Hyndburn's annual Heritage Open Days take centre stage with packed programme of free events
Residents and visitors are being invited to discover the fascinating stories, landmarks and people that have shaped Hyndburn as Heritage Open Days returns this September.
Taking place from Friday 11th to Sunday 20th September, Heritage Open Days is England’s largest festival of history and culture, with thousands of volunteers and organisations coming together each year to celebrate the nation’s heritage.
This year, Hyndburn will play its part with a fantastic programme of free events and experiences across seven locations: Accrington Stanley, Accrington Town Hall, Raza Jamia Masjid, St James’ Church, Stanhill Village, Accrington Library and Haworth Art Gallery.
From stepping inside some of the borough’s most historic buildings to exploring its industrial and sporting heritage, every event offers an opportunity to discover something new about Hyndburn, completely free of charge.
The programme gets underway at Accrington Library, where a special exhibition will run from Friday 11th to Saturday 19th September. Open between 9am and 5pm, with extended opening until 7pm on Wednesday 16th September, the exhibition will explore the lives of ordinary people who lived and worked in Accrington and the immediate surrounding area.
On Monday 14th September, Mayor of Hyndburn, Cllr Noordad Aziz, will welcome visitors to Accrington Town Hall for two special tours at 10am and 11:30am. Beginning inside the Mayor’s Parlour, visitors will be guided through the historic Town Hall, including the ballroom and the bust of Sir Robert Peel, before concluding in the council chamber. Places are limited to 16 people on each tour and advance booking is required. Book here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/heritatge-open-day-accrington-town-hall-tickets-1997685540227
Football fans will have their chance to explore local history on Wednesday 16th September, when Accrington Stanley opens the doors of the Wham Stadium for a special behind-the-scenes tour at 10:30am.
Led by Accrington Stanley Supporter Liaison Officer Robert Houseman, the tour will explore the remarkable story of one of the original founder members of the Football League, dating back to 1888. Visitors will see Stanley’s timeline of history, hear stories about the people who have shaped the club and get the chance to take a selfie next to the new interactive mural at the stadium.
Places are limited to 16 people and advance booking is required. You can book here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/heritage-open-days-accrington-stanley-football-club-tickets-1996638392179
On Thursday 17th September, attention turns to St James’ Church on Cannon Street in Accrington, with tours taking place at 11am and 1pm.
Church warden Gordon Whewell will take visitors through the rich history of the church, which dates back to 1546, while guests will also have the opportunity to admire the architectural beauty and historic surroundings of St James’ Square, plus see the Accrington Pals flag that they went into battle with in 1916. Each tour is limited to 16 people and must be booked in advance: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/heritage-open-day-st-james-church-tickets-1997691885205
On Friday 18th September, visitors can lace up their walking boots and explore the Stanhill Heritage Trail, combining a peaceful walk with fascinating insights into an area at the heart of the Industrial Revolution.
Starting at 10am, the trail will visit six sites and explore Stanhill’s place in the story of the Industrial Textile Revolution, including the cottage where James Hargreaves invented the Spinning Jenny in 1764. Places are limited to 12 people. Book here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/heritage-open-day-stanhill-heritage-trail-tickets-1997717814761
On Saturday 19th September, Raza Jamia Masjid will welcome visitors between 11am and 3pm for the opportunity to see inside one of the largest and most beautiful mosques in the UK. Visitors can discover more about the history, beliefs and practices of Islam through an extensive exhibition and tours of the mosque, as well as a sneak peek at a brand-new faith school. There is no need to pre-book and visitors can simply turn up on the day.
The festival will conclude on Sunday 20th September with a journey back in time at Haworth Art Gallery. Between 12pm and 4pm, visitors will be able to discover the servants of Hollins Hill House and immerse themselves in life at the country-style Arts and Crafts home of Anne and William Haworth. Families can interact with servants, play traditional games and even dress up in period clothing. No advance booking is required.
Cllr Kate Walsh, Portfolio Holder for Culture, Heritage and Arts at Hyndburn Borough Council, said: “Every year Heritage Open Days are a fantastic opportunity to celebrate Hyndburn’s incredible history and heritage. I’d encourage everyone to come along, explore and enjoy these incredible free events.”
Murray Dawson, Chair of #AmazingAccrington and Managing Director of Scott Dawson Advertising, said: “There are some amazing stories behind the places we see every day in Hyndburn, and this is a fantastic chance to discover them. We’ve got so much to shout about, Heritage Open Days really brings those stories to life and we support this initiative. I encourage everyone to visit at least one that they have not been to before.”
Robert Houseman, Accrington Stanley Supporter Liaison Officer, said: “It’s always fantastic to welcome people to the Wham Stadium and give them a look behind the scenes. Accrington Stanley has so many great stories to tell, and Heritage Open Days is a brilliant opportunity to share the history of the club with visitors.”
Hyndburn Borough Council has organised this year’s events with support from #AmazingAccrington, while collaborating with Burnley Leisure & Culture to encourage visitors to explore the rich heritage of East Lancashire as part of a UK wide initiative.
Heritage Open Days is England’s largest community-led festival of history and culture, providing free access to events and experiences while celebrating local heritage, communities and stories.
To learn more about Heritage Open Days and plan your visit, please see the official website at https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/