Light show

ON THE HIGH STREET

ON THE FIRST FRIDAY IN DECEMBER, CANDLELIGHT FLOODS THE STREETS OF DUNSTER. THE OLD BUILDINGS OF THE VILLAGE, SOME OF WHICH DATE FROM THE 16TH CENTURY, AND THE LOOMING NORMAN CASTLE COULD EASILY MAKE YOU THINK THIS IS A LONG-STANDING TRADITION. BUT IT HAS ONLY BEEN GOING SINCE 1986, WHEN LOCAL TRADERS WERE COMING UP WITH WAYS TO BOOST BUSINESS. HANNAH BRADSHAW, WHO RAN THE TEA SHOPPE ON THE HIGH STREET, ADVERTISED A CANDLELIT SHOPPING NIGHT IN THE LOCAL PAPER AND ASKED RESIDENTS TO PLACE CANDLES IN THEIR WINDOWS*. “IN THAT FIRST YEAR, I LOOKED UP AT ALL THE CANDLES FLICKERING THROUGH THE PANES AND IT WAS MAGICAL,” SHE SAYS. NOW, 20,000 PEOPLE VISIT THE SOMERSET VILLAGE ANNUALLY TO ENJOY THE SPECTACLE.