Youngsters Make Lanterns Ahead Of Christmas Parade

Ten years old Trystan Kerarsley from Ruabon and Suzy Kemp from Arts Connection test their lantern.

Wrexham’s very own Santa’s Little Helpers have been hard at work at a lantern making workshop in Eagles Meadow over the weekend.

A creative event was held at the shopping centre for children to create the lanterns in preparation for a spectacular climax to the Wrexham Year of Culture.

Father Christmas himself will be joining a special parade through the town on Thursday which will start from Eagles Meadow.

As part of the event children are invited to take bring their own lanterns and take part in a Frosty Lantern Parade.

Community arts organisation Arts Connection is behind the lantern-making workshops at school and community groups ahead of Thursday’s parade.

Sian Walters, of Arts Connection, said: “We have been running workshops at schools right across the county borough.

“Its been fantastic and very rewarding. We are going to have more than 300 children taking part in Thursday’s parade all carrying their own lanterns.

“It should be spectacular and will, I am sure, be the highlight of the whole Father Christmas Comes to Town event.”

“It has been good fun here at Eagles Meadow and we have had a steady stream of youngsters coming in and making their lanterns in readiness for Thursday’s parade.”

One of the youngsters taking part in the workshop was Trystan Kearsley, 10, of Ruabon, who dropped in with his mum, Gill.

The Ysgol-y-Llan pupil said: “I made a penguin shaped lantern at school but wanted to make another lantern as a present for my cousin Lucy, who is five, so she can take part in the parade too.”

The Father Christmas Comes to Town event begins at Eagles Meadow Shopping Centre on Thursday at 6pm.

Children can bring a lantern and join in the parade by logging onto www.yearofculture.co.uk