The 2025 Cherry Lodge Cancer Care Lights of Love ceremony was held on the rather chilly evening of Sunday 30th November. Once again, this very special gathering took place outside the Cherry Lodge shop in Church Passage, Barnet. Thank you to CL Founder, Margaret, and Events Coordinator, Tina, for organising this memorable event.
Margaret opened proceedings wtih a warm welcome to everyone and an outline of what to expect – poems, music, tea-lights, reading out of loved ones’ names, switching on the lights of love on the Christmas tree, and finally refreshments.
This year there were five poem readers, representing different groups within the CL family. First to read was CL member Rose W, with a touching poem entitled “Remember Me”. She was followed by Neville R, who read the very moving “Do not stand by my Grave and Weep” in memory of his recently deceased wife Alison, a CL member. Next up was Ruth M, CL trustee and website editor, reading two more (thankfully different) very short poems also entitled “Remember Me”. Tina’s choice was a meditative poem on the theme of “Every Sunset” by Xy-sa Rhea. The final poem, later in the programme, was written and read by CL member Damian C. Entitled “Cancer Came a Calling”, this poem is an engaging description of Damian’s own cancer journey (its words can be read in the gallery below).
Music for the evening was provided by singer Aish (known to her followers as Aish on the Radio). Her first song was the very lovely and appropriate “Somewhere over the Rainbow”. This took us to the very heart of the ceremony – the reading out of names of people to be remembered. These included not only people who have died, but also others who might appreciate a token of love to help them through difficult times. As always, Freddy led this remembrance very clearly and touchingly. While she read, attendees joined in by following the prior instruction to switch on their tea-light on hearing the name of a loved one.
Cherry Lodge patron, Theresa Villiers (now Dame), then performed her customary role of switching on the Christmas tree lights. We thank her for many years of loyal support. The large tree, donated last year by Dunelm, looked splendid and will serve as a fitting memorial to this lovely occasion. (After the ceremony, the tree would be taken to the reception area at Howard House, where it will be lit during the day, visible from the street, until early January.)
The ceremony was brought to its close by singer Aish, leading the gathered crowd in a spirited rendition of the Cherry Lodge anthem: “You’ll Never Walk Alone”. Finally, mulled wine, mince pies and small cakes were served outside the shop.
Thank you to everyone who helped make this event such a memorable sucess, either by reading a poem or singing on the night, or by donating to Cherry Lodge funds to sponsor a light. Special thanks are due to Freddy for reading out the very long list of names, to Paul for providing the PA system, to shop manager Kim for keeping the shop open for us, and to volunteers Bobbi and Sandra for serving the refreshments.
