FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Lantern Walk in the park after dark
Winter 2007/8
MORE than 100 adults and young children enjoyed a traditional German Lantern Walk after sunset in Cannizaro Park to celebrate St Martin's Day on Sunday 11th November. Merton delayed closing the park until well after dark especially to allow the event.
Organiser Iris Ronayne said: "This is an old German tradition in celebration of St Martin who cut his coat in half and gave one part to a beggar to save his life from freezing winter weather.
"Every 11th November in Germany families and children carry lanterns through the streets to celebrate. Last year we walked in Cannizaro Park for the first time but we didn't know if we would be locked in accidentally.
"This time we arranged for Cannizaro to stay open longer and were able to walk right around the entire park. Afterwards we sang songs and went back to a friend's house for mulled wine and traditional cake." (Photo by Margarete Davies)