AS we head into 'Treekend' - the weekend where studies show most of us decorate our homes for the forthcoming festive season, it is worth remembering that 'Light Up Calne For Christmas' is back again for 2024.
LIGHT Up Calne For Christmas offers an alternative Christmas light experience for anyone living with ASD - Autism Spectrum Disorders.
First organised during lockdown, when Calne resident Claire Willoughby, wanted to provide an alternative to the annual town Christmas light switch-on which was cancelled that year, the campaign has continued year on year, though particpants have dwindled in more recent years.
Claire said: "In 2020 we saw the lantern parade cancelled due to the pandemic and we all made it special for the little people of Calne to see all the houses lit up. In 2021 the lantern parade was cancelled due to the storm, Light Up Calne had a few lights and inflatables outside homes but not as many as the previous years."
Since that first year, it has become increasingly apparent that the Light Up Calne scheme has become a valuable event to those with children who have ASD. The town council event is a huge celebration and crowds flock to the centre to see the Christmas entertainment and join in a big countdown to the light switch on, followed by fireworks and music - but it isn't suitabe for all. Claire explained: "As most people are aware, people with ASD don't like crowds and often find it overwhelming.
"This is much easier for everyone to walk about without hundreds of people stood there. Also it is great for those in wheelchairs, pushalong walkers and mobility scooters."
The idea is simple, residents are asked to put decorations outside their homes, it doesn't have to be a lot, a string of battery operated lights or some baubles, or go big if you want and make a real display. Each home taking part is added to a map to show families where they can go in Calne to see some festive magic.
Claire already has her display lit up outside her house in Stokes Croft.
If you would like to take part in Light Up Calne For Christmas 2024 or were already planning on having outside lights and would be happy to be added to the map, please send your address to
Here is the Light Up Calne For Christmas Map so far!
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