Story & photo:Neill Schofield
Parkwood Springs kicked off their Summer with the ‘Nutcracker’ bike ride and will be finishing it in style with their very own lantern festival. A wet Sunday morning in June saw nearly 300 mountain-bike riders and their friends and families converging on Parkwood Springs for the Nutcracker Altura races. Riders came from all over the North and Midlands, and some from even further afield.
This is the third year that one of the rounds of this premier racing series has been held on Parkwood Springs. Other rounds are held in places like Keswick in the Lake District and Dalby Forest in North Yorkshire. Parkwood Springs is the only venue in a city, and is a sign of how well-rated the Parkwood Springs track is by the MTB community.
There were classes from juvenile (12-14) to ‘Grand Veterans’ of 50+, with expert and elite classes for the most serious riders. The winners in these races got points towards their ranking in the national championships. The track was based on the regular mountain-biking track at Parkwood Springs, lengthened to 4.8km by extra sections for the day. The riders did 4-6 laps, depending on the category.
Although the track was slippery because of the damp weather, the day was held once more to be a great success by the organisers. Turning from Summer to Autumn Parkwood Springs will be hosting the Beacons Lantern Procession at dusk on Saturday 17th October Groups from Pitsmoor Adventure Playground, Watercliffe Meadow School and a number of other groups are now working to make exciting lanterns. They will process round Parkwood Springs led by an amazing Samba Band.
Neill Schofield, Chair of the Friends of Parkwood Springs, said, ‘Some people locally have been involved in the colourful Sharrow Lanterns Festival. We and the Friends of Burngreave Cemetery Chapel want to have a festival, reflecting our own community but with the same fun and excitement as Sharrow.’
The day will start with a workshop on Parkwood Springs at 3pm, when anyone can make their own lantern with the help of local artist Patrick Amber. Materials will be available, but you will be asked to make a small contribution for the electric candle.
At 5.30pm everyone will gather to process following the Samba Band to the viewpoint overlooking the city. It will finish by 7pm. Please wear warm clothes, and bring a torch. If you have a whistle, drum or musical instrument bring that as well!
All the activities will start at the car park on Cooks Wood Road/Shirecliffe Road. If any group or school would like to make lanterns and join in the procession, or for more information, please get in touch with Neill Schofield on 0114 272 4499. We will give them as much help as we can. The more the merrier!