Coppice Celebratory Project
 

On the 26th September there will be an organised procession from Peel Park, up to the top of the Coppice. The purpose will be to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the handing over of the Coppice to the people of Accrington.

The procession will start at 1pm.

I am still looking for more musicians - if you know of any musicians please pass my email on. [email protected]

I am still looking for someone to act as the lookalike Mayor from 1909 to escort the Mayoress up to the top of the hill and to lead the procession.

Everyone is welcome to the procession and all children who attend will receive a badge (just like they did in 1909).

Re: Coppice Celebratory Project
 

Don't forget - this Saturday - big community event.

ALL WELCOME

Re: Coppice Celebratory Project
 

I'm hoping the weather is nice for this, bet it is a good day:)

Re: Coppice Celebratory Project
 

Hope its a big sucess, can't go meself as meeting me son in greater manchester,

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Hope it goes well & can we have a few pic please, especialy from the top.

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Theres one HERE :D
Was hoping to go to this but not going to be able to make it now, so no pics from me

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I'm not overly impressed with our local paper's coverage of this event - here is a press release that I sent to them last Friday in the hope that it would be in today's paper!


September 26th, 2009 – 1pm
Starting from Peel Park (gates at the top of Avenue Parade).


The Coppice Centenary celebration will start from Peel Park and be lead up to the top of the Coppice. Leading the procession will be JC Lupton, who was the Mayor in 1909 – he will be played by local Great Harwood based actor, Baxter Williams. On the route to the top there will be many musical delights and treats to savour along the way.

Also, as part of the procession will be representatives from 10 local schools. These schools have been involved in banner making workshops over the past week with artists Sue Gibson and Paul Allen. Each school will be carrying a banner which they have designed to represent their school. Many of the schools taking part were involved 100 years ago at the original opening.

100 years ago, all the children who took part were given a badge – the children of today will also receive a badge, which has been designed especially for this event by representatives of the Green Spaces Forum. The police will be handing them out on the day – so if you want a badge, ask a policeman.

Once everyone reaches the top of the hill there will be speeches, a performance of a special poem written by pupils from Peel Park school and a rousing rendition of a popular song. We are still looking for more volunteer musicians and even at this late stage there is still time to get involved. Bring your instrument along and join in.

There will be a shuttle bus from behind Netto (on Park St) which will take people up to the top of Avenue Parade. It is a free service, so please feel free to use it as parking is limited at the top of the hill. There are also limited places in the 4x4 transport which will take some people to the top of the hill. If you want to book a place in this you must ring 387851 in advance.

Can we remind people that it is a walk up a hill and that they should wear sensible clothing and footwear. Also, wheelchair and buggy access is very limited and not really recommended. We also have to point out that there won’t be any seating at any point along the way or on the top of the hill. If you do not feel able to make the climb please let us know and we will endeavour to help you if we can.

We want the whole of Accrington to come out for this very special event. The monument which sits at the top of the hill has been refurbished by JN Bentley and will take pride of place in the centre of the celebrations.

This celebratory event has been co-ordinated by Green Spaces Forum, with the support of Hyndburn Borough Council and funded by Grassroots Grants and Awards For All.

Re: Coppice Celebratory Project
 

Well, that was a fab afternoon.

Thank you to everyone who came and made it so fantastic.

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Good event Gayle ... well done, enjoyed it very much.

Met Tosh at the bottom ...excellent company (we exchanged nostalgic memories :D), particularly as neither of us wished to ascend the Coppice with any great rush. Kept close to the Red Cross guys just in case we needed oxygen ... :D

Loved the musicians that greeted you on the way and the choir was lovely.
Well, everybody was great really. Good to see lots of children there; suspect they had never been up the Coppice before.

Congratulations to the councillors too who are making efforts to improve the pathways etc., around this area .. gotta preserve the landscape we have been blessed with.


My 'photos aren't the best ... but sure there will be lots of offerings later.

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Re: Coppice Celebratory Project
 

Sounds like a great day, couldn't make it but looks like I missed a good do.

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A lot of the credit goes to Gayle, it was really good. The work on the footpaths as made a difference for people walking up the Coppice as well.

Lets hope it encourages more people to get out walking.

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Didn't notice PB ?

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There's always a team involved. Ian did a great job with the music and thanks to the stewards and sound crew, plus our 1909 Mayor. All the speakers were clear and interesting which made it a good do.

Re: Coppice Celebratory Project
 

He missed a good do didn't he.

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Credit where credit's due - the Telegraph did a really good article on it today.

All the facts were correct, the pictures great and even the funders were mentioned.

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Great pics kate, thanks from those of use who couldn't make it even if we'd wanted to:mosher:

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the paths up the coppice have been completly ruined

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It does allow disabled people with motobility scooters to get up there though Ossywarrior .. although appeared to be a bumpy ride, however, sure I heard Graham Jones, in his speech, say that it would be surfaced with a covering to fit in with the environment.

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the hardpack they did was very good, which is what people walked up on the parade but they have just tarmaced the right hand side all the way up to the stone, which has runined it, the coppice is the gateway to the pennies and numerous superb rides and walks. ive riden all over the place this year and hyndburn are the first to tarmac a hillside....it really is sad

Re: Coppice Celebratory Project
 

I haven't seen it so I can't see how well or how badly it's done, so can't comment on its appearance. But whatever has been done, it's not Hyndburn Borough Council that's done it - it's Lancashire County Council under their Remade programme.

I presume it's about accessibility.

Re: Coppice Celebratory Project
 

well they need sorting and yes it is done under there remade programme, i always wonder why the council/county council are so backwards whe it comes to keeping green space green. a huge tarmac pathway up the coppice is disgusting

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It does look pretty bad!

http://twitpic.com/show/thumb/kpjsk.jpg

Re: Coppice Celebratory Project
 

just seen this how rediculous used to love going up there on my horse, is there anywhere to go on my horse that hasnt been tarmac'd??????

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Where was this picture taken?
Is it the front face overlooking Avenue Parade?
I remember the last time I walked up the coppice, Peel Park Ave and then up the Burnley Road side the view over Burnley road was obscured by trees. It is a few years ago so I imagine by now the view from the top is quite limited too, what a shame.

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Looks great if you have a wheelchair or a pram. Are you allowed up there on a horse? You can't take a horse in many parks so it might be the same.

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They've always been allowed before Neil, don't see should be any different now .. would be able to see the horse dollops better though ... :D

Mmm ... doesn't exactly match the environment does it .. still will allow more people access. Eh ! Can probably go up in me stilettos now :)

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Just as long as you don't try and get up on a motor bike,you can go up in any shoes you want.

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Do you know if horses are allowed?

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As Kate said horses have been allowed in the past. But as you say horses our not allowed in the other parks of the Borough, and the coppice is a park so you would think that they shouldn't be allowed.

I'm not sure why somebody would want to go up there on a horse anyway.But I'll find out what the policy is in relation to horses and the coppice.If we have one that is.

My main concern in the past has been keeping motor bikes from getting on the coppice.Not always successfully.