Burning the Clocks: A unique celebration
Burning the Clocks: A unique celebration
On the shortest day of every year, Burning the Clocks, a unique community ritual takes place in Brighton. The event sees local residents parade paper and willow lanterns that they’ve made through the city, before they pass them into a huge bonfire on the beach.
Each maker invests their hopes and fears into a lantern before giving them up the fire. Then the coming year is ushered in with a dazzling fire show during which a massive fire sculpture is ignited, live music plays, and fireworks light up the sky.
Burning the Clocks was created in 1994 by local community art charity, Same Sky, as an antidote to the excesses of the commercial Christmas and as a way for the people ofBrighton to celebrate the festive season, regardless of faith or creed. Over 1,000 people now take part in the parade and over 20,000 spectators turn out to watch.
This year’s Burning the Clocks will be a particularly special year as it will celebrate Same Sky’s 25th year of existence. The charity was set up in 1987 on the Moulsecoomb estate and, ever since, has been creating imaginative events and workshops to strengthen communities, inspire individuals and brighten people’s lives inBrighton and across the south east.
Anna Tuggey, local Brighton resident, says she looks forward to attending the event every year with her family and that it is one of their favourite things about Brighton. She describes Burning the Clocks as: “Amazing, beautiful and fun and really important.”
Each year, as part of the celebration, Same Sky provides free lantern-making workshops to small community groups for disadvantaged or vulnerable people, including both a local father’s support group and a community-run organisation providing advice to homeless or insecurely-housed young people.
Same Sky’s artistic director, John Varah, describes the process: “Our aim is to guide people to create their best work. Then, by bringing these items together for Burning the Clocks, we’ve helped people to create something a bit magical, shifting their perception of what they might be capable of, and leaving them feeling really proud of their city and community.”
Burning the Clocks takes place on 21st December. The event is free and the route is suitable for all ages and abilities. More information can be found at www.samesky.co.uk
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By Penny McCarthy
Penny McCarthy is a seasoned entrepreneur and co-founder of Parents News UK, a pioneering publication launched in 1993 to serve the needs of busy parents in Southwest London. Alongside her husband, Fergus McCarthy, Penny played a crucial role in the rapid expansion of the printed edition, which grew from a local startup to a widely circulated monthly publication with a reach of 192,000 copies across Kent, South London, and beyond. Under Penny’s leadership, Parents News quickly became a trusted resource for families, providing valuable information on education, entertainment, sports, and family-friendly events. Her vision helped the publication extend its influence with franchises in Northern Ireland and Cornwall, catering to a growing demand for accessible, family-oriented content. In 1997, recognising the importance of digital media, Penny spearheaded the launch of Parents News UK Online. The website initially mirrored the content of the printed editions and has since evolved into a comprehensive online resource for parents, achieving significant popularity with up to 700 daily hits. In 2017, the publication transitioned fully to an online platform, continuing to inform and engage families across the UK. Today, Penny remains deeply involved in the ongoing success of Parents News UK, focusing on innovative advertising opportunities and future growth plans. Her dedication to supporting families through accessible and practical content has made Parents News a cherished name in households across the country.
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