Celebrate Crewe’s heritage with double-header

A unique chance to celebrate Crewe’s heritage is on offer with a magnificent double-header next week.

The grand re-opening of Queens Park, which has successfully undergone a £6.5m overhaul, and the Lyceum Theatre’s 100^th birthday are two huge occasions for the town and they both take place between September 5 and 10.

Lyceum Theatre

Following the launch of the heritage exhibition at the Lyceum, the fun continues on Monday (September 5) with an evening of entertainment featuring Crewe Male Voice Choir, Masquerade School of Dancing and local talent such as Bethany Edwards, Dave Chesworth, Nichola Hodgkinson, Nicci Hicks and Don Reid.

This follows on Tuesday with Dance through the Years with the X Academy, The Good Olde Days Music Hall with Duggie Chapman MBE on Wednesday and an open heritage day with historian Stewart Green on Thursday.

It wraps up with Cheshire East Youth Theatre’s performance of Inside Out on Friday before a gala evening on Saturday, September 10, featuring Acton Operatic Society, Crewe Amateur Musicals Society and Yvonne’s School of Dance.

After both of these performances there will be a free laser light art work show in Market Square, hosted by the Illuminos Project. During this performance, the light show will be projected onto the front of the theatre building.

All Lyceum Theatre events, with the exception of the open heritage day, are £5 each. More information on English Heritage open days in the Crewe area is available at www.heritageopendays.org.uk

Queens Park

It is on Saturday that the Queens Park celebrations get into full swing.

A procession involving children in fancy dress from 11 Crewe schools will make its way from Pyms Lane, along Sunnybank Road, before travelling along Victoria Avenue to the park. It will be led by the Crewe Sea Cadets Corp Band, starting at 2.30pm.

Some of the highlights planned for the free event include:

• Dance routines from local groups and troupe dancers;
• Falconry displays;
• A hilarious travelling theatre show;
• Live bands
• Play and sport development activities including Nordic walking;
• Funfair;
• The Heritage Centre miniature steam train;
• Fancy dress;
• Vintage machinery;
• Charity stalls; and
• The Starquest 2011 talent show finale.

Reaseheath College is joining forces with Crewe and Nantwich Horticulture Society to present a fabulous local produce and activities show, including demonstrations.

The climax to the day will be a huge pyrotechnic show including fireworks, flame shapes, gas jets and special effects from 9pm. Arena activities start at 3.30pm.

Councillor Rod Menlove, Cabinet member with responsibility for environmental services, said: “It is often said that Queens Park is Crewe’s ‘Jewel in the Crown’ and this is justifiably so. It is only right that we celebrate the excellent restoration work that has been carried out there.

“Together with the events being staged at the Lyceum Theatre, this is set to be a great week of celebrations and I would urge Crewe residents to come out and celebrate their heritage.”

Councillor Roy Cartlidge, ward member for Crewe St Barnabas and Crewe Mayor, said: “Queens Park is renowned as one of the finest parks in the North West, if not the whole of England. This traditional Victorian park has been restored and many modern day features have been added.

“Please come and join the fun on September 10, I am sure it will be a memorable day for everyone.”

Programmes are available form local information points in and around Crewe or by downloading it from www.cheshireeast.gov.uk. It can be located by typing ‘Queens Park official opening’ into the search box.