Iconic lake to come alive with dramatic procession of fire & light

Spark

One of England’s most beautiful lakes is to host the new ‘Ullswater Droving’ event on the evening of Wednesday 26 October – complete with a procession of fire, masks and music which will take in a 8 mile sailing through the Lakeland nightscape.

Staged by the award-winning Eden Arts, this colourful new event will get underway with the unique spectacle of Newcastle-based street performers ‘Spark! jumping on board a traditional steamer at Glenridding. The illuminated drummers will combine light, sound and movement as they sail up the lake, arriving at Pooley Bridge just as darkness falls to meet a multitude of masked torch bearers.

As the procession winds its way through the historic village, Spark! will take to the main stage to entertain the crowds, where everyone can gather around the bonfire.

Adrian Lochhead, Director of Eden Arts, says, “We are very excited about this special one-off event to mark the recovery of flood-hit Ullswater. Taking place at half-term, this ‘mini-droving’ is great for all the family and will combine all the elements we love – light, colour, music, dressing up and above, plenty of fun. 

 

“The sight of the LED lit drummers arriving to a torch-lit procession will definitely be a special moment and it will be the perfect warm-up for Penrith’s main Winter Droving event, which takes place on 12 November.”

Rachel Bell, Group Marketing & Events Manager at Ullswater ‘Steamers’ says, “We are really looking forward to welcoming the new Ullswater Droving, it will be a fantastic display of colour and light and the perfect opportunity for people to come together and celebrate the valley during the half term break.”

The timetable for Wednesday 26 October includes:

  • 4.40pm – Short performance from Spark! Glenridding steamer jetty
  • 4.55pm – Spark! leave Glenridding on board Ullswater Steamers
  • 5.15pm – Torchbearers gather at Pooley Bridge steamer jetty for arrival of Spark!
  • 6.00pm – Torch procession begins, from jetty through Pooley Bridge

Fire torchbearers are being encouraged to wear animal masks or to dress as a drover/shepherd (with flat caps or a touch of tweed).  Register online as a masked torchbearer. Donations of £2 per fire torch are requested.

The Ullswater Droving is a flood recovery event funded by Eden District Council, Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership. Thanks to The Lions, Ullswater Steamers, the Ullswater Association and Fellbites Café in Glenridding.

ENDS

 

Notes to Editors:

For media enquiries including images and interviews, please contact: Heather Sewell, 07795 487003 / hsewell@cumbriatourism.org

 

Eden Arts is a charitable arts organisation (charity no. 1139215) based in the Eden District, Cumbria, and funded by Eden District Council, Arts Council England and The Big Lottery. Eden Arts promotes, invents, dreams and cooks up all sorts of creative projects from commissions to participatory to gigs and cinema.  www.edenarts.co.uk

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