Illuminating Bedminster's North Street

By Hannah2009 | Wednesday, November 17, 2010, 12:17

Here's some news to brighten a dull and wet day: a project by Illuminate will be lighting up the lower end of North Street during a special five-day event this Christmas designed to evoke memories of Christmases past.

The Illuminate project will light up the lower end of North Street in Bedminster for a Christmas celebration starting on 17 December 2010

Illuminate says that the project aims to “revitalise the local high street by encouraging residents and businesses alike to support their local shops and inject a sense of pride back into the community”.

From the old Gala Bingo down to the Cannon St mini roundabout, North Street will be transformed into a festive spectacle with a series of shop window displays created by nationally renowned Bristol-based artists.

The event is called Longest Night. It will start on 17 December and run up to the Winter Solstice, and aims to rekindle memories of days gone by when local shopkeepers would decorate their windows and the smells and sights of Christmas would excite children of all ages.

The opening night will start at 7pm with live music from Miss Cecily as well as a resident DJ. Once Arts and Ceremonies will produce a guerrilla shadow graffiti project with the children from Windmill Hill City Farm and you can celebrate in style with refreshments from the beer and food tent.

There will also be an exhibition looking at celebrations over the last 70 years, focussing on local and national events through the eyes of Bristol residents and photographers, past and present.

The event is supported by Kevin McCloud, presenter of Grand Designs: “Illuminate Bristol is a brilliant way of bringing together business, residential and artistic communities in a Christmas celebration that reflects both the creativity and rich history of Bristol.

“It’s projects like this that exactly highlight how we need look no further than our own neighbourhood to discover the best of life.”

What do you think? Will you be supporting this event?

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Comments

My apologies! Link now inserted: http://tinyurl.com/2dg2ge4

By Hannah2009 at 20:47 on 27/11/10
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You miss my point. If you put advertising plans into place before you commence these projects people won't miss them at all and then they wouldn't have to trek to your shop (no doubt being encouraged to buy things while they're there) to find out what they are. I'm sure those who were really interested would look at your website but given the area that the project is based in has 20% of it's residents without internet access then that's not always possible. Of course since there isn't a link on this story then that makes it less simple for those who aren't computer literate.

By Sidderley at 16:01 on 27/11/10
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Hi Sidderley, you are right not everyone will like this project, as I said we can't please everyone but we do work with Bedminster Memories, Windmill City farm Senior group, WCF adventure Playground kids, Knowle West Media centre users, Schools partnership, Senior Reds to name but a few...
I am based at 55 North St and more than happy to chat to anyone interested about the advertising we have done and the funding we have received and all our partners can be seen on the website.
Best wishes, Jess.

By jesswright1 at 15:42 on 27/11/10
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Last years event was missed by a lot of people because they didn't know it was happening. Perhaps there are only two of you but since you are being supported by grants from the Greater Bedminster Community Partnership then you can factor in some sort of advertising and at least then the grants would be justified. Perhaps you should bear in mind that in an area where there is a high number of older & disabled people not everyone wants to stand around in the cold & dark to see "art".

By Sidderley at 15:26 on 27/11/10
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Thanks everyone for taking an interest in this project, the idea is to try and do something about improving this end of North St rather than just grumbling about it, as a local shop keeper I feel its up to us to do as much as possible. We would all like to see xmas lights along the length of North St but and great new shops open up, but all things take time and money so this is just hopefully a stepping stone to a better High St for everyone.
In answer to Sidderley's comment - I'm sorry you felt disappointed with last years project, it was a pilot event and we advertise as much as possible in ALL areas of South Bristol but please bear in mind the project is run and organised by two people alongside our full time jobs on a small budget so we can't be please everyone - perhaps you missed the artists films in the window, the projections on Gala Bingo and the music? We had over 1000 happy visitors last year so lets hope everyone will help support the community again this year!
Best wishes, Jess Wright.

By jesswright1 at 15:18 on 27/11/10
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