Hundreds of people took to the streets of a Pembrokeshire town yesterday, Friday, evening, to join in an autumn lantern parade.

Beautifully crafted lanterns, including a family of owls, a wasp, a seahorse, a shoal of jellyfish and a myriad stars lit Fishguard and Goodwick to celebrate the beginnings of the twin towns’ new Art Afoot sculpture trails.

The parade set off from the newly installed shimmering fish sculpture outside the Ocean Lab on Goodwick Parrog.

This is one of the many sculptures that will be installed on a trail linking the twin towns and increasing footfall and interest in the area.

For the more digitally minded there are also augmented reality artworks, accessed by scanning a QR code on a mobile phone.

The lantern parade, organised by Small World Theatre, also announced the start of the On Land’s Edge / At Ymyl y Tir festival which takes part throughout the weekend.

After music from Goodwick Brass Band and a welcome from Fishguard and Goodwick Mayor Cllr Billy Shaw the parade set off up the hill towards Fishguard, with more lantern bearers and spectators joining on the route to Fishguard Square.

On the square dancers from Joon Dance and fire jugglers entertained the crowd before a hearty finale by drummer Joe Caswell and friends.

The lanterns had been made in a series of workshops in schools, youth groups and with the community over the summer.

Ann Shrosbree, Director of Small World Theatre said: “There are so many people to thank for their contribution and support this year; Pembrokeshire County Council, Fishguard and Goodwick Town Council, to everyone who shared their ideas in the public consultations, our volunteers, On Land's Edge and Theatr Gwaun, Goodwick Brass Band, Ffwrn, Sea Trust, Transition Bro Gwaun, Ein Hanes and many more. A big thank you - you’re all stars!”

Art Afoot / Celf ar Droed art trails were commissioned by Pembrokeshire County Council through UK Government funding in December 2023. This year has been a time for public consultation, planning and making the artworks. The sculpture installations have begun and are expected to be completed by November.

“We’ll be back soon with news of guided walks and the sculpture trails in the autumn,” said Ann.

More information about the project can be found on Small World Theatre’s website.