ALL SET FOR VALLEY OF LIGHTS
Tuesday, 27 November 2012
Hebden Bridge and Mytholmroyd are gearing up for their Valley of Lights parades with organisers promising two spectacular nights to provide a welcome boost to both towns.
Todmorden lit the fuse on the Valley of Lights festival on Saturday when two hundred people turned out to parade, with several hundred more lining the streets to watch and on Thursday it’s Hebden Bridge’s chance to shine.
Photo: Ian Hodgson
The Hebden Bridge parade will begin at 6.30pm and those taking part are asked to collect their lanterns from the Handmade Parade workshops in Victoria Road at 5.45pm. The parade will weave its way along Valley Road, through St George’s Square, Crown Street, Cheetham Street and Albert Street and back though St George’s Square to Bridge Gate.
The procession will end with a spectacular fire finale at Bridge Gate at around 7.25pm with giant puppets, shadow puppets, dance, fire drawings, music and a display by local fire performer Fire Man Dave. Stay late for the night markets featuring special night time street performers, canal boat light flotillas, illuminated sculptures and strolling bands.
Arrive early to see Santa and sing your first carol of the year at the Hebden lights switch on from 5.30pm onwards in St. George’s Square.
On the same evening, the Valley of Lights Night Bike Light Ride will set off from Bramsche Square in Todmorden at 7.15pm, with 200 cyclists riding illuminated bikes heading up the valley through Hebden Bridge and arriving in Mytholmroyd around 8.40pm.
Organisers are urging anyone who took part in the Todmorden or Hebden Bridge parades to join in the Mytholmroyd parade which will take place at 5.45pm on Saturday December 1 starting at the Community Centre car park, following the lights switch on at 5pm. Participants are asked to collect their lanterns at the line up from 5pm.
The procession will end with a spectacular fire finale at the Russell Dean car park around 6.30pm with giant puppets, shadow puppets, dance, fire drawings and music. Stay late for the night markets featuring special nighttime street performers, canal boat light flotillas, illuminated sculptures and strolling bands.
Organisers are urging participants and spectators to walk or use public transport for both events. Handmade Parade would be very grateful for anyone who would like to volunteer to steward at one or both of the parades to contact them at info@handmadeparade.co.uk
Valley of Lights is a free family festival, organised my Totally Locally and partners and funded by Calderdale Council, which aims to support Hebden Bridge, Todmorden and Mytholmroyd in their recovery from the summer floods and give people from far and wide a reason to visit the town and have some fun.
For more information about the Valley of Lights festival, which is being funded by Calderdale Council, and the full programme of events visit www.valleyoflights.co.uk - to support Handmade Parade in producing this and other events in the upper Calder Valley, go to the Local Giving web page - every £10 donation will be matchfunded by the government!
Help Light up the Valley
Tuesday, 20 November 2012
Free lantern making workshops for the Hebden Bridge Valley of Lights parade start on Wednesday (21) with organisers hoping for a bumper turn out.
The workshops will be held at the Handmade Parade workshops in Victoria Road on November 21 from 4-6pm, yesterday, Sunday November 25 from 2-4pm and Tuesday November 27 from 4-6pm.
A team of Handmade Parade artists and some fantastic volunteers will be on hand to help you make your own lantern, either a basic one in one 2-hour session or come to all sessions to make a more elaborate illuminated masterpiece!
The Hebden Bridge parade will take place at 6.30pm on Thursday November 29, starting from the Handmade Parade workshop. The parade will weave its way along Valley Road, through St George’s Square, Crown Street, Cheetham Street and Albert Street and back though St George’s Square to Bridge Gate.
The procession will end with a spectacular fire finale at around 7.25pm with giant puppets, shadow puppets, dance, fire drawings and music. Stay late for the night markets featuring special nighttime street performers, illuminated sculptures and strolling bands.
Arrive early to see Santa and sing your first carol of the year at the Hebden lights switch on from 5.30pm onwards in St. George’s Square.
On the same evening, the Valley of Lights Night Bike Light Ride will set off from Bramsche Square in Todmorden at 7.15pm, with 200 cyclists riding illuminated bikes heading up the valley thrugh Hebden Bridge and arriving in Mytholmroyd around 8.40pm.
Mytholmroyd workshops will be held at Calder High School on Thursday November 22 from 4-6pm, Sunday November 25 from 2-4pm and Monday November 26 from 4-6pm. The Mytholmroyd parade will take place at 5.45pm on Saturday December 1 starting at the Community Centre car park following the Lights switch on at 5pm.
Todmorden will be lighting the fuse on a spectacular lantern procession and fiery finale on Saturday 24 November when the first lantern parade takes place for the Valley of Lights festival.
Maps by Kerith Ogden
Valley of Lights Winter Processions
12th November 2012
Handmade Parade are lighting the fuse on some spectacular lantern processions and fiery finales in Todmorden, Hebden Bridge and Mytholmroyd as part of the Valley of Lights festival.
Valley of Lights is a free family festival, organised my Totally Locally and partners, which aims to support Hebden Bridge, Todmorden and Mytholmroyd in their recovery from the summer floods and give people from far and wide a reason to visit the town and have some fun.
In the days leading up to each town's event, a team of Handmade Parade artists will host free lantern-making workshops. You'll get help to make your very own lantern, either a basic one in one 2-hour session or to return as many times as you like to create your own sculptural illuminated masterpiece!
Todmorden workshops will be held at Todmorden High School in Ewood Lane this Saturday (17th) and Sunday (18th) from 2-4pm and Tuesday November 20 from 4-6pm. The Todmorden Parade will take place at 5pm on Saturday November 24, starting from Bramsche car park. And if you can’t make the workshops, Kids Fest is happening at Todmorden Town Hall from 12-4pm on the day of the parade, where you can make a lantern, a costume and get your face painted. Todmorden Christmas lights switch on is from 4pm onwards.
Hebden Bridge workshops will be held at the Handmade Parade workshops, unit 5, Victoria Road on Wednesday November 21 from 4-6pm, Sunday November 25 from 2-4pm and Tuesday November 27 from 4-6pm. The Hebden Bridge Parade will take place at 6.30pm on Thursday November 29, starting from the Handmade Parade workshop. Come early to see Santa and sing your first carol of the year at the Hebden Lights Switch on from 5.30pm onwards in St. George’s Square.
Mytholmroyd workshops will be held at Calder High School on Thursday November 22 from 4-6pm, Sunday November 25 from 2-4pm and Monday November 26 from 4-6pm. The Mytholmroyd parade will take place at 5.45pm on Saturday December 1 starting at the Community Centre car park following the Lights Swith On at 5.
Each procession will end with a spectacular fire finale in the town centre with giant puppets, shadow puppets, dance, fire drawings and music. Stay late for the night markets featuring special nighttime street performers, illuminated sculptures and strolling bands.
Handmade Parade will also be coordinating a beautiful illuminated installation on the canal in each town by Spacecadets Marvel at canal boats festooned in lights and covered in illuminated floating sculptures. A sight not to be missed!
For more information about the Valley of Lights festival, which is being funded by Calderdale Council, and the full programme of events visit www.valleyoflights.co.uk
To support Handmade Parade in producing this and other events in the upper Calder Valley, go to this local giving web page - every £10 donation will be matchfunded by the government!
Previously, on HebWeb
2012 Parade Photos and footage
See HebWeb Gallery of photos 2012
Guardian - Hebden Bridge Handmade Parade - in pictures
YouTube Video x 4 from Fran Robinson of the Mytholmroyd Net
ITV Calendar: Flood carnivals attract record crowd
Photos
See HebWeb Gallery of photos 2011
HebWeb Photos of Handmade Parade 2010
HebWeb Photos of Handmade Parade 2009
HebWeb Photos of Handmade Parade 2008
See also
HebWeb News: Handmade Parade organisers are urging people to dig deep to help make next year's parade even more spectacular. (26 September 2012)
HebWeb News: After the floods, the sun shone on the Parade (July 2012)
HebWeb News: Handmade Parade will lift town's spirits (June 2012)
HebWeb News: Prepare to be enchanted by the biggest and best Handmade Parade yet (June 2012)
HebWeb News: Handmade Parade 2012: Come and make magic in The Enchanted Wood (29 May 2012)
HebWeb News: Handmade Parade 2012: Join the skills classes (1st May 2012)
HebWeb News: Parade Spark Day is a Hit (March 2012)
HebWeb News: Handmade Parade to go ahead on 23 June
HebWeb News: The Fabulous Feast delights Hebden Bridge - June 2011
HebWeb Forum thread - June 2011
HebWeb News: Handmade Parade: Get ready to make some mouth-watering food art - 7 June 2011
HebWeb News: Handmade Parade: Get ready to make some mouth-watering food art - 24 May 2011
HebWeb News: Handmade Parade will be a 'Fabulous Feast'
HebWeb News: Which will come first - the giant chicken or the eggs? - March 2011
HebWeb News - Feb-March 2011