LANTERN making workshops have been in full swing across the community ahead of Newquay’s new festive parade.

Blystra Arts team is visiting almost every Newquay school to deliver dedicated willow lantern making workshops for the event, which is taking place at its new home in Trenance Valley for the very first time on Friday, November 22.

Students show off the lantern they have made for the parade ( )

The community lantern parade is forming part of Trenance Cottages Trees and Tales event during the fourth weekend of the Be Newquay Festival.

 A spokesperson said: “As we countdown to the parade, the arts company with a community focus, will visit seven schools across the town, working with young people aged from four to 18 years old to make willow lanterns.

“The wider local community are invited to join their annual free Community Lantern Making drop-in workshop too.

“Everyone is welcome to come along and make a lantern. This year, this session will be held at Trenance Cottages on Saturday 16th November and is funded by Newquay Town Council.

The workshops and creativity will culminate with Trenance Trees and Tales Light Switch on and Lantern Parade event on Friday, November 22.

The lantern parade is due to start the festive proceedings at 6pm, where the local young people will parade their lanterns through Trenance Valley to the cottages.

It will be followed by the Trenance Cottages Light Switch On, where the community can stay and enjoy music, food and entertainment at Trenance Cottages, including storytellers in the trees, The Newquay Rowing Club Singers, as well as James Dundon from Radio Cornwall, who will be compering the event on the night.

Coodes Solicitors has sponsored the lantern activities and parade as the festive event’s business sponsor for 2024.

The Blystra team has been able to deliver three of their school workshops at Nansledan School, Trenance Learning Academy and Bishops CofE School following the support.

Peter Lamble, the chair of Coodes Solicitors said: “We’re delighted to help students across Newquay take part in this year’s lantern parade. With many of our colleagues and clients living and working in Newquay, we’re thrilled that our support is helping bring these workshops to life. We look forward to seeing the lanterns light up Trenance Valley and to celebrating with everyone on this special night.”

The Blystra team hopes to find new sponsors for the event in 2025 and beyond to ensure the much-loved community event and workshops remain a staple of the town’s festive calendar.

Trenance Trees and Tales Light Switch On & Lantern Parade is part of Be Newquay Festival, a new season of events, activities and workshops that celebrate Newquay’s culture and creative spirit.

For the full event line-up of what’s happening for the lantern parade and Trees and Tales event go to the Be Newquay What’s On page: www.benewquayfestival.co.uk/events or see the Be Newquay Instagram account at @ benewquay_festival for continual updates.

The Be Newquay Festival is commissioned by Cornwall Council’s project Experience Newquay and supported by Newquay BID and Visit Newquay. It is part-funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.,The school’ workshops are being funded by Coodes Solicitors and Newquay Business Improvement District (BID).