Bolsover Lantern Parade lit up the streets on Saturday 28 November with around 1000 participants carrying lanterns around the town, led by Santa and his sleigh, Bolsover Town Crier David Fish and The Handmade Samba Band. Crowds lined the route to watch, despite heavy rain and wind earlier in the day. The parade, now in its 22nd year, was the finale to a day of activity with Bolsover Christmas Festival offering stalls and entertainment for visitors and residents.
The community lantern-making workshops in the lead-up to the event were our busiest yet, with families making fantastic lanterns of all shapes and sizes including a huge Coca Cola lorry, a purple dragon and characters from Star Wars.
Artist Rachel Carter also led lantern-making workshops in four local schools – Palterton Primary, New Bolsover Primary, Bolsover CofE Junior and Bolsover Infant and Nursery Schools. Musician Michael Davis worked with Brockley Primary School to create illuminated hand-held chimes that pupils and their families played as part of the parade. The beautiful tinkling sound was the perfect counterpart to the magnificent giant cloud lanterns created by Chesterfield College that brought up the rear of the procession.
The Best Lantern Competition was judged by Cllrs Pat Cooper and Paul Cooper from Old Bolsover Town Council. Winners were ‘Spongebob Squarepants’ and ‘R2D2′ while Best School prize was awarded to New Bolsover Junior School.
We would like to thank everyone who generously supported the parade including Bolsover Castle; Old Bolsover Town Council; Creswell Crags, Pillar of Rock (J D Wetherspoons) and The Co-op who generously provided prizes for the Best Lantern Competition; Cllrs Pat Cooper and Paul Cooper; Bolsover Rotary Club with Santa and his Sleigh; Brimington Air Cadets and Junction Arts Volunteers for stewarding the event; and Bolsover Police officers for keeping an eye on things.
Thanks also to Jake Aubrey-Bentley and Harriet Davies (Photography/Film), Octavian for managing road closures and security, and all the participants and supporters for creating this brilliant event year after year.
