounded by Trafalgar Street and Westgale which had changed little since Vic­ torian times. It was this area with its


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months, the Visitor Centre is open to the public, free of charge, on four afternoons each week and arrange­ ments can be made for par­ ties at other times. However, you do not


have to wail until next year to pay a vis it, as the Friends will be holding a “Victorian Christmas" from 2 p.m. to -l p.m. on Satur-


Just down the road . . . Christmas crafts for sale


ARE you racking your brains over Christmas presents? Is your mum sick of slippers, and your brother bored


loved ones — but here’s your chance to treat them to something different. The annual Christmas Crafts Exhibition is now on at the


with hooks? Its always difficult to find really original gifts for your


jazzy jewellery. Not to mention planters, pots and paint­ ings. The standard last year was extremely high, and this year’s ilisplay comes highly recommended. ^ So if you’re stuck for the perfect gift lor’Great Aunt


Gallery Downstairs, under Burnley Mechanics. A wide range of hand-made objects from tiny wooden broaches to hobby horses can be found there. There are toys to delight children, silken scarves and


Gertrude this may be your chance to break away from bed socks and bath salts!


further details of the exhibition can be obtained from .Mid-l’ennine Arts Association on Burnlev 2l!i,''(i.


CHRISTMAS LATE NIGHT OPENING EVERY THURSDAY UNTIL 8-00 p.m .


SUNDAY BEST


56a and b BANK ST., I 19 CIIURCII STREET, RAWTENSTALL j BARNOLDSWICK


Tel: (0756) 215495 I Tel: (0282) 812795 i • m


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been restored and contains a collection of canal photo­ graphs, and a room in the basement, which retains its original kitchen-range and sink, has been set out as a weaver's dwelling. Light refreshments are served in a Victorian parlour and there is a book and souvenir stall. A small Viclnrian- style classroom is available for use by school parties. During the summer


there are displays explain­ ing the manufacture of cot­ ton and the development of the Weavers’ Triangle. A working model fairground is the centre of a display about Burnley "Wakes Week". The former toll office has


have no paid staff and rely entirely on volunteers to keep the centre open: per­ haps this is one reason for its success — people work there because they enjoy doing so, and comments are often made about the friendliness of the helpers. In the Visitor Centre


bial shoe-string. But, as the project developed, grants by iocal businesses, national and local charities and other bodies have made possible the restoration of the build­ ings, and their development as a Visitor Centre for the Weavers' Triangle. However, the Friends


day and Sunday, December Kith and 17th, with the Wharfmaster’s House sea­ sonably decorated, and the staff in Victorian costumes.


punch will be served, and Father Christmas will arrive by boat along the canal weather permitting. There will also be boat trips for members of the public­ ity Eldorado Canal Cruises. Flans for the future


Mince pies and fruit


include the. provision of recorded sound commen­ taries in the weaver’s dwell­ ing and toll office.


• The Weavers’ Triangle Visitor Centre is situated at So Manchester Road. Burn­ ley. about 21M


the Burnley Mechanics Tourist Information Centre. There are access points to the canal lowpath in the Weavers' Triangle at .Man­ chester Knud. Sandygate. Wiseman Street and West- gate which tire open at all times. New volunteer helpers


) yards from


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are always welcome anil can contact the Friends by writ­ ing to the Visitor Centre or telephoning Burnley 2:!(l 1 Si or 5:11)07. □


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