Latest News

Basingwerk Abbey Festival of Light

Published: 20/09/2016

A free family friendly festival of light projections and activities will take place at Basingwerk Abbey, Greenfield, on Saturday 15 October 2016. This year’s Festival of Light will showcase the assets, environment and heritage of the Flintshire coast. The event starts at 4pm and ends at 7:30pm and is free of charge. There will be the chance to take part in lantern-making and percussion workshops with local artists, to listen to live acoustic music, bring a picnic or enjoy an on-site BBQ, take part in a twilight lantern parade and then enjoy the finale of the dance performance and projections, which will have all been created leading up to the event. Specialist art installations, dance pieces, film projections, music and workshops are being created by NEW Dance, artists Ben Davis, Judith Wood, Rob Spaull, Ynyr Llwyd and Honor Pedican specifically for the festival. This will be achieved by working with participants from a range of coastal Flintshire communities and schools in a variety of activities throughout September. Live music from local acoustic musicians, on stage inside the abbey, plus a twilight lantern parade will add to the atmosphere at the free festival for all ages to create an encounter that it is hoped will give people a new perspective on the region’s history and landscapes, inspire creativity in the region and encourage people to explore the coast. Flintshire County Council Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Councillor Derek Butler, said: “We are proud to be showcasing our diverse, attractive and vibrant coastal communities and associated heritage as the main feature during the Basingwerk Festival of Light. I am sure that visitors to our beautiful coastal region will enjoy the event immensely and return in the future to explore the full range of visitor attractions Flintshire has to offer.” A Big Lottery Fund spokesperson, said: “Coastal Communities share a strong sense of place and the funding for this event will have a positive impact on the local area’s economy and its communities.” The festival is being organised by Flintshire County Council’s arts, culture and events team with financial support from the Coastal Communities Fund and Cadw. The Coastal Communities Fund is funded by the Government with income from the Crown Estate’s marine assets. It is delivered by the Big Lottery Fund on behalf of UK Government and the Devolved Administrations in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.