Lines such as “It’s crackin’ flags” and “I were reet chuffed” included in list of phrases you’ll only know if you’re from Lancashire.
Southerners clamouring to win a home up north have been given a lesson in how to talk like the locals.
Organisers behind the charity prize draw to win the £250,000 home in Blackburn, Lancashire, have put together the tongue-in-cheek guide to make sure the winners feel at home – after spotting many of the tickets had been snapped-up by people from down south.
To guarantee a full authentic experience, the charity has even thrown in some top notch northern cuisine, with free a year’s supply of Lancashire Hotpot included in the prize!
The new-build home was donated by house builder Kingswood Homes, to raise money for Derian House Children’s Hospice – with 100% of ticket sales going to help children with life-limiting illnesses from across the North West in The Great Big House Giveaway.
It was shaped by designer Wayne Hemingway’s team, as part of an award-winning development, and hopes to raise £300,000 for the charity.
Caroline Taylor, Head of Income, Marketing and Communications for Derian House Children’s Hospice, said: “When we realised our Great Big House Giveaway had attracted the attention of people from down south who wanted to come and live in the best place in the world – Lancashire – we decided to go out of our way to show them exactly how great their life could be!
“We think Lancashire has it all – beautiful countryside, great jobs, wonderful food, and best of all, friendly people who always have the time to stop for a chat. We wanted to make sure whoever wins this beautiful home can fit right in so created this handy guide to the local dialect!
“Tickets to the prize draw cost from £5 and having to raise £5million every single year to keep our hospice open means we’re grateful for every single ticket bought.”
Recent figures from Office of National Statistics and HM Land Registry echo the charity’s findings, pointing to an exodus from London, with almost 100,000 leaving the capital in the last 12 months.
Speculation as to reasons why include last year’s lockdowns and the rise in flexible working options, meaning people can move to someone where they can afford more space for their money.
And it seems Blackburn would be a good choice for people wanting to start a new life, after being named one of the happiest places to live in the UK in a recent study.
There will be a guaranteed winner of the prize draw, to be announced at a glittering gala ball in September 2022.
Paul Jones, Managing Director of Kingswood Homes, said: “We’ve been building in Blackburn for the past four years and have created a great family-friendly sense of community. There’s lots of residents who love the open space and the views.
“Our homes are built with love, care and attention and we’re proud to be giving away a brand new home to help raise money for families who need it most. “
Wayne Hemingway MBE, Blackburn-raised co-founder of HemingwayDesign, said: “We are incredibly proud of the Green Hills development. Having the opportunity to design a beautiful and very liveable housing development in my home town has been a joy. This charity initiative is the icing on the cake.”
Tickets start from just £5 for 6 entries. The more tickets bought, the better value, with £100 buying 250 entries. To buy tickets visit www.derianhouse.co.uk/house
Ten phrases you’ll only know if you’re from Lancashire
- Ey up cocker – salutation commonly used to greet friends and family members.
- Ow do? – how are you?
- It’s crackin’ flags – it’s very hot outside.
- I were reet chuffed – a way of describing how pleased you were.
- I’m cowd – I’m rather chilly.
- Ah, be reet – don’t worry, it will be fine.
- I’m sweatin’ cobs – I’m too hot.
- Mek us a brew – a kind invitation to make a cup of tea or coffee.
- Chippy tea – An evening meal consisting of chips. Usually also includes a pie and gravy.
- Ta-rah – a special Lancashire way of saying goodbye.
WATCH THE VIDEO GUIDE HERE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ro8x33tNTRA
