Torchlight organisers have been thinking big to create the tiniest torchlight to date.
Each year, thousands of people line the streets in their thousands to make way for the massive procession of vehicles, bands, floats, dancers and walking groups that make up this annual spectacle. Due to the current government safety guidelines, this will not be possible and the traditional procession and street party have been cancelled for this year.
The creative team behind the event have come up with a safe and novel way to host an alternative event to keep the spirit of Torchlight alive. This week entries open for the “Tiny Torchlight Procession”. Individuals, families, community groups and local companies are invited to enter miniature creations, which will be filmed by a professional film company against the backdrop of the procession route, to re-create a full procession in miniature.
Entries can be individual puppets which will be grouped together or for the more adventurous a standalone entry. Blank canvas Lorry kits are available to purchase in addition to a pick and mix craft stall which can be found at the Birdcage throughout September.
Organising Group Team leader Craig Russell said: “Torchlight brings the community together and promotes the great culture of South Lakeland. The restrictions necessary due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic will impact on Kendal Torchlight 2020 and it is with much regret that we are unable to proceed with the traditional Kendal Torchlight Procession and Street Party over the weekend of the 25th and 26th September.
We knew the procession and street party needed a crowd to make it happen. This is too much of a risk in creating more cases of covid-19. We then moved to plan an online event ‘Tiny Torchlight’ and to bring a Torchlight Convoy to a street near you, this would embody the spirit of Torchlight.
The Tiny Torchlight will allow us to create a virtual procession that everyone can watch online, from the safety of their own homes and also be accessible to those who may not have been able to get out to the procession in the past. We are encouraging anyone who would like to get involved to create something, incorporating this year’s theme ‘Think Local, Act Global’, and also to create pieces that remind them of past years processions. It couldn’t be easier to get involved and this year, you don’t need a marshall to take part. We can use all these creative skills that people have been honing over lockdown and get making.
In addition to Tiny Torchlight, there will be a small convoy of sculptures travelling around Kendal during the afternoon 26th September, including music from Drum Nation and Milnthorpe Steel Band. We hope that this will give people a taster of the procession which they can enjoy locally in a safe and socially distant way.
It’s the whole community that makes Torchlight the special event that it is, so we are hoping that we can all work together, even though we can’t gather in person, to make something special this year that we will have for years to come.”
There are lots of ways to get involved, throughout the summer, leading up to the Torchlight weekend, including workshops to demonstrate making of wreaths, bunting, lanterns and drumming. There will also be a Torchlight information stand each Saturday between now and Torchlight weekend where you can collect materials, lantern kits, bunting kits, pick and mix and Tiny Torchlight kits.
On Saturday the 26th of September, we are naming Torchlight celebration day. There will be a small convoy of sculptures travelling around Kendal as a tribute to the procession, which people will be able to watch from their houses, or gardens in a socially distance way. We are hoping that people will embrace the spirit of Torchlight by decorating their homes, celebrating safely in their households and bubbles and watching the Tiny Torchlight parade and convoy live from home and a local street.
Your support is needed
The Torchlight Organisers and our Creative Crew are keen to hear from individuals, companies and community groups who can support Torchlight 2020 both creatively, practically and through provision of sponsorship.
They are also keen to engage with our local schools. They are also looking to recruit around 50 volunteers to help with the convoy of sculptures around the town on Saturday 26th September.
The spotlight is on Kendal
Community spirit and creative expression are at the heart of this event and despite our ‘new normal’ these are as prevalent as ever. For a small town, Kendal can certainly pack a punch!
And in the year that should have seen the 50th Kendal Torchlight Gathering there is no better time to look back over the history of the event and celebrate the best that Kendal has to offer.
Watch this space!
Follow our Torchlight Social Media pages on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to keep up to date with developments.
Full details can be found on the website www.kendaltorchlightcarnival.co.uk. To volunteer your support, please contact [email protected]
Entries need to be received by the 19th September.
Tiny Torchlight will be streamed live on 7pm on Facebook Saturday the 26th September and will be available to see on the Torchlight website.
Torchlight convoy
- Heron Hill 1pm
- Castle Estate 1.20pm
- Sandylands 2pm
- Vicarage Drive 3.30pm
- Kirkbarrow 3.50pm
- Hallgarth 4.30pm
