About this Event
This October The Fête of Britain is heading to Wigan!
On Saturday 31st October this community-led gathering at The Old Courts on Crawford Street will bring culture together with the causes that matter most.
The Fête of Wigan will be a space to come together — through music, art, conversation, shared food and family-friendly activities — to reflect honestly on the issues shaping Wigan and to imagine what a better way of living together could look like.
Join us for music, art, spoken word workshops, charter writing, fun activities for children and join us for free shared food from C’est La Vie Buffets. At the heart of the day, Wiganers are invited to sign up and have your say at our Big Conversation on ‘Local Money for Local People’: a fun and entertaining session led by The Bank of Smiles and IPPR North, to get people talking about local money and what putting back into our communities could mean for making Wigan a better place to live.
There will be FREE LUNCH for the first 60 people to arrive on the day!
Check out the programme below:
ALL DAY: Camerado’s Public Living Room hosted by CommUnity Corner
A welcoming, and informal community space to gather, to chat, drink tea, play games, and be human together without any pressure, judgment, or formal agenda.
ALL DAY: Good Neighbours’ Directory hosted by inABLE Creatives Access Network (iCAN)
Let us know who your good neighbours are! Who’s making a difference in your community? Have a chat and a think, do some crafting and add your Neighbours to the directory.
10am: Peace Lily Hollistics - opening grounding session
A gentle grounding session, using crystal sound bowls and Breathwork, giving everyone a chance to arrive, connect with themselves and settle into the day.
10.30 - 2pm: A Citizens’ Agenda for Wigan
Come and meet the editor of Bylines North West, a citizen-led platform for investigation, reporting and sharing the stories that people really care about. Share your stories and ideas and find out how journalism can spark new conversations.
10.30 - 2pm: Our House - A Charter for Wigan
Meet the team at Our House who are building a People’s Charter to shape a democracy that works for everyone – and they want to know what the people of Wigan want
10.30 - 1.30pm: Made in Wigan - Collage & Printmaking workshop
Join Kirby Corless from Ey Up to create postcard sized artwork inspired by Wigan, using printmaking and collage, to share your thoughts and memories about Wigan and your local community.
11am - 1.30pm: Banner Making with Magdalena Kij
Discover artivism and explore how creative expression can help you have your say. Use fabric, paints, markers and other materials to create a banner showcasing the things that matters to you in your neighbourhood. Materials provided. Suitable of all ages.
11 - 2pm: Haigh Through Your Lens - Share Your Memories of Haigh
Dig out your old photos of happy events at Haigh Hall and in the wider estate. We want to scan them in, to build a picture of how Haigh has been enjoyed by people since the estate came into public ownership in 1947.
11am - 2pm: Creative Art Session – with The Community Patch CIC
A children’s workshop to decorate their own hedgehog art with natural foliage. Come along, create and talk about wildlife, what's coming up for animals in winter and how we can support creatures like hedgehogs.
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11 - 1pm: Finding Your Voice - Poetry Workshop
An inspiring and inclusive, beginner friendly, Poetry Workshop led by local poet, writer and performer Natasha Tingle. Explore how to bring your words to life with confidence and impact, connect with an audience and amplify your unique voice. No prior experience required—just bring your voice and an open mind.
1.15 - 2.45pm: National Emergency Briefing & Q&A: Understanding the Climate Emergency
Join Wigan Climate Action Network (CAN) for a screening of the National Emergency Briefing, a film that lays out the urgent realities of the climate and nature crisis, and the practical steps we can take together to build a safer, more resilient future.
The screening wil be followed by an open conversation about what this means locally — from community resilience to practical climate action already happening across the borough. It’s an opportunity to connect, learn, and explore how we can support each other in the years ahead.
1:30pm: Dr Thomas McGrath - Haigh in the 1940s and 1950s
Join Dr Thomas McGrath as he delves into the history of Haigh in the 1940s and 1950s. This period saw the most change in the history of the estate and witnessed the hall change from a family home to civic venue. We will discover what the archives tell us about this time, and how Wiganers planned for a new, post-war era.
2:30 - 5pm: The Fête of Wigan’s BIG Conversation: Local Money spent by Local People
What would it mean for the people of Wigan to control the taxes paid in Wigan? Would they want that control? What would they spend it on? A fun and entertaining workshop-style session led by The Bank of Smiles, The Fête of Britain and IPPR North will get people talking about “local money spent by local people” and what that could mean for the things people want done where they live.
More updates to follow!
Be sure to sign up to let us know you’re coming!
Find us at The Old Courts, Gerrard Winstanley House, Crawford Street, W1N 1NA from 10am - 5pm on Saturday 31st October.
Access:
For any accessibility queries please contact [email protected] or call 01942 616245. Relevant information about the Old Courts can also be found via the venue website here https://www.theoldcourts.com/visit/#accessibility
Event venue & nearby stays
The Old Courts, Crawford Street, Wigan, United Kingdom
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups — all the happenings, one place.