Thank you to all the children and young people from the Coquet Partnership of Schools who paraded through Amble on Sunday, November 16, with their fantastic willow Christmas lanterns. Local communities lined the streets in support of the children's achievement and dedication over the past 10 weeks.

Community drop-in sessions had been running every Monday and Thursday evenings, when the amazing bigger lanterns were designed and created by pupils from the middle and high schools with the support of young leaders from Coquet High School.

These formed a real focal point of the parade. Children from the first schools in years three and four attended two full-day workshops at The Old Library, Druridge Bay Middle School, where they worked with artists from Eventful North East to design and make their stunning willow lanterns.

The Coquet Partnership Extended Services Team coordinated the workshops and lantern parade to ensure it was possible and worked in partnership with local artists and drummers Drum Din to produce a fantastic parade, which formed part of the Amble Christmas Lights ceremony.

The extended services team would like to congratulate all the children and young people for the hard work and creativity they have shown over the last 10 weeks. Each and everyone one of them should be very proud of their achievements, the parade has been a fantastic success. Thank you to all the parents who have supported their children during the workshops and at the parade and also a big thanks to all the young leaders and the youth team at Coquet High school.

Finally, all I can say is look out for next year, as the children and young people have informed me they have bigger and better plans.

The lantern parade and workshops were sponsored by Castle Morpeth, Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership, Alnwick, Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership, Bell Truck Sales and Northumberland County Council.
Sara Jenson-Boon,
Coquet Partnership Extended Services Coordinator