Christmas Sparkes

Join us for Christmas Sparkes, an outdoor projection event celebrating the life and work of local historian and businessman C.S. John Sparkes.

Taking place on December 14th, 2024, at 7 PM at Burtle Village Hall, this free event invites you to bundle up with blankets and camping chairs for a unique experience.

Somerset Film will showcase films from Sparkes’ extensive collection, accompanied by a specially created soundtrack performed live by Bristol-based sound artist Matt Davis. The performance features recordings and sounds made in collaboration with the Burtle Silver Band, adding a local musical touch to the evening.

This event marks the culmination of the A Village Apart, Villages Together project, supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Volunteers have spent the past year digitizing over 300 films from Sparkes’ archive, preserving his remarkable legacy.

Attendees can enjoy complimentary mulled wine and mince pies as a thank-you to lottery players. After the screening, step inside the village hall to explore more of the digitized collection. Don’t miss this special celebration of history, community, and creativity!