On the 18th of July, Bacup and Stacksteads basked in glorious sunshine, with the streets of Bacup adorned in festive decorations. St James Street was festooned with colourful bunting, and the Market Hall and Court House were similarly adorned. On Burnley Road, St John’s Sunday School featured a floral archway over the gates, interwoven with roses, flags, and greenery. The top of the building was decorated to resemble a roof garden, with the words “Right is Might” spelt out in red flowers. In memory of the fallen, the East Lancashire regimental badge was displayed, crowned with a laurel wreath.
The Liberal Club was also beautifully decorated, with the words “Welcome to Our Boys” crafted in national-coloured flowers above the door. A large archway spanned the road from the Liberal Club to Mr Wright Solicitors’ offices. The front of the arch, facing King George, was adorned with large photographs of Sir Douglas Haig and Admiral Beatty, topped with a crown and the mottos “Welcome to Our Brave Boys” and “Victory and Peace.” On the opposite side, facing up Burnley Road, were photographs of the King and Queen.
The same motto adorned the front of the Mechanics, accompanied by photographs of the King and Queen. The Maden Memorial was beautifully decorated with foxgloves and geraniums. The Conservative Club featured similar decorations, with photographs, flowers, and the motto prominently displayed. Various shops on Market Street were festooned with flags, images of kings and queens, and crowns. Manchester House had a window decorated with musical figures representing the first notes of the National Anthem.
The window sills of the Swan Hotel were adorned with window boxes containing ferns and heathers. Another decorative arch had been erected at the junction of Newline and Newchurch road and the gates and surroundings of St Saviour’s School were also bedecked in flowers.
At 9:30 AM, a special Thanksgiving service was held at Stubbylee Park, with music provided by the Irwell Springs and Stacksteads Bands. Later in the afternoon, another service was attended by all the schools and Sunday schools in the area, except for St Joseph’s and St Mary’s.
The processions were organized into two parts: one for the Bacup children and one for the Stacksteads children. It was said that 6,000 children participated, and it took over 45 minutes to get them all into their respective roped-off places once they arrived at the park. Over 5,500 peace medals were produced and distributed to the children. The medals came in two sizes: one the size of a five-shilling piece and the other the size of a half-crown. One side of the medal depicted a warrior surrendering his sword to the Angel of Peace, while the other side bore the inscription “To commemorate the victorious conclusion of the Great War.” Each medal was attached to a red, white, and blue ribbon
