Gingerbread aims for fresh success
COMMITTEE members from Ormskirk Community Partnership are busily making the final preparations for this year’s Gingerbread Festival on Sunday, July 14.
Ormskirk Community Partnership founded the Gingerbread Festival in 2016, when it was held on a Saturday alongside the traditional market.
Organised with assistance from the council, last year saw the increasingly successful festival move to a Sunday, where the whole town centre was dedicated to the Gingerbread Festival and a celebration of Ormskirk’s heritage.
Last year’s festival was an immense success, with many happy faces, and retailers reported a record day.
Circus skills enthusiasts from Edge Hill University worked tirelessly to demonstrate and teach the basics to local children, while the legendary Mr Stix squeezed in almost back-to-back performances for the whole day, ensuring there was little opportunity for the kids to get bored.
OCP are hoping this year will once again be a record-setter.
The event will follow a similar format, with many local traders grasping the opportunity for a market stall on the day, and some retailers serving fresh Ormskirk gingerbread.
Edge Hill University will once again
provide entertainment throughout the day, and there is a warning to keep an eye out for the surprise “flash mob” that will be springing up, as well as performances especially prepared for the day.
There will also be a free prize draw, open to all residents. Funding such events is always a challenge, but support and assistance from Edward McCarthy Support Services means the committee has been able to secure essential funding from The Duchy of Lancaster Benevolent Fund and the National Lottery Community Fund. OCP are also grateful for other donations from The Dulverton Trust and The Elsie Talbot Bridge Will Trust, and 2019 festival sponsors Bradley Hall and Merseyrail, as without these funds and Edward’s unique skill set, the challenges of such a festival could prove to be insurmountable.
More information about OCP and specifics for the day can be found at www.ormskirkgingerbread.com or emailing festival@ormskirkgingerbread.com