More than a 1000 twinkling candles will turn Marlborough’s secret garden into a magical celebration of the winter solstice on Dec 21st. The Plume of Feathers garden, hidden behind houses and the old Post Office on London Road, accessed from Kelham Gardens will be open from 6-8pm on Dec 21st, weather permitting, entrance free.
The garden is owned by Marlborough Town Council but leased to the Richmond Fellowship, a mental health charity. The garden has long been an ongoing source of wellbeing in the community and is looked after by Richmond Fellowship volunteers, local neighbours and volunteers from Seasalt and Pewsey scouts who will also be lighting all the candles. This is the third year the event will be running and each year it has grown in popularity.
Danny O’Donoghue, from the Richmond Fellowship, told Marlborough.news, “We’re hoping for good weather – otherwise we will postpone to the New Year in the hopes of a better forecast. Please keep an eye on Marlborough Notice Board.
With the candles lit, we will be serving mulled apple juice as well as ensuring there is a fire in a brazier to warm yourself by and to commit your wishes to, written on paper, as a blessing.
Last year we raised £250 from donations which was very welcome, but the important thing is that people locally enjoy a simple seasonal experience on the longest night, to lift the spirits and to look forward to the coming year. Our Seasalt volunteers will also be running a raffle which will be called at 7pm.
Any money raised this year will be used to purchase plants and materials to develop our new woodland garden established earlier this year.
We look forward to this event all year – the enchantment of candles spread around a garden at night, the smell of a fire and a taste of mulled apple juice, and the feeling of community it all brings. It’s our way of saying thank you for this wonderful space and we hope people will join us, and take away a little feeling of peace and serenity on the run up to the festive period.”