Stars including Wayne Hemingway MBE and comedian Tez Ilyas brought inspiration, insight and plenty of laughter to Hyndburn’s thriving creative community at a standout event held at Accrington Stanley’s Wham Stadium on Thursday.
Hyndburn Borough Council’s “Create Local, Go Global” event welcomed creatives and budding entrepreneurs from across the borough for a free half-day programme designed to showcase how local talent can achieve global success.
The event celebrated the strength of Hyndburn’s creative sector, highlighting the journeys of Lancashire-based entrepreneurs who have built national and international reputations while staying rooted in their communities.
Comedian Tez Ilyas opened proceedings with an engaging and humorous talk that traced his career from local beginnings to national recognition. Sharing stories from his journey through sold-out Edinburgh Fringe shows, UK tours and appearances on programmes such as Live at the Apollo and Mock the Week, he struck a chord with the audience by blending honesty, humour and inspiration.
He was joined by Wayne Hemingway MBE and fellow entrepreneurs Zara Neild of Zara’s Cakes, Zara Saghir and Jamie Holman for a dynamic panel discussion hosted by William Seabrook. The conversation explored the evolving nature of creative careers, the importance of staying connected to local roots while scaling beyond geographical boundaries, and the growing influence of social media and AI within the creative industries.
The event also featured an interactive Q&A session, giving attendees the opportunity to engage directly with the panel and gain valuable insights into building and sustaining creative careers.
A strong sense of community was evident throughout the day, with attendees receiving specially curated goodie bags featuring a logo designed by students from Accrington & Rossendale College. The bags were filled with items generously donated by local creative businesses, further showcasing the depth of talent within the area.
Guests also enjoyed a variety of stalls offering everything from artisan cakes to stylish tote bags, alongside a freshly prepared lunch by Accrington Stanley’s events team. The relaxed setting provided ample opportunity for networking, collaboration and conversations with speakers following the event.
Panel host William Seabrook said: “We’ve had a brilliant guest speaker in Tez, and the panel have been amazing. It has been really inspiring in terms of what’s going on in the local area and also the people, the talent and the opportunities that are going on here. It has been a fantastic event, and I was delighted to be part of it.”
Cllr Kimberley Whitehead, Deputy Leader of Hyndburn Borough Council and Cabinet Member for Culture, Heritage and Arts, said: “It has been a great event and it just shows how important culture, heritage and arts can be within Accrington town centre.”
Wayne Hemingway MBE said: “This is my first time in Accrington Stanley’s new-ish facility and it’s pretty smart. The views across the pitch are fab and the views across to the hills, which I have always enjoyed when I have been to this ground, but it just seems like a really flexible, well-thought-out space, perfect for an event like this.”
The “Create Local, Go Global” event marks another step in Hyndburn Borough Council’s commitment to nurturing local talent and empowering creatives to think big, reinforcing the message that global success can start right at home.
Funding for this event has been provided by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
