THE forecast is fun as townsfolk have been urged to turn out for tomorrow’s Darwen Gala and consign last year’s weather-hit wash-out to the past.

Councillors for the town and its surrounding villages of all political parties have stressed that residents should make the effort to head for the event to secure its future.

The organising committee have arranged free transport for visitors to secure a big attendance.

Sudell Liberal Democrat councillor and Mayor of Darwen Town Council Roy Davies has been joined by Sunnyhurst Labour representative Dave Smith and East Rural Tory Cllr Julie Slater in appeal for big crowd for 52nd edition of the annual event

This year’s gala involves a road parade, which proceeds along the A666 from AFC Darwen to the town centre before arriving at the field site in Borough Road adjacent to Bold Venture Park.
 

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On the field, there will be various trade stalls and activities going on, horses and the start of the Catherine Dowdall Memorial Fell Race and Fun Run.

Cllr Davies said: “I’ll be there walking down to the town centre and I want as many people as possible to join me.

“It’s a major Darwen festival for all the people of the town and last year was pretty well rained off. We need as many people as possible to turn up and make it a great day when hopefully the sun will shine.

“People from the town should turn up but people from Blackburn who want to see the Victorian gem that is Darwen are very welcome too.”

Cllr Smith said: “Last year’s gala was pretty well a wash-out.

“The forecast is a lot better this year so we need as many people as possible to turn up and use the free transport as well.

“It’s particularly important his year as we want to ensure the Gala continues, thrives and grows. It should be a truly great day out in Darwen.”

Cllr Slater said: “People really should make the effort and turn out tomorrow.

“It’s a really important events for Darwen and the surrounding villages so as many residents as possible should go. If after last year there is a poor attendance the volunteers who do so much to run the gala could start to lose heart.”

The free big red ‘Gala’ bus will be available to transport visitors up to the gala field from the town hall at 1.30pm and with further trips at 2pm and 2.30pm. The final departure from the town centre to the Anchor ground will be at 3pm.