RESIDENTS and businesses in Barnard Castle are being invited to brighten their doors and windows ahead of a colourful spring festival.
The Holi festival, planned for the weekend starting on Friday, March 18, is aimed at spreading joy and was the brainchild of the town’s mayor, Cllr Rima Chatterjee, as a way to celebrate emergence from the pandemic.
The weekend will feature traditional Indian dance, curry workshops, a colour run, a flag parade, workshops, busking, an art exhibition, live music, a community fair and a ceilidh.
In the run up to the festival townsfolk are being encouraged to join in a door and window dressing competition. Residents who decorate their doors with colourful designs stand a chance of winning paint and a decorative butterfly door knocker from Niche Living, in Galgate.
Victoria Jeavons, from Niche, said: “I think Holi is a brilliant idea – everyone is wanting a fresh start and something cheerful.”
Artists Gemma McColl and Louise Shepherd will be hosting a workshop ahead of the competition to show people how to turn their colourful ideas into reality.
The workshop, which is funded by county councillors Richard Bell, Ted Henderson, James Rowlandson and George Richardson, will be held at TCR Hub, on Saturday, February 26.
Organiser Annalisa Ward, from Teesdale Action Partnership, said: “Join Bright Woods Forest School at TCR Hub to create a colourful decoration to adorn your front door or gate. In this workshop you will be shown a variety of skills for you to explore, so you can make your own unique creation. Each family will work together to make a decoration from a variety of materials which will be provided.
“The workshop is free and open to residents of Barnard Castle.”
Businesses that take part by dressing their shop windows stand the chance to win a trophy from Vintage Essence, also in Galgate.
Ms Ward said: “Holi is the festival of colour and spring so we are looking for windows that are bright, multi-coloured and celebrate the new season.”
Judges for the competitions are former county sheriff Caroline Peacock and town vicar Revd Canon Alec Harding.
Windows will be judged during the week starting on March 14. Residents will need to send in a photograph of their front door on the same date.
Businesses can enter, and residents can submit their photos, by emailing Annalisa.ward2@durham.gov.uk.
Places for the workshop are limited and people need to book by visiting brightwoodsforestschool.co.uk/events
