In August 2024 , Spellow Community Hub and Library in Liverpool - a valued local resource within one of the most deprived wards of the UK - was subjected to a mindless arson attack during the far-right, anti-immigration protests and riots that swept the UK.

Distressing footage of burning books resulted in global news reports, albeit swiftly challenged by the uplifting response that saw residents sweep the streets in the aftermath, vocally opposed to hatred and division in an area long associated with diversity. The library was saved by first responders, albeit the interior was destroyed.

Local resident Alex McCormick set up a crowdfunding page that raised over £250,000 from contributors around the world to secure the future of the library, while city authorities committed to a full restoration in record time.

Following earlier work with the Culture Liverpool team across Eurovision 2023, I was approached to conceive and deliver the creative direction of an event intended to celebrate the relaunch of Spellow Community Hub and Library, one that engaged with the local community, established a benchmark for wider participation and offered a celebratory moment of togetherness.

The result was the Spellow Starlight Trail, a lantern parade featuring 1,000 participants broadcast live on the BBC One Show to an audience of over 3 million , culminating in a spectacular laser display that conjured a ‘new North star’ above the library itself.

The parade was led by A Bird in the Hand Theatre, featuring puppets Ursa Mama and her young cub, Ursa Minor. The two bears live high amongst the night sky, their pelts glowing as part of a web of stories that tell the origin myths of the stars.

The Star Bears were sad to notice from their heavenly home that the lights at Spellow had dimmed, so they came to assist by bringing a lantern filled with starlight, to illuminate the library once more. The lantern was carried aloft at by Pearl and Royalty Ogunyadeka, two young sisters who have migrated from Nigeria to make Spellow their home, flanked by fundraiser Alex McCormick and presenter Kevin Duala of the BBC’s One Show. 

They were joined by Liverpool’s own Stealing Sheep, who channelled the music of the spheres with their joyous marching band; a combination of colourful costumes, choreography, synthesisers, woodwind and brass. 

Also enlisted were lantern and puppet specialists Russel Kirk, Handmade Productions and Global Grooves, providing starlight-themed contributions; from an Arctic Fox whose tail inspires stories of the Northern Lights, Aurora Borealis-themed stilt and wing walkers, a majestic midnight owl, to a beaming man-in-the-moon and a constellation of shooting stars. 

Together, we led the parade from Everton Football Club’s Goodison Park stadium culminating at at the library itself, where a tower of light appeared as a beacon for libraries across the UK; with venues including the British Library also lighting up in affinity. With approval from aviation authorities, 36 high-powered lasers combined to create a new, temporary star above our final destination, to light the way ahead. 

The procession was preceded by lantern-making workshops from Liverpool’s own Lantern Company involving hundreds of local schoolchildren and community groups. A guard of honour on the night included fire and police services from first responders, alongside local schools, community groups and city faith leaders.

As the gift of starlight was brought inside, the lights of Spellow Library Hub blazed once more in welcome. All belong here.