'Bringing the community together': First‑ever lantern parade set to illuminate Cross Gates this February
An east Leeds suburb is set to host its first-ever Lantern Parade, following a community-led initiative that has drawn an enthusiastic response from residents.
On February 22, the streets of Cross Gates will glow as the area celebrates its inaugural Manston Park Lantern Parade.
Organised by local resident Helen Lucy, the family-friendly event aims to bring the community together during the dark winter months.
Helen said: “Losing our public library was a huge blow, and there’s often a feeling that Seacroft, Gipton and Killingbeck get all the money and events, while nothing ever happens here.
“As we slid into this miserable, wet winter, I thought a lantern parade might brighten things up - lanterns, a brass band, a crazy man juggling fire - what’s not to like?”
While lantern parades are common across the country, Cross Gates has never hosted one, she added. Helen hopes residents will join workshops to create their own willow and tissue lanterns to carry in the parade.
“I’ve worked with willow before, making giant swifts for the Swift Homecoming Parade on the Poole Estate, so I felt able to lead the workshops. Lanterns are comparatively easy to make,” she explained.
The response has been overwhelmingly positive. Local councillors, together with the Leeds Community Foundation, have funded the event, and the lantern-making workshops already have a waiting list.
The free parade will set off from the Barnbow pub on Austhorpe Road at 5.30pm, just as darkness falls. The Corpus Christi Brass Band will accompany the procession, while Fireman Dave will provide family entertainment.
Helen said: “What started as a simple idea has become a project that has taken up most of my time since Christmas, but it’s been incredible fun making lanterns together.
“The best thing about these workshops is the getting together of people in our community who have never met before, the conversations we are having as we work towards a common goal, while being creative in our individual ways. It’s been an absolute joy.
“We’re just keeping our fingers crossed that it doesn’t rain on our parade!”