Blackburn & Accrington Accommodation

Blackburn Museum & Art Gallery. A beautiful listed Victorian Gothic building which began life as a Free Library.

Kathleen Ferrier, a remarkable Contralto, born in Higher Walton near Blackburn.

Public Art in Blackburn. This sculpture, by Alan Wilson and installed in 1997, is called 'Grandmother'

A statue of William Ewart Gladstone, whose political career spanned 1865-1894, including a spell as

Tourist Information Blackburn Museum Art Gladstone Northern Soul!

Blackburn, in short, will surprise. Perhaps Blackburn's most famous prodigy was Kathleen Ferrier, described simply as the best Contralto England has ever produced. Her career, tragically cut short by cancer in 1953, was indeed unusual. With no formal musical training, although a talented piano player and musician, she went on to capture audiences worldwide with renditions such as Handel's 'The Messiah, Brahms' Alto Rhapsody and Four Serious Songs, Mahler's Kindertotenlieder and Resurrection Symphony as well as Das Lied von der Erde. Blackburn is currently paying homage to their prodigy at the Blackburn Museum and Art Gallery, but it's celebration of music continues with the excellent venue King George's Hall which hosts classical, soul and many other musical performances.

www.kinggeorgeshall.com www.ferrierawards.org.uk/ferrier.htm

Blackburn Museum & Art Gallery and Kathleen Ferrier (1912-1953)

'Nothing deterred her, the long journeys, often in the blackout, the uncertainty, the lack of facilities for changing, the various mishaps inseparable from such conditions. Her joy in the work, and in the audience's reaction, were her reward''. (Winifred Ferrier, 1955)

Kathleen Ferrier, like Gracie Fields, had a mother! Alice Ferrier, Kathleen's mother, lost her own mother young and had to care for her three brothers. In an incident when her youngest brother got too close to the fire Alice burnt her hands badly whilst smothering him. Alice Ferrier loved to act, dance, and had a good contralto voice, but these talents were restricted by the responsibility of bringing up brothers. William Ferrier, Kathleen's father also had musical talents and apparently more time on his hands to join the local operatic society. When Kathleen, Alice's youngest child of three, showed musical talent early on especially on the piano, Alice worked evenings and scrimped and saved to put Kathleen through school and lessons under renowned Blackburn piano tutor Miss Frances Walker. But money proved too much of a difficulty by the time Kathleen, who was talented enough to go on to university, was 14 years old. Instead, she had to enter the Post Office as a probationer - a safe job with a pension. Having had a taste of freedom and a realisation of her own talents Kathleen hated the Post Office. Determined, she began to enter competitions in piano, and she began to win them. Winifred, Kathleen's sister, later pointed out that it was Kathleen's training as a musician which meant see could read music and picture what it would sound like before she heard it. This was why in such a short period she was able to learn a huge amount of complex music.

Many would say that Kathleen Ferrier was lucky to be brought up in an around Blackburn - the reason being that Blackburn, particularly in the first half of the 20th century, was an incredibly musical town. Classical music training seemed to be a way out, a magical world away from the mills or limited roles for women, which in Ferrier's case was the tedious position of Post Office switchboard operator. She spent nine long years in this position whilst struggling to get her talent noticed. Ferrier was actually born in Higher Walton near Preston but attended schools in Blackburn including St Silas' Elementary School.

In the 1930s Kathleen became more drawn to singing, and by the end of the 1930s her voice had developed considerably. She went on to perform at the Edinburgh Festival, singing 'The Messiah' in Westminster Abbey and performing as 'Lucretia' in Benjamin Britten's opera at Glyndebourne. Composers like Arthur Bliss dedicated pieces of music to her, and she captivated audiences with her haunting voice. Blackburn Museum and Art Gallery has changing exhibitions and is well worth a look - past exhibitions have included one on Kathleen Ferrier. In the Visitors book, one guest wrote, ''This lady died two weeks before I was born but since I first heard her sing I have been captivated by her voice''. She died tragically of cancer in 1953, although she fought it for two years. Blackburn's musical roots run deep, and Kathleen Ferrier's legacy is fondly remembered by residents. Try getting into the annual performance of the Messiah in Blackburn Cathedral - you'll struggle to get in as it's always packed! Blackburn Museum & Art Gallery, Museum Street, Blackburn, T: 01254 667130

The Lewis Textile Museum, Blackburn

Opened in 1938, this textile museum really explores in depth the history of textiles, with an original Kay Fly Shuttle, a replica of Hargreaves' Spinning Jenny, a version of Crompton's Mule and an Arkwright's Water Frame, together with various examples of local textile machinery. You can see much of the machinery in action

The Lewis Textile Museum, Exchange St. Blackburn, BB1 7AJ. T: 01254 667130 Hours of opening: Tues - Sat, 11 am. - 4 pm.

Town Centre Ghost Walks and Heritage Tours

Check out Simon Entwistle's Celebrated Blackburn Town Centre Ghost Walks - a 75 minute town centre walk every Monday commencing 7.30pm. Simon dresses in 'authentic' Victorian costume, and recounts an endless ream of stories on hauntings, murders, body snatching, ghosts and ghouls and battle scenes - eh up don't miss it.

Phone Blackburn Tourist Information Centre for details and prices: Tel: 01254 53277.

Simon also does Blackburn Heritage Tours, featuring 'The Road to Nab End Tour - on this tour you can discover Blackburn's rich heritage, focusing particularly on the 1920s. The Tour takes in Oswaldtwistle Mills and the Time Tunnel Weavers' Tour. Information and booking from Oswaldtwistle Mills, Tel: 01254 871025

Blackburn Tourist Information

Blackburn Tourism & Local Travel Information, 15-17 Railway Road, Blackburn, Lancs BB1 5AX, T: 01254 53277/681120

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