NEW MILLS FESTIVAL – FAMILY AND FREE ENTERTAINMENt

A reminder that New Mills Festival dates are 13 to 29 September 2024.

BBQ, PARTY AND MINI LANTERN PARADE
Headlining with this family focussed event.

The amazing people from Youth Matters are hosting a BBQ, party and mini lantern parade. It’s on Friday 20 September from 6pm to 8pm at the Youth Centre on Longlands Road, and it’s free.

Parents, carers and children have been creating lanterns during the Youth Matters FamFest. This family friendly BBQ and party will be their opportunity to share their creations. Youth Matters have been working hard this summer to bring the Youth Centre back into use. The group have put on all kinds of events for New Mills kids during the school holidays and there’s lots more to come during term time from this passionate and hard working Community Interest Company. Do join them, and get behind their exciting future plans.

https://newmillsfestival.co.uk/event/youth-matters-family-bbq-mini-lantern-parade/

AROUND AND ABOUT THE ROCK MILL AREA:

STORYTIME AND CRAFTS WITH REBECCA TAYLOR
DRAGONS! MERMAIDS! SHARKS! DINOSAUR!

It’s story time on Sunday 14 September from 1:30 at Rock Mill Centre (behind the bus station near the mini roundabout). Suitable for children from 2 to 8 years old, there will be stories and also a chance to get crafty and make their own bookmarks. A free event, but limited capacity so please do book in advance. Check the link to find out more. https://newmillsfestival.co.uk/event/storytime-crafts-with-rebecca-taylor/

A DAY OF DRAGONS
Sunday 15 September 11am to 4pm at Rock Mill Centre. Come and admire Rocky, the bright and cheerful dragon who is visiting the Rock Mill Centre’s courtyard for the period of the New Mills Festival. Creeping Toad will be there telling tales of dragons and there will be opportunities to take part in craft sessions throughout the day. Tickets free. https://newmillsfestival.co.uk/event/a-day-of-dragons/

BESIDE THE SEASIDE
What? How? More importantly, when and where? Join us for a day out at New-Mills-On-The-Sea. Saturday 28 September 11am to 4pm Rock Mill Lane is bringing the beach to you (but without the sand). There will be ice cream, sticks of rock, sea creatures, a puppet show, knobbly knees competition and much more. Bring a deckchair and enjoy a proper day out! Free to attend.

THE YEAR OF THE DRAGON
The local yarn bombers, the Woolly Wanderers (who previously brought you a Space Rocket phone box and a Summer of Disobedience) are in full on dragon preparation mode. Here Be Dragons – there will be a map from Rock Mill Centre (and shortly a digital version), and you can go on a dragon hunt! There’s a trail which can be completed during the whole of the Festival period, or it’s 3.5 miles if done all at once. Successful dragon hunters can finish at High Lea Hall for a prize.

BECAUSE FAMILY INCLUDES EVERYONE

U3A 20th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
For the retired or semi retired family members, Tuesday 17 September 10am to 12pm at New Mills Town Hall. The local u3a (University of the Third Age) are inviting people to coffee and to get a glimpse of the interest groups and activities available locally. There are chances to explore what’s on offer in a social setting. Groups include art appreciation, crosswords, photography, philosophy, birds and botany, country dancing and much much more, so if you want to discover something new or breathe new life into something old, do come along. Free event.

THE NEW MILLS FESTIVAL OPEN ARTS EXHIBITION
Milestone Studios have two days of a salon style gallery exhibition of work from local artists and craftspeople. The launch evening is Friday 27 September 6:30 to 8:30pm, followed by an Open Gallery day Saturday 28 September. Milestone Studios is Unit 3 Rock Mill Lane, SK22 3BN (full post code as it is sneakily hidden away in a small courtyard behind what was once Barclays Bank and I really think you need to explore this exhibition). Opportunities to simply view or to buy local creator’s works. I met the people who had the vision of making the space into a Gallery at the One World Festival, and would recommend heading along to find out more about their set up. Milestone Studios small but committed crew have worked hard to make this happen, and it feels like it could be rather wonderful. Check out their instagram to see the kind of thing they get up to: https://www.instagram.com/milestonegallery