Northumbrian Water is delighted to be supporting the 2017 Sunderland illuminations.
They are backing the month long event and are sponsoring one of the light installations in this year’s Festival of Light.
In keeping with the water company’s theme they have chosen to sponsor the ‘famous floating tap’ exhibit, which is being brought back for this year’s event.
The floating tap is a nostalgic return to the illuminations of old and will take pride of place within the city’s Roker Park. It’s thought that the tap will be seen by over 150,000 visitors to the month long festival.
The event coincides with the final stages of a yearlong £8.3 million sewer upgrade project for the Roker, Seaburn, Cleadon and St. Peter’s areas of Sunderland.
The work, which is set to finish in November, will improve and increase sewer capacity in the areas and reduce the risk of flooding to local residents and businesses.
Project Manager for the scheme, Dave Groak said: “We are delighted to support the Sunderland Illuminations, they are an important part of the fabric here in Sunderland and we are proud to be involved with the festival.
“Out of all of the fantastic exhibits the tap was the perfect choice for us and the timing of it couldn’t be better as we come to the end of our sewer project in the area.
“Working with our partners at Sunderland City Council and Esh-MWH we’ve installed new sewer pipes and sustainable drainage basins that will improve the performance and capacity of our networks and help protect local communities from flooding.“
Councillor John Kelly, Sunderland City Council’s Portfolio Holder for Health, Wellness and Culture, said: “The tap was for many years a popular feature of the Illuminations. Now, I’m pleased to say, with a lot of work behind the scenes, and thanks to the sponsors and everyone involved with the Illuminations, we’ve been able to turn a tap on again.
“We’ve had many, many thousands of visitors to the Illuminations so far this year and the Festival of Light is open every evening of the half-term for families to enjoy.
“Visitors to the Sunderland Illuminations and Festival of Light can experience an unforgettable mix of amazing lights, great entertainment and a warm, friendly family atmosphere.”
The Festival of Light will see Roker Park transformed into a lighting spectacular, with a playful Disney theme, and will be open every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from October 5 to November 5 plus every night at half term (Monday 23 October- Mon 30 October) from 5pm – 10pm.
For more information on the festival visit http://www.seeitdoitsunderland.co.uk/illuminations.
For information on the Sunderland sewerage works visit: https://nwlcommunityportal.co.uk/Projects/sunderland/Activity.