I FIND it difficult to believe that John Fox is actual stepping down as the main creative force behind Welfare State International.

Greatly respected across the arts world, both here and abroad, it will be strange to think that the highly imaginative Mr Fox won't be ensconced at WSI's Ulverston HQ, prepared, at the drop of a hat, to articulate his feelings about arts in the community.

He tells me he has mixed feelings about moving on at the end of 2005, but points out the decision is entirely his.

He wants to get on with his personal creativity, with his mission as a cultural provocateur, writing and speaking on his passions, creating more personal poetry, woodcuts and art works.

At the same time, it is the end of a 37-year adventure for John, although he's keen to stress that, free from the responsibilities of an organisation, he intends to be as active as ever and doesn't recognise the word retire'.

What a legacy he leaves behind.

"WSI has always been evolving, changing its shape and direction radically every seven years or so, and this is just one more stage in that exciting process," he enthuses.

"I want the amazing Lanternhouse experiment to continue to develop and for the company of artists to continue to break frontiers in relating art and society."

Make no mistake, 2005 is an historic year for Welfare State International as the company begins to metamorphosis into its new identity under the trading name Lanternhouse with John, WSI's founder and artistic director, handing over the reins to a "new creative team" with the question of who will lead the organisation still under discussion.

"Lanternhouse will rise to new and distinct heights in a year's time under the next creative leadership," claims John.

"A different team will incorporate many of the company's well-tested pioneering principles, such as making high quality original art that is ground-breaking, accessible, radical and necessary."

Since its inception in 1968, WSI has created seminal prototypes such as site-specific theatre, lantern parades, new ceremonies for rites of passage, and multi-media installations.

During the transition, as WSI starts to take the back seat and Lanternhouse moves into the limelight, there will be a wide-ranging mix of imaginative work shining forth from Ulverston.

The training of celebrants for conducting contemporary rites of passage will continue under the direction of Sue Gill - John's wife and creative partner - and Gilly Adams at their summer schools.

Longline, the three-year programme connecting communities around Morecambe Bay, is accelerating.

Last year, WSI gathered many powerful and personal stories from scores of people. These were recorded and presented in Baytales.

From January 25, some stories will be revisited in Barebones, a music-theatre composition in a tiny high-tech circus ring in the Lanternhouse barn, being staged over ten performances.

Incorporating original songs, skilled musicians, puppets of all kinds, conjuring, video and film, plus WSI's long experience of visual theatre, Barebones, written, composed and directed by John and Tim Fleming, will be an original and poetic distillation of the power of the Bay.

In early spring, the stories and photographs by Ania Grom Yoncali will surface again in a limited edition book edited by Gilly Adams and designed by Kelly Wellman. Plus, other theatrical aspects of Longline will gain momentum under the energetic drive of WSI's latest recruit, Noeline Kavanagh.

Originally from Galway, Noeline has vast experience in community theatre and, after just two months of working with Welfare State, has already gathered more than 100 youngsters bursting with enthusiasm to contribute images, dances and performances around the Longline themes.

Meanwhile, there are considerable developments in community music.

Ali Rigg is expanding Lanternhouse voices.

There are two artists in residence, Tim Hill, a gifted saxophonist and composer, is developing the Song Bank and the Bridge of Songs with the new Sage Gateshead venue, while Camilla Saunders, another talented composer, who works with a wide range of voices, is inspiring local women to create their own songs.

Visually, printmaker Shelly Burgoyne will energise the Lanternhouse studios and facilitate costume design, while Creative Alchemy, another high tech sound and video event, is gearing up for its tour in 2006.

Not forgetting one of the most popular events of the year, Ulverston's influential lantern parade, as well as the town's second Peace Festival in May (originated in memory of Wyn Langton), which is already attracting attention from as far afield as Korea and Australia.

"So, in total, an exciting brimful of aesthetic firecrackers," concludes John, as he contemplates the big changeover. Long live Lanternhouse!

For full details of events at Lanternhouse, contact 01229-581127.