WINCHESTER is attempting to beat the post-Christmas blues with a new festival of light.

The city centre will shine at night from Saturday thanks to a first for the city which will see its iconic landmarks and buildings lit up.

Winchester – Lights in the City runs from Saturday January 29 to Sunday February 6.

The theme is ‘Winter into Spring’ and coloured lights will show the changing of the seasons as visitors follow the lights through the centre.

READ MORE HERE: Prince Charles to unveil statue of Jewish figure Licoricia of Winchester

The trail will start with ‘winter’ and white and blue lights and projections at the top of the High Street including outside the Great Hall, which will also be home to a conical tree of light, and the Westgate Museum. The seasonal theme continues with twinkling ceiling of lights approaching The Square and City Museum and a matching coloured curtain of lights draped on their frontages. Next, the public will be encouraged to follow the trees lining the iconic path from City Museum to the Cathedral, which will showcase lights around their trunks, while a further ceiling of lights will hang to form a tunnel of light over this route. The bushes of the little-known, secluded Busket Yard will also be subtly lit.

The Guildhall marks the start of ‘spring’ and the building will be illuminated with multicoloured lights and white icicle features. Abbey Gardens will be home to giant tulip illuminations.

Cllr Martin Tod, cabinet member for economic recovery, said: “We’re not out of the woods yet with the economic impact of Covid – and this is a quieter time of year anyway – so it’s great that so many local organisations have worked together on this new event to give an extra boost to our centre and our local businesses. I hope this brings more people in to enjoy Winchester after dark – seeing our beautiful city lit up with projections and installations – while also giving a boost to our local economy. Economically, I really hope it does help turn Winter into Spring.”

READ ALSO: Progress on building 2,000-home Kings Barton estate

The project has been funded by the Government’s Reopening High Street Safely and a European Regional Development Fund programme.

It has been organised by the council with Winchester Business Improvement District (BID), Play to the Crowd, Hampshire Cultural Trust and Winchester Cathedral.

In December, the council commissioned Stockbridge-based Icthus Event Solutions – who supply festivals, local authorities, BIDS etc. with lights and lighting displays – to design and install the lights for Winchester – Lights in the City. Icthus has supplied festive lighting and light trails for Winchester BID, Salisbury City Council, Eastleigh Borough Council and others.

Christine Cook, managing director at Icthus Event Solutions, said: "Icthus as a local specialist in lighting displays is delighted to be working with the council to bring this exciting new event to Winchester, our home city. We hope everyone will enjoy seeing the city lit up on what can be a gloomy time of year."

As the council is committed to the district becoming carbon neutral by 2030, all installations and lighting will run in accordance with the council’s climate change objectives including low energy consumption, the use of sustainable materials, and a focus on recycling.

The lights will be turned on gradually starting at Abbey Gardens from 6pm on Saturday January 29. Residents and visitors will be able to see the lights from 4pm until midnight every day until the February 6.

Message from the editor

Thank you for reading this story. We really appreciate your support.

Please help us to continue bringing you all the trusted news from Winchester by sharing this story or by following our Facebook page, click this link and hit like.

Kimberley Barber