On the evening of 21 December hundreds of people marched through Brighton in the spectacular Burning of the Clocks fire and lantern parade. Held on the shortest day of each year the event is organised by community arts group Same Sky in celebration of the Winter Solstice.

Local artists, students and community groups were among those who had created glowing lanterns from willow cane and tissue for the procession. The lanterns came in all shapes and sizes, each one also bearing the image of a clock.

A Same Sky spokesperson said; ‘The burning of the clocks celebrates the lengthening of the days and the lantern makers become part of the show as they invest the lanterns with their wishes, hopes, and fears and then pass them into the fire.’

Led by drummers and dancers, the parade moved through the town centre to the beach, where up to 20,000 people lined the promenade waiting to see the ceremonial burning of the effigies and spectacular fireworks display that followed.

Sue Craig enjoyed the procession with Nicola (10) and Sam (6), all members of the Clowd 9 community group from the Whitehawk and Manor Farm estates. Having received training from Same Sky they had created a huge lantern in the form of a white hawk. The giant bird was decorated with 120 metres of feathers made from recycled fabric donated by their local community. ‘The bird represents pride in the Whitehawk and Manor Farm estates’, Sue told Positive News. The group has also created 60 smaller lanterns which are being used to decorate the streets of Whitehawk over the Christmas period and give residents a sense of pride in their surroundings.

The Burning of the Clocks parade was made possible this year with a grant from Brighton and Hove City Council and sponsorship from Chalvington Barns, the University of Brighton, Okinami and Fatboy Slim.