Willow Lantern Pageant gets glowing report
Hundreds enjoyed illuminating event
A dark February night in the Cotswold Water Park was given a make-over last Friday by the warming glow of over 100 lanterns reflecting in a fishing lake near South Cerney – from a tiny dragon to a giant duck, lanterns of all shapes and sizes lit up the night.
The lanterns had been made by youth groups, community groups and local schools from all around the Cotswold Water Park, as a celebration of the wildlife of the area in this International Year of Biodiversity. The project, which was funded through Natural England through Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund, was managed by In our Element, the Arts development programme for the Cotswold Water Park Society.
Arts consultant Lesley Greene was delighted with the event, “ It was wonderful to see artists and young people working together to observe and interpret the richness of the wildlife which is all around us here in this dynamic landscape. There were lanterns representing bats, birds, beavers, fish and insects. Even the past was brought to life with a giant plesiosaur held aloft by its creators and the procession was led by a 2m high woolly mammoth, two creatures whose fossil remains have been found around here during gravel extraction process.
The procession around the lake took approximately half an hour, accompanied by drums and plenty of enthusiastic supporters. Those who took part all seemed to enjoy the event thoroughly and there is talk of an even bigger one next year!
Our huge thanks go to all the artists, young people and volunteers who worked so hard to make this event such a success.
Mike Stuart, chair of South Cerney Parish Council said
“I really must record my congratulations to you and your team for putting on such a wondrous event last night. I didn't know what to expect before I went but to experience so much fun was a privilege which I know was a sentiment shared by so many others there. To see so many youngsters getting involved not only on the night but in the construction of those "lanterns", was in itself amazing. The parade with all those wonderful lit up structures brought back distant memories of torch lit carnivals I went to when I was a child. I am sure those youngsters that took part last night will carry their own memories of the event for many years to come.
Jane Williams, leader of Ashton Keynes Brownies who all made wonderful pyramid lanterns, said “ This is such a lovely place and we are all so lucky - this creative event is a great way to help young people recognise and understand the landscape in which they live.”
Anthea Steel from Cirencester “ We didn’t really know what to expect but this has been a wonderful evening - to see so many young people with the amazing lanterns they have made all coming together in this celebration event was really enjoyable”
