A month after a rainbow of colours lit up the sky to mark the start of a year of celebrations, organisers say they have been blown away by the amount of interest and participation in Arbroath’s Year of the Light.
We have already reported on a large number of events held to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Bell Rock Lighthouse coming into service, and chairman of the Year of the Light steering committee Harry Simpson says things couldn’t have gone any better.
“The first month has been a busy time for everyone involved and the next few months are going to be just as busy,” he said. “I’m glad to see the schools and other groups getting involved in the Year of the Light.
“We are doing our thing and others are doing their own events which is really good to see, because it all adds to the celebrations. In these days of doom and gloom it’s great to get a bit of cheer and I think everything that’s happening is putting Arbroath on the map.
“The people who have been involved from day one and are involved now have done a great job making this such a success it’s been a collective effort and you couldn’t single any one person out.
“Everybody has put their time and effort into it, and when you see the response we are getting it makes all the hard work and all the hours we’ve put in worthwhile.
“To see the faces of young and old at the fireworks display with smiles on their faces, it was really good to see that, and I don’t think I’ve heard a bad comment.”
The website www.bellrock.org.uk has received hits from over 165 countries including Australia, USA, Canada, New Zealand, Holland, Germany, Norway, Czech Republic and Brazil, and dedicated pages on www.angusahead.com have also attracted a lot of interest.
“There has been a phenomenal amount of hits on the websites,” said Mr Simpson. “Everyone’s been blown away by the response.”
The next jazz concert at Hospitalfield House in Arbroath will be the venue’s contribution to the Bell Rock celebrations. The concert, to be held on Saturday, March 19, will feature the Hospitalfield Lighthouse All-stars, who will recreate the cool jazz style of America’s West Coast as played at the Lighthouse Cafe, one of California’s best jazz clubs between the 1950s and 1970s. Tickets costing £12 can be reserved by phoning 01382 774648.