On Friday 11th December 2009, everyone from the PR Office (Claire Shapcott, Chris Phillips, Suzi Cretney and myself) helped with the Sanctuary’s annual Candlelight evening. From 9.30am until 7pm, we, along with many other staff, were out in force helping to display and light some of the 15,000 candles placed around the grounds.
In between filling half-burger boxes with sand, putting them out in various designs (including a donkey's head) and lighting the candles, I managed to film a few clips of the day as it unfolded.
I had such a wonderful day, the atmosphere was very Christmassy and everyone seemed to have a marvellous time. I hope you enjoy the following mini-film of Candlelight to get an idea of what we experienced that day.
The music is from ‘Charlotte’ our antique fairground organ and the Ross-on-Wye town band, who very kindly travelled down to the Sanctuary and donated their time to play some superb Christmas music for everyone.
Thank you Dawn for the beautiful and fun moments from the Candlelight Service. As we here in North Carolina dig out of 8 inches of snow and ice it was a double pleasure to see you all walking around without effort. Gives me hope that I will indeed see the ground again!
Good wishes to all and thank you again for the visual treat!
Jenny B.
Just to say how much we enjoyed the Carol Service, we have been coming for a few years now and this was one of the best. The Brass Band really made the night and I am sure their presence mad everyone sing louder! I do hope you invite them back next year.
Happy Christmas to all donkeys and staff at the Sanctuary!
Hettie and Bob Knight
Thank you so much for the video clip of that wondereful evening.
I have wanted to attend for years but live so far away.
This was a wonderful treat to listen to tonight.
Keep up the wonderful work you do and hope to see you all in the summer once more.