Looking back: the end of Candlelight Night in Bournemouth

There's a sense of nostalgia, a yearning for those cherished summer evenings when the Lower Gardens would transform into a flickering wonderland. 

It wasn't just about the thousands of tea lights casting their gentle glow, or the intricate designs they formed, it was about a shared experience, a simple, captivating magic that brought the community together in a way that feels increasingly rare. 

The absence of this beloved tradition has left a quiet void in the heart of the town's summer calendar.

The origins of Bournemouth's Candlelight Nights are surprisingly regal, dating back to 1897.

It's said that Empress Elizabeth of Austria, during a visit to the seaside resort, enjoyed candlelit walks through the very same Lower Gardens. 

This imperial seal of approval sparked a tradition that, for more than a century, would become a quintessential part of a Bournemouth summer. 

For generations, families would flock to the gardens, children with faces aglow, to witness the spectacle. The air would be thick with the scent of warm wax and the happy chatter of onlookers, the darkness punctuated by countless tiny flames dancing in their coloured jars.

The beauty of Candlelight Night lay in its simplicity. 

There were no deafening pyrotechnics or high-tech light shows, just the humble, mesmerising flicker of thousands of candles. 

Volunteers and council workers would meticulously arrange the tea lights, often into themed displays – perhaps a giant anchor, a leaping dolphin, or a nod to a local anniversary. The effect was breathtaking. 

Pathways would be lined with shimmering light, flowerbeds would take on an ethereal glow, and the familiar Victorian bandstand would become a magical centrepiece. 

Children would eagerly queue for their own tapers, carefully lighting candles and adding their own small contribution to the luminous tapestry. It was an interactive, communal art form, a gentle spectacle that encouraged quiet appreciation and a sense of wonder.

However, like many cherished traditions, Candlelight Night eventually faced the harsh realities of modern pressures. 

Rising costs, estimated at around £23,000 annually in its later years, became a significant hurdle for the local council.

 Attempts were made to adapt and perhaps find alternative funding. 

In 2017, the event saw a brief reimagining, shifting to a procession format that aimed to honour its historical roots by following the Empress Elizabeth's original walking route. 

While a good idea, it marked a departure from the vast, immersive spectacle that people had come to know and love. 

Sadly, by 2018, the decision was made that the event, in its traditional, grand form, would not continue without a new sponsor stepping forward.

For many, it was an intrinsic part of their childhood, a highlight of the summer holidays. It was a place for first dates, for quiet evening strolls, for families to come together and simply be in a beautiful, shared space. 

While Bournemouth continues to host an array of events, including the dazzling Christmas Tree Wonderland in the same Lower Gardens, there remains a specific fondness, a particular nostalgia, for the unique charm of Candlelight Night.