LIGHT Up Calne For Christmas is making a return for 2023, offering an alternative Christmas light experience for anyone living with ASD - Autism Spectrum Disorders.
Light Up Calne For Christmas was 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.
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 year.
" In 2022 life was back to some normality with the town's celebrations taking place. We did try to get Calne homes lit up again but unfortunatley the map of houses couldn't be produced due to a lack of participants saying they would get involved."
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 will be 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 will be putting the lights on outside her house in Stokes Croft on 11th November at 6pm.
If you would like to take part in Light Up Calne For Christmas 2023 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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