Wirral lantern parade marks Armistice Day and German festival (From Wirral Globe)

Wirral lantern parade marks Armistice Day and German festival

2:31pm Thursday 12th November 2009

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MORE than 60 lanterns were carried along West Kirby promenade in a special parade last night.

Made by pupils from Hilbre High School in Newton, they featured in a procession which marked Armistice Day and St Martin's Festival in Germany, which both fall on the same day.

Starting in Coronation Park opposite the Marine Lake, the procession of more than 100 people, led by Oxiris Samba Band, made its way to the beach, where they stood around a bonfire as a fire juggler entertained them.

Last night's parade was organised by Marco Muller, a member of Transition Town West Kirby who is from Germany.

He approached Hilbre School's art department for help to create the lanterns, which were made from paper and willow.

Tim Maycox, an art teacher at the school, told the Globe: "The children thoroughly enjoyed themselves and we were pleased with the response from the community.

"There was a really positive feel to the night. It was just like the sort of festival they have over in Liverpool and Sefton Park. We're hoping to take part again next year."

One of Germany's most popular saint's days, St Martin's Day is celebrated mostly by youth and those in rural communities.

Children celebrate by carrying lanterns, and singing special lantern songs they walk around the streets in a procession after darkness falls.

The procession often ends with a bonfire after which they may go from door to door singing songs.

Similarly to the Halloween tradition of trick or treat, the children are given candy, money and other goodies as a reward for their singing and their homemade or purchased lanterns.

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