The popular annual Christmas Lantern Festival – now in its sixth year – is back, this Friday (14 December) in Cross Flatts Park in Beeston.
Join hundreds of local residents for an evening of carols, craft (this year featuring lanterns made from old plastic bottles), hot food and drinks, animal petting, and more – and enjoy seeing the park lit up with thousands of lanterns and lights. The event is based at the Watsonia Pavilion, at the top end of the park near Beeston Road. It runs 5.30pm until 7pm, and is free. More info here on FB.
And organisers are inviting anyone to come lend a hand with the event anytime between 9am and 9pm on the day. Volunteer tasks will include: setting up, stewarding, techy work with the audio and visual kit, food and drink service, and clear-down. There will be tasks suitable for all abilities.
Mark Hodgkinson of the local Salvation Army, one of the coordinating team, commented:
“Massive thanks to all the many different people who’ve helped with this event over the years: it’s great to see it growing into a well-loved community event. It is going to be cold this year, so please wrap up warm – but also expect to be warmed by the good community spirit! And please do help out if you can, even briefly: many hands make light work. See you all then, and have a lovely Christmas.”
The event is hosted by the inter-denominational Church in LS11 group, and is funded by the Leeds City Council Inner South Community Committee, and the Salvation Army. This year’s festival also features a community-wide Christmas treasure trail, running since 1 December (full info here), the £50 cash prize for which still hasn’t been claimed at the time of writing.
