Dancers lead the procession
What an amazing event! I am in Peene on Saturday 12 December for the Lantern Parade. I hear it before I see it – drums beating and whistles blowing. Then the first thing I catch sight of are figures seemingly clad in lights. My pictures don’t do them justice as they in the pitch black they seem to be figures entirely of light but the camera shows how the effect is achieved.
The whole village seems to have turned out to carry lanterns or to watch the parade and Brigitte Orasinski finds ‘my’ lantern for me which I made at one of the workshops that has been part of the “Light the Lanes” project.
The lantern parade through Peene
We walk along the road from Peene to the barn which is now home to Strange Cargo and was once at Danton Pinch before it was moved brick by brick to its new home to make way for the Channel Tunnel. Peene and Newington border with the Eurotunnel terminal but still manage to retain the feeling of being true villages.
'Under One Sun' provide the drums
Strange Cargo moved to Peene last year as it is close to Folkestone but gives them plenty of room for their projects (one of their skills is making giant figures such as Hawkinge Harry which need a lot of room). Their “Light the Lanes” event is designed to train people in how to run workshops as well as teaching people lantern making. It’s also about bringing art to rural areas and that’s why Shepway District has given a grant. Other sponsors include the Arts Council for England and Learning Revolution.
The fabulous dancers clad in lights have been rehearsing for over a month. ‘Under One Sun’ provides the drum beats but its seeing the villagers with their lanterns that makes the event so special for me.
Mark Deller conducts the Ashford Choral Society
Once at the barn there’s more dancing and then mulled wine and mince pies before the Ashford Choral Society gives the village a tuneful carol concert with plently of audience participation. Among the Ashford singers I spot Jane Reynolds who is a parish councillor at nearby Postling. In the parade I also see Newington parish councillors Norman Hall and Larry Page.
As I thank everyone for tonight’s event I remind them that I am present not just as chairman of Shepway District Council but also as the district councillor for this village. It’s been a very special event for me and one I am sure will be remembered a long time in Peene.
Brigitte Orasinski of Strange Cargo, Cllr Susan Carey, chairman of Shepway District Council and Mark Deller of Ashford Choral Society