Lantern Making Workshops
Build willow lanterns over four weeks, ending with a large group lantern for the Light Up New Romney procession in December.
Romney Marsh is remote, sparsely populated and poorly served by transport. For many people here, particularly older residents living alone, a creative class within reach simply does not exist.
Cost is the other barrier. Art classes with materials included are out of reach for a lot of households, and that gap has widened. So JAM removes both. We take professional artists and musicians to venues people can actually get to, we supply everything, and we charge nothing.
Five programmes across the year
What participants told us
I am 81 and live on my own, so meeting other local people and working on the same creative activity is very enjoyable socially.
Ten of the twelve who responded did something they did not know they were capable of. Ten were aged 65 or over and seven were over 75, so this is a programme reaching the people most likely to be spending their days alone.
What we have made together
Every project ends in an exhibition, first at the Romney Marsh Community Hub and then at the Leisure Centre. This is everything made so far.
projects completed since 2025, every one exhibited locally and free to take part in.
Young people learning what a creative career looks like
Working with The Marsh Academy, sixth formers join the festival each July as photographers, front of house and production crew. For most it is the first time they have seen professional creative work up close.
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It has helped me to be more confident when talking to people, and this used to be something that I physically could not do, so I am really happy that I have overcome that hurdle.
It gave me time to experience real community spirit, and I loved being around such bubbly and happy people who are all united by the same passion.
This work is funded by trusts, foundations and local government, and delivered with partners across Romney Marsh.
and over 50 organisations across Kent
