Burning the Clocks: Crowdfunder for Brighton's winter solstice celebration

The Burning the Clocks celebration takes place on the longest night of the year to mark the winter solstice.

This year will be no different, but first, organising charity Same Sky is launching a crowdfunder to raise the £5,000 towards the cost of event.

Related stories: PICTURE GALLERY: Burning the Clocks parade 2017

PICTURE GALLERY: Burning the Clocks 2016

Various local business and supporters are on board, offering rewards to those who donate.

This year’s event is set to take place from 6.30pm on Friday December 21, with the parade starting at New Road, winding through the city centre to the seafront, with around 2,000 participants and more than 20,000 onlookers.

John Varah, Same Sky artistic director, said: “We’re bringing our crowdfunding initiative back for the sixth consecutive year, as it goes such a long way to keeping Burning the Clocks alive.

“Each year Same Sky relies on the generosity of the general public to make donations along the event route, as well as supporting our online crowdfunder. Our Winter Solstice parade has been an iconic part of Brighton’s calendar for more than two decades, but we rely on the support of local residents and sponsors to make it happen.

“We’ve had a bit of a turbulent year, having lost Same Sky’s home, our artistic studio – but this has made us even more determined to ensure the event remains a part of the city’s winter offering.”

Burning the Clocks relies on fundraising and support from local businesses and the community to raise the £30,000 costs needed to cover the event.

Those watching the parade are encouraged to put any spare cash into the donation buckets on the night to help fund the event and secure its future.

A number of businesses sponsor the event, and a crowdfunding campaign will help the charity raise the remaining £5,000 for the parade.

This year will see crowdfunding investors rewarded with personalised lanterns, the privilege of lighting the event’s bonfire or a three-course dinner for two at The Ivy in the Lanes, depending on the size of their donation.

For the third successive year, ARKA Original Funerals will support Burning the Clocks with ‘In Memory’ lanterns for those who have lost a loved one during the year. These packages, each worth £100, include a lantern workshop invitation, joining the parade and the reading of the chosen loved one’s name during the fireshow finale.

Local restaurant The Chilli Pickle is sponsoring the event, adding a donation of £1 to every table bill from November 1 until December 21.

And Same Sky will also be partnering with childhood bereavement charity Winston’s Wish, offering local young people a lantern-making workshop, so that they can join the parade and remember their loved ones in this special way.

Brighton residents can purchase lantern packs to take part in the parade (costing £30-£33, available from early November). Lantern packs contain materials, instructions and four wristbands for four people to take part in the parade. They will be available for purchase at Brighton Pavilion, HISBE supermarket in York Place, the Wood Store on Elder Place and Book Nook in Hove.

The theme for this year’s Burning the Clocks 2018 is ‘Remembrance’. Event organisers Same Sky have created a large-scale lantern in the shape of a heart for this year’s event, and this will be surrounded by smaller Remembrance hearts carried by procession-goers on the night of the parade.

To find out more about the crowdfunding campaign, visit: www.crowdfunder.co.uk/burning-the-clocks-2018