Winter Droving 2012


 

The Winter Droving is a new event for Penrith and Eden taking place 6pm – 9pm on 24th November 2012. …Come rams and lambs, heifers and hens and dance throughout the town!

Featuring fire, masks, music, food and mayhem the Winter Droving is a celebration of all things rural, magical, traditional and fun.

The event is a celebration of Penrith and its age old role as the market place for the local area, the place where for centuries livestock and produce has been brought for sale (Droving is the practice of moving livestock over large distances by walking them “on the hoof”); how those market places were always an opportunity for a social get together – maybe a few jars and some match-making too!

Inspired by the droving tradition a fire, light and music procession will make its way through the town, followed by live bands and fire performers and entertainment in Great Dockray.  There will also be a mask making workshop and a winter food & craft market in the afternoon.

Confirmed bands include Tarras, Room Full of Mirrors and Fiona Clayton

HOW TO JOIN IN

Carry a torch, wear a mask.  Come and join in the procession

If you would like to volunteer in any other way (helping steward etc) give us a call on 01768 899444

There are also specific opportunities for musicians through BlueJam Arts (particularly brass and percussion) see here for info

 

MASQUERADE 

Whether you are watching or joining in with the procession and entertainment we want everyone to get into the festival spirit by WEARING A MASK (like these on this here page).  Your mask can be anything you like, but to help you we’d suggest:

  • Half face rather than full (easier for smiling, chatting, eating and drinking)
  • Theme it to the event: Cattle, sheep, geese, chickens, sheepdogs, horses, stags, fire, winter……
  • Use one you already have!! particularly those beautiful renaissance style ones!
BUY A MASK – Both decorated and undecorated masks will be available to purchase from 20th October from venues across Eden: The Upper Eden Visitor Centre in Kirkby Stephen, Penrith Tourist Information, Appleby Tourist Information, Alston Tourist Information,  Crafty Monkeys and The Soup Shop in Penrith and the Eden Arts office in Penrith. We will also be selling them on the event day!
MAKE A MASK – Come along to one of our mask making workshops, which will take place every Saturday in November in the Soup Shop, Penrith – full details can be found HERE. Get inspiration from our MASQUERADE EXHIBITION – 27th Oct – 24th Nov in The Soup Shop.
Or DOWNLOAD OUR FREE MASK MAKING TEMPLATE HERE!!

We have a Pinterest board here that we use for flavours and ideas – have a look; we are using #thedroving as the twitter hashtag should you be that way inclined.

Keep up to date by following news here and in The Herald!!

The WINTER DROVING is a collaboration between Eden Arts and Penrith Chamber of Trade, generously supported by Eden District Council, Penrith Lottery and The Cumberland and Westmorland Herald – working together to celebrate this special place and special people.