A community arts project, due to take place this Saturday, 31st October, has provoked an angry reaction from some members of the local community online over the weekend, after plans to turn the churchyard at St Nicholas’ Church, Radstock, into a ‘fire garden’ as part of its ‘Light the Night’ event have been called disrespectful.

Light the Night is being produced by DNA Arts, who have been commissioned by B&NES Council to encourage innovative, collaborative and inclusive arts programmes in the area. Lantern workshops will be taking place this week for those to take part in a parade this Saturday from the Whisty Hall to St Nicholas Church, to be met by an ensemble of acoustic musicians. The plans have been defended as a return to the traditional way of marking All Hallows Eve.

Speaking this week, Chloe Edgell, DNA Project Manager said: “This free event is open to anybody, including those who are dressed up for Trick or Treating, however, we do ask for everybody to be respectful of the space.

“We suggest people dress warmly and if they do wish to dress up, to use the stimulus of traditonal ‘All Hallows Eve’, the lantern parade theme of moths, or a celebration of light to create their costumes.

“All are welcome to join in with the parade. Members of the public are asked to assemble at the Whisty Hall at 6.15 p.m. for a 6.40 p.m. start. The Susan Hill School of Dance and Cirque Bijou’s Illuminated Umbrella project will lead the parade through Radstock, using pavements and pedestrian crossings.”

Sally Bailey, Deputy Church Warden at St Nicholas Church, added: “We are pleased to be a part of this exciting community project that will highlight just what a special place the church grounds are.”

Revd Chris North, Rural Dean of Midsomer Norton Deanery, of which St Nicholas is a part, says: “Hundreds are expected to participate in the lantern parade, where more lanterns and candles will light up the space. Across the world, the lighting of candles is used as a form of prayer. It is also a sign of love and hope in a fragile and fractured world.

“As the name suggests, Light the Night is a community arts event that celebrates light overpowering darkness.”

Those who are against the inclusion of the churchyard in the event say that other spaces in Radstock could have been used instead, such as the Tom Huyton playpark or Miners’ Memorial Gardens.