A Summer Festival of Sunshine, Smiles and St Helens Heritage

The historic No. 7 Bottle Shop at Cannington Shaw was a hub of activity at the weekend, as families, local heritage enthusiasts and curious newcomers flocked to a free Summer Festival.

Bathed in sunshine, the event successfully celebrated the local community, while offering a glimpse into the building’s industrial past and a bright future.

Attendees of all ages enjoyed a range of activities, from arts and crafts like glass mosaic making and basic blacksmithing, to classic fairground fun with face painting and a carousel ride. The festival also offered guided tours of the iconic Bottle Shop, providing a unique opportunity to learn about its rich history and the vision for its future.

We wanted to bring people together, have some family fun and show them what Cannington Shaw is all about.

Family-Friendly Festival Activities

“With the school holidays starting, we wanted to bring people together, have some family fun and show them what Cannington Shaw is all about,” said John Tabern, Chairman and Project Director of the Cannington Shaw Preservation Trust CIC. “It was fantastic to see so many people here today, many of whom were discovering the Bottle Shop for the first time.”

The sentiment was shared by visitors, including Sharon from Rainford. “Events like this really help to bring the community together,” she said. “Finding things for young children to do can be really expensive and the activities here today are so accessible and high-quality. We’re going home with fantastic mosaic coasters and iron door hooks that we made ourselves!”

Free events like today give children a chance to try out some crafts they might otherwise not have access to.

In a nod to the building’s legacy in the glass industry, Anna from The Make and Do Den ran a popular workshop where visitors created “wish bottles.” “It was fantastic to see people of all ages unleash their creativity,” Anna said. “Art materials can be expensive. Free events like today give children a chance to try out some crafts they might otherwise not have access to.”

Another visitor, Lynne, a former glass industry worker who now lives in Warrington, took a guided tour after hearing about the event from her daughter. “The tour was so interesting and informative,” she said. “It’s really good to see this old building being brought back to life so that it can be used by future generations.”

It’s really good to see this old building being brought back to life.

Support the Bottle Shop

The Cannington Shaw Preservation Trust CIC is committed to preserving this incredible piece of St Helens’ history for future generations. Your support is vital! To learn more about our ongoing projects and discover how you can get involved—from volunteering to donating— you can follow No. 7 Bottle Shop on Facebook. There are some great events planned for the future, including music and exhibitions and they hope to see you there!