Lister Park: Thousands of people enjoy incredible lanterns

The much-loved Cecil Green Arts Lantern Parade returned for its 10th year on Friday, November 1.

Beginning at 6pm, the parade started at the front of Cartwright Hall and ended at the bowling green.

Katie Jones, from Cecil Green Arts, said around 3,000-4,000 people were in attendance, hailing from across the Bradford district and further afield.

The Bradford Belles (Image: Reyhana Laher) "It was great, she told the Telegraph & Argus.

"We were very pleased to have good weather and thousands of people turned out. It was really fun!

"It has got massive compared to when it started with just a couple of hundred people. It has been getting bigger every year and become hugely popular.

"We didn't have the same amount of money that we had had in previous years so we could not do some things we normally do. Despite that, it was really good."

Some of the lanterns on display (Image: Philip Lickley) Three bands accompanied the parade along the way - the Peace Artistes, Jamba Samba and Band na Rua.

The parade included hundreds of handmade lanterns made by community groups and schools.

Music was also played (Image: Philip Lickley) Katie added:" There were hundreds of hand-made lanterns.

"We went to schools and community groups and made willow lanterns with people.

"We had six weeks of workshops in our space at St Philips Church in Girlington where we invited people to come two days a week to make things on the theme of our parade.

The theme of the parade was 'Perchance to Dream' (Image: Philip Lickley) "Quite a lot of people came down to make things. We had hope and death themes, so we had huge groups come down and make lanterns on that.

"It was a brilliant atmosphere and great music.

"We are really hopeful we can do it again next year."

It was a spectacular night (Image: Philip Lickley) The theme this year was 'Perchance to Dream'.

On the reason behind this, a spokesperson said: “We know there are many challenges facing our world and city.

The parade was celebrating its 10th year (Image: Philip Lickley) “We wondered, what if, by some chance we could dream a world without violence, where everyone has 'enough', where we can build bridges across our divisions, extending a hand of friendship to help us in our need.

“It is only by first dreaming, that we can make our dreams a reality."

Harry Kingham, also from Cecil Green Arts, said: “We love to create spaces and community where we dream together what is possible.  

“We create together and love to bring the park alight with the parade and local community where all are welcome.”