Ulverston Lantern Procession
Saturday 18th September 2004
** This years theme - "Fur, Feather and Scales" **
The Ulverston Lantern Procession is a showcase of
the town’s imagination, artistic creativity and community spirit. Since first
initiated in 1984 by Welfare State International, it has gone from strength to strength
and we expect between six and seven hundred lanterns to be on show this year.
Lantern Making :
Lanterns are simple constructed from willow, tissue paper and glue and can be made by young and old alike. This year’s workshops are arranged at various venues around the area in the weeks preceding the event and everyone is welcome to attend. Details of these workshops are shown below. All materials, guidance and advice is provided, but you must add a little imagination based on this year’s theme –
Fur, Feather and Scales For those experienced in lantern making, kits are available at the workshops to take home and make up at your leisure. A small charge is payable for materials.
The Processions :
On the night of the procession, four separate rivers of light flow towards the town centre from each corner of town. They will start from Croftlands Community Centre at 7.45pm, The Parish Church at 7.45pm, The Auction Mart Car Park at 7.55pm and Hill Foot Hotel at 8.10pm. You must assemble in plenty of time to collect carrying poles and get all lanterns lit. Each procession will have marshals, first aid cover and a police escort.
We should be grateful to receive the help of a few extra responsible adults on the night so we have adequate cover at the start and on route. This duty is not onerous so please offer your services to the parade leader. Visitors from outside the town may find it easiest to join the Auction Mart start as there is ample parking here and it is only a short walk back after the finale in Ford Park.
The Town Centre and Spectators :
Each procession is accompanied by local bands which add a fiesta atmosphere to the occasion. The four processions merge into one big parade at the Market Cross at about 8.30pm and wend their way through the town towards Ford Park where the Spectacular Finale is held. The best viewing points for spectators are after the processions merge into one at the Market Cross and move down Market Place and Market Street, then along Union Street, Hart Street, and Ford Park Crescent before entering Ford Park. We advise spectators to spread out along this route as the area around Market Place can become very congested.
The Finale :
The Finale is due to start at about 9.15 pm as we must allow time for the many thousands of spectators to follow the Procession from the town centre and make their way into the Park. This part of the evening is organised by the artists from Welfare State International, and is always a spectacular mix of music, light, special effects and imagery and of course fireworks. We draw your attention to the importance of safety at this event and ask that all young children are closely supervised during the evening. A more detailed sheet of notes is available at all workshops.
Money Matters :
This year’s Lantern Procession is supported by grants from Ulverston Town Council and South Lakeland District Council. The event is free to all who both watch and participate, but we do hold a voluntary exit collection at Ford Park and we do ask for your support as this makes a significant contribution to the cost of staging the event. We have noticed a number of street pedlers coming into town in recent years. This is not really in keeping with the creative nature of the evening, and they do not come with the permission of the organisers and they make no contribution towards the event.
Further Information :
For further information or queries about the event and the lantern workshops please telephone 01229 580640 or 581127. Details are also available at the Tourist Information Centre who will be able to help with other information such as accommodation and transport in the area. They can be contacted at The Coronation Hall - 01229 587120.
Lantern Making Workshops 2004
Theme : Fur, Feather & Scales
Croftlands Community Centre :
Sat 11th Sept 10am to 7pm
Swarthmoor Reading Room :
Sat 11th Sept 1pm to 6pm
Sun 12th Sept 1pm to 6pm
Mon 13th Sept 6pm to 9pm
Lantern House, The Ellers :
Fri 10th Sept 4.30pm to 6.30pm 7.30pm to 9.30pm
Sat 11th Sept 1.00pm to 3.00pm 4.30pm to 6.30pm 7.30pm to 9.30pm
Sun 12th Sept 1.00pm to 3.00pm 4.30pm to 6.30pm 7.30pm to 9.30pm
Mon 13th Sept No Workshops
Tues 14th Sept 4.30pm to 6.30pm 7.30pm to 9.30pm
Wed 15th Sept 4.30pm to 6.30pm 7.30pm to 9.30pm
Thurs 16th Sept 4.30pm to 6.30pm 7.30pm to 9.30pm
The Walkers Hostel, Oubas Hill :
Mon 13th - Fri 17th Sept 1pm to 5pm each day
Broughton, Victory Hall :
Sun 15th Aug 11am to 4pm
We make every effort to adhere to planned timetables, but occasionally circumstances or weather conditions make last minute changes necessary.
Workshops will also be held at Lowick School, Lindal School, Kirkby School, Pennington School, Sir John Barrow School and St. Mary’s School (some sessions will be open to locals, others will be for school pupils only) Lantern Kits will be on sale on the outdoor market on SATURDAY 21ST AUGUST AND SATURDAY 28TH AUGUST.
For more information or specific details contact:-
Ulverston Tourist Information Office, Coronation
Hall Tel. 01229 587120
or
The Lantern Committee Secretary, Peter Winston Tel. 01229 580640
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