A flaming good fire festival has been extinguished for a year.
Organisers of Marsden’s Imbolc Fire Festival have announced there will be no festival next year because it is too costly to run annually.
The Celtic festival, which attracts thousands of visitors with its spectacular pyrotechnics and torchlight parade, ran every year from 1993 to 2012.
But the event, which did not run in 2013, will now take place every other year after 2014's event.
Festival organiser Angie Boycott-Garner said that while the event attracts plenty of volunteers, securing funds for Imbolc’s expensive firework and fire displays has become more difficult.
Ms Boycott-Garner said: “There’s been an Imbolc every year but it’s getting harder and harder to get community grants, especially for events that are repeated. It was very difficult to raise the money last time.
“It’s bound to be disappointing but it’s a decision we’ve had to make.
“Because it’s voluntary it doesn’t cost a huge amount but you have to pay for the pyrotechnics. Also we run workshops beforehand and we have to pay to hire buildings.”
Click below to see amazing images from 2012 and 2014's events.
Imbolc will, however, run in 2016 and organisers are appealing for volunteers and sponsors.
Ms Boycott-Garner said: “If anyone wants to get involved, either as a volunteer or a sponsor, that would be much appreciated.
“We’re doing fundraising activities over the next year so if anyone wants to get involved or can think of some ideas, get in touch.”
For those still seeking torchlight thrills in Colne Valley next year, Slaithwaite Moonraking Festival is scheduled for February.
Imbolc – meaning ‘in the belly’ – celebrates the birth of Spring.
Historically, it was widely observed in Ireland, Scotland and the Isle of Man.
It is one of the four Gaelic seasonal festivals – along with Beltane, Lughnasadh and Samhain – and corresponds to the Welsh Gwyl Fair y Canhwyllau.
Christians observe it as the feast day of Saint Brighid, especially in Ireland.
