Town plays a leading role in Northern lights festival

Nov 5 2007 by Ben Guy, The Journal

FIREWORKS night may be a one-off, but a lights festival will ensure the skies of Northumberland will still be lit with dramatic displays until Christmas.

The Northumberland Lights festival got under way yesterday with a spectacular display in Blyth, and shows in the coming weeks will shine a new light on some of the county’s dramatic landscape.

Yesterday’s show included light displays throughout the town, and culminated in an aerial show in Ridley Park and a fireworks display on the town’s East Pier.

Leader of Blyth Valley Council Dave Stephens said the event was a good way to put the town on the map.

He said: “It is an absolutely phenomenal show and we have had about 30,000 people come along to watch.

“The music and the soundtrack that go along with the show set it off even better.

“It is such a feather in Blyth Valley’s cap, because the scale of the show is on a regional level.

“These things cost a bit of money but what they do is give people in Blyth Valley the chance to say that they are proud of where they live.

“It puts us on the map, because we have people coming from all over to see the show.”

The wind turbines off the coast and the lighthouse on the pier were also lit up as part of the display.

Other entertainment in the town over the weekend included an acrobatic group, a temporary ice rink and a continental market.

Coun Stephens added: “It is getting bigger every year.

“This year we have also worked with Age Concern to involve the elderly people to make sure it is a show for everybody.

“We have provided coaches to get them to the event and a church hall for them to go and have a cup of tea and a sit down.”

The festival runs until December 18 and will be held at a range of locations across Northumberland.

The next event will take place on November 16, 17 and 18 at Cragside, near Rothbury.

Phil Supple, creative director of the festival, said: “I believe it is the most exciting series of outdoor events in Britain, in some of the most beautiful places that this country has to offer.

“We have composer and musical archaeologist John Kenny joining us for the first time, adding musical depth to our unique blend of visual and site specific art, lighting design and pyrotechnic magic.”

For more information about the festival and show locations visit www.northumberlandlights.com