On Sunday 16th July voluntary group Walkden Community hosts its Summer Festival at Parr Fold Park. It promises to be a top day for the family with plenty of activities and entertainment. There will be a host of things to do including bouncy castles, quads, stalls and donkeys.
There will also be free sports activities, face painting, glitter art, tombola and lots of community fun. Add to that food stalls, candy floss and a bandstand featuring Walkden and Farnworth Brass Band, dance performances, students from AKTA theatre group and, at 3pm, Shinny will play a headline set.
The ubiquitous Salford singer says he has loads going on at the moment, including a competition to have The Shinny Show Live broadcast live from someone's home. Anyone who is a member of the Facebook group can enter and the lucky winner get their own live gig for their friends and family, and get to feature in the hugely popular live broadcasts.*
Shinny also has some ideas about the re-launch of his single, Christmas No.1; "We're going for it again this year" he enthuses "There'll be an official launch at the AJ Bell and instead of going round on a truck promoting, we've got a plane!"
Celebrity endorsements have also started, with Sue Holderness from Only Fools and Horses sending good luck wishes. Shinny is a huge Fools and Horses fan and was made up with the support, "I was genuinely star-struck", he adds.
He was fresh from a meeting with MacMillan which presented him with a framed memento for the funds and awareness he raised with last year's festive single... "We have another charity aboard" Shinny informs "Once upon a Smile are a great charity and we're going to something with them, too."
He seems in great spirits and brimming with energy and ideas, although he candidly admits that he had a little relapse from recovery earlier in year... "Having my own brand of ale probably didn't help, that was pretty daft of me" he laughs.
The slip-up prompted Shinny to use his experience as a mentor; he now uses The Shinny Show Live to assist people with their own recovery. Every Wednesday at 9pm he hosts a discussion on addiction, anxiety and depression... "Drink, drugs, gambling... we discuss it all together in an effort to help each other through difficult times."
Shinny is focusing his efforts on positive areas and has his sights firmly on the top of the charts. He is looking for people to get involved to spread the Christmas No.1 message and give Salford its very first festive chart-topper.
Meanwhile, next Sunday, Shinny will be playing at Parr Fold Park, so get along, take a blanket, pick a spot for the day and maybe even soak up the sun. Celebrate the community with some great talent and live music; grab a bite to eat and browse the local business stalls.
Walkden Community aims to 'raise community pride and spirit', and any profits raised from the event will be put back into the community with more fantastic events, including the Christmas Lights 2017.
Walkden Summer Festival
Sunday 16th July noon-6pm
Parr Fold Park
Walkden M28 7EA
The park is within five minutes of Walkden train station and some street parking is available, please be mindful of local residents.
Walkden Community is doing some fantastic work for the local area and is always looking for new volunteers. If you are interested email walkdencommunity2014@gmail.com
*For further details of The Shinny Show Live see the Facebook group – click here
Words by Ian Leslie
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