Wintertide Festival promises weekend of fun

A festive outdoor market, a funfair, art exhibitions, a film festival, dance, an indoor Christmas craft fair and a creative writing workshop are just some of the attractions that will be on offer at the event which takes place from Friday November 24th to Sunday November 26th.

The large-scale event – which will take place at key locations on the Headland, including the Borough Hall, the Heugh Battery, St Hild’s Church and Croft Gardens – is being organised by the Headland Festivals Group, a partnership of key Headland organisations.

The main sponsors are Hartlepool Council, the Tees Valley Community Foundation, Thirteen Group and the Sir James Knott Trust.

Wintertide Festival Chairman Peter Jackson said: “We are delighted that the Wintertide Festival is returning for the third time and we look forward to it being bigger and better than ever.

“There really is something for everyone and we hope people from across Hartlepool and beyond will come along to the Headland and get involved in the fun.

“On behalf of the organising committee, I would like to thank our sponsors and everyone who has been working so hard for a long time now to ensure that the event runs smoothly and is a great success.”

Councillor Kevin Cranney, Chair of Hartlepool Council’s Regeneration Services Committee, said: “The Council is happy to be one of the main sponsors of the Wintertide Festival and we look forward to it being a resounding success.

“It is great to see so many organisations working together for the benefit of the local community. The festival provides a great opportunity to showcase the many attractions and wonderful community spirit that exists on the Headland.”

The festival will be officially opened on Friday November 24th with a children’s lantern parade from the Heugh Battery to the Town Square outside the Borough Hall for a Christmas tree and festive illuminations switch-on at 6pm. A festive outdoor market and funfair will take place in the Town Square from 4-8pm and the first day will be concluded with music from ten-piece band Maddison’s Thread with support from Paul Mosley at the Borough Hall (Doors open at 8pm, tickets are £12 in advance or £15 on the door).

Activities will commence on Saturday November 25th at 10am and continue through to 8pm. They include a puppet workshop in Croft Gardens; the Transatlantic Mirror Image Film Festival at the Heugh Battery; a festive outdoor market, funfair, food and refreshment stalls in the Town Square; a unique performance by local dance schools in the Borough Hall, St Hilda’s Church Christmas Fair and an art exhibition at the Heugh Batttery.

The fun will again commence at 10am on the final day, Sunday November 26th, and highlights will include a drop-in stone balancing workshop, a family drumming workshop, an indoor Christmas craft fair, a family creative writing workshop that will explore the Heugh Battery and its exhibits. Led by Bob Beagrie, an award-winning published poet and senior lecturer in creative writing at Teesside University, the workshop will comprise a series of guided activities that will help participants produce poems, songs and short stories.

The whole event will conclude with a spectacular fireworks display on the Pilot Pier at 4.30pm.

Unless stated, all events and activities are free to attend. Spaces are limited on all ticketed events and free workshops. To book tickets or to get more information about events and activities go to www.wintertidefestuk.com