One of Cumbria’s biggest events has shaken off the challenges of Covid-19 to offer a unique celebration of everything great about the area.

Two hundred people gathered in Penrith town centre for the first night of a very different Winter Droving event on Wednesday.

The normal bustling procession, fires and music bands have been swapped for video images showcasing the work of local people throughout the pandemic.

“It was really special,” said Heather Walker, deputy director at Eden Arts, the organisers of the event, speaking about the first night.

“It worked really well and was very powerful and mesmerising. We’ve had some really great feedback. It is very relaxing and calming. The whole thing is very slow and poignant and is highlighting people who do great things for the community.”

Heather acknowledges that this year’s event is very different.

“Normally at the Winter Droving we have 20,000 in the town; we have a market, funfair, music bands playing,” she said.

“This year we wanted to work to create and make something special but we also needed it to be socially distanced. It’s a different atmosphere and a lot less people but it is really powerful.

“We wanted to celebrate people who are often not recognised for what they do for their communities but they keep communities going. Without the actions of those individuals who keep the community going, Cumbria wouldn’t be the place it is.”

As well as showcasing some of the work of people who help the area tick, there is also a unique display created by filmmaker and artist Lucas Chih-Peng Kao.

“His work is in front of the church and is hidden in the trees," Heather added.

“The Faery Trail (corr) explores the lack of ethnic diversity in fairy tales."

The event launched on Wednesday and will run until Saturday.

Thursday’s event had to be cancelled due to the inclement weather but organisers are hoping Friday and Saturday will still be able to go ahead as planned.

“There are huge projections, two on each side of St Andrew’s Church and the whole piece is 30 minutes long,” continued Heather.

“You can come to it at any time as it just keeps looping over. The work is in really slow motion. People have been filmed and then are presented in very slow motion.

“For example, the mountain rescue team are very slowly putting helmets on with words about what they did and the names of people appear on screen.

“It’s very striking and it’s very bright and colourful.

“People have been turning up with winter droving masks, pig masks.

“They are wearing masks but in a different way. We didn’t know how people would respond but they’ve really been taking it in and have been immersed.”

Entry to the event is free but booking is required, with staggered entry times in operation to allow for social distancing.

Donations are accepted to help fund next year’s event.

“Obviously there have not been any events recently and Eden Council tell us this is the first one in Eden [on this scale],” said Heather.

“It’s great to be out and seeing something powerful and it is an inspiring piece of work celebrating the community.

“I believe you will take something away by coming.”

Despite the challenges posed by coronavirus, Eden Arts were keen to mark the occasion that has become a tradition in the town and the area.

“We were always determined to do something. Obviously there were weeks when we were not sure whether it would happen, but we’ve had the full backing of our grear sponsors at Eden Council, the National Lottery, Penrith Bid, the Arts Council, Pride in Penrith Lottery and Cumbria County Council.

“We wanted to make it happen and to be able to do something.”

Penrith town centre shop windows have also been transformed and filled with large-scale images of members of the public captured by Penrith-based photographer Richie Johnston of Optical Vitamins.

Each person featured was selected or nominated for their small acts of kindness, community work, or going above and beyond in their work.

A total of 52 members of the public were photographed and videoed to become part of the projections.

Cumbrian artist Zoe Forster recorded footage of people for the installation.

Eden Arts were introduced to Zoe when she was shortlisted for Eden Arts’ Young Cumbrian Artist of the Year earlier in the year, and she is currently in her final year at the Slade School of Fine Art, University College London.

Entry times are available between 6pm and 8.45pm tonight and 6pm and 9pm tomorrow.

Visit https://www.edenarts.co.uk/projects/winter-droving-2020.