Totally Local Lancaster

By Paul Cusimano, Joseph Clothing, Lancaster

There was a period in my life where I would ask myself “I wonder what awaits me today ?”, each morning. In truth, that was during a particularly testing time in my life. I still regularly ask myself the same question, but not necessarily in a negative context.

I have spent the last thirty six years attending the same place of work. Despite this I have always felt that each day is different to the next. The difference, is largely down to the people that walk through the door on any given day, the human interaction I so missed during the Lockdowns.

It was on one such day back in June twenty-twenty, the weather was lovely and I was filled a great sense of relief being able to trade again, that a young man walked into the shop. After a few minutes a general conversation struck up.

Nok Hei Lee (Percy) was an under graduate at Lancaster University, studying ‘Philosophy, Politics and Economics’. During our conversation I expressed a sense of disappointment in the University’s lack of promotion of, and engagement with, the City’s businesses. He too was disappointed that the University was not actively promoting all that the City had to offer.

It must have only been a week later when Percy returned accompanied by his friend Wing Yan Leung (Josh), a fellow under graduate studying ‘Management and Organisational Behaviour’. We talked some more. Five minute video promotions of each business and a YouTube channel was their suggestion.

True to their word they began contacting the independent businesses in the City. Within weeks, the first of the fabulous videos was loaded up on to the newly created YouTube page ‘Popber’. These were in turn shared on the businesses own social media platforms. To date there are over one hundred videos, promoting everything from the Charter Market stalls to the highly prestigious ‘Banks Lyon Jewellers’. Each created to the highest quality in terms of content and imagery.

During the summer of twenty twenty one, in order to try to further bolster the hospitality sector, they organised and ran ‘Lancaster Coffee & Tea Festival’. The idea was to arrange a ticketed Event at a number of venues where the guests would sample the establishments tea or coffee, along with various pastries or cakes that would best accompany the drink.

The hosting business would introduce their business and then go on to explain the reasons for their chosen blend(s), how they make and serve their tea/coffee the way they do and why certain cakes accompany the chosen drink better than others.

The tickets were limited and the vast majority of the Events were a sell out. At the end of each Event, the attendees were set a quiz with a prize awarded to the winner. They were fun, informative and a real treat for the palate. All monies raised through the ticket sales went directly to the hosting businesses, despite Percy and Josh incurring costs for things such as the promotional materials etc

Percy and Josh were doing all of this whilst in the final year of the Degree, and they both achieved a 2:1 Honours degrees in their respective subjects. Their voluntary work supporting and promoting businesses was recognised by the business community, and they were named ‘Young Persons of the Year 2021’ at the ‘Love Lancaster BID’ Business Awards. But this is not the end of the story.

Percy and Josh have fallen in love with Lancaster - not just the place and all that that entails, but the people also - and have decided not to return to their native Hong Kong, for a few years at least.

Inspired by Bruno’s vision to bring Italy to Lancaster, ‘Lancaster Festa Italia’, they are embarking on bringing ‘Chinese New Year’ to Lancaster. Whilst working with the businesses, Percy recounts “As we’ve been working with the businesses, the overwhelming wish of the owners is for more events like Festa Italia and Lancaster Music Festival.

This prompted us to have discussions with the wider community and students about it. We then decided to organise a similar event to mark the Chinese New Year for 2022, which falls on Tuesday 1st February. Moreover, we all know that the pandemic has hit everyone hard, with people being forced to stay at home, shops and businesses closed and people were separated.

“As a Chinese, we understand that the core values of the CNY are to reunite everyone together and to bless and bring happiness to the people around you. We believed that those values have strongly matched the situation in the Lancaster community where people need an event at the beginning of 2022 to reunite and share happiness, and positive energy, to the Lancaster community that we all love.”

What is Chinese New Year (CNY)?

Chinese New Year is also known as the Spring Festival or the Lunar New Year. It is the festival that celebrates the beginning of a new year on the traditional lunisolar Chinese calendar. Historically, China and other Asian countries within Sino-sphere were heavily reliant on agriculture. They discovered and followed the lunisolar calendar for planting and harvesting, to better maximise their yield.

They therefore divided the year into twenty-four solar terms and ‘Lichun’ is the first day of the spring term, the date of the Chinese New Year. The CNY festival is a celebration of marks the end of winter term and the beginning of the spring season. Traditionally, activities would usually take place from the Chinese New Year’s Eve until the 7th day of the Chinese New Year .

With modern day advancements, there is less reliance on the lunisolar calendar for agricultural purposes and instead the Chinese New Year has been transformed into a festival of family reunion and bringing happiness and joy to the people around them.

New Year Shopping, Decorations and Customs

Leading up to Chinese New Year’s Eve, people buy New Year’s food and snacks, decorations, new clothes, fireworks etc. Chinese people will spend generously

during their traditional festivals. For example, they buy everyone in the family new year clothes. On the days leading up to the festival, there are many New Year’s Street markets.

Most people put the decorations up on New Year’s Eve. Houses are decorated with red lanterns, red spring couplets, paper cuttings, and New Year’s paintings. The New Year’s Eve reunion dinner is a “must-do” dinner with all family members reuniting. It’s all about family and friends and everyone makes a big effort, often travelling long distances. to sit at round tables and enjoy the food and time together. This meal is comparable to Christmas dinner in the UK.

The moment New Year arrives there is a cacophony of fireworks and firecrackers all around, even in rural China. Families stay up for this joyful moment. In many rural areas, it’s customary to set off firecrackers before dinner, each day from New Year’s Eve to day 3 of CNY; this is why Firecrackers are a must in any CNY celebrations.

On the first day of New Year, Chinese people put on new clothes, and say “gongxi” (恭喜/gong-sshee/literally ‘respectful joy’, meaning ‘greetings’ or ‘best wishes’), wishing each other good luck and happiness in the New Year.

From the third to the seventh day of New Year, Chinese people visit relatives and friends. To go to different friends and families houses for meet up and wish them all the best in the year. It is also the best period to invite people to your home.

What activities will be held in Lancaster?

Josh explained “There are many activities that people do during CNY. We have picked several traditional events and made them part of our Festival.

First, there will be 700 Red Chinese lanterns and banners hanging across the street in Lancaster including New Street, Upper Penny Street, Upper Market Street and Market Square from mid-January to the 8th of February.

Secondly, we are collaborating with more than 50 independent shops and restaurants in Lancaster which they will be sticking Red Spring Couplets, paper cuttings and lanterns on their windows and inside the shops. Indeed, the shops that have a lantern inside will be offering discounts and promotion to their customers.

Thirdly, we will be partnering with the Dukes Theatre to present two Chinese Movies during the CNY week.

Fourthly, there will be Chinese New Year Gala in the Grand Theatre on the 5th of February (Saturday) from 12-2pm. There will be performances by Lancaster University students, famous Kung Fu masters and his students, Professional Chinese dancers and screen drama artists. Tickets are available from the second week of December.

Finally, The Chinese Carnival will be held in the Market Square on Sunday 6th of February from 11-4pm. There will be a Lion and Dragon Parade around streets of the City centre, namely Penny Street, Market Street, Cheapside, Church Street and New Street. In addition, there will also be Chinese Cultural related Art and Craft and food and drinks stalls with additional performers around Market Square/Street.”

Back in June of twenty twenty, it was not a case of ‘what awaits me’, but rather ‘who’. A chance meeting. A chance conversation. A desire to give. A passion for a cause or place. Sometimes, it doesn’t take many people to make a difference, just a will.

Come and celebrate Chinese New Year in Lancaster where you will be sure to see Lancaster’s newest son’s, Nok Hei Lee and Wing Yan Leung - Percy and Josh.

F Lancaster Chinese New Year D www.chinesenewyear.com I Lancaster_CNY

RAWTENSTALL

By Megha Seth

Rawtenstall is the best possible place to visit if you’re looking for a destination for quick rejuvenation. Lying 17 miles over the north of Manchester, earlier, Rawtenstall was a part of the enchanting Forest of Rossendale.

Today, it’s the largest town in the borough of Rossendale, Lancashire. The Forest of Rossendale has largely been replaced with rolling hills and meadows but still has the most postcard picturesque views to offer and explore.

A typical Lancashire town, Rawtenstall has many tourist attractions that you can delve into in addition to the breathtaking views it offers. With its cobbled streets, dramatic landscape and stone architecture, this place is not just pleasing to the eyes but has a couple of activities that you can take part in with friends and family.

Let’s take a look at what makes this place so delightful amongst its visitors:

PLACES TO VISIT IN RAWTENSTALL

There are a couple of experiences that you must indulge in when in Rawtenstall. Here’s a hand-picked list of places that you must visit when in the town.

Learn about Rawtenstall at the Whitaker

Set in the quaint location of Whitaker Park, the Whitaker Museum and Art Gallery is the best place to begin your Rawtenstall tour as you can get to learn about the town’s history, its social life and the culture of the place.

The museum is set in a mill owner’s mansion and has art pieces dating back to the late nineteenth and early twentieth century, displaying topographical scenes and portraits by acclaimed local and national artists. The portraits explain the social scene of the town in detail.

Because of limited space, not all pieces are on display at once. The gallery aims to build on and enhance existing collections by giving top priority to local artists with local scenes as the subject matter.

If you’re a history and art enthusiast willing to learn all you can about a place when in a holiday mood, this is the best place to begin your quest for knowledge and aesthetic pleasure. The tour of Whitaker Park is a delight in itself as you can traverse the picturesque views and also stop at their cafe for light food and refreshment.

Get Your Adrenaline Pumping at Ski Rossendale

If you’re an adventure junkie all set to look for experiences that get your adrenaline pumping then Ski Rossendale is the perfect spot to get your ski gears ready. Ski Rossendale is a dry ski slope that aims to bring the delights of skiing to anyone, be it a beginner or someone who has been into adventure sports for years. A winter sports centre that is open all year round and can be enjoyed during any season!

The facilities include a 200-metre slope, a freestyle park and a new teaching slope with Snowlfex surfacing to make the experience as real as possible. There are also a wide variety of lessons and clubs for different age groups! There are tubing facilities, a wellness location and a cafe within the premises.

Enjoy a Lovely Walk at Alexandra Park

Looking for a leisurely day out with the kids to enjoy a walk amidst woodlands and landscaped gardens, find the perfect picnic spot and also enjoy boating and paddling?

Alexandra Park is a favourite spot amongst tourists and locals alike to enjoy a relaxing day outdoors and catch some sunlight. The park has various facilities like a play area for children, woodland walks, a paddling and boating area and so much more.

Experience the Countryside With Animal Quackers

Animal Quackers is a popular attraction in Rawtenstall amongst all age groups. It is a petting farm that will keep you engrossed throughout the day with its one of a kind farm tours, as you have a lovely time with the cutest animals while petting them.

Learn about a wide range of animals from Farmer Terry as you also enjoy the bird of prey display up close. Definitely a fun and educational tour. A win-win situation for both the children and adults.

Spend a Day Outdoors Touring Astley Hall

Astley Hall dates back to 1580 and boasts of architectural and historical splendour of over 400 years. For all history buffs, this Grade-1 listed house is the best place to catch a glimpse of intricately detailed and the most impressive ornate plaster ceilings and English oak furniture that dates back to the 1800s.

Whatever interests you—a woodland walk, a picnic in the Walled Garden, a game on the sports pitch, a cup of tea at the Coach House Cafe, or one of the many exhibitions or activities provided throughout the year—you can find it here! The 43.75 hectares of Astley Park are the perfect place for families, friends, young and old to enjoy the outdoors together.

Shop at Bank Street

Bank Street is located at the heart of Rawtenstall and is an amazing shopping centre for those seeking to celebrate independent and local businesses. From clothes to jewellery to boots to mementoes, there are so many selections of goods that you can take back home from your Rawtenstall trip.

Shop till you drop at the town’s main shopping arcade! Bank Street also has a line of restaurants and pubs for refreshments after your shopping spree. You can also drop by at the Artisan Rawtenstall Market for some fresh farm produce and homemade goodies on Thursdays and Saturdays.

BEST STOPOVERS

If you’re looking for places where you can stay the night at Rawtenstall, we’ve got you covered.

Astley Bank Hotel aims to provide you with the best stay where you can experience the feeling of home away from home in an exquisite way. The grounds of the hotel are as breathtaking as the building. With rooms overlooking the beautiful gardens and delicious dishes brought straight to your bedroom door from their famous Othello’s restaurant, Astley Bank Hotel is the finest place to immerse in a sweet retreat. Red Hall Hotel was originally a farmhouse that has been converted into one of the loveliest hotels over 40 years ago. With the best price for its value, the hotel boasts of spacious rooms that are very well furnished and clean. The staff service is so impeccable and so is the stay which is visible in the string of good words that visitors have left behind in the form of reviews. The in-house restaurant and bar & lounge area are equally impressive.

LOCAL CUISINES

The best way to get to know a place better is through the food it offers. Rawtenstall has a number of eateries and bars that you can explore to satiate your tastebuds when in town.

The Whitchaff Inn has been in the running for years serving the best burgers, fish and chips, and pies in town. A perfect place to relax as you enjoy your food and drinks, the service and food provided are impeccable both in terms of quality and quantity. There are a wide variety of veganfriendly dishes to choose from! The Fig Tree is the place to be if you want to drop by for a light lunch. Their food is made with the freshest possible ingredients and has a lovely bright ambience. This gem of a cafe has the best breakfast options in town and also sells a host of gluten-free dishes. Be it their Eggs Benedict on sourdough toast or their fresh Greek salad, every dish will leave you wanting more!

Fitzpatricks Temperance Bar is a very charming cafe popularly known for its desserts, sundaes and milkshakes. If you are looking for a cafe where you can drop by quickly to indulge in their sweet delicacies, then this cafe is the perfect spot in town.

Rawtenstall is a charming town in Lancashire that offers an incredible experience for a short getaway. With its attractive touring spots, fun outdoor activities and vibrant socio-cultural life, this place certainly ensures fun-packed days during your stay.