Culture and traditions

CALDER BRIDGE MIDWINTER LANTERN WALK - Saturday 13 December

The Lantern Walk returns for its eleventh year. Walkers will gather at Calder Bridge Primary School at 4.30 p.m. and set off at 5 p.m., following the river path to the market square, where the evening ends with music from the town's brass band and hot drinks served by volunteers. The walk usually takes about forty minutes at a gentle pace. This year, because repairs are being carried out on the footbridge at Mill Lane, the route will cross the river at Stone Street instead, which adds roughly ten minutes.

Anyone may join the walk, and there is no charge. If you would like to carry a lantern, you can make one at our free workshops in the town library on 29 November and 6 December, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. All materials are provided, but places are limited to twenty-five per session and must be booked in advance at the library desk. Children under eight are welcome at the workshops but must be accompanied by an adult.

For safety reasons, lanterns must be lit with battery-powered lights only; candles and other open flames are not permitted anywhere on the route. Volunteer stewards wearing yellow jackets will be positioned at every road crossing. If the weather is severe, a decision on whether the walk will go ahead will be posted on the town council's website by 12 noon on the day.