People across Kingston and neighbouring areas are invited to join The Community Brain for a sunset procession and unique beacon lighting experience to celebrate the borough's forgotten candlemakers and lamplighters.

Combining local history, folklore and fun, the free and family-friendly parade, led by the Kingston-based not-for-profit, will take place on Sunday 12 March from 5pm.

The route starts on Hogsmill Lane, near the Royal Mail depot, which was the former site of the borough's largest candle factory from the late 18th century through to the early 20th century.

Participants will then retrace the steps the candlemakers would likely have walked centuries ago, following the course of the Hogsmill River downstream from the factory site to Kingston's Ancient Marketplace, where the company once had its shop.

Remaining off-road throughout, walkers will arrive at the Marketplace shortly after sunset where they will be invited to add their homemade battery-powered lanterns to a 6m-tall temporary and upcycled wooden structure — forming a giant community-made beacon of light in the centre of Kingston.

Farah Anwar, who is studying for an MA in Architecture at Kingston University, came up with the bright idea for the light procession as part of her coursework, which was designed in collaboration with The Community Brain and the university.

"Our project brief for this year encouraged us to uncover Kingston's hidden past, and create a mythical story and character based upon historic research," explains Farah.

"I was also interested in how the town changes from day to night and what could be added to improve Kingston's nightlife. It is amazing to see an event based upon my work come to fruition and I'm excited to join the community for the light procession."

Kingston University MA Architecture student, Farah Anwar, who had the bright idea for the light procession as part of a coursework assignment, which was created in partnership with The Community Brain.

As part of the project, Farah also created a legend inspired by Kingston's bygone lamplighters, who would criss-cross the town at dusk manually lighting the oil, and later gas, streetlamps.  

Building on Farah's project, Robin Hutchinson, founder of The Community Brain and author of several folklore stories about Seething Wells, has written a new story about the legend of the lamplighter, which will be told at the start of the procession.  

He said: "Today, candles are seen by most as luxury items, but up until around 150 years ago they were an everyday essential. Everyone in Kingston relied on the candlemakers, candle shops and lamplighters for light and with it their safety and security. Our procession is an opportunity to bring the community together to shine a light on this forgotten aspect of Kingston's industrial past."

The massive structure for the temporary light beacon has been designed and built by students from Kingston University who have also run several public lantern-making workshops in preparation for the procession.

The Community Brain is collaborating with almost 20 other Kingston University courses – from photography to project management - creating opportunities for students to benefit the area while working towards their academic qualifications and developing practical skills.   

"I'm always impressed by the fantastically imaginative ideas that the students come up with when we're invited to set them a project," Robin added.

"Farah's suggestion of a procession and the legend of Kingston's lamplight was especially inspiring and something we simply had to make happen."

Join the procession

No registration is required to join the procession, just meet at the start by the Royal Mail depot, in Hogsmill Lane at 5pm, for a 5.30pm start. Feel free to bring battery-powered torches, lanterns or candles, but for safety, no naked flames.

For the latest news about the Light Procession, subscribe to their socials or visit www.thecommunitybrain.org, where you can also discover more about the history of Kingston's candlemakers.