Flame and foliage light up the park (From Prestwich and Whitefield Guide)

Flame and foliage light up the park

9:44am Thursday 1st November 2012 in News

BLAZING trees and fire-breathing flowers transformed Heaton Park into a twinkling wonderland.

Up to 1,500 people attended the first Heaton Sparks event at the weekend, organised by the National Trust and held in one of the park’s gardens.

Visitors explored a sculptural landscape of flame and foliage brought to life by performers and musicians from Salford-based company Walk the Plank.

Crackling trees, flaming bulrushes and glowing lilies floating among the water garden helped visitors see one of the country’s most popular parks in a new light.

Desmeana Johnson, from the National Trust, said: “This event has been extremely popular and all tickets were snapped up online very quickly. Our aim over the two nights was to reconnect the online audience with Heaton Park — aptly nicknamed The People’s Park — which has been kept for the enjoyment and recreation of the public over the years.

“With the success of the event so far, we hope we are starting to realise our vision of broadening people’s understanding of the National Trust in urban areas and appealing to a wider audience who traditionally have not felt that the National Trust necessarily reflects their lives and lifestyles.”

Lanterns, steaming chimneys, fiery installations and illuminated glass orbs led to a stunning finale, in front of Heaton Hall, complete with flames and fireworks.

Last month, the National Trust invited people to share their favourite memories of Heaton Park via its website. A selection were showcased over the two nights, last Friday and Saturday, using words, audio, video and a memory tree.