06/09/2026
Good morning extended friends of the New Darwen Gala committee, I hope this message finds you all well. 🙂
I apologise for the silence over the last few months but it has been a rather bumpy journey to get to the below conclusion.
Unfortunately, I come to deliver bad news - despite our very best efforts, the council have advised there is a notice in place from a previous complaint to the ombudsman regarding events being held on Borough Road fields making it impossible to host the Gala at the site of its origin.
This was not brought to our attention until we had submitted the paperwork for the gala and the Event Coordinator for Blackburn and Darwen Borough Council had made the relevant enquiries with the parks/area managers.
We have thought long and hard about alternatives but in short, nothing would really work with the way the parade/funfair/tower race etc. all coincided.
We had already planned to alter the course of the parade to accommodate the extra traffic on the roads, particularly parking on Borough Road, compared to past years, and to minimise road closures (due to the fines that would be imposed as well).
We were offered the market square as a possible alternative however the active committee agree, that this venue would not be in any way shape or form suitable. Whilst we were happy to assist the rotary club last year with their fantastic annual fun day, space is very limited and so the event would be a mere shadow of what it once was.
There has also been a decline in active comittee members - people who have the time to fully commit to the cause and actively assist in the organisation, managing and marshalling of the event.
The active committee has therefore taken the decision to wind up. We will be approaching any organisation that has made a donation to discuss reimbursement and the rest of the funds will then be donated to the Friends of Bold Venture in keeping with the original constitution of the Gala committee.
We are sorry that our efforts have not been successful in bringing back this fantastic event and thank you all for your support throughout this process. We’ve met some incredible people along the way, people who really hold the community in their hearts and we really do appreciate anyone who took the time to help us with any fundraising events over the last 2 years!
Many thanks,
The New Darwen Gala Committee 🫶
PS. A big shout out to whomever logged that official complaint with the ombudsman - this event was one built up on generations of Darwen residents and you have ensured that future generations never experience the thrill of the parade as it makes its way through the town centre and up Borough Road, the excitement of the full funfair, the fantastic chance for the community to come together to celebrate all of the amazing talent within the town with demonstrations to celebrate music, dance, athletics, the small businesses our town is made up of…and this is only some of the main features the gala…you are a truly beautiful person…
Take a bloody bow 👏
I cannot bring myself to swear on a public platform but hopefully the above catches the intended tone 👀 🤬
Darwen Noticeboard Darwen Rotary Club The New Darwen Gala Committee Number 1 Coffee Shop Community Hub CIC Level One Darwen Masonic Hall, Darwen
