A TWO-WEEK feast of entertainment, dubbed the People's Festival, kicks off in Rossendale next week.

Council leisure chairman Lawrence Forshaw gambled on involving local people in the annual Rossfest instead of concentrating on professional entertainers as in the past.

And he expressed his delight today that it looked certain to pay off.

Rossfest, extended from a week to a fortnight, has a programme packed with displays of local talent across the Valley.

Coun Forshaw said: "I am delighted with the result. Local people have come up trumps.

"And I am particularly grateful to Horse and Bamboo Theatre from Waterfoot for the hard work they have put into the festival."

The programme runs from May 22 to June 7 and will feature local groups, including Bacup Amateurs with 'Hot Mikado,' the Globe Artists of Waterfoot, the 2nd Rossendale Scout Band, Rossendale Male Voice Choir, Rossendale Writers, Valley Brass, Bacup Judo Club and Bacup Fur Fanciers. Alterations to the published programme include the concert featuring Rossendale Valley Sounds and Broadway School which will take place on Sunday, not Saturday, at Haslingden Public Hall and the cancellation of Lancashire Night at the Rose 'n' Bowl, Stacksteads, which was found to clash with artists already booked at the pub.

The Valley's mayor-elect, Coun Mollie Disley, is entering into the spirit of the festival. The annual mayor-making ceremony will take place at the Astoria, halfway through the festival.

And Coun Disley has decided to break with tradition and not hold the traditional "churching" of the mayor the following Sunday. Instead, the mayoral procession will follow a route from Marl Pits to the Astoria and will be a celebration of the Valley's voluntary organisations. The ceremony will feature the renowned Water School Choir.

Professional concerts include Fivepenny Piece at Bacup Leisure Hall, jazz night at the Rhythm Station, the Mark Kitto Band at Haslingden Public Hall, Souled as Seen at Bacup Leisure Hall and the Bookbinder Band at the Astoria.

Tickets can be booked on the council's Rossfest hot-line on 01706 226590.

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