Every winter, Brightonians gather to celebrate the Burning of the Clocks. The celebration started in 1994 and is based on a procession of lanterns and costumes made from willow canes and white tissue paper. Similar to that of a carnival the procession makes its way through Brighton city centre to the seafront, where there is a bonfire and fireworks.
There is a slight change in theme each year, though all costumes include a clockface, to represent the passing of time. Held on the shortest day of the year, with 2,000 taking part in the parade and over 20,000 spectators, Burning the Clocks has become a Brightonian tradition and was created by Same Sky as a way for the whole community to enjoy the festive season, regardless of faith or creed and turns the spotlight away from the commercial side of Christmas.
The first organised the event with Brighton Co-Op to commemorate the founding of the Co-operative Movement 150 years before. As part of the event, Same Sky carries out free-lantern making community workshops for the local community groups. They have worked with homeless young people, single fathers and young carers. Burning the Clocks is open to everyone, young and old, to celebrate this wonderful Brightonian tradition. To find out more about the event go to their website.
Holly Martin
image by Dominic Alves
