Carnival fun and a great escape (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Carnival fun and a great escape

11:40am Thursday 1st December 2011 in Looking Back By Gill Johnson, Features writer

BRIERFIELD weaver and amateur escapologist Robert Atkinson spent much of his spare time wriggling out of tight corners.

So he dreamed up a special spectacle for Burnley’s centenary carnival back in 1961.

He proposed to put his life at risk in a trial by water — and wrote to the mayor, the town clerk and the parks superintendent, offering to be bound in 40 feet of strong chains, then cast into Thompson Park lake or a water tank.

“I’ve never attempted an underwater stunt before, but I am ready to gamble my life that I will free myself,” said Robert, who lived in Commercial Street.

At a previous Nelson gala he had taken just 95 seconds to free himself from 80 feet of rope which was tied around him after his arms had been strapped to his sides.

Ronald Bushby, chairman of the town’s carnival committee, heard of the offer with interest, but didn't not think the stunt could be organised before the event.

The carnival, to mark the centenary of the borough’s Charter of Incorporation, had a host of other attractions, however, with paratroopers dropping on to the Prairie Field from above, morris dancing, a gymnastics competition among local secondary schools, archery and a keep fit session.

There was also an ox roast, which made 3,000 sandwiches, which were sold for 1s 3d for charity.

It all began with a mammoth procession, which stretched for two-and-a-half miles and comprised more than 2,000 people.

It assembled in Padiham Road, and stretched all the way from the top of Gannow to Kiddrow Lane, before making its way down Westgate, through the town centre and on to Colne Road to the show field.

The eight months of centenary celebrations also included a civic ball and an open air production of Merrie England was also performed at Towneley.

Lord Derby was also invited to unveil a centenary statue commissioned for the event and Jacqueline, daughter of ex-Burnley footabller Arthur Woodruff, was crowned the centenary queen.