People in Elland enjoyed an evening of festive fun at the town’s Christmas Festival on Friday 8 December.
On a very cold evening in Elland, crowds of people turned out for a celebration event combining the traditional Elland Christmas lights switch-on with a town centre market and a lantern parade with Calderdale based arts group, Handmade Parade.
Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Communities, Cllr Susan Press, said:
“2017 has been an important year for Elland, marking 700 years since the town received its Royal Charter. The Christmas Festival was a perfect way to round off the year and it’s great that so many people got involved with the event and lantern parade.
“Although the weather was very cold for the event, the skies were clear and it was dry – the perfect conditions to really show the lantern parade at its best.”
Over 50 members of the local community created their own unique lanterns and were proud to walk through the town lighting up the streets of Elland with a fantastic selection of impressive lantern designs.
Prior to the parade, choirs from Cross Lane Primary, St Patrick’s Primary and Elland Church of England school performed songs, before the Mayor of Calderdale, Cllr Ferman Ali switched on the Christmas lights.
A busy food and craft market was held until the late evening and Hebden Radio, the dance group Bazzamatazz and Elland Silver Youth Band provided entertainment.
The Elland and District Partnership, who continue to support the town, ensured that the event was booked in Santa’s diary and he arrived on his sleigh to give out gifts to local children.
The event was funded by the Elland Development Board and Calderdale Council’s Events & Festivals Fund.
This was just one of the great events that Elland has hosted for its 700th year as a market town. Other events have included a fabulous summer fun day with a market and community stalls, the development of the Elland history trail and an art and photography exhibition at Brooksbank School. The school also welcomed BBC Radio 4 to the town for their flagship show, Any Questions?.
Image credit : Mike Bentley