SCHOOLS, refugees, and a food bank are among those who will benefit from Ludlow's Tree of Light this year.

Each year, the display arranged by the Ludlow Rotary Club gives local residents the opportunity to shine a light in memory of a loved one, to celebrate a special occasion or to send good wishes to friends or family by making a dedication and donation.

All funds raised go towards local projects through the annual community grants scheme, Ludlow Rotary Cares.

Donations made to last year’s Tree of Light, along with money raised at the 2022 Ludlow Dog Day, made it possible for the club to offer grants totalling £5,000 in support of 10 community projects in 2023.

One recipient last year was the Ludlow Men's Shed. Spokesperson David Burton said a Rotary grant had allowed the charity to move from using mains-fed power tools to battery power.  "This has made a huge difference – no more power cables trailing across the floor or risks of electric shocks plus the ability to move around the workshop and assist others without setting up electrical connections," he said.

Another recipient was Kimbolton St James Primary School, which was able to purchase new play and learning equipment.

Clun Valley Sewing Team has been able to deliver 120 menstrual care kits, costing around £10 to produce, to women and girls in Angola with help from the Rotary, while South Shropshire Engineering Ambassadors, recent winners of The King’s Award for Voluntary Service, has been helped to provide after school clubs, support schools in the assembly and competitive racing of Goblin cars, and arrange school visits to places of engineering interest. 

This year the tree will be supporting: 

  • The Friends of Cleobury Mortimer Primary School
  • The Arts Society Teme Valley
  • Kimbolton St James’ Primary School
  • South Shropshire Engineering Ambassadors
  • Ludlow National Childbirth Trust (Ludlow)
  • Hands Together Ludlow (Ludlow Men’s Shed Project)
  • Ludlow Food Bank
  • Clun Valley Music
  • Clun Valley Sewing Team
  • Ludlow Supports Refugees Group

This year, the Tree of Light will be switched on at 5pm on November 25 by the Mayor of Ludlow, Councillor Glenn Ginger, and the tree will remain lit until Twelfth Night on 6 January.

Members of the public are invited to join a torchlight procession led by the Rocksprings Community Choir and singing star Macy O from the Market Square to the Tree of Light, located in Castle Gardens.

Forms containing full information on how to submit a dedication may be obtained from St Laurence’s Parish Church, Nock Deighton Estate Agents or downloaded from www.ludlowrotaryclub.org.uk.

All dedications received by December 13 will be published in the Christmas edition of the Ludlow Advertiser. A complete list of dedications received by Twelfth Night will be recorded on the Ludlow Rotary Club website.