BARNOLDSWICK HERITAGE WEEKEND 2014

[Thomo]

Good news at last. "YES" its now official, the Heritage Lottery Funding has been granted. Its going to be a tad busy now as there are items to add to the book project and do a final check of all 400 plus pages.

[Thomo]

Much activity over the weekend and today. The book has been checked again and several long calls have added a bit more clarity to the event in September. A number of mails and calls today to and from Buckingham Palace and we may yet get the foreword and message from the Duke of York. The transport of the restored lifeboat "William Riley" from and back to Whitby is now I understand in hand. There are just about 7 weeks to go now and what we hoped for is shaping up at last.

[Thomo]

The Royal Naval Reserves at Leeds have submitted their application to attend to MOD Navy.

[Thomo]

Now with only six weeks to go, it is all down to waiting again. Waiting for the clearance required to take the book to the printers, waiting for a response from Buckingham Palace ref. the message and foreword. waiting to hear from the BBMF in regard to the ETA, this should come within the next two weeks. At least it looks like the arrival of the William Riley is on track, I had a call from Peter at Whitby regarding this last week, most of the material from their museum regarding the Rohilla has been on display at various RNLI sites recently but will be back in Whitby at the beginning of September. Peter is going to select items pertinent to Barnoldswick and is going to either bring them here himself, or send them with the boat. It is hoped that the RNLI will bring a modern inshore Lifeboat to display alongside the William Riley. The Naval Reserves from Leeds should be in attendance and will be briefed shortly about their role here. Another concern that may have caused a serious problem, and which has been mentioned in another topic is about the temporary closure of a part of Albert Road, this is crucial to the entire Heritage Weekend. It is hoped that on the Sunday the local shopkeepers will do a market dressed in period costume. It is also possible that the event will be attended by a group dressed as WW1 nurses.

[Thomo]

Now with only five weeks to go, things are at last coming together. I spoke with Peter at Whitby yesterday and he was busy identifying items from the Whitby Lifeboat Museum pertinent to the Rohilla and Barnoldswick, which will be brought here for this event. Frequent contact with the Royal Naval Reserves at Leeds has produced the following:- They will be in attendance and hopefully will be bringing some members of the Royal Marines Reserve with them, I will be sending them briefing material next week. This relates to three specific features:- 1. The William Riley. 2. The Councils Rohilla Display, and 3. the book launch. These people are very keen to attend and I am sure that they will do their best. With the time slipping rapidly away, one of my concerns was the book "Barnoldswick, a small Towns part in conflicts, 1800-2014" This is awaiting the "go ahead", and here we have bought some time. For many months I have been trying to get the Duke of York to write a message that can be displayed/read out at this event, also a foreword for the book, a phone call from the Duke's Equerry, Lt Cdr Michael Hutchinson RN, this afternoon, and both items will be here next week. I am normally fairly patient, but last week I decided that Barnoldswick is not in no mans land, and fired a few broadsides in an attempt to get things moving, this I will continue to do right until the last minute.

[David Whipp]

Hope your shot fell true, Peter.

[Thomo]

It appears as though thing are picking up a bit. A mail yesterday highlighted something extra may be available in the form of a WW1 Field Hospital Display. Yesterday at Ghyll there was good news from the team at the website "Craven's part in the Great War" or CPGW. Months ago I was asked if I would write a letter in support of their application to the HLF for a grant to rebuild and update the site, this I did with pleasure as without their help our task in regard to the research would have been near impossible. I am pleased to say that this grant has been approved, but just like us they are awaiting the go ahead.

[Thomo]

More good news today for a change. The hoped for foreword for the book by HRH The Duke of York arrived in PDF format last night, and is just what I hoped for. 4 York's are otherwise engaged at the time of the event but will be represented here by a Senior Officer, one is better than nothing at all.

[Thomo]

Once again the fog has descended, we had much the same last year with the re dedication event. It is all down to waiting again. The Officer mentioned in my last post is Major James Barker, second in Command of 4 Yorks. Now at just under 4 weeks to go, a modicum of anxiety is surfacing, will the book be ready in time? and if the weather is like todays, we may not see the Lancaster, even here there is now uncertainty as to which one it will be, not that it matters much at all, either will be most welcome. There is still much to do, and until clarity returns, a great deal of this cannot be done. I keep telling myself that it will all come together on the day, yet this time there are more ifs and buts than last year.

[Thomo]

Several mails and phone calls, and I am happy to say that the fog has been lifted. The book will be going to the printers this week, sorted. Ken and I will be going to Whitby early on the 5th of September to make official the William Riley visit, and I can now go ahead with the briefs for the Naval and Marine reserves, and the press. It appears that one of the big questions being asked is at what time will the Lancaster be here? this we should know soon now. Onwards and upwards yet again.

[Thomo]

Much has happened since my last post. First the book, now having been checked through for the 9th time, it is now committed to stick and discs and will be going to the printers at 1000 on Friday. Confirmation of the Heritage Lottery Funding for various items arrived yesterday morning, and the go ahead was given. An initial program for Saturday the 6th of September I have before me and is as follows:-

1000, Exhibition doors opened to invited guests.
1100, Opening cry from the Town Crier.
1105, Official opening of the exhibition by Clr. Claire Teall.
1110, Introductions, welcome addresses and Official Book Launch.
1120, Formal presentation of Commemorative Volumes to VIPs.
Following this at a time yet to be established is the Fly Past by the Lancaster Bomber, City of Lincoln.

In respect of this last item, there is apparently much speculation in the social media as to whether there may be more than one aircraft, we will see.

It also appears that the Heritage Lottery Funding team have developed a keen interest in what we are about, and may be here on the day.

Outgoing Invitations to participate are still in progress, so what do we have at present besides the William Riley, the book and the Rohilla display, plus whatever the BBMF send (weather permitting). There is a possibility of a modern inshore lifeboat to complement the William Riley, the presence of the Royal Naval and Marine Reserves, The 2nd in Command of the 4Yorks, Civic Dignitaries from our area, VIPS from other interested parties, the RNLI and RBL, a theatrical WW1 field hospital and a WW1 re enactment group. It is shaping up nicely now. I also have a list here of they who will receive courtesy copies of the book, at present there are 35 organisations and individuals on this list and more to come, 2 of the members of this site will hopefully be present.

[slyworme]

According to the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum, Barlick should be getting a visit from both Lancasters. http://www.warplane.com/lancaster-2014-uk-tour.aspx

[Thomo]

Yes, I have heard that as well. Both will be in the air, one bound for Northern Ireland, and the other to Scotland, that could put both over here. A Spitfire and Hurricane will also be attending both events. The BBMF site has not been updated yet and I am waiting to hear from them for an approximate ETA, this should come any day now. I imagine the best vantage point would be on the Town Green.

[Thomo]

Finally, at last, the book is now with the printers. They had a quick look at the package in the art department and declared everything spot on. Now I am having an early "TOT"

[Thomo]

Slyworme, I am sorry, I forgot to thank you for that, possibly from the surprise of seeing a response in this topic. There is much speculation as to just what we will see here, weather permitting, the two Lancasters may be escorted by other aircraft. Another possibility crops up having looked at the Lancasters movements over the weekend in question. They will be coming down from the North again on Sunday the 7th via Windermere and then Morecambe, their next scheduled fly past is Holmfirth, Barnoldswick is almost in a direct line between Morecambe and Holmfirth, we may see them again on the Sunday. I am now going the to mail the BBMF Events Team to see if I can get an ETA and update.

[Thomo]

BBMF have replied with an ETA of 1240 on the 6th weather permitting. It is now almost certain that both Lancaster's will attend, I am advised that they have spent the weekend "working up" together and will operate together for the duration of that weekend. That they may have a Spitfire and Hurricane escort is not beyond possibility as these two are also attending the events in Scotland and Northern Ireland, we will find out on the day. Two corrected pages for the book were sent to the printers yesterday and have been implemented.

[klondyke49]

Hi All, I can now confirm that RNLI will be fielding a modern inshore lifeboat to complement the William Riley display for the heritage weekend.

Hope that it will not be needed locally for a real life rescue, in the event of another thunderstorm like last weeks deluge.

[David Whipp]

Don't tempt fate, Ken!

[Thomo]

A call just now from Fl. Lt. "Parky" Parkinson at the BBMF has confirmed the ETA as 1240 PM on the 6th. The lead Lancaster will call me when making their approach, yes it is both Thumper and Vera. Also the Nene Engine will be there, and I am awaiting news from Ceres Division. Almost there now, no rain dances please.

[PanBiker]

Excellent, a once in a lifetime and not to be missed opportunity to see the last two airworthy and operational Avro Lancasters in the world flying together. Good news with the additional lifeboat as well to compliment the "William Riley".

[Thomo]

Another Lancaster made an appearance on TV this morning, "Just Jane" certainly looks the part but is not airworthy and restricted to engine runs and taxi trips. The past couple of days have been spent sending out event updates, a response to one of these last night brought with it something that I have never experienced before, this was from my contact at Ceres Division in Leeds and ended with a big "X". Fortunately this Sailors name is Hannah!

[Thomo]

Now it really is all coming together. After many attempts to contact Major Bob Heron who did so much for us last year, a mail today and he will be here. Now working on getting media involvement I have prepared a press release that will go out on Monday next. A part of this involves the Royal Navy in the form of the "Navy News" the news editor of which is a Barlick lad, the Son of a well known family. This is now ongoing. Here is the latest update for the weekend:-

BARNOLDSWICK HERITAGE WEEKEND, PROVISIONAL TIMETABLE.

Exhibition Marquee will open for VIP's and Invited Guests at 10.00 am, there will be a reception for Guests in the Marquee along with a private viewing of the Exhibition.
Formal opening of the Commemoration Event to the Public will be 11.00 am. this will be announced by our very Own Town Crier.
Welcome Address and introduction of VIP's and Guests - 11.10 approx.
Official Launch of the Book " Barnoldswick, a small Town's part in Conflicts, 1800-2014." - 11.25
11.30 am Presentation of Commemorative Copies of the Book Signed by the Author to VIP's, Guests and Institutions. Public Book signing by the Author will follow.

Exhibitions will include:-

The restored RNLI lifeboat "William Riley" (present at the Rohilla disaster) alongside a modern inflatable Inshore Lifeboat.
Commemorative Display of those Barnoldswick men who lost their lives during the Rohilla Disaster.
Artefacts from the Rohilla and a Story Board display of the attempted rescue.
RNLI display
WWI nursing exhibition with re-enactment personnel knowledgeable on WWI medicine and techniques.
Real life static display of the Rolls Royce "Nene" engine (One of the First Jet Engines to enter Service with the RAF and Made in Barnoldswick) and now we may also have the original "Welland R2B" designed by Sir Frank Whittle on display.
Various other static exhibitions from the local History Societies and Libraries.
A fly past by the BBMF Lancaster Bomber "City of Lincoln" accompanied by the Canadian Lancaster "Vera", ETA is for 1240 PM weather permitting
In Conjunction with this event there will be a Retro themed Market adjacent to the Marquee and other smaller events associated with the main exhibition.

[Thomo]

Just 3 working days after we took the book to the printers, the proof copy is here. In A4 size and 1" thick it is a fair lump, and beyond my expectations for quality.

[David Whipp]

It's certainly a weighty tome, Peter. (Ken brought the proof for me to have a look at after he'd signed it off).

Need to keep it under wraps now though, or it'll spoil the launch on 6th September...

[Thomo]

It is now safe here, and I am still impressed by the printers delivery. The Naval Magazine, "Navy News" of which the news editor is a Barlick lad has been informed, and is very keen to present what we are about in the October issue.