Call for Hadrian's Wall illumination to become annual event
Last updated at 13:28, Tuesday, 16 March 2010
Calls have been made for the illumination of Hadrian’s Wall to be made an annual event.
Related: Twelve thousand join 'carnival' for lighting up of Hadrian's Wall
More than 25,000 people turned out – from Wallsend to Bowness-on-Solway – on Saturday night to witness the spectacle along the 84-mile Hadrian’s Wall.
Thousands of people armed with flaming torches packed into Carlisle city centre and made their way down Castle Street and into Bitts Park as part of the procession.
Organisers of the Welcoming the Light event said they were “overwhelmed” by the response from people.
Linda Tuttiett, chief executive of Hadrian’s Wall Heritage Ltd, said: “All things are possible. We have a completely open mind about it.
“The atmosphere was electric and everybody seemed to enjoy being part of something in which so many people were involved. The whole place was buzzing.
“It was great to see so many people in the landscape and sharing the world heritage site.
“After all the months of hard work it was tremendously moving to see the line of light make its way along the Wall and to see the reactions of the illuminators and the people who came to watch the event from all across the UK and overseas, as well as the surrounding communities.
“Visitors to Hadrian’s Wall Country add nearly £2billion a year to the economy of the north of England. Businesses across the area have had a very busy weekend and the event has also raised the profile of the Wall just ahead of the main tourist season.
“The line of light was seen by millions of people on television and there’s already been coverage as far afield as Australia, South Africa and the Philippines.
“We’ve done something really quite extraordinary to bring to life Britain’s longest and greatest World Heritage Site and celebrate the landscape of Hadrian’s Wall Country.”
Julie Tait, from Lakes Alive which organised the Welcoming the Light event, said: “It was exactly what we had hoped for – a magical procession with a real sense of occasion and anticipation and a fantastic atmosphere.
“The people who came in costume and carried torches played a vitally important role helping to make this a very special event.
“It really did bring people together from right across the local community, as well as the many visitors who came from all over the UK and even overseas.
“The performances in Bitts Park and the finale were greeted with awe and wonder.
“A lot of people have said they thought the event brought the city to life in a very special way and how moved they were to be part of it.
“Carlisle was very busy with hotels fully booked and the restaurants and many other businesses got a lot of extra people through their doors too.”
The cost of the event was estimated to be about £300,000 with funding coming from the Arts Council, Culture10, Lakes Alive and Carlisle Renaissance.
First published at 11:28, Tuesday, 16 March 2010
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk
I can't believe some people didn't see any publicity, do they go around with their eyes shut and their ears covered over because its been splashed all over the papers (local and national), the internet, on the radio, on TV. I'm very concerned that these people will have a vote in the next election and....
...hang on, news just in, Elvis has died! I'll be right back.View all 12 comments on this article
Have your say
I had several sites email sent to me by a relative. I was disappointed not to see any photos of the end of the wall in Wallsend. It is over 50 years since I lived in England but I was keen to see some information on the Halls Ground where, if my memory serves my correctly was the site of the end of the wall.
Posted by Doreen Gibson (nee Waldon) on 29 March 2010 at 09:30