Newbury’s all light on the night
NEWBURY’S Christmas lantern parade made a welcome return to the town on Sunday.
The Festival of Light, organised by the Corn Exchange, drew large crowds, kicking off with the lantern procession from 6pm.
Participants in the parade moved down Northbrook Street, bearing lanterns they had built themselves in workshops at 101 – the Corn Exchange’s creative space at Greenham Common – and in school and Scout groups.
The festivities culminated in Market Place, outside the Corn Exchange, where live musical entertainment was provided by Jewels and the Jacuzzis.
Refreshments and other attractions were also available.
The Festival of Light is a traditional highlight of the local winter calendar, but concerns over crowd events this year led organisers to impose special measures, with participants in the procession registering in advance.
Some striking designs were on display, including lanterns modelled on a horse, a toucan and a hippo.
Among those taking part in the procession was Sarah Waters and her daughter Anna, who brought a large starshaped lantern.
Mrs Waters said she particularly enjoyed the workshops.
“It’s lovely going off to make the lanterns,” she said.
“It’s just a lovely thing to go to, great atmosphere there and obviously it’s lovely seeing everybody here today doing it.”
Simon Chatterton, 101’s strategic lead, told the Newbury
Weekly News: “Last year, we did a different format, because it was obviously so difficult to do public events. We did a trail down by the canal.
“This year, we’re back to our classic lantern parade, which is fantastic, and we’ve had more lanterns made than ever before and some fantastic inspiring big lanterns.
“The level of things the community is making has really gone up a gear.
“I think people have been so desperate to do things and come back together to celebrate.
“They’ve made these fantastic constructions – we’ve been running a lot of workshops helping people to do that.”
He added: “We’ve done free tickets, which we’ve never done before, so we can manage the numbers, dividing up the procession into different segments.
“It’s felt like a really safe, enjoyable event. The weather is a bonus, really, because you never know in December.”