Families across Batheaston are set to take part in the Light Up Lockdown community event, organised by the Friends of Batheaston School (FOBS).
Light Up Lockdown will take place on 7 February from 5pm, with families displaying lanterns in their windows, built from kits supplied by the Friends.
“The idea came from our amazing FOBS member, Cara Petersen, who created a heart-warming, experience for the children at Batheaston Church School and the surrounding community to light up our dark nights and connect us all as a community again,” explained FOBS committee member, Kate Betts. “Kits to make simple, wooden dowel and tissue paper lanterns to hang in a window were made available to buy and collect, so that on the 7 February at 5pm, everyone can turn on their lanterns at the same time and look out for little dots of light in the windows of the houses around them, knowing that they are not alone during this worrying time.”
The initiative is the latest in a long line of activities organised by FOBS to give the children and the local community experiences to bring them together during these difficult times. With support from people in the local area, these have included a Scarecrow Trail, an online cake sale, a display of children’s wooden hearts of hope and a ‘snowy’ Christmas week, while also raising money to support the school.
“Whilst we have now sold all of the kits for the Light Up Lockdown’ project, we have received a lot of interest from other areas of the country who would love to set up a similar event in their own communities,” added Kate. “As a result, we are happy to provide lists of stock providers and full, detailed instructions of how to make the lanterns, if anyone would like to bring a bit of light to their local area.”
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Kate also explained that donations can also be made to the school while shopping online via easyfundraising.org.uk. “Select ‘Batheaston Church School’ as your cause and the school will receive donations when you shop with major retailers, at no extra cost to you,” she said.