Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council

01/09/2026

What better way to celebrate Darwen and its people than with a song all about life in a northern town?

🎶 Life in a Northern Town has been recorded by the people of Darwen as part of Begin2Sing's latest workshop, bringing together local voices to create a special version of the 1980s classic by The Dream Academy.

With lead vocals from Lee Kerfoot, winner of the first Begin2Sing Community Voice Award, and group vocals recorded live at Sunbird Records, this really is a celebration of the people and our town.

And the best bit? This is just the beginning, with Shake Off The Rain, Begin2Sing’s second song for Darwen, set to be released in November.

For now, turn up the volume and enjoy Life in a Northern Town.

What do you love most about Darwen?

01/09/2026

September 2027 may seem like a year away, but for little ones getting ready to start school, it’s the beginning of a new journey 📖

New faces. New friends. New things to learn.

If your child is due to start school in 2027, applications are now open.

Find out more about school admissions and apply on the council website – link in comments.

31/08/2026

The school bags are packed, uniforms are ready and the summer holidays are nearly over📚

As you get ready for the return to school routine, there’s one more thing worth checking off your list: could your child be entitled to Free School Meals?

Eligible children can receive a nutritious meal at school, helping families with the cost of the school day. Applying could also mean your child’s school receives additional funding through Pupil Premium, which can help provide extra support and opportunities for pupils.

If you haven't checked your eligibility yet, it’s not too late to apply.

Take a few minutes today to see if your family could be entitled to support using the link in the comments.

30/08/2026

🚲 Cycle September is back!

Fancy getting on your bike this September? Whether you’re a regular cyclist or thinking about getting started, Cycle September is free and open to everyone.

Get out and ride throughout the month, earn points, win prizes and enjoy the benefits of cycling along the way! 🙌

👉 Sign up using the link in the comments.

29/08/2026

🎨 Have you discovered Blackburn Market’s Arts Space yet?

If you’re heading into town, why not pop into the Blackburn Market Arts Space and see what’s on?

Home to Lancashire’s Smallest Gallery, the space offers creative workshops, live performances and a cosy library area -giving visitors another place to explore, create and enjoy the arts right in the heart of Blackburn.

Pop in and take a look next time you’re at Blackburn Market!

28/08/2026

Craving the perfect Lamington? You know where to go…

Right in the heart of Blackburn’s Sudell Cross, you’ll find Crumbssss - one of the much-loved independent businesses helping put this little corner of town firmly on the foodie map.

And just opposite, Sudell Sandwiches has been serving up local favourites for years.

While the two businesses may look very different, they have something special in common - they’re both proudly led by sisters.
Sudell Cross and King William Street have become a real destination for food lovers, with people travelling from across the North West to enjoy brunches, bakes and sandwiches.

From Crumbssss’ tempting bakes and Sudell Sandwiches’ much-loved offerings, to the coffee and treats at Kohi, Grumpy Baker and Café Impresso, there’s plenty to tempt you. And with Heavenly Desserts also bringing something sweet to the area, it’s no wonder the queues and the social media posts keep coming.

👉 Read the full story of the women behind Crumbssss and Sudell Sandwiches in The Shuttle 2026 - link in the comments.

28/08/2026

More than £20,000 raised in less than three months for Nightsafe and Derian House Children’s Hospice, thanks to the generosity of our residents, businesses and community organisations 🙌

And now, the target is £50,000🎯

A huge thank you to everyone who has donated, volunteered and attended an event.

For more information about the Mayor's charities visit The Shuttle - link in the comments.

"This achievement reflects the incredible generosity of people, businesses and community organisations across Blackburn with Darwen." ✨

We can't let pass by without celebrating the extremely impressive fundraising efforts of Councillor Mahfooz Hussain, Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council... 🙌
..who since the start of his Mayoral year in May this year, has raised a phenomenal £20,000 for both Derian House and Nightsafe through community events and general donations! 😮

Cllr Mahfooz has now set a new fundraising goal of £50,000, which will be split between the two charities at the end of his year at the helm - thank you so much! 💚

28/08/2026

🚐 Darwen is getting a very special visitor this weekend..!

The Art Explora Mobile Museum is set to roll in on Saturday, 29 August – just in time for the Darwen Festival of Fun! 🎪🎭

🚐 Step inside the travelling museum and discover ‘Shaped by the Sea’, a fascinating exhibition featuring remarkable works from the Government Art Collection – including rarely seen pieces, some of which have never been shown in Lancashire before!

And that’s not all… 👀

The Darwen Festival of Fun will bring you all of this too:

🎪 Roving theatre and spectacular stilt walkers

💃 Dancers, live samba and aerial performers

🤹 Circus adventures and creative workshops

🎨 Face painting and hands-on activities

🎵 The Sound Garden and Rhythm Rave

🎠 Traditional fairground rides

🛍️ A brilliant artisan market

🍔 A street food village packed with tasty treats

The sixth Darwen Festival of Fun will transform Market Square into a buzzing celebration of creativity, community and performance – with something for all ages.

And with Darwen being one of just 13 locations across the country chosen to host the Mobile Museum as part of its national tour, this really is a day not to miss! 💙

📅 Saturday, 29 August

🎟️ Free to attend

Bring the family, bring your friends and come and enjoy a brilliant day out in Darwen! 🙌

✨ Discover Darwen
✨ Crafty Vintage
✨ Darwen Town Council

27/08/2026

Wow, check out all the things you can get from the new Reuse Shop at Blackburn HWRC!

It's worth going for a look while you're dropping off your bulky waste. Everything is heavily discounted. 😄

27/08/2026

🦋 The Butterfly Garden at Pleasington Cemetery – Official Opening

We’re delighted to invite you to join us for the opening of the newly refurbished Butterfly Garden, made possible with the support of Maggie’s Stillbirth Legacy, Luke’s Legacy and Stevenson Memorials.

The Butterfly Garden has been created as a peaceful space for the whole community - a place to enjoy nature, take a moment, reflect and find comfort.

The garden also includes Letters to Heaven, where visitors can write and share messages and memories for loved ones, alongside a dedicated baby memorial area, offering a quiet place for families affected by baby loss to remember and honour their babies.

📍 Pleasington Cemetery - Heading up the main drive to the Crematorium, the Butterfly Garden is on the left. Take the path just before the Serenity Memorial Area where the blue remembrance tree is, going through the woods and over the bridge. There you'll find the Butterfly Garden.

📅 Friday 4 September 2026
🕝 2.30pm

Everyone is welcome to come along and help us mark the opening of this very special community space.

We hope to see you there. 🦋