Light up Latchford defies stormy weather to show true community spirit

0

LOCALLY based Community Objectives CIC along with its partners celebrated as the long-anticipated return of Light up Latchford went ahead, despite weather warnings, as the community pulled together.

For the second time, Community Objectives CIC and the Latchford community came together to celebrate the untold stories shared between households each and every day.

Following on from the success of 2019’s event, Light Up Latchford was due to be held at Westy Park, Latchford but with storm warnings was moved to Cardinal Newman Catholic High School, Latchford.

With plans, for tall puppets, site-specific displays and lantern creations in addition to their programme of performances and activities, the community showed a true display of resilience, adaptability and buckets of creativity as they changed the event just 48 hours before it was due to start.

As the weather blew down trees and encouraged everybody to stay home warm, the community of Latchford pulled together and facilitated a night like no other.

Director of Community Objectives, Jake Liken said: “With the weather warnings our main concern was that if the event was to go ahead, the safety of our attendees was the highest priority. We work with the team at Newman High School in a variety of ways and they were brilliant hosts for one of our lantern buildings workshops where we had an incredible number of students showed up to support building lanterns for our community pick-up station.

“The fact that they were able to support us in such an incredible way is such a great example of the spirit of Latchford. Every person there was very grateful for their support, including me and the team. They saved the event from cancellation, something that I know would affect so many people who aren’t able to access the more costly alternatives; that’s the whole reason why we do this”.

The event was funded through multiple organisations such as Latch Ford Big Local Partnership who offered each Latch Ford Big Local Resident a free ticket as the main funder, The Coop Foundation and its members, Warrington Borough Council’s Community Initiative Fund, ASDA and Curious Minds.

Despite the weather, the event had over 250 people present on the night. The project engaged 158 lantern makers, eight Marshalls, 45 local Warrington performers, and 14 local small businesses. One attendee stated: “It’s cold, really cold, but just look at this, it’s so worth it to see the way that everyone is coming together, especially after the past 2 years… I’m just in love with the giant light-up knickers and the story behind them”.

With performers from Warrington Vale Royal College, Encore Productions, Creating Adventures, local singers and the dancing duo as well as a range of stalls, activities and walkabout performers, plans are already being discussed for a 2022 event which is surely one not to miss with promises of being bigger, brighter and better than ever.

For more information on how to get involved with various projects the Community Objectives CIC run throughout the year, visit their social media @communityobjectives, website www.communityobjectives.com, or email [email protected]


0 Comments
Share.

About Author

Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.

Leave A Comment