Latest news with #SameSky
BBC News
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Annual Burning the Clocks parade to take fallow year
The annual Burning the Clocks parade in Brighton will not be held this year, organisers have event, which celebrates the winter solstice, is to take a fallow year before returning in Sky, the creators of the event, said it would allow the organisation to focus on future planning while running its national event's programme."It was a tough but necessary decision," Jane McMorrow, Same Sky's interim chief executive, said. She said the decision was made to ensure focus on its resources and to allow time to "strategically review and secure the long term future for Same Sky"."We're a small but powerful charity that has connected communities through shared art projects since we began in 1987, but in recent years, alongside many other small arts charities, we've faced immense funding challenges."The cost to stage large scale community events like Burning the Clocks have soared in recent years, with an expenditure increase of 44% since 2019 and 2024's costs' exceeding £50,000, the company said. The 2026 effigy has been commissioned with the theme 'Magicada', representing a symbolic rest followed by a noisy large lantern sculpture will be displayed publicly this year in Brighton on 21 December 2025.
BBC News
11-03-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Brighton charity Same Sky's arts director steps down from role
A celebrated artistic director of a community arts organisation in the South East is stepping down from his role after 24 Varah has led more than 700 national and international arts projects for Same Sky, based in Brighton, which creates events and workshops to "strengthen communities, inspire individuals and brighten people's lives".The 65-year-old has overseen some of the charity's biggest projects including Burning the Clocks, the Queen's Platinum Jubilee Pageant and lighting the Commonwealth Games at the closing ceremony in said it had been "a great privilege to work with communities and individuals to co-create projects that resonate with their lives, dreams, and creativity". He said: "One of the proudest moments as an arts director is watching individuals being able to show the work they created for the Queen's Jubilee and parading them around London."Same Sky offers everyone a chance to create art and to challenge yourself. "Creativity is never-ending, you never know what some one can come up with." Jo Goodey, chairperson of trustees at Same Sky, said: "I would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to John for his extraordinary vision, dedication, and creativity over the past 24 years. "Under his leadership, Same Sky has flourished and grew threefold in scale and impact not just in the South East."John's artistry and passion have brought light, colour, and connection to thousands."Mr Varah said he would remain as a freelance lighting director and adviser for the charity.
