Scarecrows pull in the crowds
The cast of Blackrod’s 5th annual Scarecrow Festival took centre stage this weekend and put on a fabulous show for their appreciative audience. Basked in glorious sunshine this was the British summer at its best and crowds flocked to enjoy the fun-filled spectacular.
Such a popular local event was an opportunity not to be missed by campaigners seeking to overturn the decision by NHS Bolton not to meet the future running costs of a proposed Cancer Information And Support Centre at the Royal Bolton Hospital. Bolton Cancer Patients and Carers Consultative Group launched their Petition to demonstrate the strength of feeling for the facility after the Primary Health Care Trust pulled out leaving plans for the Centre in jeopardy despite having received strong indications that Macmillan Cancer Support would not only finance the building of the Centre but also fund up to the first 5 year’s running costs.
The Scarecrow Festival saw unprecedented numbers taking time out to add their voice to the call for the Centre to go ahead with nearly 1,700 people signing the Petition during the 2-day event.
Karen Elliott, Chair of Bolton Cancer Patients and Carers Consultative Group said ‘it’s been a fantastic weekend, with a lovely community spirit; congratulations must go to Jean Hibbert and her team and to all the talented locals who produced such fabulous scarecrows.
We were overwhelmed by the response we received at the event and would like to thank all those who so kindly signed our Petition and offered their words of encouragement.’
The Group would like to hear from organizers of other events taking place over summer, which they would be welcome to attend or where organizers would be willing to collect signatures on their behalf. Miss Elliott can be contacted on 01204 595562 / 07773 164235.
Miss Elliott added ‘there are also many copies of the Petition in circulation throughout the borough and we would like to respectfully remind people to ensure that these are returned to the address on the bottom of the form by 1st September at the latest.’
