Children in Whaley Bridge and Buxworth have made an early start to preparations for the Fireworks and Lantern evening, which takes place at the Bowling Club on Saturday 2 November.

This week, many are making lanterns with a space age theme, which they will carry in a procession from Taxal and Fernilee primary school, through the lower area of Memorial Park  to the Bowling Club.  Their arrival will trigger off a spectacular display of rockets and other fireworks, which organisers say will surpass last year’s display.

Children are taking part in workshops at three primary schools this week  – Whaley Bridge, Taxal and Fernilee and Buxworth.  There is also a workshop in Bella’s café on Market Street on Wednesday 23 October for local children who attend schools out of the area which are on half term break this week.

There will be a workshop that everyone can attend on Saturday 26 October in the Mechanics’ Institute from 12.30pm-6pm.

And the final workshop, during Whaley’s half term break, is in the Mechanics’ on Wednesday30 October from 12.30pm-6pm.  Contributions towards the cost of lantern materials would be welcome.  LED candles will be on sale at 60p.  Tickets for the big night will be available, £3.50 for adults, £1 for children.

Lor Cole, chair of the organising group, said:  “There’s great enthusiasm for the lantern-making, and we are confident there will be more lanterns than last year’s amazing total of 430.  The space theme has created a challenge which young minds are well up to equalling.”

Volunteers for the evening are welcome .  Phone Lor on 07724 103 964.

Timetable for the big night on Saturday 2 November:

4pm onwards: doors open at Bowling Club showground. Food stalls and funfair.  Bars open.

6pm: children with lanterns assemble at Taxal & Fernilee school and process down Macclesfield Road, along Goyt Road, into Memorial Park.  Exit at Wheatsheaf Road.  High Peak Samba will be performing near the bridge. The children parade along Buxton Road to the Bowling Club.

6pm onwards:  music programme will be on at the Bowling Club from 6pm

7.30 pm: rockets away!  The big fireworks display starts.  Fireworks will be ignited from a safe position in the primary school grounds, but highly visible to the crowd.

 8pm onwards:  Planet of Sound at the Bowling Club. Bars open.