Historical information

Item believed to be from Empire Day celebrations held in Surrey Hills. The Empire Day movement was instituted in England in 1904 and a meeting of Surrey Hills residents on 24th May 1906, pledged to do all in their power to make the day a success. Founding members included Arthur 'Empire' Brooks, James 'Rule Britannia' Sneddon and Harry 'Mafeking' Garrett, whose nicknames stemmed from their activities. Empire Day celebrations from 1906-11 attracted tremendous enthusiasm as reported at the time with 40,000 people attending the procession. The procession included horse drawn floats from local businesses, a torchlight parade headed by mounted troopers and local school bands. Rows of lamps and paper Chinese lanterns strung across the streets and lit at night by candles, while every dwelling had it's own decorations. The Progress Association revived the celebrations between 1933 and 1938 and while the route of the procession varied between these years, it would end with a 'monster bonfire' at Beckett Park.

Physical description

Cobalt blue glass fairy lantern with diamond quilt or pineapple pattern. Wire handle with twisted join. Remnants of candle/tealight in bottom.