#AmazingAccrington Soapbox Challenge draws great turn out

By Scott Dawson Advertising

04 Sep 2023

Website
LBV.jpg.jpg

This year, the #AmazingAccrington Soapbox Challenge was listed as one of the top 30 free bank holiday activities – nationally! The crowds of over 18,000 thronged in the streets in Accrington on Saturday 26th August from 10am-4pm would certainly vouch for what a great day out it was.

The pits were open from 10am, with lots of carts on display in front of the town square to have a look at. The very first competitor out of the blocks at 11am was BBC Radio Lancashire’s Graham Liver, racing a cart built by North Lancs Training Group. Graham and co presenter Leanne dressed as Mario and Luigi for the occasion and had great fun for the second year running.

The 170-metre-long Soapbox track runs from Property Shop on Blackburn Road, down into Town Square in Accrington Town Centre, and gives a great view for spectators to line the streets. The track included jumps, water jumps, chicanes, and competitors being squirted with water pistols! All profits made from entry fees will go to Maundy Relief, with the Soapbox having raised over £5,000 to date for them. 

During an interval between races, spectators were treated to a Carnival spectacular with Brazilian-style dancers and a samba band, free Vuvuzelas handed out and performances from popular ska band Blowjangles and the Hyndburn Comets Majorettes.

Notable carts this year from over 30 competitors included the North West Air Ambulance with a mini Air Ambulance, Welsh team Dragon Girl with the driver being Megan Goode who is just 10 years old, and Stanley Brothers Tippers with their HGV truck!

Winners were North West Air Ambulance with second place going to North Lancs Training Group and third place Chicken Run. Best dressed team was Accrington Wildcats, and best designed cart went to North Lancs Training Group with their LEGO themed cart.

The tills were also ringing in Accrington Market Hall with an indoor and outdoor market laid on for the occasion, plus the great free attraction The Code Show, celebrating how 1980’s Britain embraced the home computer. A Sinclair C5 was on display and 1980s technology, such as a dial up telephone and video recorder, plus vintage computers, games consoles and free gaming machines! 

Sponsors for the event include Hyndburn Borough Council, Sundown Solutions, Accrington and Rossendale College, Boohoo and Financial Affairs.

Coun Terry Hurn, Mayor of Hyndburn, said: “The Soapbox Challenge is a really busy, well supported event for the town. Our town is filled with people enjoying themselves, and with visitors from far and wide shopping local right here in Accrington.”

Ben Lee from Sundown Solutions said: “Sundown couldn’t wait to sign up to sponsor the Soapbox Challenge again, it’s a great day out and gets quite competitive! We also like seeing The Code Show in the Market Hall, an interactive exhibition on gaming – and we hope to spot some future Sundown talent while they’re enjoying it!”

Charlotte Scheffman, dean of the University Centre at Accrington & Rossendale College, commented: “We are proud to be a main sponsor of this event. Our talented motor vehicle engineering staff and students all worked really hard to build our soapbox! We love to support the event and be there on the day – today was like a carnival with a samba band, Brazilian dancers, the Hyndburn Comet Majorettes, and Blowjangles band performing!”

Paul Daughtry, senior automation and engineering manager at Boohoo Group PLC, said, “We stepped up to be a main sponsor this year and had our apprentice engineers working on our superb cart. It was great to see Radio Lancashire’s Stephen Lowe and Graham Liver and Leanne, really added to the atmosphere – we’ve had a great time!”

Murray Dawson, chair of #AmazingAccrington, commented: “The Soapbox Challenge is one of Accrington’s flagship events and we love the challenge set to us every year to make it even bigger and better. We made sure the course was even more challenging, and added a carnival party-style interval which went down really well with the crowd. Everyone has had a fantastic day, and we can’t wait to do it all again next year!”

Check out the Amazing Accrington website www.amazingaccrington.co.uk and their social media channels for more coverage of the event. 

Latest news

1

Amanda’s personality shines on Lancashire Business Day 231124LBVLancashireDayEventweb 9898

Amanda’s personality shines on Lancashire Business Day

28 Nov 2023

2

Key figures sign historic devolution deal Lancashire Devolution Signing

Key figures sign historic devolution deal

28 Nov 2023

3

Don't judge, not everybody's got a great brand, ok? Laura Weldon Studio LWD

Don't judge, not everybody's got a great brand, ok?

27 Nov 2023

4

Spencer Hayes Group launches salary sacrifice division Spencer Hayes Group Salary Sacrifice - Banner - Facebook - 2023 - Dark.jpg.jpg

Spencer Hayes Group launches salary sacrifice division

28 Nov 2023

5

Red Rose Awards peer network returns with Community & Business Partners support Red Rose Awards And Community & Business Partners

Red Rose Awards peer network returns with Community & Business Partners support

28 Nov 2023

2664LBD980x120gif
Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Reach 50,000 members of the Lancashire business community

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Company profile
Social reach
Magazine coverage
Sign-up
Events
Help to Grow Management Course
Collaboration v3.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
31 Oct 2023 - 14 Feb 2024

Help to Grow Management Course

University of Central Lancashire, School, Online and face-to-face , UCLan, PR1 2HE

09:30 - 11:30

Business Networking in Blackburn - BNI Vista | LBV Hub Event
EVENT LISTING SIZING Vista.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
28 Nov 2023

Business Networking in Blackburn - BNI Vista | LBV Hub Event

The Willows, Haslingden Road , Blackburn, BB1 2NG

06:45 - 08:30

Business Networking in Chorley - BNI Endeavour
EVENT LISTING SIZING Endeavour.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
28 Nov 2023

Business Networking in Chorley - BNI Endeavour

Oak Royal, Bury Lane, Chorley, PR6 8SW

06:30 - 08:30

Cloud accounting drop-in day
Cloud Accounting drop in.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
28 Nov 2023

Cloud accounting drop-in day

PM+M Solutions for Business LLP Sandringham House, Hollins Brook Park Pilsworth Road, Blackburn, BB1 5QB

10:00 - 16:00

Business Networking in Preston - BNI Diamond
EVENT LISTING BNI Diamond.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
29 Nov 2023

Business Networking in Preston - BNI Diamond

Norman Jepson (Beefeater), Bluebell Way, Preston, PR2 5PZ

07:15 - 09:00

Business Networking in Accrington - BNI Zeus
EVENT LISTING SIZING Zeus.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
29 Nov 2023

Business Networking in Accrington - BNI Zeus

The Mill House, Accrington, BB5 5HX

06:45 - 08:30

Deaf Village Business Network Event
Businesses taking part in games.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
29 Nov 2023

Deaf Village Business Network Event

Deaf Village North West, Blackburn, BB2 5EN

15:00 - 17:00

ChamberSOCIAL - The Tipi
Chamber Logo1.png.png
LBV Hub Social
29 Nov 2023 - 29 Nov 2023

ChamberSOCIAL - The Tipi

Dalton Square, Lancaster, LA1 1PP

17:00 - 20:00

Business Networking in Lancaster - Eden Business Network
Eden Business Network.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
29 Nov 2023

Business Networking in Lancaster - Eden Business Network

The Borough, 3 Dalton Square, Lancaster, LA1 1PP

18:30 - 20:30

Business Networking in Morecambe - BNI Morecambe
EVENT LISTING BNI Morecambe.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
29 Nov 2023

Business Networking in Morecambe - BNI Morecambe

Vale of Lune RUFC, Powder House Lane, Lancaster, LA1 2TT

06:45 - 08:30

Business Networking in Burnley - BNI Kudos
EVENT LISTING BNI Kudos.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
30 Nov 2023

Business Networking in Burnley - BNI Kudos

Prairie Sports Village, Windemere Avenue, Burnley, BB10 2FU

06:45 - 08:30

Business Networking in Lancaster - BNI Castle
EVENT LISTING BNI Castle.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
30 Nov 2023

Business Networking in Lancaster - BNI Castle

Vale of Lune RUFC, Powder House Lane, Lancaster, LA1 2TT

06:45 - 08:30

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV Advertising Visual NovDec
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin