Spilsby Light Night is back - but it needs your help

A light show which transformed historic buildings in Spilsby into stunning arts displays is set to return next year - but organisers still need support from local investors.
Spilsby Light Show is back for 2020.Spilsby Light Show is back for 2020.
Spilsby Light Show is back for 2020.

Different Light Collective is celebrating after its successful pilot event in March succeeded in winning increased funding from Arts Council England for a second event in 2020.

However, organisers planning to present a 'bigger and better' event say to free the Artc Council cash match-funding needs to be found from local businesses and supporters.

Subject to securing local support, William Lindley, who’s piece ‘Portal’ was shown inside St James’ Church in Spilsby at the 2019 event to great acclaim, will be commissioned to create a new piece, alongside digital artist Barret Hodgson who will be commissioned to create special video content that will be shown on the front of the Theatre.

There will also be a special lantern parade, live music and an Illumaphonium, a specially built interactive LED xylophone!

The Different Light Collective is made up of Simon Hollingworth, a Lincoln based Creative Producer who’s company, Mr Holly, has been awarded the Arts Council funding, Andy Johnson Smith, a Spalding based Creative Technician and owner of Popcorn Media and Bruce Knight, Director of The Sessions House CIC (Spilsby Theatre).

Simon Hollingworth said “We are absolutely thrilled that Arts Council England have approved our funding for the second Spilsby Light Night. It is testament to everyone who got involved last time - local businesses, schools, churches as well as the local Business Partnership and Spilsby Town

Council and many individual volunteers too – that ACE has seen the potential of what we created and wants to give us a second chance to create something even better.

"There is loads to do to make the 2020 event a reality and there’ll be loads of ways that the local community will be able to get involved, but this is a fantastic start.”

Alan Chambers, the Chairman of Spilsby Business Partnership added “This is brilliant news to see this great event return to Spilsby and a great opportunity to showcase Spilsby to a wider audience”.

The Different Light Collective will be looking to engage local people as volunteers to help stage the event and will also be approaching community groups and schools to get involved in the participatory aspects of the event.

In order to unlock the Arts Council money, the organisers will be talking to local businesses, networks and public organisations as well as setting up a crowd-funding campaign, in order to be able to reach the final goal and deliver Spilsby Light Night 2020.

The event will begin with a preview on the Friday night aimed primarily at local residents, with the main event taking place on Saturday, March 7, from 5.30pm to 8.30pm.

In the meantime, the festive season is getting off to a sparkling start with Christmas lights switch-ons in Skegness uesterday (Friday) evening and in Spilsby and Wainfleet today (Saturday). For full details and pics see this week's Skegness Standard.

Related topics: