Kentish Express Ashford & District
It’s all glowing on in Ashford...
Thousands of people enjoyed the council’s first ‘Illuminites’ events in the town centre at the weekend.
Shoppers followed a trail of illuminated trees, which were scattered around the high street, Memorial Gardens and Elwick Place as part of the ‘Ashford winter forest’.
On Friday and Saturday evenings, a five-minute digital mapping projection - dubbed ‘Glow International’ - was displayed on the side of the huge International House office block, with people watching on from the Dover Place car park.
Ashford Borough Council (ABC) said it organised the shows to celebrate the town’s history.
A spokeswoman for the authority said: “We are delighted with how the first weekend of Illuminites went.
“Several thousand people enjoyed the six showings of Glow International and followed the Winter Forest trail.
“Feedback on social media has been very positive.”
On Friday night, the Coachworks leisure complex in
Dover Place officially opened, serving food and drink to people who attended the ‘Glow
International’ event.
This weekend, ‘The Carnival of Baubles’ parade will take place in the town cenough tre, continuing the ‘Illuminites’ events.
It will start from Elwick Place at 5.30pm on Saturday, making its way along Bank Street and ending with a market in the Lower High Street.
The giant illuminated baubles have been decorated by children from primary schools in Ashford.
The ‘Illuminites’ events have been organised by Ashford BorCouncil and Loveashford, in partnership with Emergency Exit Arts, We Make Stuff Happen, LM Proand ductions, and supported by Ashford businesses.
Kentish Express correspondent
Ashford historian Steve Salter worked with the council and LM Productions to supply photos for the ‘Glow International’ projection.