Lake District Peninsulas

LANTERN PROCESSION - ULVERSTON - SEPTEMBER 19th 2009

Ulverston's Lantern Procession at the end of the Charter Festival is a highlight of the Festival year. Three "rivers of light" join up at the Coronation Hall and parade to Ford Park. Several hundred lanterns, large and small, illustrated this year's theme of "WONDERLAND THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS"........it's not every day that a large teapot and a grinning Cheshire cat hold up the traffic on the A590. And for one year only, Hoad Monument got in on the act as its shrouded scaffolding became a huge lantern above the town!

HOAD MONUMENT BECOMES A HUGE LANTERN FOR THE NIGHT


AND A RIVER OF LIGHT FROM THE 2008 PARADE............

LAUREL & HARDY BRONZE STATUE - ULVERSTON - 2009

LAUREL & HARDY BRONZE STATUE

The statue was unveiled in Ulverston, outside the Coronation Hall, in the refurbished County Square, on April 19th 2009 by comedian Ken Dodd.

Stan Laurel was born in Ulverston and the statue was paid for by the "Sons of the Desert". A popular Laurel and Hardy Museum can be found in the Roxy cinema building behind the Cornation Hall.

Hardy was a descendant of the Captain Hardy who was at Nelson'd side as he died during the Battle of Trafalgar. Sir John Barrow (Hoad Monument), as Second Secretary to the Admiralty, saw them both off to that battle.

DICKENSIAN WEEKEND - ULVERSTON - LAST WEEKEND IN NOVEMBER

Growing in size and popularity every year since 1998, the Dickensian Weekend in Ulverston attracts visitors from all over the north of England and beyond. It offers three stages providing entertainment, parades, dozens of stalls, rides and fun activities for children, fireworks, plus all the local specialist shops. Townsfolk dress in period costume to give the right atmosphere.


40 to 50 coaches are greeted by the Town Crier and a Councillor - anyone seen the stagecoach?	Colonel Spours of the East Lancs Hussars (aka Chairman, Ulverston Traders' Association) selling programmes - and it's not a false moustache!

The Lake District Steam Company bus offers a tour of the town - and does what it says on the tin!	First Aid? A bit late for this Morris dancer!

One of dozens of different performances over the weekend. Missing colleague? Well if you're first on and its freezing cold......	The Ulverston Savings Bank Clock has been there since 1845, the helter-skelter just for the weekend.

Traditional swill-making. They knew how to keep their feet warm in Dickensian times!	Grandpa and grand-daughter walk into town in 1860? Shame about the double yellow lines.

BRITISH KITE SURFING CHAMPIONSHIP - WALNEY ISLAND - JUNE

A round of the British Championship is held each year on the beach at Earnse Bay. It is one of the most popular locations in Britain with the surf riders - sandy beach, good camping, plenty of wind, and beautiful scenery. Spectacular action for spectators too.





Sometimes even the champions get it wrong!