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Wigan - the best place for summer festivals

From the united colours of Leigh to ‘Haigh rock n roll!’ – the borough’s festival season just keeps on getting better. Each summer now comes with a sense of eager anticipation as thousands get ready to celebrate the best in performance, public art, live music and the joy of life! And this year the big three free festivals (WOW, Haigh and Leigh Multicultural) promise to be bigger than ever thanks to a £50,000 cash boost from Wigan Borough Partnership.

Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust’s Arts and Festivals Manager Chris Wyatt says: “We’ve got so many creative people in the borough and it is important we can showcase some of that talent in the right way. We also have many international acts and performers visiting the borough and this year’s Festival Fever is no exception.”

Last year the combined festivals attracted more than 20,000 visitors and earned rave reviews in the local press and beyond. This year it all kicks-off in style on Sunday July 6 with a rocking good time at the Haigh Music Festival. Organised by the Trust and the Wigan Music Collective it’s a celebration of local bands and the borough’s vibrant live music scene.

“Last year 7,000 music fans came along to this fantastic event,” says Chris. “We’re listening to demo tapes and looking at the line-up for this year’s festival but it promises to be a big one.”

If one day isn’t enough to get your festival fix then how about three? Leigh’s Hot on the Square starts on Wednesday July 23. Each lunchtime the town’s civic square will be alive with music, performance and all manner of art as the nearby library and Turnpike Gallery get in on the act.

“We thought that being away from Leigh’s main shopping area this festival may not attract many people,” says Chris. “But we were happy to be proved wrong because it’s got a loyal following that is only going to get bigger.”

The event culminates in the spectacular Leigh Multicultural Festival on Saturday July 26 (12–5pm).

And if it’s a multicultural experience you’re after then look no further than the hugely popular Wigan One World (WOW) Festival. Mesnes Park is the main place on Sunday August 3 with this enormous celebration of diversity. There will be dance, music and arts activities from around the globe. “It’s truly a festival with something for everyone,” says Chris. “Last year more than 9,000 people came through the gates not just to watch but to let their hair down and join in. It’s a fantastic event, up there with the best in the North West and one you have to experience at least once.”

Many of the events in Wigan’s Festival Fever are free so what’s stopping you? You can find out more about the festivals and who is appearing by checking the website – www.wlct.org/festivalfever – regularly. Or you can call Chris Wyatt on 01942 486929.

Community events

Wed 18 Jun to Sat 28 Jun, 7:30pm
STEPPING OUT - Wigan Little Theatre, Crompton Street, Wigan. Award-winning comedy by Richard Harris about a beginners' weekly tap-dancing class. First Wed & Thurs all seats are half price - £4! Box Office: 01942 242561. £8, Conc £6

Fri 20 & 27 Jun and 11, 18 & 25 July 8:30pm - 11:30pm
LEIGH NCDS SOCIAL DANCE - Leigh Miners Welfare Club, Kirby Road, off Twist Lane, Leigh. Over 45, Divorced, Widowed or Separated. 01942 222537. £2.50, £3.50 (visitor)

Sat 5 July
WIGAN CHORAL SOCIETY - Trinity United Reformed Church, Milton Grove, Wigan. Pot pourri of traditional choral music and show-time. 01695 622135 or 01257 400852. £7, Conc £6

Turnpike Gallery - 01942 404469

Tue 17 Jun, 3:45pm - 5:00pm
ART FOR 11-16s - Free drop-in drawing workshops for young people. No booking required.

Thu 26 Jun, 10am - 1pm
CUSHION CREATIONS FOR ADULTS - Textile artist Elizabeth Smith will show you how to transform a plain cushion into a stylish and individual creation. Booking essential. 01942 404469. £15

Sat 28 Jun, 12pm - 2pm
EAT WITH STRANGERS - Find out more about the food that is special to people in Leigh. No booking required.

Sat 5 July, 1pm - 2pm
CRAFT CIRCLE - Informal monthly meeting for anyone with an interest in crafts.

Sat 5 July, 10:30am - 12:30pm
ARTS ACTIVE - Artist led workshops for 5-12s. Booking essential. 01942 404469.

Sat 12 July, 10am - 1pm
DRAWING WITH PEN AND INK FOR ADULTS - An introduction to drawing with pen and ink led by regular tutor Paul Brotherton. Booking essential. 01942 404469. £5

Sat 19 July to Sat 6 Sep
ART FACTORY - PARADISE - Work with an artist to build your own vision of paradise using a range of materials, sounds, images and noises. 01942 404469. Free

Haigh Country Park - 01942 832895

Thu 19 Jun to Fri 20 Jun, 2pm and 7pm
THE TAMING OF THE SHREW - Hilarious romp performed en promenade in the park. 01772 466256 to book. Under 5s free. £20, Concessionary £12, Family tickets £48.

Sun 22 Jun, 1pm - 3pm
HERB POTS - Create your own terracotta pot of herbs and take a stroll to the Walled Garden Project. 8+. £5

Sun 22 Jun, 10:30am - 4:30pm
DERIAN HOUSE CRAFT FAIR

Sat 28 Jun, 1pm - 3pm
SUMMER TREE ID - Stroll through the woodlands and learn how to identify the trees of the Haigh Estate. Outdoor event. 8+.

Sun 29 Jun, 10am - 4:30pm
BOOK FAIR

Sun 29 Jun, 2pm - 4pm
GOLBORNE BRASS BAND - Stables Courtyard. Free

Sun 6 July, 12 - 8pm
HAIGH FESTIVAL - Music festival in the park. For more information visit www.wlct.org/festivalfever

Sun 13 July, 11am & 2pm
RACE FOR LIFE - In aid of Cancer Research. For further details visit www.raceforlife.org (external link)

Sat 19 July, 1pm - 3pm
ARCHERY DAY - Taster sessions of 45 minutes. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Outdoor event. 8+. £2

Sun 20 July, 2pm - 4pm
KEVIN THE KLOWN - Stables Courtyard. Children's entertainer - free

Sun 20 July, 7:30pm
THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES - Performed by Illyria in the Walled Gardens. Sherlock Holmes and his assistant Doctor Watson tackle the most baffling case of their careers. £10, Concessionary £6

Wed 23 July, 1pm - 3pm
THE BIG BUG HUNT - Search for creepy crawlies in the woods, then enjoy a pond dip. Children must be an accompanied by an adult. 8+. £2

Thu 24 July, 12pm & 2.30pm
WIND IN THE WILLOWS - Delightful musical adaptation of life on the River Bank and in the Wild Wood. Outside Theatre in the Walled Gardens, rain cover inside Haigh Hall. £5, Concessionary £4

Heritage events

Sunday 15 June, 12pm - 5pm
MADE IN WIGAN - Trencherfield Mill Courtyard, Wigan. Free celebration of Wigan’s cultural heritage including performances by Andy Prior and Wigan Youth Jazz Orchestra and Wigan Pier Theatre Company’s youth group.

Until Sat 19 July
FREEMASONRY… IT'S NO SECRET! - The History Shop, Library Street, Wigan. Exhibition showing history of the Wigan Lodges. 01942 828128 or visit www.wlct.org/heritage

Tue 29 July, 1pm - 4pm
COTTON MILL & CANAL THRILL - Trencherfield Mill, Wigan. See the mighty engine in steam and enjoy a cotton spinning demonstration. Take part in craft activities and a special canal boat ride. For children 5-11 years, accompanied by an adult. Booking with pre-payment is required. 01942 323666. £14 family ticket (4 persons). £5 (children), Concessionary £3 (adults)

Leisure venues and events

Formby Hall, Atherton, 01942 876496

• Sun 15 June
  BRASS BAND CONCERT - With Tyldesley Band. 01942 876496.
  
  
• Fri 4 July and 1 August, 8pm - 11:30pm
  LEIGH NCDS INDEPENDENCE DAY SOCIAL DANCE - Over 45, Divorced, Widowed or Separated. 01942 222537. £2.50, Concessionary £3.50

Monaco Ballroom, Hindley, 01942 255138

• Fri 20 Jun & 4 July, 7pm
  GARAGE PRO WRESTLING - 01253 822046. £6 pay on door
  
  
• Sat 28 Jun & 25 July, 8:30pm - 12am
  NORTHERN LINK SINGLES NIGHT - 01942 255138.
  
  
• Sat 5th July, 8:00pm - 1:00am
  NORTHERN SOUL NIGHT - Records from the Wigan Casino days.01942 255992/255138. £5 on the door
  
  
• Fri 11 July
  TALON – Tribute band to the Eagles. 01942 777627. £12.50

Parks and countryside

Sun 15 Jun & 20 July, 10am - 12pm
RANGER IN THE HIDE - Pennington Flash Country Park, Leigh. A ranger will be on hand to answer birding questions, help with identification and generally give a friendly welcome. Meet at Horrocks' Hide. 01942 605253.

Tue 17 Jun, 1:30pm - 3pm
THE PLAYIN' OUT TEAM LOVE PARKS - Pennington Hall Park, Pennington, Leigh. Free afternoon of play activities and art and craft for under 5s.

Wed 18 Jun, 1:30pm - 3pm
THE PLAYIN' OUT TEAM LOVE PARKS - Alexandra Park, Newtown, Wigan. Free afternoon of play activities and art and craft for under 5s.

Sat 21 Jun, 10am
PRACTICAL CONSERVATION VOLUNTEER WALK & PICNIC - Welham Road entrance, Wigan Flashes Local Nature Reserve. Booking essential. 01942 233976.

Sat 21 Jun, 5:30pm
ROMEO AND JULIET - Pennington Hall Park, Pennington, Leigh. Outdoor production of Shakespeare's best known play on the longest day of the year. Tickets only from C'est Tous' Box Office on 01257 453956 or 01257 451397.

Sun 22 Jun, 2pm - 4pm
BRASS IN THE PARK - Jubilee Park, Ashton. Trinity Girls Brass Band . 01942 245369.

Sun 22 Jun, 8pm
URBAN FOXES - Mesnes Park, Wigan. Learn about the life of a fox. Booking essential: 01942 245369. Small charge.

Wed 25 Jun & 23 July, 1pm
AFTERNOON HEALTH WALK - Worsley Mesnes Health Centre. One hour walk on Wigan Flashes Local Nature Reserve. Booking essential: 01942 233976.

Sat 28 Jun
PARTY IN THE PARK - Alexandra Park, Newtown, Wigan. Local community fun day.

Sat 28 Jun, 10:30am - 2:30pm
LUNCH AT BILLINGE HILL - Orrell Water Park. 5 mile walk through Orrell Water Parklunch at Billinge Hill. Meet at the Reservoir House. To book: 01942 720453.

Sat 5 July, 10am
PRACTICAL CONSERVATION TASKFORCE - Welham Road entrance, Wigan Flashes Local Nature Reserve. To book telephone 01942 233976.

Sun 6 July, 2pm - 4pm
BRASS IN THE PARK - Jubilee Park, Ashton. Golborne Brass Band. 01942 245369.

Mon 7 July, 9:30pm - 11:30pm
BAT WALK - Three Sisters Recreation Area, Ashton. Search for bats with the aid of electronic bat detectors. Booking essential
01942 720453. Small charge.

Sat 12 July, 10am
MEADOWS IN MIDSUMMER - Wigan Flashes Local Nature Reserve: Join the Lancashire Wildlife Trust for a guided walk through the woods and wildflower meadows. To book 01942 233976.

Sat 12 July, 6:30pm - 8:30pm
MUSIC FROM THE MOVIES - Pennington Hall Park, Pennington, Leigh. Golborne Brass Band evening concert. Free but admission by ticket only. 01942 488552.

Sun 13 July, 11am - 4pm
FUN FAIR - Mesnes Park, Wigan. Small rides for younger children only.

Sun 13 July, 11am - 4pm
JAZZ IN THE PARK - Mesnes Park, Wigan. A free concert as part of Wigan International Jazz Festival.

Sun 20 July, 1:30pm
PLAY PATCH GARDEN PARTY - Play Patch, Hindley. Face painting, party games and refreshments. 01942 766708.

Sun 20 July, 2pm
CHURCHES TOGETHER - PRAISE IN THE PARK - Jubilee Park, Ashton. Join local church congregations with Ashton Band.

Sun 20 July, 9:15pm - 11:15pm
BAT WALK - Ashfield Park, Standish. Join the rangers in search of bats with the aid of electronic bat detectors. To book, 01942 245369. Small charge.

Mon 21 July, 9:30pm - 11:30pm
BAT WALK - Three Sisters Recreation Area, Ashton. As for Ashfield Park except to book phone 01942 720453.

Tue 22 July, 2pm - 4pm
GRASSLAND SAFARI - Three Sisters Recreation Area, Ashton. Mini safari to meet some amazing creatures. To book 01942 720453.

Sat 26 July, 9pm - 11pm
BAT WALK - Pennington Flash Country Park, Leigh. As for Ashfield Park above except book on 01942 605253.

Sun 27 July, 2pm - 4pm
JUST JAZZ AND THE WASHDAY BLUES - Pennington Hall Park, Pennington, Leigh. Music from the swing era. When you need a breather you can have a look at how we used to do the household laundry with the Heritage Services washday collection. 01942 766708.

Tue 29 July, 11am
PEARSON'S FLASH HEALTH WALK - Cemetery Road, Ince. Two hour health walk for intermediate walkers, with the option of a return to the car park after an hour for beginners. Meet at the car park end. Booking 01942 233976.

Wed 30 July
MINIBEAST HUNT - Three Sisters Recreation Area, Ashton. Discover what lives under the rocks and logs in our minibeast area.
Book on 01942 720453.

Jazz festival

The Wigan International Jazz Festival 2008 runs from 11 - 19 July and features brilliant artists from the world of jazz, free fringe festivals, jazz seminars, and much much more