Winter Blog

With Christmas and New Year now firmly behind us we’re looking forward to the next few months in Chorley as the days get longer and (hopefully) brighter. Why not step out into the surrounding area and enjoy what the borough has to offer and don’t forget to share your experiences on social media using the hashtag #checkoutchorley

Half term

There’s plenty going on to keep the kids entertained over the February half term, starting with Chorley Council’s Winter Playday, being held at the Town Hall on Wednesday, 20 February.
If it’s more of a sporting outlook you’re after why not sign the kids onto Chorley FC Community Foundation’s Soccer School that runs from Tuesday-Friday, 10am-2pm at Parklands High School. Catering for kids aged 5-12, the full week is only £30 and features coaching from a number of highly qualified individuals, including some Chorley FC first team players.
For the outdoorsy, Rock and River Outdoor Pursuits in Mawdesley offers full day (£27) and half day (£16) holiday clubs for children aged 8-9, 10-12 and 13-15.
On offer are over 20 different activities including high ropes, archery and canoeing.

Get your walking boots on

There are plenty of places to go walking around the Chorley borough, from Astley Park with its beautiful parkland, woodland and superb snowdrop trail and Yarrow Valley Country Park, to the more energetic Rivington and the hike to the pike for views across to Southport and Blackpool.
Also at Rivington, check out the progress being made at Rivington Terraced Gardens where volunteers are working hard to restore the gardens back to how they once were more than 60 years ago. Rivington Terraced Gardens is a magical place of hidden paths, caves, structures and lakes covering an area of roughly 45 acres of hillside and offers something for everyone to explore. There’s also lots of events taking place throughout the year so be sure to like Rivington Terraced Gardens on Facebook.

Hoghton Tower tours and walks

The third most haunted building in England invites you (if you dare) to experience centuries of history and ghostly activities with ghost walks.
Available for booking Friday, 1 February and Friday, 1 March. Tickets cost £32 each and include a two-course meal.
For the children, the spooky theme continues at half term with family friendly spooky tours at Hoghton Tower on the 17, 21 and 24 February. There will also be children’s crafts and more.

What’s your story, Chorley?

Coming to the town centre on Saturday, 30 March from 11am-4pm; a festival of words and fun for all the family. ‘What’s your story, Chorley’ brings authors, storytellers and poets to the town’s streets.
For the sixth successive year the festival gives people the chance to meet authors and develop their own writing skills, listen to some poetry and watch dramatic presentations. There’s also the popular book bench trail, with benches painted by schools from across the borough.
Venues for the event include Chorley Library, Ebb and Flow Bookshop, Goodies Coffee Shop, Rosie Posies, Chorley Little Theatre and St Laurence’s Church.

Calling all football fans

Head to Victory Park for all the excitement of the National League North promotion race. Flying high and scoring for fun, Jamie Vermiglio’s Magpies are aiming for a return to the fifth tier of English football for the first time since 1990.
Seven of their remaining eight home games kick off at 3pm on a Saturday, beginning 2 February with the visit of Nuneaton Borough. Followed by Brackley Town (February 12, 7.45pm) Ashton United (23 February), Kidderminster Harriers (9 March), Leamington (23 March), AFC Telford United (6 April), Stockport County (20 April) and Bradford (Park Avenue) (27 April).
Admission is pay on the day £12 adults, £9 over-60s/NHS staff/armed services, £7 students, £5 12-16s and FREE accompanied under-12s