Jersey Couple Create New Family Festival

Monday, 6 February 2023 12:00

A family in Jersey has made a new festival which aims to inspire young minds.

Carl and Michelle McConnell say they wanted to give children here the chance to learn about science, technology, engineering and mathematics, as well as arts, in a fun way.

The parents of two say they take their own children to science events in London so they can engage with education in a new way.

"We felt there was something missing in Jersey for the children here, so we thought it would be a brilliant idea to bring it over." - Carl McConnell.

Glimmer Events first started in January 2020, just before the pandemic which Carl says 'in hindsight was bad timing', but since then it has run every year with acts like The StrongWomen Science, Jurassic Live and Dr. Ken Farquhar.

The couple decided Glimmer would be a social enterprise, and all of the profits made from selling tickets would go back into the festival. They hope one day it will become a big event in the island's calendar.

"For us, the family element is really important and having fun with a bit of education thrown in there."

"We want to plant the seed that sparks our future stars, we want to make sure that families can do that together." - Michelle McConnell.

Glimmer Fusion will be taking place on 11 February at the Trinity Showground and will have a host of talents which specialise in STEM.