LIBRARY HOSTS AN AFTERNOON OF DELIGHT

An afternoon of song and poetry was arranged for Monday afternoon (August 8th) as part of the ongoing efforts to save Oswaldtwistle Library from closure.

A talent-packed afternoon saw five performers, all appearing free of charge, treat a bumper crowd to two-and-a-half hours of sheer entertainment.

The event got underway at 2 p.m. with the redoubtable Sylvia Kendal. Sylvia treated us to songs from the shows as well as Abba classics and a heartfelt rendition of the Carpenters’ “Close to You”. She also regaled us with a bit about her life in Spain where she performed regularly at an exclusive night club and met many top celebrities, before on a more serious note saying that she was in Oswaldtwistle Library most days of the week and would be devastated should it be forced to close its doors.

Next to perform was local singer/songwriter Callum Thomas. Callum is just months away from completion of his first album and he started his first set with a wonderful version of the Prince classic, “Purple Rain.” He also sang “Starman” from David Bowie’s catalogue, his own song “Sober” and finished with the poignant, and given the state of the world today, totally apt, “Imagine”
It was the turn of poetry and prose next and we were fortunate to get Lancashire Authors’ Association’s Writer of the Year Dan Forrester who amused us and amazed us with two tailor made pieces: one exactly 250 words and the second exactly 100 words titled “One Step Forward” which was placed in the top three of a Reader’s Digest Competition and recently featured in that publication. Dan then read a poem entitled, “Neither a Borrower Nor a Lender Be” that he wrote specially for the occasion and which features on the front page of the Acorn News website.

Next it was the turn of a man who needs little introduction in the Lancashire area. Les Bond has been a leading authority on the history of Accrington Pals for several years now and in his time at Radio Lancashire, produced an emotive cd about them that has been heard all over the world. He is also a fine singer/songwriter and scriptwriter and his comedy pieces are well-received wherever he goes. He finished off with one of my favourites of his – a song called “Sarsaparilla” which reveals why the drink was nearly banned by the EU. If you want to know more you’d better ask Les.

Dan Forrester came all the way from Oldham to be with us and the final act on the bill came even farther. Mark Dowding who lives in Newburgh near Ormskirk is a renowned Lancashire Folk Singer but is so much more besides. He researches the songs he sings and also writes poetry. He has a wonderful voice and performed such folk classics as “The Calico Printer’s Clerk” and finished with the hilarious, “The Night John Willie Took His Ferret to a Do,” a song made famous by the Oldham Tinkers.
Oswaldtwistle’s own Callum Thomas finished off a wonderful afternoon with three more songs including one of his own compositions “Paralyzed” and Stevie Wonder’s ever popular “Superstitious”

Mark and Callum also said a little about the importance of libraries. Mark said his own local library at Parbold was also under threat and he hated to see any community suffer the loss of such services, so was happy to do the 60 mile round trip to lend his support. Callum recounted his time as a pupil at Moorhead (now Accrington Academy) and remembered coming down to the library with his school with great fondness and hoped that schoolchildren would be able to do that at Oswaldtwistle for many years to come.
Radio Lancashire was represented by Chris Rider who stayed throughout the afternoon and did several interviews which were edited and featured on the station the next day.

So there we have it. A marvellous afternoon thoroughly enjoyed by a bumper audience, completely free thanks to all the artists who never even mentioned a fee, and all for one cause: to save Oswaldtwistle Library. Lancashire County Council please take note.

To listen to the Radio Lancashire interviews please click here

To hear Mark Dowding at Ossy Social Club please click here.

To hear Callum Thomas perform please visit his website at www.callumthomasmusic.co.uk

© Peter Jones 2016 Pictures by Catherine Jenkinson and Tony Jenkinson

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