March to the Front - 30th June 2016

March to the Front is a chance for each town in Hyndburn to talk part in a walk to Oakhill Park on 30th June 2016 to remember the sacrifice made by the Accrington Pals. All residents are invited to take part and it will be followed by a performance at 7.00pm in the park.

Starting times and locations for each township are as follows:

Accrington              6.35pm Accrington Town Hall (0.7 Miles 25 Minutes)
Baxenden                6.30pm The Bay Horse (0.9 Miles 30 Minutes)
Church                    6.15pm Bank St Community Centre (1.8 Miles 45 Minutes)
Clayton-le-Moors   5.45pm Mercer House (3 Miles 1 Hour 15 Minutes)
Great Harwood       5.10pm Town Gate (4.2 Miles 1 Hour 50 Minutes)
Huncoat                  6.10pm The Hollow, Bolton Avenue (2 Miles 50 Minutes)
Oswaldtwistle         6.10pm Civic Arts Centre (2 Miles 50 Minutes)
Rishton                   5.25pm Rishton CC Car Park (3.9 Miles 1 Hour 35 Minutes)

We are looking for 50 walkers and one lead walker for each of the routes.Walkers will be carrying a backpack between them to represent the weight of the backpacks that the soldiers carried on their March to the Front the night before the Battle of the Somme.

If you would like to walk, or lead the walks, please contact Gayle Knight on 01254 398319.

Following the walk, a conceptual movement piece entitled The Falling will be performed by the combined bands of East Lancashire Concert Band (the original Accrington Pals Band) and Lancashire Artillery Band at 7.00pm.

720 people will represent the soldiers that went over the top on 1st July 1916. The movement piece will represent the 20 minutes from 7.00am in the morning when many of the Pals lost their lives or were injured.

If you would like to beinvolved or would just like to come and watch the performance please contact Sophie on 01254 398319.