Following on from my last post, the presentation last Tuesday 29 October was a great success and was well attended – more than 40 people came along! It was clear that there is real enthusiasm out there for what we are trying to achieve with this exciting legacy lighting project. So now we will continue to work flat out on fundraising for the cost of the installation of the scheme, in the hope that it will be possible to install it in the spring before the main Mayflower 400 commemorations in Rotherhithe kick off in July next year. It was noted by attendees that the credentials of the contributors and the quality of the feasibility work has been and is very high – we are really lucky to be working with such committed and expert professionals! During the presentation it was explained why such lighting schemes are widely accepted as valuable community assets, with examples from around the country. The Rotherhithe proposal was put in the context of the Illuminated River project, for which it is in some ways an eastward extension. (As you know the Illuminated River Foundation, in conjunction with the Rothschild Foundation, have given this scheme their generous backing, as have the Mayor of London, the Port of London Authority and City Cruises). Details were given of the desired warm-white lighting effects (“see the buildings, not the lights”) and the low-profile / low-energy / low-maintenance equipment to be used. The realisation of the vision for each part of the scheme was explained using computer-generated images, and these were then demonstrated with photographs taken during lighting trials on the actual buildings and statues. There were a few specific and interesting questions raised during the Q&A at the end, but it was clear that any doubts some members of the audience had had were addressed by the material presented. Several other audience members just wanted to express their support. Everyone was reminded that key elements of three of the buildings to be illuminated will be visible from London Bridge as well as from Tower Bridge, and mention was made of the broader context of Rotherhithe’s historical links to ‘The River Thames (and the Seas Beyond)’. More localised consultations will be taking place soon to seek the necessary consents. As you know we are fundraising for the £108,000 needed for the installation of this legacy lighting scheme, and various philanthropic organisations are being approached for support. The aim is to have everything in place by July next year ready for the Mayflower 400 commemorations and then for many more years into the future. Finally, I’ve posted a pic of the softly illuminated church spire and clock, which was taken during the lighting trials on 24 September. They show you what the illuminations on this element of the lighting scheme would look like every evening after dusk for the next 30+ years. If you weren’t able to join us on Tuesday evening please do let us know at SE16.RI@gmail.com if you have any questions for us. In the meantime don’t forget that you can support us by donating via https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/rotherhithe-illuminated - every single £ will help us reach our target! Huge thanks once again for your support and your enthusiasm. Clare and the project team
