On Friday 28 November, Transported and the people of Boston filled the town centre with colour and creativity as the annual Illuminate Parade wound through the streets ahead of the Christmas lights switch-on, forming a key part of Boston Borough Council’s Christmas Festival Weekend.
Illuminate is our Boston annual heritage-inspired winter parade, each year shining a spotlight on a different aspect of the town’s history. Previous themes have explored Boston’s Pilgrim roots and its transatlantic links to the founding of Boston, Massachusetts, offering a vibrant acknowledgment of the area’s international connections.
This year’s Illuminate 2025 continued that tradition with a new theme: Fantastic Beasts of Boston. Inspired by the remarkable medieval carvings—known as misericords—inside St Botolph’s Church, the designs for the lanterns began with community sketching workshops held in the church itself. These drawings informed lantern-making sessions led by Lincolnshire artist Ruth Pigott (Curiosity Creators), bringing together residents, schools, and community groups to create the illuminated artworks featured in the parade.
Our regular collaborators and participants may have realised that another of our projects, 1000 Faces, is also inspired by the carvings in the Stump’s choirstalls, but in this project it is the thumb-sized portraits of medieval Bostonians that we are reimagining.
Among the standout creations was a striking griffin lantern, crafted with students from Giles Academy in workshops led by artists Lou Jones, Emily Cartwright, and Nadya Monfrinoli. Based on participants’ studies of the misericords, the hybrid creature—part lion, part eagle—captured the mythical spirit at the heart of this year’s theme.
Despite a sudden heavy rain shower earlier in the day, threatening us with a very soggy lion, it soon brightened up and the evening brought a wonderful celebratory atmosphere. We were so impressed by the attendance, the streets were lined with spectators and we had an overwhelmingly positive response online – thank you so much everyone!
Local residents and participants to our workshops shared their enthusiasm and said:
“Thank you so much for giving me and others the opportunity to help make, create and participate in such an amazing event. I’m sure it was bigger and better than last year’s.”“My first time at the parade. I’ve only lived in Boston a short time and feel so welcomed. Wonderful place.”
Parade Order
- Lion – Large Lantern – Boston College
- Dragons – Josie Clarke Dance Academy
- Wings – Performer: Asher Williams
- Samba Band – Chris Lewis Jones
- Stags and Hunter – Community Dance Group (Costume & creation by Ruth Pigott / Beth Williams)
- Wolves – High School Dance Group – Boston High School & NACRO
- Large Stag Lantern – Crafty Coffee Club
- Swan Lanterns – Crafty Coffee Club & Eastern European Friends
- Community Lanterns – Eagles, angels, hares, birds and castles
- Misericord Faces – Box Lanterns – Boston High School
- Boston West – Dragons
- Wyberton – People
- St Thomas – Wolves
- Boston Pioneers – Bears
- Hawthorn Tree – Owls
- Fat Cat Brass – Band
- Fox and Chicken – Stilt Walker: Lauren Williams
- The White Queen – Stilt Walker: Laura Hudson
- Little Lanterns – CentrePoint Outreach
- Big Fish / Little Fish – Scott House
- Gargoyles – Endeavour School
- Griffin – Large Lantern – Giles Academy
- Donna’s Carnival Crew – Donna Fox Associates / Montserrat Masqueraders
Our assistant director, Dr Anna Scott, said:
“It was great to see so many smiling faces taking part in Transported’s parade on Friday, which featured some fantastic beasts of Boston as part of our theme. This year marked Transported’s 10th anniversary of Illuminate, which began in 2015 to launch the Mayflower 400 commemorations.
Our parade now showcases creative interpretations of Boston’s heritage stories—this year exploring the intriguing misericord carvings hidden in the Stump.
Thanks to our talented team of artists and performers, we reached over 400 people across more than 30 workshops leading up to the event, and we were delighted to see so many join us to parade with their creations—rain-free in the end!”
This year’s Illuminate Parade was made possible thanks to funding from Arts Council England via Transported and Story Tellers Lincs, the South & East Lincolnshire Council Partnership’s NPO. The event was delivered by Transported with our team of associate artists.
This November, Transported invites local residents from Central and Eastern Europe to take part in a special lantern-making and storytelling session at Pescod Hall, Boston.
Led by artist Ruth Pigott and joined by the Crafty Coffee Club, as well as artists Dovile Sakalauskaite (Lithuania) and Madara Vimba (Latvia), the evening will combine hands-on creativity with an opportunity to share traditions, memories, and stories connected to the changing seasons across Europe.
The workshop will form part of Boston’s Illuminate celebrations, with participants helping to create beautiful swan lanterns to carry in the town’s winter parade later in November.
Event Details
- Date: Monday 17th November 2025
- Time: 6pm-8:30pm
- Location: Pescod Hall, Pescod Square Shopping Centre, Boston, PE21 6EB
- Booking Required: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lantern-making-stories-from-across-europe-tickets-1968556930772?aff=oddtdtcreator
This session is a chance to connect, talk, and celebrate the many Central and Eastern European communities who call Boston home. As participants build their lanterns, conversations will explore seasonal traditions and crafts from across Europe:
- In Latvia, winter solstice, or Ziemassvētki, is celebrated with handmade candles and traditional decorations.
- In Lithuania, families craft intricate straw ornaments and wreaths for Užgavėnės, marking the end of winter and welcoming spring.
- In Poland, Wianki (summer wreaths) are floated on rivers during midsummer celebrations, often decorated with flowers and herbs.
- In Bulgaria, traditional embroidery and woven crafts accompany seasonal festivals, reflecting the rhythms of agricultural and religious life.
These seasonal crafts and celebrations illustrate how communities use creativity to mark the passage of time, celebrate light, and connect with one another, and the workshop invites participants to share their own stories and traditions, helping to bring these rich cultural practices to life in Boston.
The session also aims to shape future arts and crafts opportunities in the town. The Crafty Coffee Club, who regularly host creative activities for local residents, will work with Dovile and Madara to develop new cross-cultural projects, inviting people of all ages to contribute their stories and inspire a new programme for 2026.
All ages and abilities are welcome, and no previous experience is needed.
We’re thrilled to share that Transported has been awarded £1 million from Arts Council England’s Creative People and Places (CPP) programme, made possible thanks to National Lottery players.
This new funding will support our work across Boston and South Holland in Lincolnshire from 2026 to 2029, helping us continue to make creativity accessible to everyone in our communities.
This marks the start of our next phase, called ‘Mind the Gap’ — a programme designed to build on more than a decade of work bringing the arts into everyday life. Over the past twelve years, we’ve seen first-hand how creative activity can make people happier, healthier, and more connected.
But there’s still more to do.
Mind the Gap focuses on closing the gaps in access to arts and culture across our rurally distinctive area, reaching people and places who haven’t yet had the chance to take part.
Our approach will centre on four key themes:
Connect – listening to residents and learning about their cultural ambitions
Care – using creativity to support wellbeing and self-expression
Celebrate – hosting festivals and events that strengthen belonging and identity
Curate – creating spaces that inspire civic pride and sense of place
As our Director, explains:
“Transported has opened up new opportunities for more people to engage with the arts, but there’s still more to do. Our new funding phase, ‘Mind the Gap’, is about consolidating our work across festivals, outdoor events, and all areas of our activity to reach those we haven’t yet connected with. We want to create high-quality, place-based arts experiences that truly resonate with our communities, and we’re delighted to have the support of Arts Council England to help realise the ambitions of Boston and South Holland residents and community groups over the next three years.”
Nick Jones
The funding allows us to reach some of the most vulnerable and isolated in our communities and give them chance to tell their story and express themselves through stained glass, print, drawing, creative writing and a host of other art forms.
To mark this exciting new chapter, we’ve created a short film with Electric Egg – Transported: 10 Years of Arts Engagement. The film looks back at the impact of our work so far, celebrating the creativity, collaboration, and community pride that have shaped Transported since we began.
From projects like the Boston School of Mosaic and ARTeFACT to festivals and outdoor events, the film captures how art has helped strengthen local identity and wellbeing across Lincolnshire. As one participant reflects, “It feels worthwhile because it’s for the community.”
Transported operates within the University of Lincoln’s College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities, embedding the University directly within local communities. This partnership allows us to combine academic expertise with grassroots engagement, aligning our work with the University’s mission to transform lives and enrich communities.
Professor Dominic Symonds, Director of Research for the College of Arts and Chair of Transported’s Management Board, says:
“The University is proud of Transported’s successful bid for this next phase of Creative People and Places funding. Transported was the only programme to receive an uplift from previous funding phases, a testament to the team’s dedication, expertise, and impact. Through initiatives like ‘Mind the Gap’, the University is able to place creativity at the heart of communities, transforming lives and fostering cultural participation across Lincolnshire.”
We’re proud of how far we’ve come — and we’re ready to keep moving forward. With the support of Arts Council England, National Lottery players, and our many local partners, we’ll continue to make Boston and South Holland places where creativity thrives and everyone can take part.
Liz Johnson, Midlands Area Director at Arts Council England said:
“Creative People and Places projects bring organisations and communities together to shape the creative and cultural activities available in their local area. Funded by the National Lottery, we are investing more than £9.2 million in the Midlands, to ensure more people can experience, connect and take part in creativity on their doorsteps.
“Transported’s new phase ‘Mind the Gap’ brings rural and coastal communities together for a range of high quality creative and cultural experiences that are accessible, relevant, raise aspirations, and help the area to thrive through a collaborative approach to culture.”
Everyone should have the chance to experience creativity and culture that reflects their own stories and surroundings and we’re looking forward to working with you to make this happen.
Transported, in collaboration with SHDC, Lincolnshire County Council, Heritage Lincolnshire, and East Mercia River Trust, is thrilled to extend an invitation to seasoned willow artists to contribute their craft to the Spalding River Walk Willow Commission.
This initiative, a pivotal part of Spalding’s broader town regeneration program funded by Heritage Lottery, seeks to weave together the town’s rich history, cultural significance, and a vision for a vibrant future.
The Vision: Picture growing willow artworks gracing the Spalding riverside, echoing the town’s eel and fishing heritage. The commission is a testament to Transported’s commitment to engaging the community in arts and cultural activities, creating opportunities for participation and skill development.
Project Overview: Since 2013, Transported has been at the forefront of public art initiatives, commissioning permanent and temporary artworks across Boston Borough & South Holland. The Spalding River Walk Willow Commission is a natural progression, aligning with our focus on heritage, local character, skill-building, and environmental enhancement.
Artist Requirements: We are seeking an experienced artist with a proven track record in crafting high-quality and robust structures using “green” willow. The selected artist will not only create visually stunning pieces but will also play a crucial role in inspiring and empowering the community through practical workshops. From taster sessions to in-depth skill development, the goal is to kindle a passion for the arts within the Spalding community.
Timeline: Recognizing the importance of the seasonal aspect, the selected artist will be tasked with completing the artwork by March 2024. This offers a unique opportunity to witness the growth and transformation of the willow artworks over time.
Budget and Support: The overall budget includes artist fees for approximately 10 days of engagement, design, fabrication, installation, materials, and travel. Transported will provide project management, marketing, administration, and project assistants for workshops and public sessions. This allows the artist to focus on their craft and the community.
How to Apply: If you are an experienced willow artist passionate about community engagement, submit your application to nickjones@lincoln.ac.uk by 15th January, 2024. Include a short statement outlining your suitability, a portfolio of at least 10 images showcasing your work, and evidence of public liability insurance.
Explore the Full Brief: For a comprehensive understanding of the project, please refer to the Spalding Riverwalk Willow Weaving Artist Brief.
Join us in Crafting a Tapestry of Growth: This is a unique opportunity to contribute to the cultural fabric of Spalding. Together, let’s craft artworks that not only stand as testaments to our heritage but also grow with the promise of a vibrant future.