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Celebration planned for lights switch-on
Mar 2, 2010
AN official switch-on of Barnard Castle’s new floodlights is being planned.
As the Mercury reported last week, the lights have now been installed and the castle was bathed in light for a number of days.
Following the test run the lights have been turned off while final alterations are made, and programming of the colour schemes is completed.
Annalisa Ward of regeneration group Barnard Castle Vision said: “Inevitably many people have seen the castle whilst it has been lit in the last week. We’ve already received comments about how impressive the illuminated views are, especially approaching from across the river. We are almost ready for the launch of the new lighting scheme and will soon be announcing the date.”
Geoff Bosworth, Barnard Castle Town Council’s clerk, said: “Testing has gone well, and we’re delighted that those who have already seen it have been so impressed.
“The lights will be launched with an evening of entertainment for all the family. We’re hoping that many will come into Barnard Castle to join the celebration.
“We would like to thank our partners, Durham Street Lighting, who have worked through the cold weather earlier in the year to complete the floodlighting scheme to such an excellent standard.”
The new floodlighting scheme has been brought about by Barnard Castle Vision and Barnard Castle Town Council in partnership with English Heritage and Durham County Council.
The new lights, provided by Urbis, are mounted on street lighting columns along the pathway from Scar Top to the County Bridge. Each floodlight will be highly energy-efficient and very low maintenance, made up of 36 one watt LEDs. Being LED-based, the lights will also be controllable in both direction and colour.
The castle will be bathed in subtle light during the early hours of darkness in the winter and throughout the evening.
However, in order to save electricity, the lights will be switched off during the small hours each night. The maintenance costs will be met by the town council.
On special occasions, the lights can also be used to provide special effect colour washes, turning the castle anything from spooky green to warm red as required.