Barnard Castle’s event promises to be its most theatrical yet – it features the dramatic tale of a fallen Viking king being sent to Valhalla.
Despite being fraught with difficulties, including having to find a new venue at the last minute, organisers say everything is on course for a thrilling festival.
Some of the difficulties have been woven into the storyline leading up to the spectacular, which takes place on Friday, November 4.
Martin Bacon designed and made the Viking boat, which will be set ablaze after a 15-minute firework display at Streatlam Farm, just outside the town off the A688.
He explained the plot: “The Vikings were travelling upstream from Gainford with their king. He stopped at the travellers site at Shaw Bank, but the council evicted him and he got run over.”
The “body” will be led up to the Viking longboat by an entourage of four pall bearers and four torch bearers.
Dale drama group Castle Players have been called in to the play the parts.
Mr Bacon added: “The actors walk across with the body, so the king will be put in the ship and sent to Valhalla in a blaze of glory. We are going to ignite it with pyrotechnics. When it goes up it will be bright. It will glow up nice and red.”
Mr Bacon, who ran the pyrotechnic display at Bishop Auckland’s Kynren spectacle, said the preceding firework display will be set up against an atmosphere of haunting Norse music.
Along with the fireworks and bonfire, people who attend can look forward to fairground rides, a beer tent and refreshments.
A park and ride has been arranged to pick people up at the county council car park near Morrison’s supermarket.
For tickets visit barnardcastlemeet.com. Tickets are also available on the gate.
Back by popular demand, Cross Lanes Organic Farm, off the A66, will be holding its fireworks and bonfire night again on Saturday, November 5. This event, held for the sixth year, is a double celebration because the farm shop is marking its fifth anniversary.
Deborah Hare, from Cross Lanes, said: “There will be a fantastic professional firework display by local business NES Pyro with Martin Bacon and his team.
“It is always a fun night for all the family at Cross Lanes, including a barbecue with homemade sausages and steak burgers, tasty homemade soup and toffee apples served from the greenhouse, hot drinks and a bar in the farm shop.”
Free shuttle buses will run from the council car park near Morrisons and event organisers encourage people to use them rather than bring a car. Buses will pick people up between 5.45pm and 6.45pm, and then start return trips when people are ready to leave. The bonfire will be lit at 6.30pm.
At Gainford, a bonfire celebration will take place on the village green on Saturday, November 5, from 6.30pm.
Although the event is free, bucket collections will be in place with a recommended donation of £2 per person to help with costs. All roads south of Main Road will be closed from 5.30pm until 8.30pm. The organisers are asking that no vehicles are parked on the north side of Main Road and Spa Road, part of Eden Lane, North Terrace and West View. Anyone who parks in the restricted areas will get a parking ticket.
Barnard Castle Young Farmers’ Club will hold its bonfire night display at the Moorcock Inn, Hilltop, Eggleston, from 7pm to 12.30am, on Saturday, November 5.
Members and non-members are welcome.
Admission to the bonfire is free and it will be lit at 6.30pm. People can bring there own fireworks.
There is a £5 admission to the disco which follows.
There will be a bonfire and firework display at Eppleby on Saturday, November 5, behind the village hall.
The organisers are asking people to pay £10 per family.
There will be homemade soup and refreshments to buy Everyone is welcome.
Whorlton’s bonfire will be lit at 6pm on Saturday, November 5, followed by fireworks.
Barningham’s bonfire will be lit at the same time as Whorlton’s. People attending are asked to bring sparklers but no fireworks.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: only a member of this blog may post a comment.