Hartlepool lantern parade plans get a boost

BloomInArt North East was given the cash by Persimmon Homes to fund projects during the Wintertide Music and Arts Festival in the town.

Wintertide is being held on the Headland and the group said it wanted to ‘bring people together’ by producing a spectacular lantern parade and hosting workshops for 100 pupils from Hartlepool schools.

Persimmon Homes Teesside donated the sum as part of its Community Champions Scheme.

The scheme started last year and it allows charities and groups to apply for funding up to £1,000 to match money they have already raised themselves.

Nationally, Persimmon Homes has donated £750,000 in the first 12 months of programme.

Rachael Laycock, a co-director at BloomInArt, said: “Our aim is to raise awareness of the arts and bring the community of Hartlepool together with a shared focus and passion, celebrating local heritage and local creative talent.”

She said BloomInArt’s contribution to the festival would be to bring people together through artistic workshops “culminating in a spectacular lantern parade.”

BloomInArt has organised workshops which were held over five weeks and saw 100 children from two local schools take part.

Rachael added: “The lanterns will be paraded through the streets with children and their families to open the three-day Wintertide event.

“We have managed to raise £17,000 towards the project and the further £1,000 from Persimmon Homes is gratefully received.”

Joan Peart, head of sales for Persimmon Homes Teesside, added: “BloomInArt are doing fantastic work to celebrate our community through art.

“They are helping to educate 100 pupils with workshops and the lantern parade sounds impressive.

“The Wintertide Music and Arts Festival is a big event in Teesside and we’re proud to support one of the projects featuring in it.”

To apply for funding or for more information on the Community Champions Scheme, visit www.persimmonhomes.com/charity.