9th November 2023
Community Engages With Light Trail. The Enchanted Gardens Light Trail that is. With much excitement South Swindon Parish Council reveal for the community more information about the Enchanted Gardens Light Trail. It’s taking place at the Town Gardens through December 2023.
From Friday, December 1st to Sunday, December 24th, the trail promises to show Swindon’s creativity and love for the arts. That’ll be through graceful display of woodland lights and interactive illuminations.
Refreshment Opportunities
The Parish Council is proud to have partnered with Friends of Old Town. They’re organising wonderful food and drink vendors for for visitors to the light trail to sample. Providing a variety of food we have:
- Stockers
- Mamas Desserts
- Sugar Shack Bakery
- The Tuppenny and Town Gardens Café
The promotion of local businesses presents a great opportunity for our community to get to know the faces behind our local high street businesses. There’ll also be local entertainment throughout the event from our well-loved Town Gardens bandstand. We’ll have a range of performers, including:
- Revolution Performing Artshttps://swindonian.me/2020/01/30/revolution-performing-arts/
- Commonweal School
- Rhythmix Goa
- SALOS and many more.
Members of Swindon Makerspace, a not-for-profit based in Cheney Manor, are collaborating on a design for a unique selfie-spot. You’ll find that within the bandstand area of the trail.
Matt Bentley, from Swindon Makerspace said:
Swindon Makerspace is proud to collaborate with South Swindon Parish Council at this year’s light trail as an example to show what anyone can come along and make. Several of our members joined together to make this project happen. They did so with skills across many of the disciplines we have at the Makerspace. They range from wood work, metal work, laser cutting, electronics and craft to name a few.’
Creativity abounds
The creative talent amongst South Swindon’s young people will be on full display in the Rose Garden this winter, with their handcrafted lanterns exhibited above the flora.
Students from Lethbridge, Croft, Lawn Primary, Holy Family, Badbury Park, as well as residents of Bow Court, have participated in workshops this half-term, created and facilitated by South Swindon Parish Council’s youth worker. The workshops have focused on Swindon’s diverse community and the cultural celebrations that the local community engage in. Young people have been encouraged to decorate their lanterns in response to the question, ‘what do festive celebrations mean to you?
Loreli Huntley, youth worker of the South Swindon Parish Council said:
‘Over the past two weeks I’ve engaged with five schools and the youth club in the Parish with lantern workshops for the Enchanted Garden Light Trail. The theme for the lanterns is ‘Festive Celebrations’. We asked the children to draw designs that they connect with around this festive time. There are designs around Christmas, Diwali, Hannukah and fireworks. All boast bright colours. It excited the children to take part in the activity. They can’t wait to see their designs installed in the rose garden.’
Accessibility
The Enchanted Gardens Light Trail is completely step-free and designed to be accessible to all in the community. For those who might benefit from reduced noise and visual effects, the Parish Council have organised a ‘quiet evening’ on Monday 11 December. On this day, we’ll lower the music volume and either turn off or reduce in intensity the flashing effects. There’ll be a mobile toilet with hoist and changing table will be on site for this event. Please bring your own sling if you wish to use the hoist – www.revolootion.org.uk
Ticketing
There’ll be a limited number of tickets available for the Enchanted Gardens Light Trail. We have allocated time slots every 15 minutes, starting from 5pm.
Popular dates from the 22-24th of December are starting to sell out, as well as the 2nd, 9th and 16th of December. Tickets will be available online on the Town Gardens website: https://towngardens-swindon.co.uk/enchanted-gardens-light-trail-2023/
John Firmin, Chair of the events working party at South Swindon Parish Council said:
‘We’re pleased that, as part of this year’s light trail we have community involvement through the lanterns designed by local schools. Local food and beverage businesses will provide refreshments. And there will be a new light installation provided by Swindon Makerspace.’
Search ‘Enchanted Gardens Light Trail Swindon’ or visit www.towngardens-swindon.co.uk/enchanted-gardens-light-trail-2023
Tickets cost £13.00 for adults and £7.00 for children (aged 5-17 years). Under 4s and carers/assistants may attend free of charge with a paying ticket holder.
