Gearing up for best Enchanted Gardens Light Trail yet

South Swindon Parish Council has revealed more information about this year's Enchanted Gardens Light Trail at the Town Gardens.

From Friday, 1 to Sunday 31 December, 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 has partnered with Friends of Old Town, who are organising wonderful food and drink vendors for visitors to the 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 parish council says the promotion of local businesses will be a great opportunity for the community get to know better the faces behind local high street brands. In addition, there will be local entertainment throughout the event at the Town Gardens bandstand, with performers including Revolution Performing Arts, Commonweal School, Rhythmix Goa and SALOS.

Members of Swindon Makerspace, a not-for-profit based in Cheney Manor, are collaborating on a design for a unique selfie spot in the bandstand area.

Matt Bentley of 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, 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 half-term workshops 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?"

Parish council youth worker Loreli Huntley said: “Over the past two weeks I have engaged with five 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.  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. 

A mobile toilet with a hoist and changing table will be on site for this event, and people are asked to bring their own sling if they wish to use the hoist. Details of this can be found at 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 22 to 24 December are starting to sell out, as well as the 2, 9 and 16 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.”

Further details can be found at www.towngardens-swindon.co.uk/enchanted-gardens-light-trail-2023

Tickets are priced at £13 for adults and £7 for children aged 5-17. Under-fours and carers/assistants can attend free of charge with a paying ticket holder.