A LANTERN parade proved a shining example of community spirit as around 2,000 people took over a town high street and main square.

Friday night’s (December 6) event in Monmouth saw a huge array of ‘Traditional Christmas-themed’ lanterns on display, many of them made at free workshops at community venues and schools in the run-up to the big night.

Orginally a candlelit event which became a lantern parade three years ago, the procession headed by the Brass Junkies New Orleans-style band from Bristol, Santa on his sleigh and town mayor Cllr Richard Roden and his mace bearers started at Monnow Bridge at 6.30pm.

It headed up the high street to Agincourt Square in front of a beautifully-lit Shire Hall, where choirs, school pupils and music groups entertained the throng on a specially constructed stage on the cobbles.

Organising committee spokesperson Caitlin Williams of Monmouth Town Council said: “The weather was dry and we had a very big turn out, with lots of excellent lanterns, some very big, including Rudolph the Reindeer’s head, a Gingerbread Man and a Christmas tree on its side manned by several youngsters at the front and grown-ups at the back.

“We saw several Santas, lots of robins, a big mouse with smaller mice, snowmen and a candy cane. There was loads of enthusiasm and the whole event was brilliant.

“The organising committee set up several free workshops in October and November to make lanterns, and on the night you could really see how the community had embraced the parade, which was funded by the council.

“It was fantastic to see all the lights coming up the street to the square. The parade is definitely getting bigger and bigger, and it’s a great way to launch the Christmas festivities.”

Santa on his Monmouth Rotary sleigh handed children sweets in paper bags supplied by local shop Granny Brown’s, as the event embraced the plastic-free campaign, with paper and willow used at the workshops instead of Sellotape.

Rev Jonathan Greaves of Monmouth Baptist Church gave a Christmas message, while entertainment and Christmas carols were supplied by Monmouth Rock Choir, Kymin View Primary Choir, Osbaston School Primary Penny Whistlers, Monmouth Community Choir and musical groups The Harrison Trio and RS Harmony.

Circus entertainer Fiery Jack and his troupe also gave a taste of Victorian Christmas with stilt walking and juggling and a Chinese dragon breathed fire.

The market stalls selling drink and food such as noodles and pancakes stayed open into the evening, while the Rotary collected for The Children’s Society and volunteers from the Monmouth Litter Group kept the streets rubbish free.See 'Lantern Parade Picture Extra' for more photos.