Why Hartlepool dock will be bathed in multi-coloured lights tonight

Called Reflections, the lights at Jacksons Dock accompanied by an atmospheric music track can be experienced by people between 5pm and 9pm today, Wednesday December 23.

It has been designed by Hartlepool-based Daniel Brobbel from audio and visual specialists Artistic Solutions together with Hartlepool Borough Council.

Daniel said: “I’m delighted to be working with Hartlepool Borough Council on this project and I hope residents enjoy seeing Jacksons Dock being illuminated in this way.

“Light and music can be very powerful when they are combined and it’s fair to say this will be something very different.”

The illuminations are being put on to enable residents to pause and reflect on a very challenging year.

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Councillor Christopher Akers-Belcher, Chair of the council’s Regeneration Services Committee, added: “Covid-19 has affected so many people in a number of different ways and we hope Reflections will provide people with the opportunity to process their experiences and hopefully look forward to a more positive 2021.

“Whether you’ve lost a loved one, have experienced financial hardship as a result of Covid, have been unable to visit relatives, have struggled with home working arrangements, or have your own coronavirus story to tell – we hope you will appreciate the opportunity to reflect.

“I hope the lights will also give us the opportunity to reflect on all that is great about Hartlepool – in particular the caring and never-be-beaten spirit which has shone through like a beacon this year.”

People attending to watch the lights are asked to observe social distancing and the council’s Community Street Ambassadors will be on hand to provide a “friendly face” and assist with any questions.

Mail photographer Frank Reid attended a dress rehearsal of the lights on Tuesday night.

The council has also been asking for contributions from the public for its Let The Story Be Told initiative.

It aims to create a permanent record of how people in the town have faced the pandemic in their own ways.

People are encouraged to share their individual experiences of what the crisis has meant to them.

See www.hartlepool.gov.uk/let-the-story-be-told

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