A new film has been released reflecting on the legacy of the Barnaby Festival.

Barnaby. Painting the Town premiered last week at a special event at Townley Hall in Macclesfield.

Co-directed by father and son, Mike and Danny Thorpe, the half-hour documentary serves as a visual record of the festival, which was held for the final time in 2023.

Macclesfield-based graphic designer and artist Mike said: "We were keen the film didn't feel too nostalgic or posthumous.

"Barnaby has had a positive impact on people within the town.

"So many people were involved either producing work, or volunteering and it had a real ripple effect, with many of them going on to do something else creative.

"It really was a great thing for Macclesfield."

Danny, who was brought up in Macclesfield and works in sports broadcasting, added: "We couldn't capture everything that Barnaby created.

"It is our vision of the festival.

"We wanted to showcase its legacy, as well as touch on the challenges it faced.

"We also wanted to ask what comes next?"

The film was co-directed by father and son, Mike and Danny Thorpe (Credit: Barnaby Festival)

The aim was to engage the community and empower people to create.

As part of the festival, work was presented around the town in shops, cafes, bars, heritage spaces, churches, and disused spaces.

Barnaby. Painting the Town was the final piece commissioned by Macclesfield Barnaby Festival.

It features many of the key figures involved in the festival, including artists, performers, volunteers and team members.

The film ends with a new piece of work written and performed by Ailsa Holland and Angie Aiken, which was filmed in Paradise Mill, part of the Silk Museum.

The piece features original spoken word and new music performed on the cello and was written especially for Barnaby.

Meanwhile, the soundtrack to the film includes music by Danny's band Racing Glaciers as well as a track by L.A.S.H, a Macclesfield-based quartet.

Danny and Mike Thorpe (Credit: Barnaby Festival)

Sue Todd, one of Macclesfield Barnaby Festival trustees, said: "There is sadness in saying goodbye to Barnaby but now is the right time to end and to celebrate all that has been achieved. 

"Barnaby leaves such a strong legacy and can proudly say that it has been a catalyst and support for so many artists and groups who have established themselves in Macclesfield."

Sue continued: "At the heart of the Festival has been the community, its partnerships, its sense of place and distinctiveness.

"We are grateful to all those who have supported Barnaby Festival over the years, either as trustees, volunteers, artists, partners, funders, or venues.

"We would not have been able to do this without them.

"We are delighted to end on a creative note through this film with new poetry and music by Ailsa and Angie.

"We'd like to thank Mike and Danny for making this wonderful film and all the people who have given their time and hearts to Barnaby over the years."   

A digital copy of the film will be donated to North West Film Archive and will be available to view on their Vimeo channel in March.

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