Lantern Procession with Fire Sculptures

Variety of Lanterns

PHOTO DIARY OF EVENTS AS THEY HAPPENED

FESTIVAL FIT FOR A QUEEN
As a thousand people of all ages processed through the magical world of New Mills Torrs on Saturday evening, three weeks of fun-packed festivities drew to a fitting climax. Willow and paper lanterns, ingeniously crafted into all manner of shapes – fish, birds, planets, boats – bobbed along, casting their warm glow on the happy crowds. The Torrs looked resplendent, lit by hundreds of flaring lights and fire sculptures. Children and adults lingered, open-mouthed at the effects which were beautifully mirrored in the waters of the river Goyt. Finally, the sky itself was awash with fireworks, when the procession ended at Wirksmoor Road Recreation Ground.

Jubilee Fun for All
This year’s extended Festival provided a community-wide programme to mark Her Majesty the Queen’s Golden Jubilee. With events aimed to appeal to all ages, ranging from children’s events which included a film-show, a magician, felt-picture making, hands-on science and a schools residency with the storyteller “Creeping Toad”, through a “Battle of the Bands” especially for teenagers, to a range of musical events, drama, film, poetry, comedy and art for older people. Many of the events – including the hugely successful lantern-making workshops and an extremely energetic “Final Fling Ceilidh” - were happy and inclusive family occasions.

All over Town!
In keeping with the community-based identity of the Festival, events took place in a variety of venues across New Mills. Whilst the centre of activities was appropriately the Town Hall (through the generous support of the Town Council), the children’s activities included the use of all local primary schools, the film “Monsoon Wedding” was screened in the public room of The Swan, Rohan McCullough performed ‘The Tale of Beatrix Potter’ in New Mills School Hall, ‘Force Five’ Wind Quintet played in St James’ Church, Poems and Pasta evenings were held in the Gioia Mia Café, Heartbeat Chorus and New Mills Junior Band played on ‘The Prom’ and an enthusiastically received Comedy Night was staged at Chalkers on the A6.

The Festival Umbrella
As well as events planned and staged by the organising Committee, New Mills Festival provides an “umbrella” under which other organisations can contribute to the Festival programme. St George’s Church staged three events: a concert featuring the town’s own Kinder Handbell Ringers, a ‘Songs of Praise’ with New Mills United Norwest Coop Band and a Harvest Choral Evensong with their own and Disley Church Choirs. New Mills Local History Society included two events in the Festival: an informative talk by Sir Martin Doughty on the makings of the town and the launch of a fascinating new photo record of New Mills through the last century. New Mills School PTA held an evening with local band “White Van Man”.

Resounding Success
With attendance at events well over the two thousand mark, this year’s Jubilee Festival has been an all-round success. Thanks to assistance from sponsors and supporters, the whole community has had access to an exciting and fun-filled programme. Now the planning begins all over again for next year’s Festival. (Philip Kendall - Sept 2002)

New Mills Festival set to beat its own record!
After the huge success of Festival 2001, the committee planning this September's community Festival in New Mills has taken on a formidable task! Nevertheless, it is confident that Jubilee Festival 2002 will be even bigger and better. In a full programme of events extending over the longer period of three weeks this year, new activities have been booked to widen the Festival's appeal and draw in even more fun-seekers, both young and old. Of course, events will wind up again with a Grand Lantern Light Procession through the Torrs, with two samba bands and set against a background of fire sculptures and concluding fireworks - New Mills' answer to the closing ceremony of the Commonwealth Games!

Three weeks of "Fun for All"
Events begin on Saturday August 31st with a concert from the renowned Foden's Curtois Band. They will be playing in New Mills Town Hall. Big musical events happen there on each of the Saturdays: on September 7th New Lights Big Band with GB Jive provide the scene for some energetic dancing; on Saturday September 14th local group Klesmic are in concert, playing eastern European and Jewish music, sharing stage with the Opanka Romanian Dancers; on the final Saturday, 21st September, the Grand Procession is followed up by a Ceilidh, with Marple-based "High Jinks Band".

New activities
For younger Festival fans, this year's programme includes a Showcase Battle of the Bands on Friday September 13th. Five local bands who have won through from auditions will be playing their kinds of music for an enthusiastic audience and celebrity judges to win valuable equipment, together with the chance of a special solo gig. Big Screen Cinema has been booked: "Monsoon Wedding" for the grown-ups on Wednesday 4th September and "Jimmy Neutron, Boy Genius" for the children on Thursday 19th September. On Sunday afternoon September 8th Jubilee Festival 2002 goes classical, with music by the "Force Five" wind quintet to include pieces by Eric Satie, Steve Dunachie and Malcolm Arnold. The musical items will be interspersed with poetry readings by local writer Barbara Jagger and celebrity poet Adrian Tissier..

The tip of the iceberg!
These are just a selection of the main events. The full programme includes a return visit of international actress Rohan McCullough (who performed "Testament of Youth" to a spell-bound audience last year) presenting her moving dramatisation "The Tale of Beatrix Potter". There is a magic show for children, the return of Exploding Custard, a comedy night at Chalkers for adults, Library events for young and old, including a talk about the Peakland writer Crichton Porteous, a schools residency by Buxton storyteller "Creeping Toad", Songs of Praise, Musical Concert, street entertainment, Art and Craft days, Lantern-making workshops , a History Society evening and other 'fringe' activities.

If you would like to be involved in organising or running New Mills Festival
get in touch with the Festival Committee via Janet Allan, Tel 01663 744233.
View the previous programmes of activities for the Millennium Festival and Festival 2001.