Starlings Support CIC supported by Arts Council England once again worked with Cohesion Plus and Future Foundry to deliver the Newington Festival of Light on Friday 18th October. Now in its second year, the event saw hundreds attend with young people lighting up the Newington estate with their vibrant lanterns.
Spectators and participants carried over 500 lanterns, made in workshops totalling over 300 hours of working with schools, community groups and the general public. The extraordinary procession was led by local residents and schools.
Cohesion Plus led on the music and dance workshops across the participating schools as well as shaping the lantern parade’s artistic programme which saw performance from the likes of DDFK Brass, a group specialising on brass renditions of cult and current pop smash hits, as well as the Kings of Dhol, internationally renowned artists who specialise in North Indian percussion, with a modern British fusion sound. In addition, Native Oysters Brass Band, a New Orleans style band, themed stilt walkers and Uzembezi Arts, African djembe drummers also performed in the parade.
The procession started at Newington Community Centre and finished with a firework display at the Royal Harbour Academy.
Civic guests included Ms Polly Billington MP, the Deputy Lieutenant Clive Stevens, and the Ramsgate Town Mayor, Cllr Patricia Moore. Older residents at Copperfield’s, unable to attend the parade were treated to performances from the Ramsgate Arts Primary choir and the DDFK Brass Band.
