A community litter pick around the Sincil Bank area of Lincoln has provided the material for a Diwali Festival of Lights Parade.
Community volunteers from Sincil Bank collected discarded bottles and cleaned them, ready to be given a new life in workshops throughout the week. They will be transformed by children into glistening lanterns, which will take pride of place in the parade.
Workshops have been going on throughout the week, with the last one taking place tomorrow (Wednesday October 23) at the Central Methodist Church Hall on Lincoln High Street, from 10am until 3pm.
The Nest Nursery and Preschool in Portland Street, which recently reached the final of the Midlands Nursery of the Year, has also been making and decorating clay pots and banners for the festival.
Anna Throw, who runs the nursery, said: “We are loving being part of the community and hope that this event will bring people together and enhance the community spirit.
“I have been to some of the community meetings and hope to also help out with the next event World Hello Day. I know there are events planned in the community for this too.”
The litter picking efforts around Sincil Bank have been going on for the last four years, with over 100 people getting involved over that time. The next event for Sincil Bank is World Hello Day, which takes place on November 21.
Alice Carter, senior community organiser at the Lincoln City Foundation, said: “Within the Sincil Bank area there are a number of residents who are actively engaged in projects and events which seek to bring the community together.
“These range from community clean up campaigns to larger one-off celebration events. People-led change is key to making the Sincil Bank area an even better place to live, and the commitment and dedication of these residents to their neighbourhood should be recognised and applauded.”
Diwali is a festival to celebrate the triumph of light over dark and good over evil. The festival is significant in the Hindu religion, but is also celebrated Buddhists, Sikhs and Janists. Whilst celebrating, people take time to clean their homes, light sparklers and enjoy traditional Diwali treats.
The Festival of Lights will be taking place on Thursday and will assemble at Wyvern House, Kesteven Street at 5.30pm, before making its way Sincil Bank.