'UFO' and light shows close culture festival

A year-long festival celebrating 50 years of the Calderdale borough will come to an end this weekend, with the grand finale showcasing a series of light installations.

The Beacons event will see a UFO-like sphere shine in Todmorden, while a "searchlight spectacular" will light up the Old Flour Mill in Brighouse and a "halo of light" will be visible over Halifax.

April has seen 50 events in the CultureDale programme, marking every year since the metropolitan borough was formed in 1974.

Danielle Durrans of Calderdale Council said: "We knew we wanted something huge and memorable to give Calderdale the 50th birthday party it deserves, and the Year of Culture has certainly done that."

The light shows are the culmination of more than 350 events to have taken place during CultureDale.

The UFO-inspired piece, located at the Canal Basin off Burnley Road in Todmorden, is by local artist Aimee Grundell, who said people would "witness a fusion of mystery, light and sound".

The backdrop for the bright beams of Brighouse will be the ROKT Activity Centre in the Old Flour Mill.

Organisers said the beams would be visible for miles and would "dance and play" throughout the sky on Saturday and Sunday from 20:00 until 22:00 BST.

The sight would be a "celebration of Brighouse and its enduring spirit", the council said.

Meanwhile in Halifax, the sky across Beacon Hill will see a "halo of light" weaving patterns across the clouds.

Organisers have called it a celebration of Halifax - its landscape, heritage and spirit.

The Wainhouse Tower will also be lit up in colour.

Durrans, cabinet member for public services and communities, said: "CultureDale has showcased the borough's creativity, talent, distinctiveness and diversity, and will be part of its story for generations to come."

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