A new festival celebrating all things Lancashire is to be held later this month

Longton born Lucy Baxter is so proud of our Red Rose County that she has hosted the 'From a Lancashire Lass' podcast for the past five years, in which she chats to Lancashire businesses and organisations about what they do.

This year, to mark Lancashire Day, which falls on November 27, the 27-year-old has decided to host her very first ‘Made Here in Lancashire Festival’ on Saturday, November 29 at Hope Methodist Church in New Longton.

Lucy, who now lives in New Longton, said: “It's a family, fun community day to celebrate the county, the incredible businesses that we've got here in Lancashire, and also for people who maybe don't know much about Lancashire, to kind of showcase some of the best that we've got here.”

Explaining why she wanted to put on the festival now, Lucy added: "Because I've had the 'From a Lancashire Lass' podcast running since 2020, I really wanted to put something on for the public so that they could see some of the businesses I've been interviewing and because it’s Lancashire Day, showcasing how proud people from Lancashire are of it. I wanted to do something that people could get behind for that day.”

And why does Lucy think we should be proud to come from Lancashire?

The former St Pius, Westholme and Bolton School pupil said: “Because the county's got everything. It's got the coast, it's got beautiful mountains, a lot of hills, great walks, great green spaces.

“I think there's more and more independent businesses coming out in Lancashire, and there’s a lot of intuitive people here who have got really great products, like, there's one company called ‘A Year Of Dates’, and they've created boxes for like people to buy, and every week there's a date idea for you, or you can do 60 things to do before you’re 60, things like that. There's a book club which travels around the county as well.

“So I think it's just showing my love of the place and hoping that other people get a taste of what there is as well, and kind of shouting about that as well, that it's good, that it's a thriving county.”

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So what can we expect from the festival?

On the day, there will be around 20 market stalls hosted by local businesses selling a whole host of products as well as organizations and local charities who will share the work that they do and offer interactive activities- including Lancashire Police whose headquarters are just around the corner.

There will also be ten creative workshops that people can book on to, a children's author reading her book, performances from local singers and Lucy will be doing a live podcast recording with BBC Radio Lancashire legend John Gillmore (Gilly).

There is then a Craft and Flower show where people from Lancashire can submit entries and showcase their own talent in craft, photography, fruit and vegetable growing and handmade items.

Does it cost to attend?

No, the event is free to the public, you can just turn up!

Lucy does advise that you book on to the creative workshops in advance - Christmas wreath making for example has already sold out - but there may be spaces on the day.

Examples of workshops with spaces still include a water colour class, embroidery, making you own bath bom shower steams and a jewelery class.

Why should I pop down?

Lucy told us: “I think it'll be really fun! It's 10am-4pm, so people can drop in if they want to. There is something for everyone and it's free to enter so it will be a nice day.

“I've got all the businesses booked in so I just would love the public to come and support what Lancashire's talents all about.

“Quite a lot of the businesses that will be there are in my business network, so any businesses that have been on my podcast are invited to join this business network, which is all about how to promote businesses in Lancashire, how to collaborate with each other, and how to use Lancashire as the unique selling point in your business as well so it's a really nice community that's being built up- another reason why I would encourage people to to come.”

You can find out more about the Made Here in Lancashire Festival by following From a Lancashire Lass on Facebook.