Amble residents asked to help light up town for Christmas after cancellation of torchlight procession

The annual parade, which coincides with the Christmas lights switch-on, is one of the town’s most popular events, but has been cancelled due to coronavirus restrictions.

Determined not to be defeated by the virus, members of Amble Events Committee have had a bright idea to light up the town.

The committee are encouraging households, streets and individuals to participate in the Amble Festival of Light.

The idea is that every street is lit up with individual home-made lanterns, light installations or banners, hung on their doorsteps, windows, in their garden or back lane, or even on their nearest lamppost.

Street coordinators will also encourage younger members of the community to make things for older neighbours too.

Online workshops will be held to show people how to make lanterns and illuminated window displays and how to order and collect the kits, which would be free to local residents.

Frances Anderson of Dry Water Arts said: “We’re inviting people to take part in a new Amble tradition inspired by the need to socially distance which brings light, togetherness and celebration to the streets and doorsteps of Amble without having to leave your doorstep or street.”

The Christmas lights will be switched on sometime during mid November; this year there is no formal switch on date. Organisers do not wish to encourage people to congregate on

the street at any one time.

The Festival of Light will begin on November 18, and rather than it being just one night it will be held over a few nights from 5pm-8pm, enabling people to be inspired and to add more contributions so that it grows during the festival.

As with the torchlight procession, the Festival of Light will have a theme: for this year it is myths and legends.

Frances said: “Some suggestions to start with could be: The Little Shore Snake, the Lobster Queen, or the Amble Selkie. Or traditional stories such as the Lambton Worm.

"Windows of domestic dwellings can become the showcases for these legends, encouraging people to let their imaginations fly!”

All the films of the event and resources can be accessed at www.drywaterarts.uk/amble-light-festival-2020

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