THE Celebration of Light, now an established event in Wellington in the run up to Christmas, starts on Saturday.

The alleyway alongside the Quaker Friends Meeting House leading to the Peace Garden will be transformed into a magical woodland corridor with candles, fairy lights, foliage and inspirational words. Visitors emerge into the stunning candle-lit Peace Garden with lanterns hanging in trees and bushes – a beautiful, silent place.

The event, now in its eighth year, began as a way of bringing the local community together to experience peaceful surroundings and reflect on the values of peace, kindness and goodwill – in contrast to the noise, haste and consumerism which often now dominates the Christmas period.

Since then, the numbers visiting have grown, and the Celebration of Light attracts people of all ages and from all walks of life. It is now open for four evenings during December and links with other events, such as the switching on of the Christmas lights.

Other groups in the town such as Wellington in Bloom and Wellington Churches Together support the event, which is run entirely by volunteers, and the town council provides funds for lanterns and candles.

The event is free and does not promote any form of religion. Stewards are on hand to welcome people at the door, invite them to visit and enjoy a hot drink. Those who wish can place a candle inside a green spiral laid out on the grass in the Peace Garden.Those who have visited the Celebration of Light in the past have commented on the special atmosphere of peace they find in the garden and the welcome offered. Some have been visibly moved by the experience.

The Celebration of Light is at the Friends Meeting House in the High Street (behind One-Stop shop) on the following days: Saturday, November 28 (4pm-7pm); Wednesday, December 2 (4pm-6.30pm); Wednesday, December 9 (4pm-6.30pm); and Wednesday, December 16 (4pm-6.30pm). In the event of bad weather please call 07968 286039.