Light Procession

Join us for a sunset procession as we shine a light on Kingston Upon Thames’ forgotten candle-making heritage and remember the borough's lamplighters.

Combining local history, folklore and fun, we will literally retrace the steps of the people who worked at Kingston's largest candle factory and celebrate those whose job it was to illuminate the town's oil and gas streetlamps every day at dusk.

Gather at 5pm in Hogsmill Lane, in front of the Royal Mail depot off Villiers Road, Kingston, where you'll be able to enjoy a story before we set off.  

From the late 18th century this was the site of Kingston's largest candle factory, which was owned by a Mr Raynard, who also ran a candle shop in the town centre.  Our route follows the course of the Hogsmill River downstream into Kingston town centre where we'll continue through to the historic market place.

This would likely have been the route that workers at Raynard’s Candle Factory (later Mr Smith’s factory) would have used in the 18th and 19th centuries to reach the candle shop, which stood on the corner of Thames Street and Market Place, approximately where White Company is today.

We’ll arrive in Market Place just as the sun sets (a little before 6pm), where together we'll combine our DIY lanterns to make a giant six-metre-tall light beacon in the middle of the Market Place. 

Feel free to bring battery-powered torches, lanterns or candles - but no naked flames. 

This is an outside event, so please dress appropriately for the weather.  

How to get to the start of the procession by public transport

The nearest bus stops are on Villiers Road (Athelstan Park) These are served by bus numbers K1 and K4

Find out more about the procession and Kingston's candlemakers

Check out this blog post  to find out more background about our Light Procession and the history of candlemaking in Kingston.