Although the cotton industry was in decline by the middle of the twentieth century, in the 1950s and 1960s people were still coming from India and Pakistan to work alongside native Lancastrians in the remaining mills. By this time cotton had given way to exciting new fibres such as rayon and viscose, also known as artificial silk.

Anyone who has worked in the textile industry is invited to share their memories and photographs at an event at Blackburn library on Wednesday, 10 September at 2pm.

Author Alison Boyle will begin the event by reading from her novel, ‘From Pakistan to Preston’. Set in 1972, it celebrates the region’s distant past in cotton as well as more recent stories of factory life, as a background to the developing relationship between young workers, Sunehri and Tommy. Love across communities was disapproved of at that time and the novel explores the tensions between their families and friends as they try to find happiness together against the odds. The event will end with a simple workshop making tassels and parandas using traditional techniques. There will also be opportunity for people to share their own experiences.

The event is a trailblazer for ‘Colours, community and chemistry’ , a new exhibition taking place at the People’s History Museum in Manchester from 8 October to 15 January.

Admission to the event is £1 and includes light refreshments.

Numbers are limited so booking is advised. Tickets are available from Blackburn library – call 01254 661221 or email library@blackburn.gov.uk