I don't know about you, but once I get home on dark winter nights, it takes something very special to tempt me back outside again into the cold.
Something as special as the Electric Glen.
For four nights last week Rouken Glen Park shone electric, the winter darkness deep in the woods, banished by illuminations, lanterns and visual and sound installations.
Starting at the boating pond , over the bridge past the thundering waterfall and then down the dark winding leafy paths, this was a walk into another world. Every half hour groups of people, wrapped up against the wind and the rain set off with their torches to enjoy this unique adventure.
As usual my Mother and I failed to travel light! - three torches, two cameras and her handbag which weighs the same as a small child. Between that and our endless scarves and layers, it's a wonder we didn't collapse of heat exhaustion underneath the trees.
The illuminations were brought to life by Northumberland project and production management company Culture Creative. The team spent one week installing the projections and lighting at the 140 acre park ,have working with the council, park staff, the Rouken Glen Model Boat Club and Friends of Rouken Glen Park to create the sound strands and make the festival a full sensory experience.
The illuminated trail celebrated the unique geology and archaeological aspects of the park’s landscape.
I love walking in the woods but to do so at night with lights flickering and lanterns dancing in the wind made it a truly magical experience.
They have promised to do it again next year,even bigger and better.
My mother and I will have our torches at the ready.
She might even leave her handbag behind this time...
As you can see from her smile in the gloom above, my mother is an expert with a torch, a result of many happy years as a cinema usherette dontcha know
Queen Marie
x
