Story:Neill Schofield & Saleema Imam
Photos:Sea Scouts & Graham Jones
More than 200 people came to Parkwood Springs and made the first ever ‘Beacons Lantern Procession’ on Saturday 17th October a great success!
In the afternoon Watercliffe Meadow School, St Catherine’s Guides and Brownies, Sheffield Sea Cadets, Pitsmoor Adventure Playground, Mount Tabor Cubs and the Friends of Burngreave Cemetery Chapel finished their creations, while families arrived and made their own with the help of local artist Patrick Amber.
Friends of Parkwood Springs organised the event and were represented by the Parkwood Deer.
After talking to various participants and listening to the opening sounds of the samba band, the Lord Mayor led the procession through the woods with his own lantern.
At the look-out spot the marchers were greeted by a giant kestrel made by children from Pitsmoor Adventure Playground, which joined the menagerie of animals and other creations including giraffes, penguins, a jelly fish, shark, angler fish, submarine, owls, a fox on a bike trailer, a 20 foot caterpillar, a frog, a pirate ship and a pineapple.
“Marvellous!”, “Wonderful evening” and “We’re going to start making a lantern for next year. There will be a parade next year won’t there?” were amongst comments heard as people set off home.
You can see more photos on the event page on Facebook, Beacons Lantern Procession.
There is also a YouTube clip by Martin Currie at https://youtu.be/KgclXdU1oqM
