NEW MILLS FESTIVAL – THE PLACES AND SPACES OF 2022
THE SHOW WENT ON
After the disappointing cancellation of the Lantern Procession in 2022, the show did, of course, go on. We celebrated New Mills Festival, as we hope we always will, with local events for and by local people. It was another year of musical entertainment, of comedy, and the unusual experiences that demonstrate our town’s capacity for fun and exploration. We’d like to hear your memories of Festivals past.
Did you go to one of the Walkers Are Welcome tours of the town? Perhaps your appetite for knowing more about the town led you to the Local History Society’s annual talk? Did you visit the Talking Space Park Road phone box converted into a splendid yarn space ship for two weeks, maybe stopping there to lose yourself in the space story telling?
EXPLORING THE THEME “PLACES AND SPACES”
New Mills Festival theme for 2022 “Places and Spaces”, inspired by the past and brought to life in the present. New Mills was part of the High Peak King’s Forest, our roots in rock, our Places and Spaces inhabited by Forest Animals and given form by the ancient and mighty trees.
With all that in mind, it was obvious which event I needed to attend.
Professor Wormcast’s Worm Safari.
What could be more fitting?
Naturally, I wanted my friends to benefit from this exclusive to New Mills Safari. So we met in the Royal Oak, comparing the various accessories we had with us – torches, hats, gloves; New Mills in a September evening can be chilly. We had a warming beverage (OK, beer) before we left the pub at 22:25 prompt to make the long journey to the start of the Safari (three doors down).
There were a few people gathered, some were even sober. Professor Wormcast’s delightful mix of strict serious educator (of course) with a calm approach to maintaining order in his unruly group, and a willingness to explain all aspects of worm hunting so long as they were “within scope” was perfect.
We meandered through flower beds, rummaged in the bushes, screamed with excitement when the torches caught sight of a sudden slithering disappearance of one of the much desired sightings of worms in their native surroundings. It was remarkable good fun, and we may have stayed longer than anticipated, getting home for gone midnight, watching for worms as we walked back.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR MEMORIES
We want to hear from you. Those moments from a past festival which still make you smile when you remember them. Either post in the comments below, or email media@newmillsfestival.co.uk – photos welcome. We’ll post our favourites in the coming months.