Children prepare to launch their decorated sky lanterns at the Whitchurch Arts "Bedtime Earth Hour" event.

A large crowd of local residents, young and old, came to the Whitchurch Arts Earth Hour events on Saturday at the Gill Nethercott Centre. The hall was decorated with artwork made by the children of Whitchurch.

World Wildlife Federation Earth Hour

Children and their parents were treated to a wonderful puppet show at the 6pm “Bedtime Earth Hour” event.

At 6:30pm, it was time for lights out in celebration of Earth Hour (a bit early, but just right for the kiddies that had to head off to bed).

The stage was set for a funny puppet show. The "60", decorated by kids at Oak Tree Nursery, refers to the 60 minutes in Earth Hour.

A wild animal puppet show, accompanied by music performed by Gillian Anderson, thrilled the kids and their parents.  It was put on a trio of performers with next to no experience; Paula Stead and Katya & Andrew Reeves-Hall.

Afterward, families decorated their sky lanterns by the light of the setting sun ~ many with pictures and wishes for a greener Earth future.  They lit, launched and watched in awe and amazement as their sky lanterns took  to the skies above Whitchurch.  At one point, a line of six or seven were visible making their way, high in the sky, south towards Winchester; just one decided to perch itself in a nearby tree!

The first lantern to take flight was one decorated by the children at the Oak Tree Nursery.  Lanterns decorated by Rising Fives Pre-School and Whitchurch Primary School also took flight during the course of the evening events. Pupils from Testbourne decorated and launched a lantern at the later event. (Watch a video of our earlier test launch).

Lit lanterns launched!

An encore presentation of the puppet show was performed just before the little ones headed home for bed.  They each took home a sticker and a tasty treat baked by Beth Wright.

Lanterns soar high above Whitchurch

At 8pm, the second event began.  A hearty supper of vegetarian stew, with sausages on the side from Whitchurch’s John Dennett Butcher shop, was prepared by John and Kay Buckley, and their kids!  The mouth-watering aroma drew in the crowd.  Thirst was quenched by the drinks on offer; the highlight being the local, organic real ale (delivered by bicycle!) called “Barbus Barbus” – only a mere drop was left by the end of the evening!

Cllr. Eric Dunlop, the Whitchurch Carnival Princess and Sir George Young, MP switch off the lights for Earth Hour.

Member of Parliament Sir George Young, Borough Councillor Eric Dunlop and the Whitchurch Carnival Princess stood by the light switch, ready to turn off the lights at the start of Earth Hour.  Just before, Beth Wright told us of the important reasons behind tonight’s festivities: to raise awareness of climate change and to help ensure our politicians act at the December climate summit in Copenhagen.

Beth Wright talks of the importance of turning off the lights.

10…9…8…7…6…5…4…3…2…1 – Earth Hour! It was 8:30pm and our dignitaries switched off the lights!  A wonderful sense of calm came over the crowd.  Only a gentle glow from the tabletop covered by colourful candles was left to light the room.

There was a moment’s silence to enjoy the peace and to reflect upon what climate change means to each of us.

Up, up and away!

Then it was time to be silly!  The kids’ puppet show was performed anew, and a second version, adapted for adults, was presented to the cheering crowd: “Monkey Wife Puzzle” by Mike and Paula Stead.

A magnificent multitude of mesmerising lanterns lift off from the Gill Nethercott Centre.

All around the hall, people decorated their sky lanterns and started to assemble outside to launch them.  It was now darker and the glow from the flames lit the lanterns magically as they soared into the evening darkness.

And how dark it was in Whitchurch!

Keith Bell and Patrick Coggswell entertain the crowd.

Many local businesses had joined Earth Hour by turning off their lights – most notably the White Hart Hotel, which darkened the deer statue atop its roof. Lights were out, too, over at the Red House where Borough Councillor Keith Watts was enjoying a scrumptious dinner by candlelight. Some local residents had bought their own sky lanterns from House ‘N’ Home and sent them skyward from their own homes.

Testbourne pupils decorate on the backlit glass floor.

Keith Bell, and Patrick Coggswell, entertained everyone with their acoustic guitars as the lanterns took to the skies.  More food, more beer and more lanterns were consumed and launched throughout the evening.

Beth asked everyone at 9:30, the end of Earth Hour, if they wanted the lights turned back on.  Of course the loud reply from the crowd was a resounding “No!”.

As people left, they took with them the memories of a stunning evening; and a little candle which reflected its light on a base made from an old CD.  Collectively, the departing people made a procession of candlelight that wound its way through the streets.

A beautiful end to an important, and fun!, evening.