Lanterns to light up Shoreham community garden for free celebration of the changing seasons
Lanterns will light up a Shoreham community garden to celebrate the ending of winter and the first signs of spring.
Apron Creative, a West Sussex not-for-profit arts and craft initiative, is organising the gathering in Buckingham Park 'to shine a light through the winter darkness'.
The annual winter celebration has been taking place since 2018 but this year will be a little different, with a light gathering at Apron Community Garden on Saturday, February 7, at 5pm.
Instead of the usual parade, the garden will be illuminated with lanterns, local choirs will sing nature-inspired songs and everyone will be encouraged to join in Penny Stone’s song First Light.
Marion McConnell, from Apron Creative, said: "In the spirit of embracing light whilst awaiting the renewal of spring, Apron welcomes everyone to celebrate the changing seasons with us and let light into the darkness of February. To make the event more accessible to all, instead of a parade, this year the garden will be illuminated with lanterns.
"The event began in 2018 as a celebration of community and a way to address the issue of loneliness by ‘shining a light through the winter darkness’. This year we have chosen early February to coincide with Imbolc and Saint Brigid’s Day.
"Imbolc marks the halfway point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. This Celtic festival connects us to the cycles of nature with the Irish word Imbolc, meaning ewe’s milk, and Imbolc rituals traditionally being performed to ensure a good supply of food until the harvest.
"Sharing the same date as Saint Brigid’s Day, Brigid being the goddess of fire, healing and fertility, Imbolc celebrations typically centre around firelight."
All are welcome to the free event. Apron is asking community groups, organisations and schools to get involved by running their own lantern-making events during the run up to the celebration and helping to spread the word.