2021 Candles on the Hill
The 2021 project was run jointly by ATTA and Friends of St Nicholas.
It is always windy and cold on St Catherine’s Hill, but this year it was ARCTIC!
The wind was so strong and icy that the lantern bags were folded over right away, but in spite of that we displayed a total of more than 450 colourful lantern bags to light the path to the Chapel and to form the circle representing St Catherine’s wheel.
220 of the lantern bags had been beautifully decorated by the children from three local schools, Chesil Bank Pre-School, Portesham School, and Thorner’s. The rest were produced by the local community who had bought them from the village shops or at the Lantern Workshop which I ran on the same day as the event. It was wonderful to have such an assortment of images and words, and to experience the collective creativity and imagination.
Our Vicar, Margaret, conducted her service outside the Chapel in the dry but driving gale. Forced by restrictions relating to Covid, issued by English Heritage, the public was not allowed to congregate inside the building. There was a crowd of over 50 people who joined her there.
This was the first collaboration with local schools for the COTH project and we thank the children and staff so much for working with us. All your contributions were very much admired.
Please join us again next year, we would really love it if circumstances allow us to come to your school then to thank you in person.
Meanwhile Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Barbara Laurie, Project Leader for COTH 2021 on behalf of ATTA and Friends of St Nicholas.
