A TWENTY thousand pound festival of light will add some ‘wow factor’ to next year’s candlelight event in Monmouth after a contribution of £7,000 by Monmouth Town Council.

At the council’s meeting on Monday night (16th January), £7,000 was allocated in the council’s budget for a new ‘Festival of Light’ to support the Christmas parade and the annual candlelit event.

‘Monlight’ will be a “light fantastic” show run by volunteers who plan to add to the traditional seasonal event with Agincourt Square and the Shire Hall being the focus of the displays. It is hoped the displays will raise the town’s profile and attract shoppers in the run up to Christmas, with the possibility of light shows in the town, on the river and in shop windows.

Early costs put the programme at just under £20,000, meaning that organisers will need to raise an additional £13,000 in donations and sponsorship in order for the event to take place.