ABOUT 80 parents and children walked the streets of Malmesbury with lanterns on Saturday November 11 in an ancient German celebration to honour Saint Martin.
The tradition was brought to the town by Malmesbury resident Esther Hamill who spent her childhood in Germany and was determined her three children should enjoy her favourite European festival.
Mrs Hamill said: "I always loved it and thought it would be lovely to introduce it to Malmesbury."
St Martin was born in Hungary in 316AD. He later became a Christian and founded the first monastry in Gaul, in France.
He was appointed Bishop of Tours in 371 AD, and was known as the Ragged Bishop because of his disdain for luxurious clerical garments. He died in 397AD.
St Martin is reputed to have said: "I want to be a light that shines for everyone." The lantern walk is thought to have originated more than a thousand years ago to commemorate his words.
Malmesbury's lantern procession moved from the Market Cross to Malmesbury Abbey, down the High Street, through The Gant and Griffins Alley and on to the town hall, where parents enjoyed mulled wine and children were given traditional festival fairy cakes.
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