Alabare invite us to Stargazing Big Sleep

Thursday, 9 May 2024 01:00

Salisbury-based charity Alabaré is inviting everyone aged eight and over to join them for their first Stargazing BIG Sleep.

It all happens at Messums West in Tisbury on Friday, 24th May.

This special event will give participants a chance to do some hands-on astronomy and take part in a twilight walk lead by award winning TV and theatre actor, Pippa Haywood.

After a packed evening of stargazing, everyone will bed down for the night, sleeping under the night sky raise vital funds and awareness and help end homelessness.

Messums West is a stunning art venue with a 13th-century tithe barn set in the stunning Wiltshire countryside. Messums West is part of the Cranborne Chase National Landscape, which provides fabulous opportunities for stargazing due to the dark skies. The event is a prominent part of Messums’ De Nadder Festival.

Alabaré’s Events Manager, Rebecca Mullen, said: “We are delighted to be partnering with Messums for our first Star Gazing BIG Sleep.

"It is such a beautiful location, and we have shaped the event around the idea of star gazing while holding the idea that sometimes our clients come to us with absolutely nothing.

"We can all feel overwhelmed when we hear about the plight of those in need, but this event promises to be a very moving but practical way to show our care and help the charity raise the funds to bring more people off the street, and onto a journey of hope.”

The Star Gazing BIG Sleep will begin with a guided twilight walk up into the nearby hills that will feature poetry and stories led by the actor Pippa Haywood.

Afterwards, our stargazers will be treated to a talk by professional astronomer Steve Tonkins of the Cranborne Chase National Landscape, and then with the assistance of experienced astronomers, there will be the chance for participants to take a close-up look at the skies through telescopes.

Afterwards, everyone will get to bed down for the night (no tents) in the courtyard by the barn and fall asleep under the stars.

Hopefully, the wet weather plan will not be needed, but there is one just in case! In the morning, everyone will be given breakfast and will go home knowing they have made a real difference to the lives of people who are homeless.

Anyone aged eight plus and in good health can take part, so it is ideal for families looking for something both memorable and impactful to do over the half-term break: adults taking part pledge to raise £95 and £25 as a young person.

To register, visit alabare.co.uk