Broomgrove eclipsed in moths

On Friday, 20 October, around 150 residents of the Broomgrove estate and visitors from the wider community came together to enjoy an Eclipse of Moths and light display, organised by ZEROH: The Broomgrove Moth Men.

As part of the Hastings Storytelling Festival, ZEROH, who were behind the 'Caught a Curiosity' project last year, hosted an interactive workshop and guided storytelling trail for local residents and visitors. The workshop was free to attend and encouraged children and their parents to contribute to a majestic Moth swarm, also known as an Eclipse of Moths.

Children crafted their own unique moth wing patterns which were transformed into mesmerising 3D models and brought to life through animation projected onto a 17ft screen installation.
After dark there was an illuminated pylon by the Broomgrove Community Centre, displaying a beacon of light, signifying the attraction moths have to light.

Cllr Andy Batsford, lead councillor for Health and Culture, said: "It was great to see so many of the local community and people from the wider town come together to enjoy this immersive multimedia experience, despite the weather! I really enjoyed seeing the creative unique moth patterns projected onto the huge screen which were crafted by local children, this is all part of using culture, music and art to really energise Broomgrove."

There was also a storyteller, Amelia Armand, who told the story of the Broomgrove Men (written by local author Gareth E Rees).

The event was hosted as part of the annual Hastings Storytelling Festival which took part from 14-22 October with events mostly free ranging from storytelling workshops, dance, puppetry and theatre and multimedia displays.

Notes:
The Broomgrove Eclipse project has received £10,000 from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK government's Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills. For more information, visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-prospectus

Photo courtesy of Sara-Lou Bowrey