Outlook


S t e am u p a t S la id b u r n


MURRAY WALKER looks ahead to one of th is a re a ’s most colourful and most unusual events, the Slaidburn Steam and Vintage Vehicle Display, which is being held on the first weekend in June


AS you approach the pictur­ esque and remote setting of Stocks Reservoir , above Slaidburn, you are greeted by a whole host of wildlife that includes grouse, pheas­ ant and rabbit. You would think it an


side warden for North West W a te r L td ’s B o w 1 a n d Estate, is the main motivat­ ing force behind what has become one of the biggest events on the local calendar. Originating from Wors-


ley, Mr McNamee was in the Merchant Navy for 17 years before returning to “dry” land at Slaidburn in 1978. “My granddad was an


engine d r iv e r and I was always interested in steam from when I was a little


steam engines, tra c to r s , t r a i le r s and fa irg ro u n d attractions, winds its way through the Ribble Valley countryside to take part in the annual Slaidburn Steam an d V in ta g e V e h ic le Display. Mr McNamce, country­


unlikely spot to find a sea­ faring steambuff, but David McNamee thinks it’s ideal. Each year, a procession of


Vintage Vehicle Display is entering is eighth year and th e village is p rep a r in g itself to be again besieged by enthusiasts keen to have a glimpse of bygone days.


engines for the last 20 years and I got the idea for the rally about a decade ago when I drove an engine


“ I h a v e h ad s te am


from the centre of Manches­ ter to Slaidburn.” With an average speed of


around four miles an hour, Mr McNamee took two-and- a-half days to get the 40ft. lo n g co n v o y of s te am engine, driver’s caravan and water cart home.


down to the village and it became a bit of an attrac­ tion,” said Mr McNamee. “A friend of mine regularly drives his engine from Man­ chester to Lancaster and I suggested that he stopped off at Slaidburn. Someone else brought a fairground organ along and it has gone


“I used to take the engine A r t s O u t l o o k


THE local entertainment sce'ne is s t i l l al iv e and kicking.


Musical t r e a ts on the


Atlantic tastes, there is foot tapping Latin American music from Qui Man Tu. The name may not trip off the tongue, but their blend of sounds from the high Andes has brought them to th e a t t e n t io n of P a u l McCartney and John Wil­ liams. So they should be worth checking out when the appeal at Colne Munici­ pal Hall on May 26th. F or those of dramatic tastes, there’s a couple of


Pcndle Leisure calendar in c lu d e E r ic C la p to n ’s favourite band, The Big Town Playboys, on Friday, May 18th, at the Silverman Hall, Nelson. And for those of trans-


productions to look out for at the Bolton Octagon. “Yoiks Oiks” , a world


the transfer of a group of children from a council home to a public school — and the ensuing conflicts. The production runs until May 19th. “Yoiks Oiks” will be suc­


premiere of John Chambers new play, is a lively look at the divisions between the haves and the have-nots. The plot revolves around


old people sharing a bed. Should be well worth a look, from May 24th to June 16th.


ceeded at the Octagon by a double bill of new plays by w r i te r in res id en ce Jim Cartwright. The character­ istically short titles of the pieces a re “B a th s” and “Bed” and feature, respec­ tively, a group at a swim­ ming pool and a collection of


The remarkable Compass


Theatre Company, will be staging Shakespeare’s clas­ sic tale of power struggles and po lit ica l ch ican ery “Ju l iu s C a e s a r” a t th e Palace Theatre, Manches­ ter, between May 15-19th. Pendle Leisure Services


offer “Counting the Cost”, at local civic halls between May 16-19th. Described as “a play for the mill towns of Lancashire”, this stage pro­ duction will b r in g back many memories for local folk who have observed at first hand the decline of our once great cotton industry. I f you w a n t f u r th e r


details of any of the above, you can telephone: Pendle Leisure Services on 864721. B o l t o n O c t a g o n on 0204-20661 Palace Theatre 061-236-9922


on the Burnley coalfield prior to 1933.The tram ran on small rails underground, with the minber kneeling on top with one leg and pushing off with the other. The initials DM’ on the top refer to Richard (Dick) Maden who was colliery


Collectors Corner answer: A miner’s tram, also known as a sledge, this was used


manager. He started work in 1887 and retired in 1933. The tram is displayed in the mining section in the Craft Museum.


boy,” said Mr McNamee. “I suppose everything grew from that.” The Slaidburn Steam and


DAVID McNamee shows o f f one o f his steam engines at last year’s show. On the back page are more pictures o f steam engines like the ones ivhich 'will be on display.


from strength to strength ever since.” Last year, the were eight


full-size traction engines and steam organs, a vintage steam tractor, vintage cars, a 26ft. high “ te s t your strength” fairground striker and one of the biggest fair­ ground organs ever made, which is owned by Tom Varley of the Todber Steam Museum, Gisburn.


Other attractions include


cra ft s ta lls , a miniature steam railway and various side shows. This year’s event, held in


the car park of the Hark to Bounty Inn, Slaidburn,on the weekend of June 2nd, promises to be just as big. Also on display will be


f iv e m in i a tu r e s te am engines, two of which were built by Geoff Kean of New­ ton and Ken Taylor from


Clitheroe. Although admission is


f re e, th e re a re hones ty boxes around the arena, and money raised in the past has been donated to Slaidburn


shires An n s W IN A CHAM


D M A N S I O N I N B E N U J M


N H O T E L J L N U G E S K A O E P D N N C M V R E S T N A A E T I S H I R E L S T Y L E D T Y


and is valued at £ 100. ■ How do you win?


DINNER FOR TW


PAGNE O


| birthday and we’re offering readers the chance to celebrate in style with, them - courtesy of Shire Inns.


The Oaks Hotel at Reedley, Burnley will soon be celebrating its sixth |


The hotel was formerly the family home of| a Victorian tea merchant and among its 1 attractions is a magnificent stained glass window depicting scenes from the tea trade.


Shire Inns have restored the mansion to its former glory and it now boasts the finest facilities for both business and private guests in tasteful, comfortable surroundings. The Oaks has earned a reputation for providing the finest classic French and English Cuisine in the Quills Restaurant while Archives Cellar Bar offers diners a less formal bistro atmosphere.


■ The Oaks Hotel is set In four acres of beautiful landscaped gardens and is the perfect ■ venue for our special celebration dinner. Add to that the superb persona] service from the I I


.


I the exact date. You will find the answer hidden in the wordsquare - the date and month. I | The words can be written backwards, forwards - even upside down.


■Put your answer in the space provided, add your name ■and address etc. and send your entry to:- "Champagne IDinner”, Promotions Dept., East Lancashire Newspapers


119908 ° 11Street’ BumIey- by first post Friday June 1st,


|The sender of the first correct entry drawn from the ■assembled mall will be invited to a celebration Champagne ■Dinner for. 2 on the evening of the Oaks Hotel’s birthday - - |s o make a note in your diary when you send off your


entiyl


■Entrants must be aged 18 or over and employees of Shire |In n s Ltd are not eligible to enter. Editor’s decision is final.


[ f u l l N A M E ................................................................................M R /M R S /M I S S l .A D D R E S S ........................... ......................


• • • ................................ TEL. NO ................................... Subject to East Lancs Newspapers Ltd. conditions of entry and competition rules.


|


I I I I


I I I I I I I I I I I


carefully selected staff and our lucky winner is guaranteed a night to remember. ■ The prize we’re offering is a celebration Champagne Dinner for Two in Quills Restaurant ■ We’ve told you that the Oaks will soon be celebrating its birthday but we haven’t told you 1


■ ■


H


* I


club, the church, the play­ g ro u p , and th e v illag e school. This year, as last, the money will be given to Hodder Valley Bowling


Village Hall, the cricket


ro ad s around S laidburn cause their own particular brand of problems. Wad- dington Fell is the biggest obstacle, with tractors often


Club, of which Mr McNa­ mee is secretary. The narrow, undulating


and joy is a Marshall porta­ ble engine, which was built aro u n d 1940. F rom th e makers, it went to a joiner’s shop to serve as a standby in case of electric failure and consequently it had been


needed to hold the engines back as th e y make th e descent. Once they have reached Brungerley Bridge, they are climbing all the way. Mr McNamee’s own pride


asts packing out the bed and breakfasts around Slaid­ burn, it promises to be a thoroughly en te r ta in in g weekend. On the Saturday night, there is a Country and Western evening and barbeque and Slaidburn Sil­ v e r Band is among the a t t r a c t io n s on S u n d ay afternoon. □


used v e ry r a r e ly when acquired for preservation. With many of the enthusi­


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