Lantern Parade at Ashton. Source Ashton Market

The Friends of Parkinson’s Park  invite residents to come and take part in Guiseley’s first community Lantern Parade, Sunday 15th December 2013, between 4 – 5.30pm.  This will be supported by  Red Nose Community Cash, and be part of the Heritage Lottery Fund All Our Stories project.

Lantern Parade at Stonehenge

Lantern parades are becoming popular in a number of towns and cities across Britain during late Autumn, and Winter.  These hark back to older customs around Samhain and Yule, that were built into the Christian Festivals of All Saints/Souls and Advent/Christmas; the purpose of all being to encourage light, warmth and salvation to return again to nourish crops and people – whilst a little ‘misrule’ is in order.

So, to start off what we hope will become a new Guiseley tradition,  meet up near the top copse in Parkinson’s Park at the decorated tree stump from around 3.45pm, and then we will parade with lanterns down to Town Gate and the cross.  There, we will be met by Guiseley Brass Band, who will play a number of carols for us to sing along too, whilst mulled drink, mince pies and Christmas buns will be given out.

Advent Lantern Parade at Winchester. Source; Daily Echo

Please,  bring your own lantern to create a display and light the way (ideas for lantern making below), and if children (or adults) would like to dress up to get in the Christmas spirit, it all adds to the ‘misrule’.   All children need to be accompanied by an adult.  The Park can also be a little muddy if it has been raining, so wellies or study shoes would also be appropriate.

If you could email us on parkinsonspark@gmail.com to let us know you are coming and how many people, that would be useful, to help us with planning.  If the weather is wet or very snowy on the day the event will not go ahead,  please see this website for details of cancellation.  Also, please email us if you would like to help decorate the Park with lights on the 15th, and could even lend some outside lights to make a display.  Come and help make a new Guiseley custom for old and new residents, for us to pass on to future generations.

Find 10 lantern making ideas here.

There are also lantern making video’s on YouTube.