Free festival draws Grantham crowds

The first major event at Grantham Market Place since its summer renovation is being hailed a huge success.

Crowds of people attended both the daytime events and the evening entertainment, hosted free by South Kesteven District Council, and the culmination of weeks of community co-operation.

Street performances from Boondog Balladeers, Earthbound Misfits, Artizani and Mishap Theatre brought some fun to the streets set against the backdrop of the more serious business of music and dance on the community stage.

Then in the evening, there was more street theatre and light projections to illuminate Lindpet House with stories of Grantham’s Past, Present and Future, as the town’s heritage was celebrated.

The Punjabi Roots Academy set the rhythm and led the main event, a community parade, through the town.

SKDC Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure, Cllr Paul Stokes, who is also Deputy Leader of the Council, said: “It was a real pleasure to witness the community come together, and to be a part of the first of many such events this new space in the heart of the town offers.

“The idea was to celebrate the area’s rich heritage and community spirit. This was borne out through preparation that involved more than 500 members of the public who created the lanterns and decoration for both parts of the day.

“We saw local artists exhibit their work, singers and dancers taking over the community stage, all alongside the regular Saturday market which is itself going from strength to strength.

“The light projection show and lantern parade through Westgate to the Market Cross was a fitting climax to the day.

“I hope this success will give some inspiration and encouragement to all parts of our rich and varied community here in Grantham and pave the way for much more of the same in the future.”

Cllr Stokes also paid tribute to the SKDC staff who organised the festival and ensured it ran smoothly on the day, including the Economic Development team and markets staff.

It all follows improvements made with part of a £4.1m Grantham Future High Streets Fund awarded by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

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