Beating drum for lights
PART of Cheltenham town centre was brought to a standstill as the impressive Spark! drummers caused a stir.
Hundreds of people turned out to see the performers as they made their way from The Brewery Quarter, up Promenade and on to Imperial Gardens.
Dressed in silver body suits and pointed silver hats and with their faces painted, the five drummers created an impressive piece of street theatre.
Their perfectly-timed drumming, mixed with different coloured lights, created spectacular sights and sounds.
People filled the pavement in Promenade and tried to get the best view they could of the action.
Some spilled on to the road and stewards had to make sure that traffic could safely get past.
Men, women and children smiled, took photographs and video and followed the group as they made their way to a big wheel that has been set up next to the Quadrangle in Imperial Gardens.
Saturday night’s entertainment was arrangwed by Cheltenham Business Improvement District to launch the start of the three-week Light Up Chel- tenham event.
The giant observation wheel forms the focal point of an expanded festival. It is the first time a wheel of this kind, standing at more than 35 metres high, has been brought to Cheltenham.
It is surrounded by floodlit buildings including the Queen’s Hotel, Cheltenham Town Hall, 131, and a terrace of ornate Regency buildings.
The colour schemes will change over the three weeks and on February 14, to celebrate Valentine’s Day, the whole town will turn red.
Close by, buildings like the Municipal Offices will also be floodlit, as will Neptune’s Fountain.
The event will spread across the town to areas and buildings including Boots Corner, The Brewery Quarter, John Lewis & Partners and the United Services Club.
The wheel will operate from 3pm every day with extended operating times at weekends and throughout the half-term holiday.
A ten-minute ride will cost £5 for an adult, £4 for a child and a family ticket is £15.
Further entertainment will be provided by the Photon Juggling LED Glow Show. Its members will perform in High Street on Saturday February 16 at the start of the half-term holiday.
Regarding the big wheel, Kevan Blackadder, BID director, said: “We’re delighted it’s already proving so popular and will certainly think about bringing it back for future events.
“There are no plans to extend its stay at the moment as The Giant Wheel
Company have other commitments elsewhere.”