A FESTIVAL that normally brings in tens of thousands of people to Kendal is gearing up to return to near normal levels after last year.

The group behind Kendal Torchlight which has been running since the 1970’s, are trying to get Kendal town council and the district council to support their endeavours this year.

Chairman and director, Craig Russell made his pitch to Kendal town council this week to drum up support. He said: “It’s a gathering for the town, and the surrounding areas, for everyone – people entertaining people, “by the people, for the people”.

“From July 17 through to the Torchlight, September 24-26, we are going to be based in Kendal town centre with ongoing workshops and gathering volunteers as we go.

“This year’s theme is going to be called ’garden of delights,’ to help us get established as the green festival of the south Lakeland and the northwest. This was part of the recommendations of the citizen’s jury and to keep us on this track with the climate coalition, who are organising the big green week, on the very same week of torchlight. This will encourage biodiversity toward a green gathering on the last week in September.”

Mr Russell made his pitch to councillors at Kendal town council’s ‘Kendal in bloom committee meeting this week. He said he hopes to get the backing of both town and district councils to help bring the event up to near normal size again.

The organisation also states on its website that: "We count on an army of amazing volunteers. Without these volunteers we cannot run the event." To get involved go to https://www.kendaltorchlightcarnival.co.uk/volunteer/