THE coronavirus pandemic has not put a stop to Lymm Festival as modern technology has enabled several events to be put on during the eleven day period the Festival would normally have taken place.
The first Festival took place in 1999 and since then it has run each year at the end of June.
Committee Chairman Ian Marks said: “Instead of our usual fifty different events, we are putting on just six. We were determined to keep the spirit of the Festival alive by making use of social media, youtube and the newly set up Lymm Community Radio.
“Our programme kicked off on Thursday with the first of our ‘Poems-a-Day’. These are poems that have been submitted by local people on the theme of ‘rejoicing in nature’. They are being released onto social media each morning at 9am and are being read on alternate days by Father Michael Burgess and Deputy Chairman David Smith.
“Throughout Thursday we showed videos on social media of dishes showcasing the menus available from local restaurants for delivery or takeaway. You can still celebrate ‘Foodfest’ at home.
“There are two musical events. Two 10 to 15 minute video concerts are available every day for people to enjoy during their lunch breaks. These videos were submitted by local musicians to present their talent from lockdown. Next Friday on 26 June at 7.30pm there will be an hour of music by performers who had been booked to appear at the Festival. There will be five acts featuring pre-recorded material but also content recorded especially for us.
This will be streamed on Facebook and youtube.
“We set people the challenge to create headbands to control their lockdown hair. Our favourites will be shared on Facebook. There will be an innovative on-line art gallery where you can view some of the fantastic work by Lymm Artists. Keep an eye on Facebook for details of when the gallery will open. If anyone has produced anything creative during lockdown, please submit a picture and we will put this on-line too.
“Although not a Festival event, we encourage people to visit the Open Gardens in Lymm.
For more information please visit www.lymmfestival.org.uk
