Christmas Comes To Roehampton

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Residents get in the festive spirit with the annual Lantern Parade

The return of the annual Roehampton Lantern Parade on 7 December saw local people from around the Alton estate getting into the festive spirit.

Organisers Emergency Exit Arts arranged lantern-making workshops in Sacred Heart and Heathmere primary schools in the days leading up to the parade.

Pupils and parents, including from Eastwood Children’s Centre and Granard Primary School, then assembled at 4pm outside Heathmere school, on Alton Road, and set off with their lanterns to the rousing drumming of South London Samba, which drew residents out on to their balconies along the way, and with passers-by stopping to film and photograph the procession.

The parade then turned along Holybourne Avenue, to outside Roehampton Library and then on down Harbridge Avenue, finishing up at the Alton Activity Centre for more music, Christmas carols, mince pies, and mulled wine.

John Troisi came along with his son Robin. He said: “There were wonderful lights, the dancing was spectacular, and the finale of romantic Russian tunes truly impressed me!”

This year’s Roehampton Lantern Parade was organised by Emergency Exit Arts, with support from ROAM (Roehampton Outdoor Art Movement) and Roehampton R. O. C. K. S., grant funding from the council’s Wandsworth Grant Fund and the Alton estate regeneration team, and Redrow Homes.


December 15, 2017