A SERIES of last minute setbacks failed to spoil the fun when Barnoldswick staged its Millennial Mix event last Saturday.

Everything was set fair as one of the hottest days of the year dawned, then things started to go wrong. First the fairground rides, booked for the Majestic section of Albert Road, failed to show, leaving what seemed like an acre of empty tarmac.

Then the event's sound system failed to make even a squeak, with technician Jim Rose frantically trying to find the problem. But Barlickers are a resourceful lot and with some hurried improvisation and the generous help of local electrical retailers Harry Garlick's, the gremlins were soon in retreat.

In the meantime it was left to good old fashioned lung power to get things under way. Barnoldswick's Town Crier Kevin Griffiths had people's ears ringing with a cry to open the event. It was the start of a good day for Kevin, who later won his first championship in a competition at Boroughbridge.

Barnoldswick Brass Band likewise needed no artificial amplification, their sonorous melodies filling the air as the crowds swelled around the various charity and craft stalls in the square. The madcap antics of the Silly Billy Clowns added to the carnival atmosphere.

The event also included presentations of souvenir Barnoldswick millennium mugs to Pamela Oddie and John Redhead. Pamela, who lives in the town, won the competition to design its new millennium clock. Her innovative design featured the red and white roses of Lancashire and Yorkshire and replaced the numerals around the clock face with the 12 letters of "Barnoldswick".

John Redhead is Pendle Council's architect, who turned Pamela's concept into the finished design for the clock. A version of it is also featured on the mugs, which were presented to them and will also be given to every child in Barnoldswick below secondary school age.

With the sound systems problems finally overcome, the first of almost 30 artists took to the stage in what was a showcase for local talent.

The age range of artists didn't quite stretch from six to 60 - but it wasn't far off. The youngest performer was nine-year-old Harry Hancock, a pupil at Rainhall Road School, who sang a song from the musical "Oliver".

But Barnoldswick's Freda Robinson, who celebrated her 60th birthday earlier this year, represented the upper age limit. Freda, whose vocal talents have been broadcast nationally on BBC Radio One, gave a spirited karaoke rendition of a Frank Sinatra medley, earning warm applause from a supportive crowd. She was presented with a bouquet of flowers by the "Milky Bar Kids" - fellow regulars at Joyce's Milk Bar, on Skipton Road.

Thomas Hargreaves, of Fernbank Avenue - a member of local band Inflatable Love Sheep - provided an early highlight with a solo guitar and vocal performance. Several other local youngsters entertained as the crowd basked in the afternoon sun, before the third disaster of the day struck.

A key part of the backstage equipment packed up, leaving performers without their backing music. As MC Harold Hoggarth appealed for a replacement mini disc player, Harry Garlick's saved the day, by loaning one for the rest of the event.

Between acts on the stage, Jackie Poole and "Barnoldswick Buccaneer" Stephen Demaine, from the Chamber of Trade, oversaw the monthly Barlick Gold draw. It saw the 176th winner in the free local shoppers' loyalty scheme, bringing the total prize money given out to over £6,000.

Late entrants to the Millennial Mix filled out the running order to well beyond the scheduled finishing time, and the last on was one of the best of the day. "Magic Mark" Sabanskis, of Federation Street, who keeps guests entertained at holiday camps through the summer, volunteered during the day and entranced the audience with a side-splitting display of magic, fun and music.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.