SOUTH SWINDON SOUTH PARISH COUNCIL COMMUNITY ENGAGES WITH ENCHANTED GARDENS LIGHT TRAIL

South Swindon Parish Council is excited to reveal for the community more information about the Enchanted Gardens Light Trail at the Town Gardens for December 2023.

From Friday, December 1st to Sunday, December 24th, the trail promises to demonstrate Swindon’s creativity and love for the arts through graceful display of woodland lights and interactive illuminations.

The Parish Council is proud to have partnered with Friends of Old Town who are organising wonderful food and drink vendors for attendees of the Enchanted Gardens Light Trail to sample. Stockers, Mamas Desserts, Sugar Shack Bakery, The Tuppenny and Town Gardens Café will provide a variety of food, such as sandwiches, burgers and a selection of desserts. The promotion of local businesses will be a great opportunity for our community get to know better the faces behind our local high street brands. In addition, there will be local entertainment throughout the event from our well-loved Town Gardens bandstand, from a range of performers, including 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 that will be able to be found within the Bandstand area of the trail.

Matt Bentley, from Swindon Makerspace said:

“Swindon Makerspace is proud to be collaborating with the 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 with skills across many of the disciplines we have at the Makerspace from Wood work, Metal work, Laser cutting, Electronics and Craft to name a few.”

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 have engaged with 5 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’ and children are asked to draw designs that they connect with around this festive time. There are designs around Christmas, Diwali, Hannukah and fireworks and all are very brightly coloured. The children were excited to take part in the activity and can’t wait to see their designs installed in the Rose Garden.”

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, music volume will be lowered, and flashing effects will either be turned off or reduced in intensity. There will be 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

There will be a limited number of tickets available for the Enchanted Gardens Light Trail, with 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 Firman, Chair of the Events Working Party at South Swindon Parish Council said:

“We are very pleased that as part of this years Enchanted Gardens Light Trail we have community involvement through the lanterns designed by local schools. Local food and beverage businesses will be providing 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 are priced at £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.

For more information and interview requests, contact Abigail Scutts (Events Manager), [email protected] or 07712256663