Bygone times on silver screen

2:42pm Thursday 28th August 2008

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THE magic of the moving image and the beauty of bygone times will come together in Leigh as one of the ‘reel’ highlights of the town’s Heritage Weekend.

Culture Secretary and Leigh MP Andy Burnham will be saying ‘roll ‘em!’ on Friday September 12 when he introduces a night of nostalgia with the Yesteryear Film Show.

Mr Burnham will join a packed house at the Turnpike Centre for the evening of big screen entertainment presented by the North West Film Archive.

Archive manager Marion Hewitt said: “The archive is based at Manchester Metropolitan University and is one of the region’s real gems. The show gives a great chance for Leigh to enjoy a look back at life in the area over the last century.”

The event is just one of the many that form part of Leigh Heritage 2008. The celebration of all things Leigh-related runs from Thursday September 11 until Sunday September 14 and is organised by the Leigh Township Forum.

Co-chairman of the forum Cllr Charles Rigby said: “We ran the event for the first time last year and it was a great success which is why we are doing it again. The film show was amazingly popular last year, in fact it was a full house and we expect it to be the same this year.”

Other events taking place include: Thursday September 11, Friday September 12 and Saturday September 13 from 10am until 4pm - Leigh Parish Church, Leigh Town Hall and Turnpike Centre will be open to the public.

Thursday September 11 at 7.30pm in the Turnpike Centre - A ‘Victorian Cooking Demonstration’.

Friday September 12 1.30pm - Heritage Walk starting from the bandstand in Pennington Hall Park; dress for the weather, wear comfortable flat shoes and bring a drink.

Friday September 12 at 7.30pm in the Turnpike Centre - Yesteryear Film Show.

Saturday September 13 from 10am until 4pm on the Civic Square - a heritage car show for the ‘people’s car’ – the VW Beetle!

Sunday September 14 at 10am at Leigh Parish Church – ‘Songs of Praise’.

Pam Stewart, forum co-chairman, added: ““We want to build on the success of last year’s event and make this one even better. We’d like to see the Leigh Heritage weekend become a real highlight of the town’s calendar in years to come but we can only do this with the support of the people of Leigh. So we’d say to everyone get involved in the events and celebrate your town!”

All the events are free but entry to the evening sessions are by ticket only. Anyone interested can pick up tickets from Leigh Library on a first come, first served basis from today onwards.