On Saturday 19th August, Tonge with The Haulgh Big Local and Bolton Council’s Play and Youth Services jointly hosted the Big Local Festival at Castle Hill Young People’s Centre. The event, which included a colourful parade, was a celebration of the local area and of International Youth Day. Among the guests at the event was the Mayor of Bolton, Councillor Roger Hayes.
The parade was well-attended, despite decidedly inclement weather, and the fact that the majority of subsequent events were held indoors ensured that people were not deterred by the rain, with hundreds enjoying the range of activities and offerings.
Live from Worktown presented Main Stage, with Street Dance, Rap and Singing; a Singer/Songwriters Showcase featuring Linda Jennings (of The Voice); Nanukes of the North Ukelele band and the Cuba Libre Salsa and Latin Band. There was also a ‘Pop-Up’ Stage indoors, with a variety of performances. There was a wide range of activities for youngsters inside the centre and a number of food stations to ensure that no-one was hungry or thirsty.
Tonge with The Haulgh Big Local is a £1m investment in the area, which has supported or delivered a number of local events, groups, projects and enterprises.
Community Development Officer Sarah Taylor said:
“Today is a great celebration of a thriving community and a very active voluntary sector in Tonge with The Haulgh. It’s very exciting to bring groups together and to work with the Play and Youth Service in making this event a success.“
For the Play and Youth Service, it was their third International Youth Day event. Dominic Rice, one of the service’s managers, said:
“With this event, we are celebrating youth work all over Bolton. We have a strong programme over the summer, with ten youth clubs in the town offering positive activities for young people, together with support and guidance on a range of issues. There is a play service for children aged 4 – 12 and a youth service for those aged 13 – 17.”