The start of the Ulverston Charter Festival celebrations in 1994 began when, on Saturday, September 3, the Charter Princess, Nicola Jewitt, was crowned in the opening ceremony at Market Place.

That was followed by an open air concert by Ulverston Town band.

Under the headline ‘Ulverston charter festival off to a flying start’, The Mail reported that, the following day, the Charter 38 mile cycle race got under way from the starting, and finishing point, on Birkrigg Common.

The Road Race, which started in County Square, also took place on the Sunday.

Eddie Simpson, of Border Harriers, won the race with Pat Miller, of Barrow and Furness Striders, in second place.

Thousands of people flocked into Ulverston town centre for the lantern procession which brought the town’s charter festival celebrations in 1994 to a spectacular climax.

The event on Saturday, September 17, proved to be a real family occasion with an estimated 3,000-strong crowd comprising young and old alike enjoying the fun on a still autumn evening lit by the glow of lanterns.

There were lanterns of all shapes and sizes made at workshops held during the previous two weeks.

The lanterns were all linked to the theme of ‘How Does Your Garden Grow’.

Four separate parades from different parts of the area, including one from Swarthmoor, linked up in the town centre before making a giant river of light heading to Ford Park for the grand finale.

The chair of South Lakeland Council Cllr Elizabeth Braithwaite and Ulverston mayor Cllr Janette Jenkinson watched the parade from the balcony of the Coronation Hall before joining the Croftlands procession with two specially made lanterns for the last lap to Ford Park.

Visitors to Ford Park were greeted by an archway of white lights and inside Welfare State International designers had set up an amphitheatre for spectators to enjoy the entertainment, which culminated in a fabulous fireworks display.