Village Life in Lancashire Wray Where Community Spirit Thrives

Wray is a village in Lancashire. It has a unique character that reflects its history and the people there. Wray has what you would expect in an English village, keeping its historical and cultural roots strong. Wray has a pub, church, and tearoom, along with a garden center and a community shop, which people saved from closing down.

The Scarecrow Festival started in 1992 and happens yearly, drawing people from everywhere before May Day. Many villagers display scarecrows in their windows. Some folks leave them up all year. Wray also has a sad past.

In 1967, the River Roeburn flooded, bursting its banks on August 8th. Houses and bridges washed away, and people lost their things. Thankfully, no one got seriously hurt because the flood happened during the day. The damage, however, was still really bad.

A new mosaic went up in 2000, marking where the floods occurred. Showing the storm on that day, the mosaic is in the Flood Garden, where houses once stood. The garden remembers lost property.

Today, Wray has a good village life. Residents remember the past but live well, away from town and city chaos. Cottages line the streets, dating back centuries.

The George and Dragon pub is a hit, especially for fish and chips on Fridays. People drink outside when it is sunny. Greenfoot Garden Centre, next to a tearoom, is another popular spot. People meet there for coffee and cake to enjoy the views.

Wray has culture, history, and nice houses. More important are its people. They really embody the spirit of the place.

Malcolm Evans manages Wray Village Store. After the old owners retired and the shop shut for three years, the community reopened it together, wanting a local shop.

Malcolm said the shop is the heart of Wray, a central place for everyone. Volunteers, all living in the village, help run the store. Redesigning the shop two years ago brought it back to life.

Local artists sell things in the store, and the scarecrow festival is important in keeping the business open. Cyclists often stop by, and the shop offers refillable products for laundry reuse.

Eco-friendly products sell well because they are often cheaper. Malcolm said the village has lots happening for such a small place.

Judith, a volunteer, said the festival came from France, brought back by a local who saw the tradition on holiday. Starting small, it now lasts a whole week and has been running for over 30 years.

People say Wray started this kind of festival and go all out every single time. This year, the festival begins on April 26th and ends on May 5th.

The first day has a 10k race, and a car boot sale is the next day. Other events include bike rides and adventure quests. The giant scarecrow parade, a big event, happens on Friday evening during festival week.