Groups Set to Learn New Skill as part of South Tyneside Parade

The event which officially launches the start of the This Is South Tyneside Festival can now add inclusivity to its themes of environment and sustainability.

The Summer Parade - which this year will take place on Saturday 5 July - attracts hundreds of participants, along with thousands more people lining the route.

And this year not only will the event include a whole host of organisations getting involved for the first time, but it will also be giving schools and community groups the opportunity to learn a whole host of new skills.

Claire Finlay of art organisation, The Cultural Spring, which works with the numerous community groups to help them create their contributions to the parade, said this year there had been an influx of new blood.

"We have had a lot of interest from groups which haven't been involved before," she said.

"Which is fantastic to see and we are really delighted that they want to take part."

New participants include Waythrough - an LGBTQ+ youth group - which will be working closely with The Cultural Spring's artists.

Claire also revealed that many of the participants are also being given special training sessions by artist Chris Folwell to make structures - including items for floats and the large, theatrical pieces - for the first time.

"We are giving the groups support to be able to make these structures which will be a first for the parade," she said.

Although many of the items are kept under wraps until parade day, these will include giant puppets made from a range of recycled materials.

"Teaching people how to make these special structures is a great way of developing their talents," said Claire.

Participants have been actively collecting everything from bottle tops to plastic bags to use in the parade, as part of its sustainability theme.

"We will hopefully also be able to use these structures again in some way at events like the winter parade or next summer, so we're really showing how committed we are to recycling and reusing," she said.

Other firsts include the group Autism Able working with Kenyan dancer, Rapasa, to make recycled instruments and learn Kenyan songs and dances.

This year also marks 60 years of South Tyneside being twinned with Epinay sur Seine - a relationship which began when the French town was twinned with Jarrow back in 1964.

This relationship will also be celebrated in the parade, with a float created by Epinay School at Nevison Avenue.

"We are very excited about this year's parade which will once again be bringing people together from across the community," said Claire.

Councillor Judith Taylor, Lead Member for Culture, Leisure and the Visitor Economy at South Tyneside Council, said: "We're so excited for this year's Summer Parade and we're delighted to be working with The Cultural Spring on delivering it and embracing the Environment and Sustainability theme.

"Our Summer Parade is the epitome of community spirit. It celebrates and showcases the wonderful groups we have here in South Tyneside and brings them together in the most spectacular way.

"I can't wait to see their creations on parade."

Full details of the festival are available at www.southtynesidefestival.co.uk