Flood-hit Calder valley's shining festival of light

A valley rises from the floods. Towns in the narrows of upper Calderdale were badly damaged this summer. Photograph: Christopher Thomond/guardian.co.uk

But Hebden Bridge in particular is known for its quirky creativity and resilience.
Photograph: guardian.co.uk

It got together with neighbouring Todmorden and Mytholmroyd to keep the smiles on local faces Photograph: Christopher Thomond/guardian.co.uk

Parades of Light took place in all three towns, with a Bike Ride of Light also threading them together Photograph: Christopher Thomond/guardian.co.uk

Lantern-making workshops were part of the preliminary fun which involved the communities from preschoolers to pensioners. Photograph: Christopher Thomond/guardian.co.uk

There were torches too, from living flames to little pocket versions winking in the dark. Photograph: Christopher Thomond/guardian.co.uk

On dark November and December nights, the result was an extraordinary blaze of inventive light. Photograph: Christopher Thomond/guardian.co.uk

You could see the lamps but not the people carrying them, an unearthly image which will linger in many minds. Photograph: Christopher Thomond/guardian.co.uk

There was plenty of music too, in an area famed for every kind, from jazz and gamelin to Yorkshire brass bands. Photograph: Christopher Thomond/guardian.co.uk

And loads of stars, many of them children whose artistic talent was given full play. Photograph: Christopher Thomon/guardian.co.uk

You can see more on Hebden Bridge's superlative website and that of the organisers. Photograph: Christopher Thomond/guardian.co.uk