PLANS to manage the timing of Darwen’s events programme are being discussed to help safeguard their future.

The Darwen Town Centre Partnership Board (DTCPB) has been in talks with event organisers in the town about better co-ordination and marketing to attract more people to a variety of annual events.

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It comes after the historic Darwen Gala and the seventh-annual 1940s day clashed for the first time this year, which councillors branded ‘confusing’.

Advertising for Darwen Live was also criticised by many, mainly for appearing too late.

Cllr John Roberts, chairman of the DTCPB, said that sharing ideas on marketing will help the town tremendously.

He said: “The aim was to help assist and develop the events programme that is organised in Darwen by various individuals and groups.

“By agreeing dates and sharing ideas on the marketing and promotion of the events we will attract more visitors and residents alike.

“Most of the events receive financial support from Darwen Town Council so anything that leads to improved efficiency is to be welcomed.

“We want to come up with a better plan for coordination so that we avoid clashes completely.

“We need to make sure people are given plenty of notice about what is going on because Darwen Live got a bit of criticism this year for that.”

The teams behind Darwen Gala, Darwen Live, 1940s Day and Darwen Food Festival all met at Level One Live recently with the board.

Each group was asked what was done well in the town and what could be better.

The feedback from the session will feed into a report which is now being devised by board member Samantha Taylor.

This will be presented at the next town council meeting and will recommend how events could be better organised in future.

Peta Davies, chairwoman of the Gala committee said that the team will work together so that next year the gala will run separately and communications will be improved.

She said: “We do want to highlight the fact that Darwen Gala has been held on the third Saturday of August for 51 years and nothing has changed there.”

“But despite the double booking, the Gala did well and we are all looking forward to working together in the run up to next year.”