Dover to be illuminated for new community event

Artist Tim Smithen will be working with families to create glow-in-the-dark graffiti

Buildings in a Kent town centre will be illuminated as part of a new community event.

Dover at Night will be held at 11 venues around the town's high street on Friday between 17:00 GMT and 21:00.

The free drop-in event has a programme of art and craft activities, storytelling, conservation-in-action, digital projections, music, dance and drama.

Organisers of this inaugural event said the illuminated night was to "explore historic sites and creative spaces" and it "promises to be a lot of fun".

Locations being used include Dover Museum, St Mary's Church, Riverside Centre and Charlton Shopping Centre.

An event spokesperson said: "Entrances to venues will be lit up in celebration, while inspiring artwork created by more than 1,000 local schoolchildren from the Samphire Academy Trust will be projected onto the inside and outside of buildings."

Stained glass conservators and wall painting specialists will be talking about their work to restore the town's historic Maison Dieu.

There will be an opportunity to see the town's winter light-up animals in close-up detail and a drag queen costume display by Dover Pride.

Martin Crowther, engagement officer at Maison Dieu, said: “We have worked with Dover’s community groups, who shared their vision of putting on more Dover-wide events to celebrate the town’s rich history and heritage and encourage local participation."