Pockets of Light is a STEM activity where lessons in lighting design are taught at local schools by members of the lighting community. The objective of the lesson is to teach school age children lighting techniques to create lighting designs and then realise the designs to illuminate a local building using lighting equipment loaned by lighting manufacturers.
‘Pockets of Light in the Community’, Abbots Langley was just that. By engaging with three local secondary schools, hosted by the village church, supported by multiple lighting manufactures, and delivered by lighting professionals the event came to life! Attended by over 200 people, including the school pupils who participated, members of the local community came to see the amazing lighting creations projected onto the church façades.
It all started back in November 2023. After seeing the inspiring photos from the SLL Pockets of Light held as part of Light Night Leeds event, I thought – maybe I can do this at the church in my village?! At this time, I had no idea the amount of work and organisation that goes into creating a Pockets of Light event; the communication, the coordination, and the determination to make sure it all goes right on the night.
There are three local secondary schools in the area, Parmiter’s School, St. Michael’s Catholics High School and Future Academies Watford and I wanted to give them all the opportunity to be part of this event too. I contacted the schools and agreed to go into the schools to do a STEM lesson in lighting design as part of their art, design and / or technology class.
The lessons were given to 14-15year olds. They were so curious and engaged with the lighting equipment that I’d laid out on the workshop benches. Having the opportunity to explore the lighting products, what they did and the lighting effects they created was new to them.
I then set the pupils a task – to create lighting designs using coloured paints or pencils onto line drawings of the church façades provided. The designs also had to follow the theme ‘Remembrance’ as the event would be held the night before Remembrance Sunday.
Abbots Langley village is close to the Warner Brothers Studio Tour who are keen to support the local area and offered to both fund the event and give Harry Potter Studio Tour tickets to the winners too!
On the night, just as it started to get dark, people started arriving and as they explored the illuminated surroundings their eyes lit-up. The theme ‘remembrance’ struck a chord with many and the atmosphere was one of reflecting and intrigue. Feedback from the church was positive saying ‘it absolutely engaged with the local community who loved it and really appreciated having the opportunity to see the schemes put in place’ and that it had ‘once again put the church at the heart of the community.’ The schoolteachers and the pupils also came along to see their creations realised and were thrilled.
