Giant chess and theatre highlights at Bacup's arts festival

Bacup's This Here Festival, held last weekend (June 8 and 9), put on by Bacup Cultural Consortium (BCC) received Arts Council funding to organise the event.

Megan Leyland, from Waterfoot, said: "It has been a surprising weekend full of really quirky, uplifting, fun and unusual activities.

"Sunday was really laid back; we have been really delighted by what we have been able to see."

On Saturday Goofus Theatre performed in the ABD Centre followed by the Women in Music event taking place on Irwell Terrace.

The Skiband performed throughout the town while Victorian Temperance Society members kept people in line.

Attendee, Patsy McGowan, said: “I like this kind of music.

"I got a flyer through the door and I only live on South Street so the event was just round the corner.”

Amy Callaghan, an artist from Pigs in Mud Art Studios, helped children create their own miniature Viking comic books at the market.

Trips to the Bacup Museum also drew attention, where the D-Day exhibition remained a popular choice.

As the weather turned on Sunday, events were swiftly moved to Stubbylee Greenhouses' event space and courtyard.

Chair of BCC, Esther Ferry-Kennington, said: "We are very grateful to the greenhouses for allowing us to use the space."

Giant chess proved popular (Image: Catherine Smyth Media)

The festival will return on June 7 and 8, 2025, thanks to the Arts Council's funding for two more years.

Councillor Andrew Walmsley said: "Even though the weather was against us, people have still come out to see and support what is happening."