Published Thursday 23 August 2018 at 15:47
The BBC has recently revealed footage of 1950s Blackburn, filmed during a traditional annual event in the town.
Directed by future Oscar-winner John Schlesinger, the black and white film features Blackburn locals in the build-up to the annual cotton town holiday known as Wakes Week.
Wakes Week became a traditional annual holiday in northern towns after the Industrial Revolution. Improved transportation meant that workers could now visit seaside areas such as Blackpool during their time off. It was the only week that workers could get away from their usual daily life.
In the film, the voiceover of a local Blackburn man describes the anticipation of Wakes Week. The footage depicts people’s rush to finish last minute chores before going away. Children hurry out of school, suitcases are packed, and houses are locked up. Finally, families board a train, leaving an empty Blackburn behind.
Councillor Andy Kay, Executive Member for Resources, said:
This is a fantastic find. Wakes Week is a long standing tradition and is a large part of Blackburn’s history and the history of many other northern cotton towns. The chap who narrates the film speaks with affection for the town and people despite saying Blackburn wasn’t much to look at! We like to think that’s changed now and it is good to look back and compare Blackburn life then to what it is like now. If anyone sees themselves or family or friends please let us know.
The short film can be viewed on the BBC archive Twitter page.
For more info on the history of Blackburn’s annual Wakes Week and visit: http://www.cottontown.org/Pages/home.aspx