3,000 join torchlight parade

THE Goring and Streatley torchlight procession returned on Christmas Eve after five years.

Residents and their families from the two villages carried lights and flaming torches as they walked to Streatley Meadow where they sang carols and Christmas songs around a bonfire.

About 3,000 people took part with Goring residents, led by a drummer, assembling near Cleeve Road, and Streatley residents assembling near the traffic lights.

As it was windy, organisers didn’t finally decide the event could go ahead until the day as they had to consider people’s safety and security.

Colin Smith, chairman of Streatley Parish Council, said: “The weather forecast is notoriously not spot on, so we didn’t make the decision until 2pm. At 6pm we decided the bonfire would be lit.

“It would have been a great disappointment if we had cancelled it but we have to consider safety. We will probably leave the bonfire until 6pm again next year.”

Barbara Karayi, 55, a solicitor, who lives in Manor Road, Goring, said: “It was a wonderful experience, a nice countdown to Christmas.

“We live in a quietish part of the village so weren’t sure how many would turn up and there were hundreds of people.

“There was a young drummer who led the procession, which I didn’t expect and made it very atmospheric. The rain held off for a bit, just by chance.

“I attended with my partner and my son and his girlfriend who had arrived for Christmas.

“The event was very well-organised and safe. Roads had to be officially closed and a fire engine stood by. There were marshals in several places.”

Ms Karayi said she would be “very disappointed” if the event wasn’t repeated next year.

Her partner suggested having a refreshments tent at the meadow to encourage people to stay on longer.

David Rodgers, 74, from Elloughton in Yorkshire attended the event for the first time with his son, who lives in Goring.

He said: “For the last 15 years, my son has lived outside the UK but he moved to Goring from Singapore in August.

“It was our first event and I was really impressed by it. Goring is not much smaller than where we live and the turnout was amazing.

“The event was just spectacular. We marched through Goring over the bridge to the bonfire. The organisers did an amazing job.

“There were plenty of people there to help in case there was an accident. We didn’t know anyone but a lot of people stopped to talk to us. It was a fabulous evening, like nothing we have experienced before.”

In 2018, the previous organising committee cancelled the procession as it felt it was getting too large and dangerous, with a minimum of 8,000 attendees.

This was partly due to publicity in national publications that attracted people.

Heather Miller, 50, from Upper Basildon, who attended this year, said: “It had got so massive when it was supposed to be low key and quiet.

“It was still fantastic and really well-organised. It still felt safe and there was plenty of space.”

The proceeds will go to a number of local organisations.

The organisers will review the success of this year’s event before deciding whether to hold the procession again next year.

Picture credit: Dougal Thornton