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At the beginning of November we got involved in the Newstead Village Bonfire Night, put on by Future Newstead, a community group set up to improve the quality of life in the village, and Gedling Borough Council.
City Arts was asked to lead a series of workshops with different community groups in the run up to the event. Artists Jess Kemp and Christine Hayward worked with 117 children and parents in the local Primary School and Sure Start Centre teaching them how make the beautiful lanterns you can see in this gallery.
We also took our puppets, Starchild and the Eternal, along to the Local Youth Centre and taught a group of young people how to bring them to life for the event.
On Saturday the 9th November as the public arrived onsite, Starchild greeted them, weaved in and out the crowds by the young puppeteers, mesmerizing children and adults alike.
Thank you so much for suggesting the illuminated puppets as they really were a massive success and added another level of experience and excitement to the event.
Clare James – Community Leisure Manager, Gedling Borough Council
At 7.00pm, families with lanterns come together to process around the site. Afterwards, whilst the bonfire was lit, our young participants led the Eternal around introducing it to the audience and breaking to have a little ‘boogie’ to the sounds of a drum workshops in the marquee.
As the fireworks finale started, The Eternal and Starchild headed home, leaving a grateful crowd.
Photos by Jess Kemp