Delighted crowds prove revived gala’s fighting fit (From Craven Herald)

Barnoldswick revives gala event

4:40pm Friday 17th September 2010 in News

Barnoldswick played host to an English Civil War re-enactment group as part of the town’s gala weekend.

A taste of the 17th century was on offer as the Sealed Knot Society staged two re-enactments in Victory Park.

Participants enthralled crowds with the two pitched battles that featured cannon fire, musketeers and pike men.

The event also gave visitors a peek into 17th century life with a soldiers’ encampment, which included gunpowder making, authentic cooking fires and characters such as armourers and an army accountant.

“There were probably 2,000 visitors over the course of the weekend,” said Barnoldswick councillor David Whipp, who organised the event. “And there were about 150 members of the Sealed Knot Society who came from as far away as Bristol and Scotland.

“Barlick made them feel very welcome,” said Coun Whipp, who added that although the wet weather did not dampen the spirits, it did cause problems in other ways.

“As an organiser, one of the things they wanted me to provide was authentic firewood,” he said. “I went to great lengths to do what a foraging army would do, but I found authentic firewood in short supply in the wet weather.”

Coun Whipp said one of the highlights of the weekend was the release of Chinese-style lanterns, which lit up the night sky on Saturday.

Environmentally-conscious councillors then spent Sunday morning retrieving remnants of the lanterns from local fields.

The event, which marked the revival of Barlick’s gala, was organised by the town council. It also included a tug-of-war contest, live music, and a funfair.

Coun Whipp thanked all of the volunteers but paid particular tribute to Tom Denney.

“He put in a lot of effort, was very hands-on and did a lot of the organisational stuff,” said Coun Whipp. “He was one of many who made an outstanding contribution.”