PRUDHOE KITE FESTIVAL 2016

Another FREE event from

Prudhoe Town Council

ENJOY THE VIDEO

Prudhoe Town Council hosted its 5th Kite Festival in partnership with John Dobson of Allendale. 

The 2016 Prudhoe Kite Festival took place at Highfield Park, known locally as ‘the windy park’, on Saturday and Sunday, with flying each day from 12 noon till 4pm. 

The wind most certainly lived up to expectations on Saturday; volunteers had wind burn rather than sun burn which was the case in 2015.

Sunday brought with it a more gentle breeze but professional Kite Flyers still managed to elevate their wonderful kites to give audiences some amazing displays.

Team Fusion put on a number of wonderfully uplifting displays to music, as well as allowing members of the public to try a quad-line kite on a simulator, made by team member Vince.  Chris, Pete S, Jason and Pete N also helped youngster in the arena to fly the council’s Rainbow Delta Kites, bought in 2013 to allow public participation in the event.

Jim and Vanessa Potts and Keith and Lorna Carpenter are the ‘Sky Artists’ and their large novelty kites have been flown in the Highfield Park skyline each year.  This year a line of five slithering snakes were very eye-catching, as were Ariel the Mermaid and an array of tropical fish, including Nemo who must now be lost in Prudhoe rather than the Barrier Reef.  Malcolm and Jeanette Goodman also added to the colourful display with oriental and animal kites.

The Pallas Family Flyers from South East Northumberland are a family of keen kite flyers and makers; sons Stephen and Adam attended on Sunday with a very energetic display.  Team Revolution is always a huge hit and the two John’s did a fantastic demonstration with some amusing near misses of the very knowledgeable and very funny Kite Commentator, Alan Poxon.

Alan also assisted wife Becky in the Kite Making workshop and lots of children decorated and flew their home-made kites with a winning design each day.

As always the town council is very grateful to John Robson for his PA system and musical accompaniment.  John is a great supporter of all community events, but especially enjoys the Kite Festival and although he had a very busy weekend everything was professionally set up ready to go.

A huge thank you also to Ken Stow of Prudhoe Events Steering Group (who organise Prudhoe Community Fair).  Ken ensured the catering tent was set up with power and shelter allowing the fabulous fundraisers to do their thing. 

Rob Batey and Janice Curry from the Red Brick Nursing Home attended on Saturday and provided hot drinks, hot dogs and an assortment of sweets and goodies, all in aid of the Red Brick Mini Bus Fund.  Rob and Janice added over £200 to the fund that currently stands at £7,000 (with £10,000 needed). 

If you wish to support this great cause there is a family fun day being organised by a group of 16/17 year olds under the National Citizens Service banner, on 24th and 25th August at Prudhoe Parish Hall.

Joan Lee and Julie Fleckenstein served delicious creams teas, hotdogs and sweets on Sunday, in aid of Boxer Friends Spain; a self-funding charity that re-home Boxer dogs that have been abused and neglected in Spain, in the United Kingdom.  Joan was delighted with this opportunity to make some much needed funds for the charity; over £160 was raised.  Joan hopes to do more local fundraising for this charity and anyone wishing to make a donation should contact the Town Council and we will put them in touch.

Volunteers are what make local events possible; Ian Lowery and Joe Ridley from Prudhoe Youth Charity Shop supported town council staff and councillors for the entire weekend and deserve an enormous thank you for their efforts. 

Chairman, Councillor Mrs Jennifer McGee spoke after the event and said "Best Kite Festival, busier than ever.  To put it into the words of a song ‘It’s a kind of magic’.  Big thank you to all who worked so hard to make this a success.  Hope everyone who came to see the amazing kites and spend the afternoon in Highfield Park enjoyed the weekend."

Sarah Eden said “It was always going to be a gamble having an event at peak holiday time; attendance was lower than expected as has been the case each year, however the feedback received from those who did attend certainly made the event very worthwhile.”

Vince Wilson of Team Fusion said “Thank you to everyone involved with the Prudhoe Kite Festival for all your hard work, there was a great atmosphere. We enjoyed flying our kites and demonstrating the rev simulator. It was nice to see so many people having a great time.”

Rachel Noble of Prudhoe said “There were beautiful skies for the kite festival on Saturday, what a lovely family day”.

Turner's Fun Fair also brought along a small kiddeis ride and their new coffee and crepes catering van. 

Thank you to everyone involved and all who attended over the weekend.

PHOTOGRAPHS WILL BE ADDED SOON BUT SOME HAVE ALREADY BEEN POSTED TO THE KITE FESTIVAL FACEBOOK PAGE.