Gainsborough's annual Illuminate Parade is moving online due to Covid-19 pandemic

The Illuminate Parade usually sees people come together and parade the streets with a magnificent display of colourful lanterns but like so many other things that have changed due to Covid-19, this year’s parade has been postponed and new plans have been made for an ‘Illuminate’ online.

Working in partnership with Pilgrim Roots partners in Boston and North Nottinghamshire, West Lindsey District Council are encouraging the public to make their own lanterns at home to display in their windows on Thursday, November 26, to give thanks in their own special way for the things that are important to them.

To find out more and to download the easy to use templates and instructions visit www.discovergainsborough.com/onesmallcandle or follow Discover Gainsborough on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram, and don’t forget to include #OneSmallCandle in your post to be part of the wider campaign.

In addition, a new illustrated children’s book will be launched exploring the lesser-known parts of the Mayflower story from before the ship set sail.

Written by West Lindsey District Council’s Mayflower 400 officer, Dr Anna Scott, and illustrated by Neil Baker of Electric Egg, ‘Journeys Over Land and Sea’ describes the famous voyage from the perspective of Mary Brewster, wife of William Brewster who was one of the leading Pilgrims.

Mary Brewster and her family are famous for being among the Pilgrims who sailed from England to America in 1620 on the Mayflower. For Mary, that historic voyage was just one in a dramatic series of journeys over land and sea in search of a better life.

Dr Anna Scott said: “Mary’s story is a fascinating one, and we wanted to tell it from her perspective. Neil Baker’s illustrations really bring that to life and will help bring the story to a new younger audience.”

The book will be launched on Thursday, November 26, and will be made available to all schools across West Lindsey.

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