Around 6,000 residents came to the community focused Winter Lantern Parade and spectacular fireworks display, which was hosted by Barking and Dagenham Council in partnership with Creative Barking & Dagenham, on Sunday 7 November.

Part of the council’s Becontree Forever programme, the Winter Lantern Parade took place on Chitty’s Lane to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the first houses built on that road, on the estate.

The parade started from Henry Green Primary School on Chitty’s Lane and ended up at Valence Park, where there was a fun family event, featuring amazing acts, street theatre and live music followed by a spectacular fireworks display.

Families came and enjoyed our wonderful fireworks display and it was a joyous and special event full of fun, great entertainment and community spirit.

Organised in partnership with Creative Barking & Dagenham, the parade involved 400 young people from local schools and residents from around the area, who had made illuminated big head puppets and lanterns.

Workshops took place with local schools Henry Green Primary, Becontree Primary and Valence Primary, and with families to create the artworks, so that everyone involved could add their own creative flair to the parade.

Creative Barking and Dagenham had also worked in partnership with Global Streets to bring Dundu, the Giant of Light to the parade. This internationally acclaimed outdoor arts company led the parade with local Cultural Connectors.

Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Community Leadership and Engagement, Cllr Saima Ashraf said: “It was an incredible sight to see, with so many young people from the borough lighting up the streets to celebrate 100 years of the Becontree Estate and marking such an important part of our history.

“Families came and enjoyed our wonderful fireworks display and it was a joyous and special event full of fun, great entertainment and community spirit.”