All aboard double-decker bus for free arts festival

Her aim is to make Amber Valley a great place to live because of all the cultural events which are happening there.

Sally, who lives in Codnor Park, has designed a free festival which incorporates games, ventriloquism, puppets, sculpture, prop-making and performance.

Her Flaming Skirt Festival2 event on Sunday, April 27, will feature commissioned artists leading activities. Participants will travel by double-decker bus between the four mid-Derbyshire venues.

Sally said: “People are really excited by the sound of this event. Art doesn’t have to be serious, in a gallery or in big cities; it can be on the move and shared by extended families in their own village.”

Activities start at Ironville Church Hall at 10.15am where 2Sally4th, composed of Sally Lemsford and Sally Newham, will perform as P&G giving out TIPS for LIFE and serving coffee. Charlie Hill will head The Flaming Fruit and Veg Show where families can show off polishing skills in the shiniest apple competition or get creative with vegetable sculptures and fruity carvings.

Then it’s on to Riddings Park where performance artist and ventriloquist Leah Lovett’s workshop, Sock Puppet State, will teach families how to speak like a politician, without moving their lips. P&G will share TIPs for LIFE.

Denby Institute is the next stop where Charlotte Ashman will lead a fun workshop which combines sculpture and engineering.

The final port of call is Waingroves Community Centre where Lindsey Warnes Carroll will head up Shirley’s Stories in which participants will be called on to make things, inspire a dance and sing along. P&G will be serving afternoon tea.

Aboard the bus, festival supporters can watch a live art piece, Flight Pack, performed by Sophie Cullinan, and take part in Poetry Laundering, a creative washing line of thought, led by Dave Wood.

The bus is due back in Ironville at 5.30pm.

There is no need to book a place, people can just turn up to Ironville Church Hall on Sunday at 10.15am. Children must be accompanied by adults and participants should bring packed lunches.

Sally added: “The name Flaming Skirt came from 2012 when the Olympic Torch Relay (flame) skirted round Amber Valley where I live. As a fun protest I created an alternative, an arts festival travelling round Shipley Park, Ironville, Ripley and Lower Hartshay. I funded it by crowd funding. This time it is funded by Derbyshire County Council and the Arts Council England.”

For more details, contact Sally on 07974 785624 or [email protected] or check out the blogsite http://flamingskirtfestival.tumblr.com