Screening of animated film ‘A Likely Story’ on Newark Town Hall attracts more than 3,900 visitors to Market Place
The town centre has seen its busiest night of the year so far, as thousands came to watch a spectacular animated adventure screened onto the historic Town Hall.
Footfall figures from Newark and Sherwood District Council showed that more than 3,900 visitors braved the cold in the evening of Friday, November 1, to watch ‘A Likely Story’ in the market place.
The short film, created by Lincolnshire-based creative video production company Electric Egg, told the story of Harriet and friends as they enjoyed an escapade through the history of Newark, discovering stories around every corner.
The free screening, which was repeated at frequent intervals from 5.30pm until 9pm, was put on by Newark Creates as part of its programme of cultural and creative events in the town.
Claire Penny, portfolio holder for sustainable economic development at Newark and Sherwood District Council, said: “Seeing the historic Town Hall being used to bring to life the history of Newark in such an engaging way was incredible. By bringing crowds of visitors to the town centre to see free family entertainment also provides them with the chance to discover what a wonderful and beautiful place Newark is in the evening, with its unique and distinctive character.
“Working with Newark Heart, Newark Creates has delivered an amazing and innovative spectacular that really showcases the best that we have to offer in the town. With so many visitors coming into the town, we hope that they got a taste of what Newark has to offer and will join us again in the future.
“The district council is committed to supporting the arts and developing a strong local economy for all of our towns and villages across Newark and Sherwood. This event shows how, working together, we can create a special and meaningful event to deliver on both of these objectives.”
It wasn’t the only attraction of the day, and was part of a wider programme of events including the Celestial Sound Cloud in St Mary’s Remembrance Gardens, lamplight guided tours of Newark Parish Church, and a Shadow Play at the National Civil War Centre’s Tudor Hall.
A number of the town’s businesses also collaborated with the event, including The Governor’s House, Letsxcape Together Board Games Café, St Mary Magdalene Coffee Bar, and Tambo Lounge.
Carol Newman, director of Inspire: Culture, Learning and Libraries, the lead partner in Newark Cultural Consortium which leads Newark Creates, said: “This year’s new funding from Newark Heart, along with that from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, has allowed us to really flex our creativity and bring some truly incredible projects to Newark.
“Screening ‘A Likely Story’ really was a highlight, with so many local people coming out to enjoy it.”
Louise Casey-Simpson, chairman of the Newark Towns Fund, added: “The partnership between Newark Heart and Newark Creates has been really fruitful this year, with so many people visiting the town to enjoy events at Newark-on-Sea, Newark Festival and the Book Benches. Bringing this innovative event to Newark really showed how creative thinking can deliver a memorable event for residents and visitors to enjoy.”
The evening expanded on last year’s hugely popular light show at Newark Parish Church, with the Newark Creates programme this year supported by Newark Town Board’s Newark Heart project and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund to put on even more activities.
The consortium is made up of several organisations including Inspire: Culture, Learning and Libraries, Newark and Sherwood District Council Heritage and Culture, Newark Civic Trust, Newark Heritage Forum, Newark Book Festival, Newark Town Council, and Newark College.
