The band have organised the Christmas Eve Carols in Watlington since the mid 1970's.
This year the event was even bigger having been joined by the St. Leonards Bellringers and the first lantern parade.
A great success! - see the article from the Henley standard below:
This year the event was even bigger having been joined by the St. Leonards Bellringers and the first lantern parade.
A great success! - see the article from the Henley standard below:
A LANTERN parade took place for the first time before Watlington’s traditional Christmas Eve carols.
Residents and community groups had made the lanterns at workshops hosted by the Watlington artsHUB and Emily Cooling, of Creating Art, at the Methodist Church. For the parade, they lit their creations and then paraded through the town centre before gathering to sing with the Watlington Concert Band and Watlington Community Choir.
The evening began with bell ringing at St Leonard’s Church.
Residents and community groups had made the lanterns at workshops hosted by the Watlington artsHUB and Emily Cooling, of Creating Art, at the Methodist Church. For the parade, they lit their creations and then paraded through the town centre before gathering to sing with the Watlington Concert Band and Watlington Community Choir.
The evening began with bell ringing at St Leonard’s Church.
Parish councillor Roger Beattie said the atmosphere was “brilliant”. He said: “There was a sheet with about 15 carols so the children and everyone else joined in and had a great time.
“Father Christmas put his head out of a window and gave away some sweets and gifts and things.”
Andrea Brewer, secretary of the artsHUB, who helped at the workshop, said: “People of all ages were able to come. We got 40 or 50 people from age three to 83.
“It was really fun to do and brings the community together. Emily and I made a big star lantern. “It was subsidised by district councillor Freddie van Mierlo.” She hoped the parade would become an annual fixture.
“There is talk of extending it and having it start from the church,” said Ms Brewer. “We are hoping to have a longer parade all the way up to the town hall. I think it will definitely grow.
“It was really well-attended and really added some magic to Christmas Eve.”
“Father Christmas put his head out of a window and gave away some sweets and gifts and things.”
Andrea Brewer, secretary of the artsHUB, who helped at the workshop, said: “People of all ages were able to come. We got 40 or 50 people from age three to 83.
“It was really fun to do and brings the community together. Emily and I made a big star lantern. “It was subsidised by district councillor Freddie van Mierlo.” She hoped the parade would become an annual fixture.
“There is talk of extending it and having it start from the church,” said Ms Brewer. “We are hoping to have a longer parade all the way up to the town hall. I think it will definitely grow.
“It was really well-attended and really added some magic to Christmas Eve.”