A WEEKEND of celebrations marked the end of a five-year project to restore Bacup’s heritage.

In 2013 Rossendale Council secured £2million of Heritage Lottery funding for Bacup Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI).

This led to 15 premises being refurbished, four derelict buildings brought back into use, attracted new businesses and changed the road layout and street scene.

To celebrate, a weekend of activities for the community was arranged in the town centre and neighbouring Stubbylee Park, once home to Bacup Town Hall.

THI project officer Mhorag Saxon led a series of guided walks to explain how the scheme had changed the town and asked community group Bacup Now to organise activities to bring the community together.

She said: “I would like to thank everyone who came along on the two days to join in the celebrations

“This project was funded by Heritage Lottery money and so it is thanks to people playing the National Lottery that the funding was available to us.

“I would like to personally add my thanks to the HLF, the partnership board members and all of the groups, businesses, organisations and individuals we have worked with.”

Chairman of Bacup Now Barry Hyde said: “I think this should become an annual event because there is such a lot in our community to celebrate.

“The work the THI has done is amazing, but it is only the start. Now it needs the community to take the next step to try to reinvigorate the town through events.”

Community stalls filled Bacup Market and on Irwell Terrace there were attractions and refreshments.

The A, B and D Centre displayed the most colourful lasting legacy of the THI, the stunning Irwell Tapestry created by community artist Ruth Evans, along with a series of mosaic panels which are soon to be installed around the town.