Light parade set to unite thousands

STUART PIKE

THOUSANDS of people are expected to be involved in a spectacular Valley of Light lantern procession later this year.

Since its first year in 2015, the Stacksteadsbased project has grown and this year around 4,000 people are expected to take part.

Organisers say the parade, in October, will be the culmination of 48 lantern-making workshops.

Jackie Oakes, communications officer for Stacksteads Countryside Park Group, said the event is expanding to involve groups all over the Valley.

She said: “The Valley of Light is going to be an amazing procession uniting and bringing together the diverse communities of Rossendale in a colourful celebration. ●● Alec Knapper with his lantern in last year’s procession

“The project has grown significantly since that first year, which is why we now have experts from Horse and Bamboo to manage the project on our behalf. Community Artist Ruth Evans will again be our lead artist and workshop organiser, along with her son Felix as co-artist.”

This year the event is also extending into Haslingden and involving south Asian arts and heritage group Apna Rossendale.

Jackie added: “We hope that the Haslingden residents will come along and join the procession in October, but we will have a smaller-scale installation in their area if it is required.

“The making sessions will be held at different times during the day and at locations across Rossendale including Acre Mill and Globe Arts in Stacksteads, The Boilerhouse in Waterfoot and Bacup Cricket Club.”

The Arts Council has provided £15,000 of the total £21,000 budget, with additional funding from Lancashire County Council’s neighbourhood wellbeing initiative, Rossendale Community Fund and Living Well Living Better and support in kind.

Other community groups involved in the workshops include: Rubicon, Seniors Together In Rossendale, Bacup Pride, Weir Pride, children from Holy Trinity and St Joseph’s primary schools, Newchurch Residents’ Association and Stubbylee Community Greenhouses.

Lantern workshops will be held from July until October, please check out www. stacksteadscpg. co. uk/ for more details or join the Stacksteads Countryside Park Group Facebook page.

Ruth Evans described last year’s parade as a “magical” coming together of the community.