Bonfire & Firework Spectacular!

Saturday 6th November 2004

After many weeks in the planning, the display did not disappoint! This is the second year we've sub-contracted the display itself, and Firemagic put on an excellent show. Even the kids display was good, although apologies for the few bangs which still went off!

Not only that, but the event was a great financial success, raising just over £4000 for local causes!

We had a few hiccups on the way - the field was very soggy, so we were unable to erect any of the big rides we had planned, such as dodgems. Also it left us without a source of music. Despite the wet, Bill Guy supported us as usual with his own kids' rides, lighting and power.

The Bonfire almost didn't happen, because we discovered that the haulage companies now sell palettes for making chip-board, so didn't have their usual surplus stock. By various means we managed to get a respectable one built in time, and it was adorned with Guys made by the Wotton Kingfisher Cubs.

Everything sold out! The sparklers and glows were gone half way through the interval, and by the end the 41 Club Barbecue and the Ladies Circle Food tent had sold out too. Apologies if you were disappointed.

We had more Stalls this year; thanks to everyone who organised one! They included Wotton Scouts (Coconut Shy), Lib Dems (Bottle Stall), Michaelwood Services (Tombola), Woodend Scouts (Fishing for Cans), The Electric Picture House (Calendars).

Thanks also to organisations who helped, including of course Lions (Car Park Marshalling), Woodend Scouts (Site Marshalling), Diana Polowski for the Window Display, Wotton Rugby Club for lending us some lighting, Wotton Community Sports Foundation and Renishaw for the use of the site, and KLB for providing access. Also to the Red Cross for First Aid cover.

Several of the schools were a great help by supplementing our leaflet distribution (Bluecoat School, British School and Alexander Hosea), and thanks to the shops who sold pre-sale tickes for us (Bear Street Garage, Newshop and Londis in Wotton; Charfield Garage and Steve's Shop in Charfield; and the Spars in Kingswood and Wickwar).

If I've missed anyone, sorry - let me know! Finally a big thanks to everybody who bought tickets and attended the display.

Suggestions or comments for next year? Tell us what you think.

Mike Davison
Bonfire Coordinator, 2004