Residents at a New Forest care home welcomed families and friends from the community for their fifth annual ‘festival of light’.
The sparkling walkaround in the garden at Colten Care’s Woodpeckers in Brockenhurst attracted around 130 visitors and raised more than £350 for the home’s charity this year, Olivia Inspires.
Lighting up the evening darkness, the festival featured a colourful range of installations and illuminated displays.
They included stained glass-style stars and hanging ‘botanical’ lanterns which residents had decorated earlier in arts and crafts sessions.
Resident Margaret Wirgman, who toured the displays with her husband George, a regular visitor to the home, said: “We surpassed previous years’ festivals. I’m not sure how we can top it next year.”
Companionship Team Leader Jane Bunker expressed thanks to Sunnyfields Farm in Totton for donating pumpkins which residents carved and lit up with candles along the garden’s woodland walk.
Jane said: “Once again the festival provided an uplifting and sustainable alternative to traditional fireworks events at this time of year.
“Our residents played a key role in creating the displays which were all designed and built using reused, repurposed and natural materials.
“They used leaves and flower heads collected from our garden and sandwiched them between laminated pouches to make the botanical lanterns.”
The funds raised for Olivia Inspires, which supports young people in the New Forest facing financial hardship, came through the sales of hot chocolate and biscuits.
