Candles Light Up Lake During Special Commemorative Event at Care Village in Abbotsham

Scores of people turned out for a special commemorative candlelit event at a care village in Abbotsham.

Kenwith Castle care home hosted its first Candles on the Lake event, which was open to the public, local carers who work in and around Bideford, as well as the residents and their families from Kenwith Castle and Fremington Manor care home based near Barnstable, which is also part of the not-for-profit charity Care South. It was also attended by the residents of the Kenwith Castle Gardens and Kenwith Meadows assisted living bungalows based in the care village.

Simon Bird, Chief Executive at Care South, said: “Candles on the Lake at Kenwith Castle is a wonderful way of remembering loved ones who are sadly no longer with us, but also celebrating those amazing people still with us who cared for them in later life. It was a very emotional evening and we were amazed to see so many people from the local community as well as those who live at Kenwith Castle in our lovely care village.

He added: “We’re very much hoping that this grows into a wider event next year with more people joining in from other care homes and wider communities across the area remembering and celebrating people who were and are important to them. We’re also so pleased to be able fundraise and help support the wonderful care that North Devon Hospice provides to the local community.”

Families were able to sponsor a candle in memory of a loved one, which then floated on the Kenwith Castle lake located in front of the care home. A total of £1,000 was raised from the event with money going to North Devon Hospice, which provides specialist care support to people with life-limiting conditions.

Georgia Bedgood, Community Fundraiser for North Devon Hospice said: “Our heartfelt thanks go to everyone who attended Candles on the Lake and sponsored a candle and donated in memory of their loved one. We’d also like to thank Kenwith Castle for inviting us to be part of this inaugural event. It was incredible to see the candles lighting up the lake at sunset.”

Reverend Jules Harris, Team Rector for Torridge Coastal Mission Community, gave a blessing before the candles were released onto the lake. Afterwards, she said: “I think it was a wonderful event. It was a real opportunity for people to come together and remember their loved ones because we never forget them.”