Thousands raised at Burning the Clocks parade

The organisers of Brighton's annual winter solstice event said more than £6,000 was raised at the parade in December.
By The Newsroom
Published 16th Jan 2017, 11:44 BST
Updated 8th Jun 2018, 04:59 BST

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Burning the Clocks 2016Burning the Clocks 2016
Burning the Clocks 2016

Burning the Clocks is an annual lantern parade in the city run by charity Same Sky on December 21.

The solstice event has been a tradition in the city for more than two decades and tens of thousands of people turned out to view the spectacle and mark the year’s end.

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Around 2,000 people carried handmade paper and wicker lanterns through the city, starting at New Road, walking through the Lanes and ending up at the beach on Madeira Drive.

The fireworks at Burning the Clocks 2016The fireworks at Burning the Clocks 2016
The fireworks at Burning the Clocks 2016

Same Sky announced on Friday (January 13), that bucket collections from volunteers on the night of Burning the Clocks raised £6,098.82 - £2,500 more than 2015. In addition to donations on the night, the crowdfunding initiative raised £7,546 with sponsorship from Chilli Pickle and ARKA Original Funerals.

John Varah, Same Sky, artistic director said: “We want to thank everyone who came along to Burning the Clocks. We had an incredible turn out on the night with over 20,000 spectators along the route. The weather cleared just in time for the event, the beautiful effigy burned brightly along with the lanterns at the end and the fireworks were as spectacular as ever.

“We especially want to thank the kind people who donated on the night, our 40 wonderful volunteer bucket collectors, Chilli Pickle and ARKA for their support and the 100 supporters who donated online to our crowdfunding initiative. We simply couldn’t make this spectacular annual event happen without their support.”

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To support the crowdfunding Same Sky organised a Burning the Clocks after party at Patterns on Brighton seafront. After party guests included including the Mayor Pete West, who took part in the parade from Brighton’s Dome to the seafront.

Other events running up to Burning the Clocks included a special lantern-making workshop on run by Burning the Clocks sponsor ARKA Original Funerals. Participants at the workshop made ‘In Memory’ lanterns to celebrate the lives of loved ones lost over the past 12 months.

To get involved with Burning the Clocks 2017, visit: www.facebook.com/burningtheclocks

Related topics:BrightonSky