May Day celebrations bring music, speeches and politics to Towneley Park in Burnley
A lively May Day festival took place at Towneley Park, with a parade, live music and a series of speeches addressing local and national issues.
The historic annual event saw a colourful parade wind its way through the park, accompanied by the sounds of Bay Beats band, while the Clarion Choir performed on the main stage, adding to the celebratory atmosphere.
Alongside the music and festivities, a number of speakers took to the stage to highlight concerns affecting public services and workers.
Mark Evans, branch secretary of Lancashire UNISON, spoke about the ongoing concerns surrounding proposed closures of local care homes. While he noted that the council had withdrawn its original proposals, he warned there remains unease that similar plans could be brought forward after the local elections.
Dominic Coughlin, a local National Education Union representative, addressed the challenges facing schools due to funding pressures. He highlighted issues including leaking roofs and the need for staff to use buckets during rainfall to manage water ingress in some buildings.
Political speakers also reflected on national policy developments. Alun Lewis, chair of Burnley Constituency Labour Party, and local MP Oliver Ryan both spoke positively about what they described as improvements under the current Labour Government, including strengthened workers’ rights and the ending of the two-child benefit cap.
Mr Ryan also commented on international affairs, contrasting the Prime Minister’s reluctance to be drawn into Donald Trump’s proposed military stance on Iran with what he described as the initial support from opposition figures Kemi Badenoch and Nigel Farage, who he said were now attempting to revise their positions.
Pendle Dog Agility also performed on the day.