Carlisle Castle lights up for festive season

(Date of issue: Monday, 17 November 2008)

The city of Carlisle and its iconic castle is welcoming the festive season in style.

The imposing fortress has been elegantly illuminated by a dynamic and contemporary lighting scheme, which has been made possible by Sky Movies sponsorship of all the city’s Christmas lights this year. The lighting of the castle forms a dramatic element of Carlisle – The Christmas City, organised by Carlisle City Council.

The lighting scheme has been designed to highlight and emphasise the dramatic outline of the fortress set against the winter skyline. The ‘keep’ will be awash with changing colour combinations whilst the curtain wall will be lit up with a constant crimson glow.

The castle scheme provides a complementary visual to the other Carlisle landmarks including the Citadel, the impressive oval towers that dominate the southern entrance to the city, which have also been illuminated and have been funded by Cumbria County Council.

Richard Polley, English Heritage’s Head of Visitor Operations for Cumbria said:

"We are delighted that the castle, such an important part of the city’s history, will play an integral role in the celebrations in Carlisle this Christmas. We received an extremely positive reaction to the illumination of the castle in previous years and hope it will be similarly welcomed this year."

Leader of Carlisle City Council, Councillor Mike Mitchelson, said:

"Following the success of this initiative last year, we are pleased to be working with Sky Movies, English Heritage and Cumbria County Council to achieve these dramatic lighting schemes. The Citadel and Castle are iconic to Carlisle’s identity, and provide spectacular gateways to the city."

Sky Movies is the major sponsor for the dazzling seasonal illuminations of the city and forthcoming events in the run up to Christmas. Sky Movies support of the event will complement the lights and the overall Christmas experience the city has to offer, helping to make the lights bigger, better and brighter than ever before. But that’s not all, as this year rather than white Carlisle will be dreaming of a green Christmas, as Sky Movies are helping to ensure that all 2,400 light bulbs which form part of the city centre display are energy saving LED’s, demonstrating Sky’s ongoing commitment to the environment.

The Sky Movies support will help enhance Carlisle’s bid to be the ultimate ‘Christmas City’ and draw in crowds from far and wide to enjoy and admire the stunning display of lights and other activities which will be going on in the run up to Christmas.