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And The Beat Goes On

The Great British Rhythm & Blues Festival – 4 Days, 7 Official Venues, 1 Great Festival.

August bank holiday 2016 sees Colne hosting the award winning Great British Rhythm & Blues Festival for the 27th year. This year will be the 11th year in succession that Community Rail Lancashire has been a sponsor for the event and once again we will be running our legendary blues and ale train from Blackpool South to Colne.

The train departs Blackpool South at 17:21 then at Preston at 18:00 and calls at all stations to Colne arriving in at 19:15 in time for the start of the festival at 20:00. This year’s musicians are The Washboard Resonators, a Yorkshire duo of guitar, banjo and washboard who play foot-stomping blues & ragtime. The ale is once again being provided by Moorhouses Brewery based in Burnley and will be available between Blackpool and Colne – at least until it runs out!

There have been some changes to the venues at the festival this year with the British Stage moving from the Sports Centre to the Hippodrome Theatre and the Acoustic Stage moving into the main Municipal Hall. Full details on the Festival website at www.bluesfestival.co.uk.

The Lesser Muni will now become the main refreshment area with the regular bar, food being served and a mini Beer Festival which will feature 10 real ales each day over the four days of the festival.