ORGANISERS of an annual festival in Kendal are calling for sponsors and volunteers to guarantee the event goes ahead next year.

Kendal’s Torchlight Gathering returned to the streets of the town on September 28 only after a fundraising campaign raised the vital funds to ensure the event could proceed.

This year’s gathering was focused on the theme of elements - fire, air, water and earth.

Throughout the summer months, schools and community groups worked with professional artists to create carnival lanterns and costumes.

Thanks to a grant from Westmorland and Furness Council, Torchlight also carried out workshops with refugee groups who worked together to create beautiful lanterns based on birds native to their country, as a symbol of hope and freedom.

Music and dance routines were also prepared in order to create a spectacular evening procession, which was celebrated by over 800 people and thousands of spectators.

In the daytime, there were stalls providing free activities and street performances, including walkabout theatre from Kendal College, who studied with an international performer to hone their skills.

READ MORE: Kendal celebrates 54th anniversary of Torchlight Festival in town centre

“Next year, it’s our 55th anniversary,” Annette Ritson, Managing Director of Kendal Torchlight said.

“The plan is to build on this year and have a really big celebration once again, but we need your support to do so.”

The festival has fast become one of the town’s largest and most long-standing events and traditions since its inception in 1970.

Chair of the volunteer committee Craig Person said: “Each year the event faces its own challenges.

“We are so grateful to the amazing volunteers who have stepped forward and to the sponsors who have supported us to ensure that the event can go ahead.

“This really was a community effort to make this happen. The atmosphere in Kendal was amazing.

“We are already looking forward to next year and ask for anyone who could join us to help organise the event to get in touch.”

For more information visit www.kendaltotchlightcarnival.co.uk or email info@kendaltorchight.co.uk.