Local Light Artist Creates Stunning Illuminated

Sculpture For New Christmas Trail

Tunbridge Wells-based light sculpture artist Jon Owens is creating a new festive installation for this year's Christmas light trail at Bedgebury just 11 miles away.

Running from 22nd November – 30th December, Christmas at Bedgebury invites visitors to discover a magical mile-long trail within the beautiful surroundings of the award-winning National Pinetum.

Jon is creating a new installation for this year's trail; Rudolph Nose the Way which is an alluring illuminated red nose and antlers suspended from two Scots pine trees.  This light will lead trail visitors through the darkness, highlighting the impressive architecture and silhouettes of the mature trees around the edge of Marshal's Lake.

Jon has also been commissioned to create another new work Christmas Crackers for Kew Gardens and Blenheim Palace's Christmas trails.

Owens says: “The inspiration for the piece was my childhood imagination of Rudolph lighting the way for Santa on dark, stormy Christmas nights. The piece is over 3m x 3m suspended at a height of 6m making it a beacon of light along the trail.”

“I use every day, recognisable, geometric light fixtures to create breath-taking, awe-inspiring light installations that will hopefully spark people's imagination. Everyone who I have spoken to about the concept has been really excited to see it in reality, so I am looking forward to seeing their reactions.” He added.

Alongside the new Rudolph Nose the Way feature visitors will wander through a towering Tunnel of Light installation immersing them within thousands of twinkling pea-lights.

Bedgebury's visitor centre lake will be illuminated by a mesmerising Water Fountain Finale; watch jumping jets of light dance in time to much-loved Christmas classics as the sights and sounds of the festive season come together.

Christmas at Bedgebury is brought to you by leading events promoter Raymond Gubbay Limited, a division of Sony Music, in partnership with Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest.  The trail is created by Culture Creative Limited.

Bedgebury National Pinetum & Forest, Goudhurst, Kent. TN17 2SJ

#christmasatbedgebury

What:              Christmas at Bedgebury - the magical, after-dark, illuminated trail
When:             From 22 November – 30 December 2019 – running selected dates
Why Visit:      Discover a Christmas illuminated trail for all the family
Admission:    From: Adult £18.00, Child £11.50, Family £54.00 Under 3's & carers free.* 
Website:         christmasatbedgebury.co.uk 

ENDS

For more information please contact:

Melodie Manners | melodie@flamingo-marketing.co.uk | 01637 873379 or 07815 709548

Notes to Editors

 For full pricing details and booking please visit: christmasatbedgebury.co.uk 

• *Additional charges apply
• Friends of Bedgebury Pinetum members receive £1 per person discount.
• Parking £6 per car.

About Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest

Bedgebury National Pinetum & Forest is home to the National Conifer Collection and cared for by Forestry England.  Forestry England manages and cares for the nation's 1,500 woods and forests, with over 230 million visits per year.  As England's largest land manager, it shapes landscapes for people to enjoy, wildlife to flourish and businesses to grow. The 128-hectare (320-acre) Bedgebury National Pinetum is recognised as one of the most significant collections of conifer trees and plants on one site anywhere in the world. There are more than 12,000 trees, including threatened and historically important specimens. The Bedgebury team travel the world to collect seeds from rare species natural habitats for propagation and conservation, supported by the Friends of Bedgebury Pinetum.  Bedgebury is a key partner in the Global Trees Campaign run by Fauna & Flora International and Botanic Gardens Conservation International. Bedgebury makes a major contribution to the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation.

Visitors attending the Christmas at Bedgebury Illuminated Trail are helping the team to conserve Bedgebury's collection and other collections across the world through the sharing and dissemination of tree knowledge and expertise.

forestryengland.uk/bedgebury | FB @BedgeburyPinetum | Twitter: @BedgeburyP

About RGL, a division of Sony Music

Leading events promoter, RGL (Raymond Gubbay Limited), a division of Sony Music, has been delivering illuminated Christmas trails for over six years.  The chosen partners for national and international heritage and prestigious venues including Blenheim Palace; The National Trust; The Forestry Commission; The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and Botanic Gardens, Chicago, USA.

Each trail is designed to showcase the natural and unique environment of the individual location, so no two trails are ever the same. RGL also presents over 500 concerts annually throughout the UK.

raymondgubbay.co.uk

About Culture Creative
Culture Creative is a creative project and production management company based in the North East of England. The Company works across a wide range of cultural fields including art, sport, heritage, tourism, festivals and events, developing projects from concept to delivery. Since 2013 Culture Creative has worked closely with leading entertainment promoter Raymond Gubbay Ltd. a division of Sony Music, to create My Christmas Trails – a series of illuminated trails held in various venues across the UK including Kew Gardens and Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh. In 2018 the company developed its first indoor Christmas experience themed around the story of Cinderella, and this year will produce Alice in the Palace themed around the story of Alice in Wonderland for Blenheim Palace. 
www.culturecreative.co.uk | FB @culturecreativeltd | Twitter @CCLCreative