From the 2006 website:
A selection of photos:
Lantern Procession
Preparations
2006's Festival theme was “Celebrating
Our Community” .
IT’S
COMING SOON !
The Community Festival is the highlight of September for the residents
of New Mills. With events beginning as early as the weekend of the 8th
with St George’s Flower Festival and the main fortnight’s
programme running from the 16th to 31st, it promises to be a busy and
fun-packed month. Guaranteed to blow away those back-to-school and back-to-work
blues, there are events for all ages and to suit all interests.
POPULAR LANTERN PROCESSION
One event that is firmly on the calendar and which attracts visitors
from way beyond High Peak is the Lantern Procession on the final Saturday
evening. One week later this year, the Procession will take place on
Saturday 30th September, beginning at the Mousley Bottom end of The
Torrs at 7:30 pm. Fire efeects that have been previously constructed
at weekend workshops will line the route through The Torrs and across
the award-winning Millennium Walkway.
The organisers expect more lanterns than ever this year. Lantern-making
workshops (throughout Festival fortnight) are being moved to New Mills
Town Hall to accommodate the ever-growing number of keen lantern designers.
The theme this year is “Celebrating Our Community”. Once
again the procession will end on Wirksmore Road Recreation Ground, where
New Mills School Jazz Band are booked to entertain the crowds as they
arrive from the walk. Refreshments will be available to purchase and
it is hoped that there will a surprise element of fantastically projected
aerial images.
POETRY AND WHIZZ-BANGS
During Festival fortnight the popular writer and entertainer Andy Tooze,
The Poet of The Peak, will be leading workshops in all the local schools.
On the night of the Lantern Procession, there will be another special
feature – a Poets’ Corner – where Andy and local children
will be reading their poems to entertain the crowds. Of course, once
everyone has assembled on the field, the music will stop, the poets
will be silent and the fireworks finale will complete a magical evening.
EVENTS
FOR ALL
Whatever your age or taste, there will be something in The Festival
that is intended for you! Back by popular demand, James Ruffell is performing
another tribute evening to the king of rock and roll in an Elvis on
Tour show at the Art Theatre. Not quite you? Then maybe a concert by
the pupils of The Music Studio in the lovely surroundings of St James’
will be more your thing. Or do you prefer a more intimate show with
drama, music and reminiscences?
Then join the small audiences at The Volunteer Centre for Freedom Lost
which traces the experiences of evacuees in the 1940s. For humour, try
Chalkers Comedy Night compered by Agraman. Sporty? Maybe The Fun Run
is your thing. From Flower Festival to Foody Evenings (with poetry as
well), From Family History to Open Allotments, From Quiz Night to Chrysanthemum
Show, New Mills Community Festival has it all!
THREE TALKS
In recent years, the Derek Brumhead slide lecture has become a central
focus of The Festival. This year his chosen topic is The Mills of New
Mills, fitting well with the “Celebrating Our Community”
theme. Be sure to arrive early as the Town Hall will be packed.
Another local celebrity, Sir Martin Doughty, is giving a talk entitled
The Kinder Trespass, New Mills and A Walk on the Wild Side. Next year
is the 75th anniversary of The Mass Trespass: Sir Martin will be tracing
how that protest sowed the seeds for access to the countryside and led
to the establishment of our national parks – a big claim for New
Mills!
A third talk on the theme of our community will be given by Dr Jon Fyne
who will be explaining The Dialect of New Mills and North West Derbyshire.
This is based on his recent research and will be a definite “first”
for The Festival.
AND THE REST…
Brass Band Concert, Mysteries of a Medieval Knight’s Quest, Book-evening
on Country Living, ‘Broadway Rocks’ at The Art Theatre,
Cricket Challenge Match, Open Garden at The Grange, European Car-free
Day, Goytside Eco-Walk, Quiz Night, Children’s Cinema, …….
even events which are now being added to the action-packed programme.
A busy time will be had by all!
RELAX
If all this sounds too much and you need to learn to relax and chill
out, then perhaps the one evening to mark in the programme is the Aromatherapy,
Reiki and Reflexology event. At least you will know how to wind down
when The Festival is over! Or perhaps you would like to share in an
evening of Festival Praise on Sunday 1st October in St James’
– positively the final event – and sing along to United
Coop New Mills Band to give thanks for all the fun and festivities.
Sponsorship
Several local firms have already offered sponsorship to ensure the success
of September’s events. Further sponsorship is always most welcome
– for details phone 01663 746074 and ask for Phil.
The Derbyshire Building Society
Beth Atkins – County Councillor
Focal Design Ltd
High Peak Mortgages & Loans Ltd
Hyperlast Ltd
Jackson Hammond Design Ltd
New Mills Dental Practice
New Mills Healthy Living Network
New Mills Town Council
New Mills Wives Group
