Lancashire's Mayors meet to celebrate county's rich textile heritage
The High Sheriff of Lancashire, David Collinge, welcomed newly appointed Mayors from across Lancashire to a special gathering at Queen Street Mill Museum in Burnley, bringing together civic leaders at the start of their year in office.
The event was designed to provide an opportunity for Lancashire's Mayors to meet one another early in their civic year, build relationships and share experiences, while also celebrating one of the county's greatest assets - its rich textile heritage.
As a sixth-generation member of a Burnley weaving family with more than 150 years of involvement in the Lancashire textile industry, David chose Queen Street Mill Museum as the perfect venue to showcase the county's industrial history and global influence.
Speaking after the event, David Collinge said:
"One of the great strengths of Lancashire is the sense of community that exists across our towns, boroughs and cities. Bringing our Mayors together at the beginning of their year in office gives them an opportunity to establish friendships and connections that will benefit their communities throughout the year ahead.
"I was also keen to share something of Lancashire's remarkable textile story. Our textile heritage helped shape not only this county but the wider world, and Queen Street Mill provides a wonderful insight into that history."
Guests enjoyed a guided tour of the museum, organised with the support of Lancashire County Council staff, who brought history to life through practical demonstrations of the machinery and weaving processes that once powered Lancashire's economy.
The visit concluded with tea, coffee and cakes, providing further opportunity for the Mayors to exchange ideas and begin building the relationships that will support their civic work over the coming year.
David said:
"I am extremely grateful to Lancashire County Council for making the visit possible and to everyone at Queen Street Mill for such a warm welcome. It was wonderful to see Lancashire's civic leaders gathered together in a place that tells such an important part of our county's story."
Queen Street Mill Museum is the world's last surviving steam-powered weaving mill and remains one of Lancashire's most important industrial heritage attractions, preserving the skills, machinery and traditions that helped make the county famous throughout the world.