"Fun for All" is the promise made in the publicity for New Mills Festival 2001. The second and third weeks of September will provide wall-to-wall enjoyment for families of the Town in a packed programme of events.

GEORGE MELLY FOR STARTERS!
Yes, it's definite! The legendary George Melly, with John Chilton's Footwarmers, will be swinging the Festival off to a start on Saturday 8th September.

He will be appearing for a full evening's concert at the Town Hall, by arrangement with New Mills Town Council, who lend their support to the Festival each year by booking a headline attraction. Jazz enthusiasts will be advised to get their tickets early!

FISH LANTERNS & FIREWORKS TO END!
So successful was the final Saturday's Lantern-lit Procession through the Torrs last year, Festival 2001 will again end with a procession and then a bang! Lantern-making classes will take place throughout the fortnight. Willow-bending and covering is patiently taught so that individuals and families can walk by lantern-light through the ice-age gorge. But there will be other lights too! Pa-boom, a firm of pyrotechnic specialists, is being engaged to finish off the procession in grand style with a firework display.

SOMETHING FOR EVERY TASTE!
Already booked are the internationally famous actress Rohan McCullough, presenting her solo dramatisation of Vera Brittain's poignant First World War experiences in "Testament of Youth"; then Strines' own June and Tony Broughton will be re-staging in workshop form their 1990 Edinburgh Festival success "Retracing Routes to Freedom", which relates the stirring resilience of the Hungarian doctor, Edith Bone, who spent seven years in solitary confinement accused of spying.

For the children, "Exploding Custard" will be back, by popular request, proving that Science can be really exciting stuff! There will be an evening at The Arts Theatre when "New Mills Presents…", showcasing music, dance and entertainment from a host of talented local performers. More frenetic sounds will shake the Town Hall when The New Lights Big Band and JP Jive take dancers back to the glorious days of Rock and Roll. No worries for those who are not old enough to remember - the dance evening includes easy instruction on how to jive and bop!

THAT'S NOT HALF OF IT!
An Edith Nesbit's "Railway Children" day at New Mills Central combined with a Torrs Interest Trail; Library Booktalk; Art in the Cyber Café; the ever popular poetry evening at Gioa Mia; a Magic Show for the children; a poet in residence for local schools; guided town walk; a not-to-be-missed opportunity for all ages to get into the beat with "Drum Talk" - group drumming circle workshops led by celebrated rhythmic facilitator Paul Dear; competitions; displays; all adding up to non-stop community enjoyment ….. New Mills is set for its best Festival ever.

LOCALLY ORGANISED - LOCALLY SPONSORED!
Several Firms and Organisations have already taken up the opportunity to lend their tangible support to the Festival - though, surprisingly, many others are slow to respond to the invitation which was widely circulated earlier this year.
See SUPPORT & SPONSORSHIP-FORM

Sponsors currently signed up are: "Framed" of Albion Road, Hyperlast of Birch Vale, Focal Design, Derbyshire County Council, New Mills Town Council, High Peak Borough Council, Anonymous well-wisher.

CONTACTS 2001
Chair of Festival Committee: Nigel Caldwell
Secretary: Janet Allan
Treasurer Philip Kendall

Full Programme of Events
with further Details and Ticket prices