IT REALLY is lights fantastic. Reading’s Forbury Gardens and Abbey Ruins have been turned into a winter wonderland this month, wowwing visitors with a festive light show like no other.
The Twilight Trail celebrates Reading’s biscuit heritage, using light, sound and smell installations of Luminism are accompanied by chalet bars and global food stalls.
On Christmas Eve, the Henley Santa will be visiting ahead of his busy night round.
And, thanks to full fibre broadband firm CityFibre, hundreds of charity service users and supporters have been able to visit for free. They include the charities Autism at Kingwood, Berkshire Women’s Aid, Connect Reading, Family Aid and Reading Mencap.
Parents And Children Together (PACT) will be using their donated tickets for users of their domestic abuse recovery programme Bounce Back 4 Kids. “We will be passing on this opportunity to see the Twilight Trail to some of our families who are healing from the trauma of domestic abuse,” said a spokesperson for the South Street based charity.
“It promises to be a magical experience and one they can enjoy together and help strengthen the bond between child and parent.”
Stacey King, City Manager at CityFibre, was delighted that the company could help.
“Christmas is about coming together and spending time at home with loved ones. It’s that feeling of connection that makes the festive season so special,” she said.
“CityFibre is building a brand-new broadband infrastructure across Reading as part of a £58m investment which will futureproof the town’s digital future and allow people to stay connected not just at Christmas, but all year round.
“The Twilight Trail is a fantastic event which celebrates Reading’s proud history and encourages people to come together and enjoy spending time in their hometown. We’re delighted to have donated 250 tickets to local good causes and look forward to meeting people at the event.”
In addition, night four of Twilight Trail: Biscuit Town was taken over by homelessness charity Launchpad.
Kirsti Wilson, the charity’s head of marketing and fundraising, said: “We are so very grateful to Reading UK and Abbey Quarter BID for kindly giving the evening over to Launchpad – all proceeds from this special event will help us continue our vital work and give the gift of a better Christmas to people who are homeless or at risk of losing their home in Reading.”
Funding for the project came from the England European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020.
Tickets for Twilight Trail: Biscuit Town start from £8, £6 for children and £26 for a family pass, plus a booking fee. For details, log on to: whatsonreading.com
