Rothwell celebrates the 600th anniversary of the granting of its Royal Charter in February 2008. This offers an opportunity to harness the diverse mix and wealth of community groups within our area and bring them together to organise a year of celebrations. It will provide a focus to unite people from a variety of groups, increase identity within the area, strengthen community cohesion, and create greater opportunities for partnership and getting more involved in your community.

Following initial discussions, a meeting of the Rothwell Town Centre Partnership was used as an initial sounding board to begin to establish a way forward. Community groups were invited as well as local businesses and brainstorming sessions were held to come up with some initial thoughts on what projects and events could be included in Rothwell 600. The first Rothwell 600 meeting was held on the 20th September 2007. To date a committee has been formed and officers elected with a constitution agreed. A Rothwell 600 bank account has been opened. Meetings are expected to be held fortnightly to progress plans.

Rothwell 600 has agreed the following aims:

• Uniting local groups in a shared goal and provide opportunities for the involvement of local people through a variety of activities and events.
• Through Town Centre Management work in partnership with local business and commerce, with a view to increasing footfall in the town and assist in the regeneration of the town.
• Promoting the town centres of Rothwell, Carlton, Oulton and Woodlesford.
• Working with local schools to develop a sense of pride by local children in the area.
• Encourage people from a wide variety of backgrounds to share and appreciate the culture and heritage of the area.
• Use the celebrations as vehicle to regenerate the ward through a variety of methods, promoting community pride and identity.

Provisional calendar of events

February
24/7th February marks the date of the Royal Charter.
Appointment of Junior civic attendants
Music Festival concert fund raising
Rothwell Art Exhibition -18th February to 2nd March 2008

March
Easter Sunday Egg Hunt

April
Music Festival 10th 11th 12th winners concert 19th
Rothwell in bloom judging

May
Appointment of Junior civic attendants
May Day celebrations
Music Festival – 600 years of music 10th May
Methodist May Day Church event
Possible school triathlon week beginning the 14th.
17th Footpath Group

June
John O’ Gaunts Community Day
Possible it’s a knock organised with Schools £200.00
Orienteering events – Rothwell Park
Rothwell 600 Triathlon for Rothwell- 16th of June.

July
10th – 12th World Wide Radio
Rothwell Carnival
2nd Sunday in July, Praise in the Park
Opening ceremony of Blackburn Gardens
Schools are involved in a week of activity in the holidays on performing arts.
Rothwell in Bloom are judged 3rd weekend in July
Carlton Gala
Songs round the cross. Wesley Hymns

August
Street Entertainers (Town centre Management)
Breeze on tour (Leeds City Council)

September
Horticultural show
Church Flower Show?
Robin Hood Fair

October
Presentation by Rothwell Entertainment Committee
Possible library event for Halloween

November
Bonfire Night – Stone Park Rothwell Lions
Remembrance Sunday
Christmas Lights Switch on
Robin Hood school Christmas Fair

December
Pigeon detectives- Blackburn Hall
Santa in the Park – Round Table
REC Christmas Party
Christmas Eve Carols around the one stop
Church Carol services
Possible Treasure Hunt