Lancaster's spectacular celebration of Lord Ashton’s generosity
AT 8pm on Saturday November 7, Lancaster City Council will launch its 17th Annual Fireworks Spectacular. The display takes place in the vicinity of the ancient Castle and Priory Church, on Castle Hill.
Due to the display’s increasing popularity, two official alternative viewing areas are also available this year, at the Giant Axe field, next to Lancaster City football ground and at Williamson Park. These will remain open throughout the evening, though admission to the Castle Hill site will close at 7.30pm, or earlier if the site is full.
Preceding the pyrotechnics will be a full day of events, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the opening of two of Lancaster’s most important public buildings, the Town Hall and Williamson Park’s Ashton Memorial. Both were donated, in 1909, to the people of Lancaster, by local millionaire industrialist, Lord Ashton.
The daytime programme features entertainment reminiscent of Lord Ashton’s time and also several events which explore his life and times. Lancaster Town Hall will be staging guided tours at 1pm, 2.30pm and 3.45pm. The tours will visit the Mayor’s Parlour, Council Chamber, former courtroom and police cells. A specially re-created Lord Ashton will be presiding over the occasion.
The Town Hall also hosts two talks. The first at 2pm, ‘Li’le Jimmy Williamson’, by Sue Ashworth, explores Lord Ashton’s lordship’s life and times. At 3.30pm, Dr Andrew White’s ‘Lord Ashton’s Legacy’, looks at the various buildings and places, which he gifted to his native Lancaster. The tours and talks are free of charge.
The Judges’ Lodgings Museum is opening specially, out of season, from 11am to 5pm, with discounted admission of £2 adults and no entry charge for accompanied children. Here there will be Punch and Judy and two amazing magic shows, presented by Bamboozlement, returning to Lancaster by popular demand, following their success at Williamson Park’s Centenary Celebrations in September. An Edwardian governess will also be on duty in the Lodgings’ Day Nursery, supervising children’s play, with toys and games of the period.
A short walk away, the music and song of the variety theatre and music hall will be on offer, in the Penny Almshouses Chapel, presented by Hautbois duo. There are three shows, at 12.30pm, 2pm and 3.30pm. Admission is free and early arrival is advised, as space is limited.
In St Nicholas Arcades, Lancaster’s Inner State Theatre Co will be presenting a unique rendition of the Punch and Judy story, at various times.
Finally, a guided walk, led by local Blue Badge Guide, Janet Nelson, will bring to life the Lancaster of Lord Ashton, highlighting many of the places connected to him and his industrial rivals. ‘Lord Ashton’s Lancaster’ runs at 12pm and 2.30pm, starting from the Castle’s John O’Gaunt Gateway. It is free of charge.
A programme, giving details of the November 7 daytime events and a separate leaflet with full information on the evening Fireworks Spectacular are available, free of charge, from Lancaster and Morecambe Visitor Information Centres (Tel 01524 582394) or www.lancaster.gov.uk.
Date Published: 26/10/09