Scenes From FOPPs 8th Lantern Parade 2021

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Gathering in the Park newly decorated by local residents, with mince pies and entertainment from Mitch Oldham.

Setting off to a good, strong, drum beat from a ‘flash’ Samba band of volunteers.

The special ‘Guiseley’ Lanterns made for us in 2016 by Lucy Phillips are still going strong, with their range of 2021 lantern bearers.

The Parade is on it way to the Town Cross with lots of waves from pavements and houses, and careful marshalling.

Community Christmas Carols with Guiseley Brass Band and our three local Ministers from St Oswalds, Guiseley Baptists, and Guiseley Methodists

The end of another day in the history of the Park.

A thank you to all who organize and take part in this lovely annual event, the community involvement from so many different people make it a real ‘feel good’ occasion.

Pictures by Liakat Ali Parapia, and Darren Sanderson.

Lantern Parade is Back – 12th December 2021

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Just one week to go until the Lantern Parade on 12th December, setting off from the Park dead on 3.45pm. We are so happy to do this again; this will be our 8th, and we hope it will be better than every. So, get making those lanterns, dig out those costumes, and we’ll light the way from the Park down to the Town Cross, where Guiseley Brass Band will play for us as we sing traditional Christmas Carols.

There will be refreshments and a display from the Parade Entertainer from 3pm in the Park. You can also look at the Light displays done by local residents, hang a decoration on the Advent Tree, and purchase a Christmas Trail Bag to do on the Christmas Tree Trail from 12th Dec – 3rd Jan 22.

CHRISTMAS SPARKLE AND FUN

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As the darkness and cold gathers for December, we want to light up the Park with sparkle and fun to anticipate and celebrate the Christmas Season.

Park Displays

We’ll again be lighting up different areas of the Park which will be done by different groups of Friends to different Christmas themes. Starting with the Advent Tree and Crooklands Orchard to welcome the season, there will then be a big burst of light at 3pm on 12th December to start the Lantern Parade and launch the Christmas Tree Trail.

The Farm Gate display will also be part of the ‘Yarns Well Spun’ Leeds 2023 art project, the Crooklands Orchard display will be part of a traditional wassail.

Coundown To Christmas – Your Park Decorations – 1st – 25th December

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ORCHARD NOW PROTECTED BY THE GUISELEY DRAGON

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The dragon has been important in Northern European cultures for millenia; as seen in artefacts, poems and sagas. Its symbolism is complex but includes courage, watchfulness and protection – dragons can be good, or bad.

Iron Age Britons, Anglo Saxons and Vikings all used zoomorphism (or animal symbolism) to describe many things from humans to the mood of the sea. The Vikings had their dragon ships, the Welsh still have a dragon on their flag* and the Anglo Saxon burial at Sutton Hoo ( 625 AD) is famous for its dragon helmet. The British King Arthur was the son of Uther Pendragon, whilst the Anglo Saxon poem Beowulf tells of heroic dragon slaying. Modern stories that draw on earlier folklore also have their dragons from The Hobbit, to Harry Potter.

Sutton Hoo Helmet with the dragon forming the nose, eyebrows and moustache.

In Guiseley, we too have a dragon: you can find it on part of a 9th century, early medieval cross, now in St Oswalds. This motif has also been carved on the stone at Guiseley Wells when it was restored at the Millennium as a Heritage Lottery project. Now, given what we know about the history of the land which is now Parkinson’s Park, we have a Guiseley dragon protecting our Orchard, based on an Anglo Saxon drawing.

* Our area used to be part of the British Kingdom of Elmet 470 – 617 AD – it was closely allied with the Kingdom of Gwynedd. At the end of the 5th century Elmet had a King called Arthuis ap Masgwid he was likely named after the slightly earlier High King of Britain King Arthur, of legend fame.

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PARKINSON’S PARK REMEMBERS

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This year, 2021, is the 100th Anniversary of the founding of The Royal British Legion, set up to help members of the Armed Forces and their families after World War I – a task they continue to do. The Guiseley Branch was set up in 2022, and so will have their anniversary next year.

To commemorate Armistice Day we have 100 poppies on the poppy blanket on the Park’s Farm Gate which have been done by a variety of Friends. You are welcome to add your own at any time. (We will keep all the poppies and gradually cover the whole gate over the years.) All donations will go to the RBL.

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