BURNLEY'S Friendly Festival got off to a flying start with supporters flocking to the Central Methodist Church.

The 41st annual event has kept pace with the times, attracting more than 260 entrants from 10 chapels in the local Methodist circuit.

Entries are up in many of the sections, with strong interest in particular from young people.

The five day festival includes classes ranging from cookery to poetry reading, crafts to disco dancing.

Tonight's programme in the Central Church includes vocal solo duets and selected junior and adult classes.

Tomorrow sees choir classes in the main hall.

The grand finale, the festival concert takes place on Friday in Brierfield Methodist Church.

Weekend results included -

Music: Instrumental 10-13 years: 1, Gillian Bramley; 2, Rachel Yates; 3, Alyson Dobson. Ditto 14-17 years: 1, Ruth Stowell. Duet 17 years and under: 1, Christopher White and David Toddington; 2, Gillian Bramley and Kathy Stout; 3, Alyson Dobson and David Toddington. Group 17 years and under: 1, Ightenhill; 2, Elim. Piano solos: Up to eight years: 1, Tara Briffa; 2, Richard Yates. Up to 10 years: 1, Rachel Yates; 2, Jamie Catlow.

Handwriting: 6-8 years: 1, Tara Briffa; 2, Laura Hanson; 3, Martin Wyatt. 9-10 years: 1, Jennifer Stout; 2, Christopher Chorley; 3, Aiden Sanderson. 11-13 years: 1, Joanne Glover; 2, Gillian Bramley; 3, Katherine Stout. 14-17 years: 1, Victoria Hitch; 2, Jonathan Tann; 3, Amber Preston. 18 years and over: 1, Margaret Simpson; 2, Doreen Myers; 3, Roger Bramley. Pen Lettering: Oepn: 1, Margaret Simpson; 2, Doreen Myers; 3, Marjorie Clarkson. Art: Under five years: 1, Natalie Berry; 2, Melanie Daggett; 3, Theodore Coleman. 5-8 years: Joint 1, Nina Heaton and Sonny Rushton; 3, Rachel Seal. 9-11 years: 1, Christopher Wyatt; 2, Julia Casson; 3, Aiden Sanderson. 12-17 years: 1, Louise Farnworth; 2, Gemma Marsden; joint 3, Nathaniel Bennett and Elizabeth Dixon. 18 years and over: 1, Eric Lockwood; 2, Doreen Myers; 3, Leonard Berry. Egg decorating: Up to four years: 1, Kim Brown; 2, Abigail Godfrey; 3, Rachel Forshaw. 5-6 years: 1, Roseanna Leathley; 2, Johnathan Lord; 3, Hester Owen. 7-8 years: 1, Becky Townrow; 2, Charlotte Dawson; 3, Iasn Sharpe. 13-17 years: 1, Tamsyn Burns.

Embroidery: Up to eight years: Joint 1, Janine Casson and Rachael Seal. 9-11 years: 1, Elizabeth Sharpe; 2, Jennifer Stout; joint 3, Kate Johnson and Sarah Porter. 18 and over: 1, Sheila Greenwood. Embroidered collage: Up to 10 years: joint 1, Janine and julia Casson; 3, Hester Owen. 18 and over: 1, Marjorie Lever. Embroidered greeting card: 18 years and over: 1, Jennifer Lockwood; Joint 2, Jo Crumbleholme and Linda Sharples. Models: Up to seven years: 1, Elim; 2, Colne Road. 8-12 years: 1, Towneley. 13-15 years: 1, Elim. Scrap Books: Up to 7 years: 1, Central; 2, Elim; 3, Wheatley Lane. 8-12 years: 1, Elim; 2, Central. Computer Graphics: Up to 16 years: 1, Tom Crumbleholme; 2, Julia Casson; 3, Amber Preston. 17 and over: 1, Mavis Halstead; 2, Stephen Dixon. 16 years: 1, Victoria Hitch; 2, Carol Glover; 3, Julia Casson. 17 years and over: 1, Stephen Dixon; 2, Mavis Halstead.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.