Handcrafted Lanterns Light Up Buckley in Parade

The streets of Buckley were transformed into a glowing celebration of heritage, community, and creativity as residents gathered for the ‘Light Up Our Town’ Lantern Parade.

Organised by community café Refurbs Buckley, the event was made possible with funding from the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund and Flintshire County Council.

Hundreds turned out to admire the array of handcrafted lanterns, enjoy live music, and celebrate the strong community spirit at the heart of this unique gathering.

The parade was brought to life by the artistry of local residents and artist Zoe Matthews, who designed lanterns that reflected Buckley’s heritage with symbols like a buck and a clock.

The display also featured Welsh icons including a dragon and a daffodil, as well as a great crested newt, symbolising the town’s growing population. For weeks leading up to the event, Buckley Cross Methodist Church hosted lantern-making workshops led by Matthews, welcoming residents to watch the creative process and add their own touches to the display.

In total, over 400 participants joined the workshops, creating their own lanterns from recycled materials.

The turnout was a testament to the community’s enthusiasm, with individuals from schools, craft groups, care homes, and libraries all contributing. Refurbs Buckley expressed gratitude to the many volunteers who made the evening possible, including members of the Buckley Veterans and Cadets, St John Ambulance, Cambrian Marching Band, and Refurbs Buckley’s dedicated café staff.

The festivities kicked off with family-friendly entertainment from HTC Entertainment and Events, while ORB Sound and Lighting provided music that set a lively atmosphere.

As residents gathered, they enjoyed warm drinks from the Refurbs café before Mayor Emma Preece officially opened the parade. At 6pm, the procession began from Refurbs Buckley on Brunswick Road, making its way through the town centre’s Precinct Way and Padeswood Road before circling back.

Mayor Emma Preece, who attended the parade with fellow council members, shared her appreciation for the community’s effort: “The Buckley ‘Light Up Our Town’ Lantern Parade was a tremendous success, truly embodying the spirit of our community. It was wonderful to see families, friends, and local groups come together, lighting up the town with creativity and unity. My heartfelt thanks go out to everyone who participated and helped make this evening unforgettable.”

Volunteer Coordinator and Events Lead, Amanda Barr, echoed the Mayor’s sentiments, adding, “It was wonderful to see Buckley town centre bustling with life and smiles as the community came together with their families and friends for the parade. We received great support from local organisations who volunteered their time to help marshal and be our lantern bearers on the night.”