Lantern making workshops and 'All Souls Lantern Walk' in Strabane

A SERIES of free family lantern making workshops will take place around Strabane, Killeter and Castlederg this month.

The Churches Trust is partnering with various community groups in memory of renowed hymn writer, Cecil Frances Alexander, to acknowledge and remember her care for others and her love of the environment.

"She was a true light in difficult times and her hymns, including ‘All things Bright and Beautiful‘ and ‘Once in Royal David’s City’, brought joy and hope into the lives of everyday people”, said Mary Holmes, CEO of The Churches Trust.

This is a project supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) and Derry City Strabane District Council.

Artist and project co-ordinator for Cecil Frances Alexander Celebrated, Sinéad Smyth, will guide participants through the process of bending your willow into beautiful tepee style, handheld lantern designs and ways to embellish these with tissue paper.

These workshops are intergenerational, free and open to all.

"We encourage families, parents grandparents and guardians to become involved," Sinéad said.

"Children must have a parent or guardian present.

"The design focus will be based around words and motifs from the works of Cecil Frances Alexander, using the descriptions of flowers, birds etc from her songs and poems.

"Please bring your own torch for your lantern, all other materials will be provided."

Then, on November 1, between between 5pm and 8pm, the guided ‘All Souls Lantern Walk’ will wind through the streets of Strabane.

There will be short, shared events (stories, song and poems) at various venues along the way which relate to Cecil Frances Alexander, including Partick Street Graveyard, where children from the ‘School for the Deaf and Mute’ are buried.

The walk will end with seasonal refreshments for everyone.

The free family workshops are available to book on Eventbrite with anyone interested urged to reserve their space now to avoid disappointment.

Killeter Heritage Centre will host a workshop on Wednesday, October 8 from 7pm to 9pm:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/

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Christ Church in Strabane will host an event on Thursday, October 9 from 7pm to 9pm:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/

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The Methodist Church, Strabane, will host a workshop on Saturday, October 18 from 2pm to 4pm:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/

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Other venues and dates have yet to be confirmed.

For more information, email: sineadsmyth@thechurchestrust.org.

uk or call 02871 311322.