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