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New 'Greener' Floodlighting dims for Worldwide Earth Hour Campaign

22/03/2010

Barnard Castle’s brand new floodlights, which will illuminate the town’s historic castle, will be turned off within hours of being officially switched on – to participate in the Earth Hour campaign.

Earth Hour is a World Wildlife Fund campaign to get a billion people around the world to switch off their lights for one hour from 8.30pm on Saturday, March 27th.  At that time, following the launch events, Barnard Castle’s new energy-efficient floodlights will be switched off for a full hour in support of the campaign against climate change.

Barnard Castle Vision and Barnard Castle Town Council have announced the celebration to mark the official switch-on of the town’s new Castle Lights on Saturday 27th March, from 7:30pm to 8:15pm.  Members of the public are invited to assemble on the grassed area of Scar Top adjacent to the Castle Gates at 7:30pm for the official launch of the new lighting system, which will be carried out by a gallant historical figure returning from Barnard Castle’s past.

Annalisa Ward, of Barnard Castle Vision, said: “The evening will be a celebration of Barnard Castle’s historic past and its bright future, and we’re hoping as many people as possible will come along to enjoy the events.  The newly-installed floodlighting is highly energy-efficient to minimize its environmental impact.  It is fitting that we should therefore join in the worldwide Earth Hour campaign and cast the castle back into darkness for one hour at the end of the launch celebrations.  We hope that many others will join us and turn out all but essential lighting between 8.30pm and 9.30pm on Saturday, March 27th.”

Steve Keetley, Head of Technical Services, Durham County Council, added: “We are pleased to have been part of the castle lighting scheme, helping Barnard Castle Vision and Barnard Castle Town Council achieve their goals to improve the illumination of the castle in the most energy-efficient way possible.  It’s ironic, but we will also be delighted to see the lights switched off again, almost as soon as they are officially switched on, for Earth Hour, which Durham County Council is wholeheartedly supporting.”

As part of the celebrations, 50 children are being sought to take part in the official ceremony, which involves attending a workshop in the morning or afternoon on the day itself, and also attending the event on the night as part of a parade. A variety of local groups have also been approached to be involved with the event. Anyone else who would like to be involved should contact Annalisa Ward on 01833 696263.

About the Lights:
The new floodlighting scheme has been brought about by Barnard Castle Vision and Barnard Castle Town Council in partnership with English Heritage, Durham County Council, the County Durham Economic Partnership and One North East.

Following the removal of the aged ground-based lighting system around the base of the castle, new lights, commissioned and supplied by Urbis and installed by Durham County Council, have been mounted on street lighting columns along the pathway from Scar Top to the County Bridge.

The castle will be bathed in subtle light during the early hours of darkness in the winter and throughout the evening. In order to save electricity, the lights will be switched off during the small hours each night. Maintenance and electricity costs will be met by the Town Council.