Visitors to Thursford know all about its incredible lanterns on its journey of lights.
But thanks to a last-minute favour, they are now lighting up the biggest Chinese New Year celebration outside of Asia.
George Cushing, projects and marketing manager at Thursford, took a specially made rabbit lantern down to the capital to feature in the London Chinatown Chinese Association (LCCA) New Year’s celebration in Trafalgar Square on January 22.
Thursford was invited by the LCCA to supply this lantern of the rabbit, which sat on the north terrace. Thursford had previously supplied them with a tiger lantern in last year's scaled-down celebration.
“It came about because someone from the London mayor’s office had visited us in Christmas 2021, and saw our tiger, and the LCAA were looking for one, so they recommended us,” Mr Cushing said.
“They asked if we could run down the tiger, after they said, if you have a rabbit next year, we would love to have it.
“We had one designed for that reason, and it is so nice to have that bit of Thursford feature in Trafalgar Square.”
These lanterns are not picked from a catalogue but instead specifically made, which they ordered early last year.
With the light set to feature in London, they kept the lantern away during 2022's journey of lights but will display it this year.
The New Year event had an estimated 700,000 people joining in with the celebrations, which is believed to be the largest Chinese New Year celebration outside of Asia.
The London Eye was also lit up in red and gold to celebrate the year of the rabbit.
🎊 Happy Chinese New Year🎊
— The London Eye (@TheLondonEye) January 22, 2023
2023 is the year of the Rabbit and to celebrate we're lighting up in red & gold tonight!🧧🐰
From all of us at the London Eye, @VisitLondon & @LondonChinatown Association we wish you and your loved ones a prosperous & happy year ahead. ❤️#CNY2023 pic.twitter.com/W2jmLSFPKX
Mr Cushing has already agreed to return to light up the event, with 2024’s year of the dragon celebration.
Thursford had a dragon as part of 2022’s journey of lights - but he did say they are looking at investing in a new lantern which will be double the size of the one they currently own.
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