The emerald in Blackpool’s crown, Stanley Park, and that lesser known gem the Salisbury Woodland, are fit to burst with activity this summer. The Friends of Stanley Park and the Salisbury Woodland have been working tirelessly to put on a schedule of entertainment to suit all tastes over the coming months. Highlights include Armed Forces Day with a variety of unusual sports activities, the incredibly popular Wordpool Family Fun Day, the, sadly, final Scarecrow Festival, a multitude of activities during Love Parks Week and, of course, a stellar line-up of music to suit all tastes every week in the beautiful bandstand by the lake.
Elaine Smith, MBE, chairman of the Friends’ group said:
This present economic climate is certainly bringing families into Stanley Park and the Salisbury Woodland. What a marvellous place to visit with a bat, ball and picnic for a free afternoon of entertainment! Last weekend saw a successful start to this summer’s events on the bandstand and there is still a full programme to follow. Young people can be well entertained by joining the free activities during Love Parks Week at the end of July as well as the events on other occasions. The Friends of Stanley Park and the Salisbury Woodland open the Visitor Centre from 11.00am to 3.00pm from Wednesday to Sunday (inclusive) so why not drop in and see the varying exhibitions? We are always ready with information and a chat.
Without further ado, here’s the list of what to expect over the coming months:
LOVE PARKS WEEK
Sunday 27 July
Bug Hunting (Salisbury Woodland) 10-11am; 11am –12pm
Den Building & Welly Walking (Salisbury Woodland) 12.30- 1.30pm; 1.30- 2.30pm; 3-4pm
Monday 28 July
Archery (Stanley Park) 10-11am; 11am -12pm; 12.30-1.30pm; 1.30-2.30pm; 3-4pm
Tuesday 29 July
Orienteering (Stanley Park) 10-11am; 11am-12pm
Survival Skills (Salisbury Woodland) 12.30-1.30pm; 1.30-2.30pm; 3-4pm
Wednesday 30 July
Bush Craft (Bread making and knife & axe work) (Salisbury Woodland) 10-11am; 11am-12pm
Woodland Discovery (Salisbury Woodland) 12.30-1.30pm; 1.30-2.30pm; 3-4pm
Thursday 31July
Archery (Stanley Park) 10-11am; 11am-12pm; 12.30-1.30pm; 1.30-2.30pm; 3-4pm
Friday 1 August
Circus School teaches Circus Skills (Stanley Park) 10.00am; 1.00pm; 3.00pm
FOR BOOKINGS PLEASE CONTACT: Diane Haigh on 01253 476258 or by email: [email protected]
SPECIAL EVENTS
14 & 15 June
Scarecrow Festival (Salisbury Woodland) 10.00am until 5.30pm
21 June
The Stowe Big Band (Stanley Park Bandstand) 2.00pm
28 June
Armed Forces Day (Stanley Park) all day
5 July
Wordpool – ‘Giants’ family fun day (Stanley Park) from 12.30pm
THE BANDSTAND
Sunday 1 June: Poulton’s Peoples Choir from 1pm
Sunday 8 June: Bob On and friends 1pm to 5pm
Sunday 15 June: Rock the Bandstand 1pm to 5pm
Saturday 21 June: Stowe Big Band from 2pm
Sunday 22 June: Touch the Pearl and friends 1pm to 5pm
Sunday 29 June: AKS Swing Band 2pm to 4pm
Sunday 6July: Monster Squad and friends 1pm to 5pm. Also: Annual Stanley Park Motorcycle Show (Italian Gardens) 10am to 5pm.
Sunday 13 July: Rupert Fabulous plus Venezuela Venezuela 1pm to 5pm
Sunday 20 July: Guardian Concert Band 2pm to 4pm
Sunday 27 July: Country Revival with Belvedere plus Kudos 1pm to 5pm
Sunday 3 August: Marton Operatic 2pm to 4pm
Sunday 10 August: The People, Jekyll, Atmospherics 1pm to 5pm
Sunday 17 August: Kazoobian plus Jess Harwood 1pm to 5pm
Saturday 23 August: Cleveleys Writers Poetry Group (times to be arranged)
Sunday 24 August: Soul in the Park 1pm to 5pm. Also: Classic Car Show (Italian Gardens) 10am to 5pm
Monday 25 August: Glyn Bailey & the Beholden, Quadrent, Malady & Medicine plus more 1pm to 5pm
Sunday 31 August: Munkey Score & friends 1pm to 5pm
Sunday 7 September: Whistle Test playing the music of bands who appeared on The Old Grey Whistle Test 1pm to 5pm
Saturday 13 September: Storytelling, Poetry & Music with Jon Gomm 1pm to 5pm
Sunday 14 September: Gatorville & friends 1pm to 5pm
Sunday 21 September: Zenith Nadir & friends 1pm to 5pm
Sunday 28 September: Happy Daize & friends 1pm to 5pm
There you have it. No excuses for boredom this summer. Every weekend is crammed with free entertainment in lush, landscaped surroundings. Even when the weather isn’t playing the Visitor Centre makes for a fascinating exploration into Blackpool’s history and the Parks Art Deco Cafe has both hot chocolate and cold beer on standby. Keep an eye on the Friends of Stanley Park and the Salisbury Woodland Facebook page for updates on the events and don’t forget your camera. The place is bursting with wildlife!
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