A ‘fairyland of colour’ light festival that brought hundreds of visitors in the 1950s has gained a permanent home in Leamington. The Lights of Leamington festival has been made permanent in Jephson Gardens.
The festival ran yearly until 1961, featuring dazzling displays, fireworks, live music, and a floating ballet stage. Now, five illustrative panels have been installed in the gardens, allowing visitors to learn about the festival and why it was so important to the town and community.
The project was brought to life by Whittle Productions Community Interest Company, with funding received from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
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The directors of Whittle Productions, Carole Sleight and David Clargo, said: “The Lights of Leamington was a magical and much-loved event that lit up our town and the lives of so many local people and visitors. To see it now recognised on permanent display in Jephson Gardens is a fitting tribute to all those who created, experienced, and remembered it.
“We’re proud to have helped preserve its legacy, and we’re incredibly grateful to National Lottery players, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, and WDC Green Spaces for making this new signage possible.”
Warwick District Council’s Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhood, Councillor Will Roberts, added: “The Lights of Leamington display panels are a welcome addition to Jephson Gardens, reminding people of the joy that this beautiful public space has brought and continues to bring to residents and visitors to our district over the decades. I would like to pay tribute to the work of Whittle Productions in bringing this wonderful project to life, preserving a key strand of Leamington’s cultural history.”
For more information about the Lights of Leamington Festival, click here.
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