A
partnership between Same Sky, the largest community arts charity in the South
East and Cathedral Group at the old municipal market building in Brighton’s
Circus Street will make this year’s Burning of the Clocks Parade extra special,
according to John Varah, Director of Same Sky.
“This
year, we are building a giant ship lantern at Circus Street, which will be the
centrepiece for this year’s parade, for people to put their lanterns inside and
to help us create a huge burning spectacle at the end of the event,” he said.
“The
parade has become so popular, it can take a long time to get all the lanterns
burning and this will make the whole event work and look even better. We
haven’t had an under cover space large enough to work on such a huge piece
before, so we are delighted to be able to partner with Cathedral Group and use
the Circus Street space.”
As part
of the partnership, Same Sky is working with local people in Tarner so that
they can participate in the lantern parade, holding lantern-making workshops
with the Carlton Hill Primary School and Tarner Community Project’s youth
group.
“Having
access to this space will also benefit the Children’s Parade on the first
weekend of May, which kicks off Brighton Festival, as it will be used for
workshops and building then as well,” continued John Varah.
Cathedral
Group will in turn be borrowing some of Same Sky’s stunning and unique
creations to help decorate the old market building for its Circus Street
Winterland free festival on December 14, which is open for everyone in Brighton
& Hove to come and enjoy. For details see www.circusstreetbrighton.com
The Burning
of the Clocks takes place on the winter solstice, on December 21, and attracts
many thousands of people, both bringing their own paper lanterns to burn and to
watch the fiery spectacle. The parade
leaves from New Road at 6.30pm and arrives at Madeira Drive at approximately
7.15pm, when lanterns are passed onto the bonfire and the fireshow begins,
finishing at around 8pm.
People
can support this community event and join in the fun by buying their own DIY
lantern-making kits for £20 at The Wood Store in Circus Street, the Hartington
Pub in Whippingham Road, the Book Nook in St John’s Place or the Pavilion shop.
Sponsorship opportunities for this hugely popular event are also available at
www.samesky.co.uk
Cathedral
Group in partnership with McLaren Property submitted a planning application in
October for a development on the site estimated to bring over £200million into
Brighton & Hove over the next ten years, create over 600 jobs, deliver two
landmark public buildings: The Dance Space, a new home for South East Dance,
and a library and teaching building for the University of Brighton, as well as
much needed new homes, student residential accommodation and office space.
Said
Martyn Evans, Creative Director from Cathedral Group, “We are thrilled to be
working with such a fantastic organisation as Same Sky, which is so close to
the hearts of people in Brighton & Hove.
“They
truly capture the essence of the city and as a creative organisation ourselves,
with proposals for a development which will also contribute greatly to the art
and culture in the city, we relish the opportunity to participate in the great
work and events which they run – now and into the future.”
