Ulverston Lantern procession

Last updated 11:35, Monday, 22 September 2008

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ULVERSTON LANTERN FESTIVAL --- Fireworks display at Ford Park for the climax of the festival. 20th Sept 08 JOE RILEY REF: 0450909

THOUSANDS of people lined the streets of Ulverston on Saturday to take part in one of the most spectacular Lantern Processions in the event’s 26-year history.
Some 600 lantern bearers paraded through the town for the traditional finale of the two-week Charter Festival celebrations.
Extravagant candle-lit lanterns inspired by the parade’s Wild Thing theme lit up the night.
Groups of lantern-bearing marchers – each accompanied by a band – set off from meeting points across town.
Processions gathered at Croftlands Community Centre, Ulverston Parish Church and the Auction Mart before converging at County Square.
Everyone then proceeded to Ford Park for the parade’s finale, where entertainment led by Ulverston Community Arts Network rounded off a fantastic night.
Residents from across the area had been busy at workshops for the past week creating a variety of distinctive lanterns for the night using willow, tissue paper and glue. And this year’s theme of Wild Things inspired some of the most imaginative lanterns to date.
Many voluntary community groups did a great job of organising and overseeing the events at Ford Park for the first time since the parade started in 1983.
Ulverston mayor Janette Jenkinson was presented with a surprise lantern on the behalf of the Lantern Committee at the Masked Charity Ball at the Coronation Hall on Friday evening.
Ulverston Community Arts Network member Ness Wilson, who was heavily involved with organising the event finale, said: “We got a great turnout and we were very, very lucky with the weather.

“But I think that was a break that everybody deserved after the summer we have had.
“Those few days leading up to the parade and culminating with Saturday evening, it just really worked for us. It just made life so much easier.
“Everything went as planned and even though I was on the field all night, I don’t think there were any hold ups or problems.
“The parade was led by the fairies Mary and Emma, who we were pleased to be put at the front. They went down the roadsides and entertained all the crowds and did a great job.
“The fireworks went fantastically. Our budget was less than in previous years but the fireworks group were very enthusiastic and they put in a whole lot of effort to maximise what we had.
“It was certainly the best community led Lantern Procession because it was the first one, so nobody can deny that.
“Overall, it’s definitely up there because people were having a great time and when we came to clear up everybody drifted away very happily.”