Heywood goes bananas for 'Monkey Town Goes Ape' parade

Monkey Town Goes Ape parade

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Hundreds of people turned out to line the streets of Heywood for the 'Monkey Town Goes Ape' parade on Saturday (6 May).

The parade was led by a band playing bagpipes. Schoolchildren carrying banners of the names of nine ape sculptures dotted around Heywood followed. The Mayor Ray Dutton, Mayoress Elaine Dutton, and Councillor Peter Rush also took part in the parade and waved to the crowds from their car.

Vintage vehicles, such as the famous Leyland Titan Pd/2 40 double decker 1967 Salford bus (loaned by the Bury Transport Museum of the East Lancashire Railway), a 35-seater Rawtenstall Coachbuilder and a bright yellow van by the name of ‘Clementine’ also featured, with Planet of the Apes armoured tanks bringing up the rear.

Several apes marched during the parade, and the keen-eyed would have spotted several apes driving and waving from vehicles. Some even threw bananas in true ape fashion to several children watching the parade.

The parade began at Cherwell Hub on Cherwell Avenue, progressing through the centre of Heywood before returning back to the start for a garden party, via Heywood Sports Village.

At the garden party, there were fairground attractions such as a bouncy castle and other rides, live band, Rockstar Magic entertaining all day, burgers and hotdogs and a licensed bar. Finishing off the afternoon, and top of the bill, Heywood's own star of the X-Factor, Daniel Fox.

Along the Monkey Town Trail were nine ape sculptures with a unique symbol on its base. Those who collect rubbings of all nine symbols will be entered into a draw to win one of the apes at the end of the summer.

St Luke’s CE Primary School have been working with artist Leanne Thompson to create ‘Beau’ the ape, inspired by all things beautiful.

Phoo Dow comes from a troop of apes who live deep in the African rain forest; Hopwood School worked with artist Isabelle Alexa to create him.

Siddal Moor Sports College’s artist Stefan Graham helped them create Glissando Babboono who likes peace, bananas and nuts.

Big Heap was made by Heap Bridge Village Primary School with help from artist Lee Hartley.

St Margaret’s C of E Primary School worked with artist Mila Raczkowska to make their ape, Maggie, named after Saint Margaret.

Mayor Dutton said: “It’s a wonderful festival day in the wonderful town of Heywood and it’s been wonderful to take part in the parade.”

Mayoress Dutton agreed: “It’s especially wonderful to see how the young have represented the schools.”

The Mayor also praised the event for its inclusiveness of children and adults with special needs.

Councillor Rush said. “There’s been a great community spirit. A first-class image has been presented and I’m pleased to have had this in our township.

“It’s been a credit to those who organised it, it’s been superb.

“I’d also like to thank the Heywood veterans for marshalling the road closures.”

Councillor Rush added he was pleased the schools and their arts and music teams were involved in the presentation of the apes.

Local resident Karen Cooper brought her granddaughter Lilibelle, aged six, to see the parade. Lilibelle enjoyed the monkeys and Karen enjoyed the band leading the parade.

Karen said: “I thought Lilibelle would enjoy the parade, and it’s good to support local events.”

The Davis family joined in the fun, with dad Steve, son William, aged 13, and daughter Lily, aged five, dressing up appropriately because “we’re from Heywood”.

William enjoyed the whole parade and Lily’s favourite part was dressing up.

Monkey Town Goes Ape was led by Heywood-based social enterprise PossAbilities, backed by the Big Lottery Celebrate Fund with a £10,000 grant.

PossAbilities Chief Executive Rachel Law said: “We want to celebrate all that is great about Heywood and bring people from all walks of life together in a creative endeavour. For some the ‘Monkey Town’ tag has been seen as a negative. We want to turn it into a positive and really celebrate Heywood as a great place to be.”