A while ago, a group of us bemoaned a fall off in ‘community fuddles’; the Yorkshire way where everyone bringing something to the party. So many new houses, so many new people – Guiseley was changing, and it needed a ‘fuddle shot in the arm’.

That was the seed from which the Lantern Parade grew. Whilst other towns put on a spectacle FOR people to watch, we wanted a spectacle WITH people; everyone bringing something to the party.

So, yesterday we had the impromptu children’s choir, cheering ‘We Three Kings’ and belting out Jingle Bells with gusto. When I asked the residents of Kelcliffe Lane, if it would be possible to move their cars between 4 -4.30pm everyone did so quite happily.

Our usual drummer leader lost his drums in the Drummond Mill fire and had to cancel late in the day, so Jacob Phillips and Ben Lawrence stepped in to organize the Sound of the Mill Band – of local people. At the other end of the generations Guiseley Brass Band bring that wonderful Yorkshire element to the singing.

The Guiseley Landmark Lanterns were designed and made by Lucy Phillips and family, whilst Richard from the Station Pub and Scott from the Factory Workers Club stepped up to help provide the refreshments. Continue reading →

Lantern parade today at 3.45pm for 4pm start. Lots of hard work been going on getting everything ready, so a big thank you to all the team.

This year we have some specially designed Guiseley Lanterns from the talented Lucy Phillips, and the Sound of the Mill Band with Jacob Phillips and Ben Lawrence. Hopefully, we have more larger lanterns carried following all the fun of the workshop.  You can see the Guiseley Lanterns here, they are amazing. Continue reading →