Trowbridge Lantern Parade

In the Winter of 2019, Trowbridge Town Council announced a new and exciting event for Trowbridge; a magical, spectacular lantern procession to form part of the Christmas Light Switch On on Saturday 30th November 2020.

The aim was to have scores of beautiful, handcrafted willow lanterns paraded through the town center led by a lively and colourful samba band, bringing together the community of Trowbridge to share in the magic of Christmas and spreading light throughout the town!

Lanterns were made in fun and instructional workshops held in schools and other community settings teaching traditional willow craft techniques and enabling people to produce fantastic willow lanterns.

Selwood Housing identified this project as an opportunity to engage with communities in some of the town’s more deprived neighbourhoods and to offer stimulating activities for children and families that often miss out on cultural offerings.

An example of this engagement was at Studley Green Primary School in Trowbridge, in an area of recognised deprivation and child poverty. Staff from our involvement and tenancy sustainment teams supported the lantern making workshop, which attracted over 50 local families.

Our £500 investment into the project, reaped benefits for the community, for our customers and for the town of Trowbridge. It further strengthened our links with residents, the local council, the school and others in the community.