Lighting designer and
environmental artist Dave Bryant used an Avolites Diamond 4 to run his
dazzling 'Lightquest' show that attracted more that 6,000 people to the quite
hillsides surrounding a North Devon village.
Visitors taking in the event at Swimbridge, near Barnstaple, were wowed by the
sight of enormous figures created from fire and light dotting the surrounding
hills.
Bryant worked with local volunteers - all of whom gave their time for free -
charities and entertainers to co-ordinate the show, the proceeds of which went
to the local charities, including the North Devon Hospice.
The light displays, which combined traditional fire with new technology, were
laid out along a four-and-a-half-mile walk taking visitors through a circular
route around the hilltops overlooking the village. A 'lace of light' created
from over 10,000 lanterns, led participants along the walk, passing huge
displays depicting local wildlife and nature in a magical night to remember.
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A DAZZLING light spectacular attracted more than 6,000 people to the quiet hillsides surrounding a North Devon village on Saturday night.
Many visitors to the breath-taking Lightquest at Swimbridge, near Barnstaple, were left awe-stricken at the sight the enormous figures created from fire and light which dotted the surrounding hills.
The show was put together by international designer and environmental artist Dave Bryant, working with local volunteers, charities and entertainers.
The proceeds from the event - expected to run into many thousands of pounds - will go to local charities, including the North Devon Hospice and all those who participated gave their time and services for free.
"Our aim was to attract around 3,000 people, so the final total was pretty amazing," said Lisa Adams, who helped to organise the Lightquest.
"Traffic was jammed up back to Barnstaple and during the day we had to put a stop to ticket sales at the Queens Theatre because of the overwhelming response we had."
The light displays, which combined old fashioned fire with state-of-the-art technology, were laid out along a four-and-a-half-mile walk which took visitors through a circular route around the hilltops overlooking the village.
A "lace of light," created from more than 10,000 small lights and lanterns, led participants along the walk, which passed huge displays hundreds of feet square, depicting local wildlife and nature.
The first of these was a huge illuminated pig by the North Devon Farm Park and then in Swimbridge itself, the figure of a Jack Russell terrier, because the village was where the first of the breed was bred.
Wonder followed delight, with the head of a great stag at Swimbridge preceding a large fish at Riverton and a cart with oxen at Yeoland.
"As people climbed the hillsides they began to get the first glimpse of the light figures," said Lisa.
"It was so magical, with thousands of people just sitting art the top and taking it all in."
The focus of the walk was a towering figure called "The Angel of the South" at Indiwell. This was created from 700 flaming torches, with modern light and sound special effects.
The display ran through a cycle, allowing everyone to view it. This meant volunteers had to be on hand to extinguish and relight the burning torches every 15 minutes.
Above the "Angel" was a field where many visitors could have been forgiven for thinking they had stepped back into the mists of time.
Medieval characters in period costume wandered the field, wearing chain mail and bearing sinister weapons or carrying birds of prey at their wrists. In keeping with the medieval theme a hog roast was available for those who had worked up an appetite while climbing the hill.
Entertainment was provided along the entire route by musicians, singers, fire-eaters, storytellers and a variety of dancers, from African to Flamenco.
"What really amazed me was the amount of people who were determined to do the walk, there were people of all ages and even some in wheelchairs being carried," said Lisa.
"On Sunday we lit all the displays again for the benefit of those who couldn't make it up the hill on Saturday."
The money raised is to be put into a Lightquest trust fund and administered to local charities.
It is hoped a similar event can be held again in the future, as soon as the organisers have had a well-deserved rest!
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